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2009 Detroit Auto Show Preview
The 2009 Detroit auto show is shaping up, and it's going to be a more sobering show. The financial crisis has been averted for now at GM and Chrysler, but all the side trappings--fashion shows, lavish dinners and whiz-bang product introductions--are being slimmed down or done away with altogether.
It's not limited to the domestics, either. Toyota president Katsuaki Watanabe won't be making the trip to Detroit to unveil the 2010 Prius, and Honda's doing away with a press conference altogether for its 2009 Honda Insight.
Here's the current list of debuts planned for the annual outing at Cobo Hall:
2010 Toyota Prius: The third generation of Toyota's game-changing hybrid will get its worldwide debut at the 2009 Detroit show. The first official photos were leaked recently, and Toyota confirms that the photos are indeed the new Prius. The Prius certainly will grow a little larger this time around, though promises of a more powerful gasoline engine, a bigger electric motor and lithium-ion batteries are all speculation. Not speculation? That there will be a Lexus-only hybrid introduced at Detroit as well, and it could be spun from the new Prius platform.
2010 Volvo S60: Financial mess be damned, Volvo is planning to revamp its mid-size S60 sedan with a new vehicle based on Ford's European Mondeo sedan. This illustration shows the interior console of the new S60 concept coming to the 2009 Detroit auto show. A production version is expected in early 2010.
2010 Cadillac SRX: The new crossover from GM's top-tier brand gets new styling and a new architecture, but loses its V-8 option. All-wheel drive is still in the cards, as is more interior room.
2010 Ford Taurus: With the Chevrolet Malibu seeing a renaissance, Ford is eager to bring a little flair back to its safe but snooze-worthy Taurus. For the 2010 model year the Taurus gets new bodywork and possibly, a turbocharged performance edition. Ford CEO Alan Mulally confirmed a new Taurus is in the works, and a Detroit show introduction seems likely--though it could be reserved for the 2009 Chicago auto show, since the Taurus will be built in that city.
2010 Lincoln MKT: Lincoln is getting its own version of the 2009 Ford Flex--albeit one with completely different sheetmetal and interior. The upcoming 2010 Lincoln MKT will get a choice of powertrains--either a 3.7-liter V-6 or a 3.5-liter "EcoBoost" engine, with direct injection and turbocharging, that's good for 340 horsepower. A six-speed automatic with paddle shifters will be the sole transmission. The upscale MKT will come standard with seven-passenger seating with a power folding third-row seat, first and second-row heated and cooled seats, and the SYNC entertainment controller. Options will include a new-generation navigation system, Sirius Travel Link and a new Cross Traffic Alert system that alerts drivers to obstacles when backing out of a parking space. The MKT will also offer an auto-park feature that steers the vehicle into a parallel-parking spot at the touch of a button.
2010 Buick LaCrosse: GM is changing its plans to show off vehicles in Los Angeles. Instead, the 2009 Detroit show will host the world reveal of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse last week, which vice chairman Bob Lutz says is one of the nicest things GM's ever done.
2010 Chevrolet Equinox: Chevy's mid-size crossover gets new engines and a new body, but the underlying platform is carried over from previous Equinoxes. There's no Pontiac version this time, but we expect a GMC Terrain model to be spun from the same pieces--if GM hasn't axed the program due to cost cuts.
2009 Honda Insight: The production version shows up in Detroit, though Honda won't hold a formal press conference. Our own Bengt Halvorson is driving it this week, but driving impressions will be on hold at least until some other blog breaks the embargo. The link above leads to more photos of the new Prius fighter.
2009 Fisker Karma: Fisker, the carrosserie-turned-EV-maker says its hybrid sedan--complete with GM four-cylinder engine--will bow at the Detroit auto show. No word if Fisker wants bridge loans like its bete noir Tesla.
2009 BMW Z4: The new two-seat BMW sportscar changes venues; it'll be built in Germany instead of South Carolina. It also gets a folding hardtop this time around.
2010 Ford Mustang GT500: The first special edition of the new-generation Mustang will be shown off in Detroit--probably the limit of the excitement for the Big Three, as they've cancelled all parties and major evening events that traditionally go with the show.
Subaru Concept: A two-door Subaru sharing its running gear with a future Toyota will bow at the 2009 Detroit auto show. Details are scarce, but TheCarConnection.com's run spy shots of the new Subie that foretell the shape and mission of the new car.
Audi R8 V-10: The Lambo-powered R8 struts into Cobo Hall with 525 horsepower and some detail work to distinguish it from V-8 Audi supercars...and the Gallardo.
NOT ATTENDING:
Nissan/Infiniti
Mitsubishi
Porsche
Suzuki
Land Rover
Ferrari
If you're planning on attending the Detroit show, the dates break down as follows:
*Press Preview will be held Sunday, Jan. 11 through Tuesday, Jan. 13.
*Industry Preview will be held Wednesday, Jan. 14 and Thursday, Jan. 15.
*The annual black-tie Charity Preview gala will be held Friday evening, Jan. 16.
*Public Days will be held Saturday, Jan. 17 through Sunday, Jan. 25.
Organizers say the 2008 NAIAS saw more than 700,000 attendees file through Cobo Hall, along with 6,000 international media from nearly 60 countries and 37,000 industry insiders, not to mention celebrities like Mary J. Blige, Kid Rock, and Toby Keith. In addition, $6 million was raised for children’s charities at the annual black-tie Charity Preview.
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Responses (6 total)
By Taberd Lee | Posted: Dec 22nd 2008, 07:38:40 PM
Mazda has the best exterior design. Interior is their strong point, but not as good as Audi. Both Toyota and Honda have boring exterior and ugly interior design, except for a few of their cars. BMW interior design has always been dark, cold, and austere. Mercedes is better, but still no match for Audi.
The most improved is GM (Cadillac CTS, Chevy Malibu, and the new Equinox).
By Ed | Posted: Dec 9th 2008, 12:02:07 PM
Ray:
I appreciate a lot of things in Toyota and Hyundai, but design is not one of them. Not exterior design for TOyota, and not interior for Hyundai.
WHY go to them, and not go to the EUROS? Most Audis are MASTERPIECES, and the previous Gen BMWs and M-Bs were too.
By ray | Posted: Dec 9th 2008, 04:56:54 AM
Please, American car company executives, now that you'll be getting a huge infusion of money, just hire someone from toyota/nissan/honda/hyundai to design the interior and exterior of your cars.
I still see Lincolns with interiors that look they're from the 1970's.
By Reece | Posted: Dec 8th 2008, 11:21:22 PM
Is it me or does the MKZ looks like it wants to eat anything in its way, scarry and ugly, interesting design direction, unique in an Aztec kind of way.
By Ed | Posted: Oct 27th 2008, 08:05:40 PM
As for the pitiful, grotesquely-grilled, 2010 Lincoln MKT: Lincoln is failing BIG TIME not only in its pitiful models but, equally importantly, in the pitiful, meaningless Letter names it chooses for them.
By Ed | Posted: Oct 27th 2008, 06:29:26 PM
"2010 Toyota Prius: The third generation of Toyota's game-changing hybrid will get its worldwide debut at the 2009 Detroit show. "
I'm sure this ugly catfish Yaris-grille lookalike will be "game-changing" too.. LOL. But NOT in Toyota's favor.
People who pay an arm and a leg to buy a Prius (frequently the actual cost is well over 30k!!!) do NOT want a vehicle that looks like any non-hybrid Toyota,
but especially they do not want an ugly POS that looks like a cheapo 12k Tpyota Yaris!
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