Automakers introduce new models
From sport sedans to crossovers and concepts, the world’s automakers brought their best to Detroit for Monday’s kickoff of the North American International Auto Show. That followed pre-show unveilings Sunday including the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and the front-wheel-drive Mercedes CLA 250.
Some of the major unveilings from the show so far:
Honda crossover concept: Honda Motor Co. showed off what it called an “urban SUV concept” vehicle, a small crossover pegged below Honda’s successful CR-V sport utility. It is based on the same platform used for the Honda Fit subcompact.
“No one has had greater success with small cars than Honda,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales at American Honda Motor Co.
Honda plans to market the “proper five-passenger” vehicle to a younger and less affluent demographic than the more expensive CR-V or its flagship Accord sedan, he said. “It provides the capability to do something under the CR-V. A little more nimble, serving a little bit different market,” Mendel said.
Honda did not provide fuel economy data, price information or other specs. Several manufacturers are exploring this new “subcompact SUV” segment, including Buick with its Encore, BMW with the X-1 and Nissan with the Juke.
—Jerry Hirsch
Lincoln MKC crossover: Lincoln pulled the cover off a concept crossover dubbed the MKC on Sunday ahead of the show’s opening, but don’t put too much stock in the “concept” part. Based on the platform that underpins the compact Ford Escape crossover, a production version of the MKC would probably look nearly identical and go on sale within a year.
That would follow Lincoln’s modus operandi at last year’s Detroit auto show, when it showed off a “concept” of the MKZ sedan — a production version now on sale.
Lincoln was mum on the MKC’s powertrain options, but the base engine will probably be some form of the 2.0liter EcoBoost engine in the premium level Ford Escape. In that application, the engine makes 240 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and comes in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
—David Undercoffler
BMW 320i: Few car enthusiasts would question that the BMW 3-Series has set the standard for small sport sedans since its introduction nearly four decades ago. But the competition has seldom been more fierce.
The German automaker responded in Detroit by unveiling an entry-level variant of the sedan, a turbo-charged four-cylinder 320i — with a base price of $33,445. The allwheel-drive version, the 320i xDrive, starts at $35,445. That should help the relatively stripped-down Bimmer hold off competition from the redesigned Lexus IS and Infiniti Q50 — two models also unveiled in Detroit and looking to take the 3-Series down a peg or two.
Current 3-series models range from a low of $36,850 for the base 328i sedan, up to $49,650 for the ActiveHybrid 3. Options can pile on thousands of dollars more.
—Brian Thevenot
VW CrossBlue concept: Looking to fill a key hole in its U.S. lineup, Volkswagen unveiled a crossover SUV concept dubbed the CrossBlue. The vehicle foreshadows a production crossover that Volkswagen will probably bring to the U.S. market in 2014.
The large sport utility would come in six- or sevenpassenger configurations and target other family crossovers such as the Ford Explorer, Dodge Durango and Nissan Pathfinder.
The CrossBlue concept is a plug-in hybrid diesel with two electric motors. Total output is 306 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. Though the CrossBlue concept is a plug-in hybrid diesel, expect the production model to be powered by a gas-powered engine, perhaps with a diesel motor optional.
—David Undercoffler
Infiniti Q50: Infiniti launched a new Q50 sport sedan into an increasingly cutthroat segment that includes a redesigned Lexus, which is scheduled to debut in Detroit on Tuesday.
The Q50 replaces the outgoing G37 from Nissan’s luxury division. The car will be offered in either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and will also compete with the BMW 3-Series, MercedesBenz C-Class and Cadillac ATS.
“The German brands in particular are all occupying particular positions in the marketplace,” said Johan de Nysschen, senior vice president of Nissan Motor Co. in charge of the Infiniti division. “We would like to present Infiniti as the seductive alternative.”
The biggest change for the Q50 is its styling. The exterior maintains the curvaceous profile of the outgoing G37, although more horizontal headlights and a flat, wide mesh grille give the Q50 a more aggressive look.
—David Undercoffler