Detroit was in a sombre mood this year. Fresh from multi-billion dollar bailouts, two of the big three had rather subdued debuts. Ford, by virtue of declining the helping hand had a bit more flair, but still lower than previous years. Several manufacturers like Nissan, Suzuki, Porsche etc gave Detroit the miss. Stalls were smaller, some stayed empty while others just kept things to a bare minimum.
And yet, there was enough action to warrant a Detroit Motor Show coverage of this magnitude. Because manufacturers also believe that when the going gets tough, it's best to ignore all the bad news and do something new. And there was enough new metal to get deferrers to rethink their stand and start signing cheques for shiny new cars. Could Detroit really help turn around things? Well, have a look at what was hot at CoBo this year and tell us if you think things are going to be better in 2009.
What is it?
The all-new 9th gen Mercedes E-Class
Why is it significant?
The launch of the ninth generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class at Detroit means only one thing. The fellow German competition will soon follow suit with their respective offerings. Read the new BMW 5 Series and the Audi A6. Until then, the new E means new benchmarks across the automotive industry when it comes to styling, performance, passenger comfort and dynamics. So how does the W212 take the game forward?
Mercedes-Benz’s new design philosophy that was first seen in the S-Class and then in the C-Class, is now expressed with the E-Class as well, more or less completing the transition from the old to the new across its line-up. The car looks new, yet it looks like an E-Class. The new headlight treatment continues the twin-eyed theme, but in a more rectangular form, accompanied by a new, more angular grille and bumper, to give it a more aggressive appearance.
And this aggressive theme continues to the rear in the form of prominent ridges on the bonnet and slashes on the flanks, lending a very dynamic stance to the car even when it's standing still. Looks like Mercedes-Benz’s own version of BMW’s flame-surfacing! The rear is more subdued when compared to the front, though it does not break the harmony with the rest of the design. Overall, the new E-Class has a very front-heavy, muscular design which also retains the elegance of the outgoing E.
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With engine choices that range from 136 bhp to 525 bhp, Mercedes-Benz has ensured that economy-seekers as well as petrolheads are well taken care of. The range of three diesel engines features latest-generation common-rail direct injection, piezo-electric injectors, improved exhaust gas recirculation and twin turbochargers to provide improved responsiveness and performance characteristics.
The 136 bhp E 200 CDI starts off the diesel range which goes on to the 170 bhp E 220 CDI and the 204 bhp E 250 CDI, ending with the 231 bhp E 350 CDI. The E 350 will also be available as a BlueTEC model developing 211 bhp and already meeting EU6 emission norms planned for 2014.
The E’s petrol engine lineup starts with the 184 bhp E 200 CGI which comes with a six-speed manual gearbox and the ECO start/stop function as standard, while the 204 bhp E 250 CGI comes with a five-speed auto 'box. Next we have the E 350 CGI which makes 292 bhp and then the top-of-the-line E 500 which makes a stonking 388 bhp. If that isn’t enough for you to reach your boardroom meeting on time, AMG also provides the 525 bhp V8 E63 AMG. We hope that’s enough.
The E-Class has always excelled when it came to safety and the new E takes this tradition forward. Seven airbags, belt tensioners, belt force limiters and crash-responsive head restraints make the new E a safe bet on four wheels. Also, there is the new Active Bonnet which rises in the event of a collision with a pedestrian and effectively works as a cushion to limit injury. The car also comes with many new active safety features such as Adaptive Main Beam Assist, Night View Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Brake Assist Plus and even a drowsiness detection system.
While the E is always known for its ability to glide over roads, this ninth-gen version promises to be a great handler as well. Adaptive shock absorbers take care of the ride and handling duties, while you can also opt for a more dynamic damping package for enhanced handling abilities at the cost of a really cosseting ride.
The interior comes with all the creature comforts that a businessman on the move would expect and the list of options will enable him to spend his hard-earned money on the best of accessories. Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, it has, and how. That’s the new E for you. We can't wait to get our hands on it. When? Not till the end of this year, sadly.
What is it?
Audi’s four door sports coupe A7 — the Sportback concept for now!
Why is it significant?
The last German to bite the bait of the four-door coupe (alright, the BMW X6 is an SAV, so what?), Audi stunned the entire Cobo Hall at Detroit by bringing out its Sportback concept. Riding high on crossing a million units in sales for the first time in 2008, Audi now have what will eventually be called the 2011 A7 Sportback. Designed to pull the knickers off the Mercedes CLS, with the Sportback Audi have won the first round by presenting what is a stunning design concept. The in-your-face Sportback shows certain traces of the Lamborghini Estoque concept, but maybe we are jumping the gun.
Anyway, its aggressive grille, sharply raised waistline and now de rigeur LED lamps are part of the package. Just like the Panamera, the Sportback concept has four-seats with enough German hide to boot. For the concept, Audi have used their 3.0-litre TDI with 225 bhp and a start-stop system.
When it does go into production, expect the supercharged 3.0-litre petrol and an S7 to be possible contenders for showroom space. Given how the Estoque, Panamera and the A7 will co-exist, it will be very interesting to watch who really rakes in the big bucks.
What is it?
Jaguar’s new XFR saloon to whisk Mr Gordon Brown to 10 Downing Street
Why is it significant?
Well, Jaguar have brought out their first sports saloon since the days of the S-Type R and on first impressions, it's looking good.
The XF based sports saloon no longer gets ‘yet another’ tweaked version of its supercharged 4.2 V8. Instead Jaguar have unveiled their first new engine since the Tatas took over — a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 called the AJ-V8 Gen III.
Power is good for 510 bhp, with a claimed 0-100 kph time of just 4.7 seconds and a German-like limited top speed of 250 kph (so much for Jag’s Britishness!). New special body hugging seats, a new navigation and 14-speaker music system and classy interiors form the rest of the package. We just can’t wait to do a mega Audi RS6, BMW M5 and XFR comparo story around the ‘Ring’.
What is it?
Cadillac’s own Volt — the Converj
Why is it significant?
Volt is the matter with GM? Not content with just one brand getting ‘electrified’, they’ve gone ahead and added Cadillac to that list. The Converj concept, based on the Chevy Volt uses the same ‘Voltec’ mill and technology. There’s lots of jargon in the press release, but to make it simpler, this Caddy has a range of 64 kilometres on pure battery power. Once that’s exhausted, a 160 bhp petrol engine kicks in that acts like a generator, charging the batteries and the two together can help the Converj run hundreds of kilometres before it needs some love and refined crude juice.
The batteries can also be charged from a 240V socket in under three hours. Externally, the car looks like any Caddy and won’t be mistaken for an apology of an EV. The 2+2 seating, the silk and suede all confirm to its luxury appeal. Apart from all that EV gear, there’s also Magnetic ride and cameras for outside rear-view mirrors.
What is it?
The Mondeo for the Americans — the new Ford Taurus
Why is it significant?
The Taurus had developed a reputation for being a boring saloon that's as blah as alphabet soup. It did nothing to tickle the hundreds of thousands of people who bought it. But this one looks like no ordinary saloon. Ford’s latest iteration is a quality car with lots of kit and lots of space on the inside. Out goes all that shiny hard plastic and in comes soft touch, high quality stuff that will keep shareholders happy.
Though based on the Ford Five Hundred, the radical looking Taurus seems to share some design cues with the Mondeo. Part of the new Kinetic design philosophy, the Taurus has a trapezoidal grille, a power dome on the bonnet and lots of delicious chrome. For a family saloon, this car is no slouch. Two iterations of the EcoBoost 3.5-litre V6 are available - a 263 bhp variant and 350 bhp one. Both are mated to Ford’s Selectshift system with paddle shifters that can do rev matching during downshifts. Enough to keep the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry in check.
What is it?
Chrysler’s just done an electric sports car (what!) with an apt name — it’s the Dodge Circuit
Why is it significant?
While the world was asleep, Chrysler took a flight to the UK (while the senate debated about Bob Nardelli’s flight in a private jet to Washington for the Big Three hearings) and landed a deal with Lotus to badge their Europas with Chrysler logos. Except that they first decided to remove that tantalising petrol mill and replace it with an electric motor and batteries. Now, the same Europa has become the Circuit EV with a range of 240 to 320 km and an acceleration time to 100 kph of 5 seconds. With a top speed just shy of 200 kph, the electric pack helps produce the equivalent of 268 bhp, thanks to the latest lithium ion batteries. The fact that it's based on the Lotus means great handling is a given.
