Voice of America

Motown makes itself loud and clear at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit

The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) is always held at the Cobo Centre in Detroit, and it was no different this time... except for the rather mean-looking sniffer dogs and a solid show that was put on by American car manufacturers.

The 16th NAIAS saw the introduction of the new-gen Corvette, Mustang and Shelby Cobra, while Chrysler got its own supercar, and Japanese manufacturers like Toyota, Honda and Nissan were ready to go truckin'.

Here then are the stars of the Detroit Motor Show.

PONTIAC SOLSTICE
Here comes the sun

Built on the rear-wheel drive 'Kappa' platform, the two-seater Solstice is powered by a 170 bhp 2400cc four-cylinder engine, and boasts 50:50 weight distribution.

General Motors will expect this minimalist roadster to take on the likes of the Mercedes-Benz SLK, BMW Z4 and a host of other front-engine/rear-wheel drive Japanese competition.

CHEVROLET NOMAD
Wander wonder

Is it a wagon, an SUV or a sedan? All that and more perhaps. Again based on GM's Kappa platform, the Nomad is Mini-like in appearance both in and out.

But what sets it apart from BMW's little number is a 250 bhp 2200cc turbocharged motor and LED lighting technology for the grille, lamps and hatch door.

FORD MUSTANG
Horse power

FoMoCo's chairman Bill Ford came onstage driving the latest iteration of the legendary Mustang.

All the elements are there, a long hood, short rear end and two neat engine choices - a base 200-bhp V6 and a 300 bhp V8 in the GT version. We do hope it will buck Ford's fortunes.

FORD BRONCO
4WD box

J Mays did it again. He drove up in a concept that 'paid tribute' to the original. The Bronco concept, with its boxy looks, large off-road tyres and ruler-straight lines, is a take on Ford's original Bronco 4x4.

It's powered by a 2000cc turbocharged diesel (yes!) engine, mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox. And at the push of a button, you get an instant 50 bhp boost thanks to nitrous-oxide injection.

FORD FIVE HUNDRED
The ubiquitous sedan

The Five Hundred promises to be the stereotyped American sedan for the future. It will boast continuously variable transmission, will come with an AWD option and will have several engine choices including a V6.

About a foot shorter than the humdrum Crown Victoria, Ford however says that the Five Hundred offers more rear leg room than a Rolls-Royce.

FERRARI 612 SCAGLIETTI
A Ferrari for the family man

Ferrari has been making 2+2 coupes since 1948, but these coupes are usually powered by 12-cylinder engines! The new 612 Scaglietti made its worldwide debut here at Detroit and effectively replaces the 456M.

Which means it's lighter, more spacious and powerful than its predecessor. It's been named in honour of Sergio Scaglietti, a Modena-based coachbuilder who worked with old man Enzo in the 1950s and who did some magic using aluminium. This four-seat coupe is powered by a 5700cc V12 that develops 540 bhp and is capable of a top speed of 310 kph.

DODGE SLING SHOT
Smart catapult

The Dodge Sling Shot concept is proof that the Daimler and Chrysler merger is still at work. The car looks like a reskinned version of the Smart Brabus Roadster, and its little three-cylinder motor even more suspiciously so.

The engine's mounted at the rear and develops 100 bhp - remarkably similar to the Smart Roadster, and the Sling Shot claims a zero-to-96 kph timing of 10 seconds.

MERCEDES-BENZ VISION GST
Sweet home, Alabama

The Mercedes Vision Grand Sports Tourer, which was a concept two years ago at Detroit, is all set to make production reality soon. To be built at Mercedes' Alabama plant in 2005, the GST is supposed to have been inspired by America.

Which means it has the 'elegance and dynamics of a sedan, roominess of a minivan and capability of an SUV.' The show car was powered by a V8 diesel engine mated to an electric motor (yup, a hybrid powertrain), developing a total of 314 hp and a humungous 85 kgm of torque. While at it, it can do 0 to 96 kph in 6.6 seconds.

TOYOTA FTX
Full Truck Excess

The FTX concept is how future Toyota trucks will look, and is an indication of Toyota's desire to compete with the F-150, Silverado and Ram.

Unlike the competition, the FTX show truck is powered by a hybrid V8 powertrain, but of course, a conventional V8 is on the cards. The FTX has some innovative features: motorised siderails, a hidden box and a hideaway ramp to roll heavy stuff from the tailgate.

HONDA SUT
Hope it suits

Now, a truck-SUV crossover. Honda's SUT concept, which may get into production next year, is built on the Japanese major's global light truck platform, and boasts unibody construction.

It's meant for the 'cool dad', according to Honda. Well, the cool dad will sure appreciate the independent suspension, 4WD and airbags all around. And of course, the V6 VTEC engine.

VOLKSWAGEN CONCEPT T
Storm in a T-cup

This bizarre off-road coupe from Volkswagen gets its name from its T-shaped body. Oversize wheels, rounded cabin, exposed wings and game-console controls make it look as if it's just driven itself out from a superhero comic book. The Concept T gets a 241 bhp V6 and all-wheel drive.

HYUNDAI HCD8
California dreaming

This is the first concept from Hyundai's design studio and technical centre in California. The HCD8 is a sports tourer concept and uses the familiar 2700cc V6 for motive power, only this time, it's supercharged.

The HCD8 also gets an all-independent performance suspension set-up with adjustable ride height.