Automopedia’s 2010 NAIAS Round-Up Part 1
It has been an interesting week in Detroit at the 2010 North American International Auto Show – we witnessed more dance routines, cool concept autos and some empty booths. Everyone had their very own Hybrid or Electric Vehicle to show off, though we are still waiting patiently for that pee powered car.
As we guessed earlier with our NAIAS Predictions alternative fuels and smaller trucks were both on hand to wow everyone in Michigan. Let’s have a look at what come to pass this week of January, 2010.
Utility Returns to GM – GMC Granite Concept
Many compared GMC’s new suicide door “utility” concept, the Granite, to Kia’s Soul or Nissan’s Cube. While in looks all three are similar, GMC has really impressed critics with their groundbreaking (for GM that is) small truck look, and a dashboard straight out of Blade Runner. According to GMC: “We call it an ‘urban utility vehicle’ and our goal was redefining what the GMC name could mean to a new generation of customers looking for both bold design and functionality.” Hold your horses there GM, let’s see what’s up when the production model comes to life.
Honda CR-Z – The Hybrid Coupe
It’s a six-speed manual transmission matted to a hybrid gas/electric drive – the hybrid sports car: brought to you by Honda. CR-Z hearkens back to a time when two-door Hondas had no back seat and a flat rear hatch. Advertisements for the hybrid Honda CR-Z started popping up on auto websites long before the car dropped at NAIAS. But now, the cat is out of the bag, and it’s great on fuel.
Toyota FT-CH – The Baby Prius
Toyota is starting a “Prius family” – we don’t know if it will be the basic American nuclear family or some weird polyamorous open relationship thing, where the Japanese auto maker just brands everything with a ‘hybrid’ logo. Anyway, the first lucky adopted child is Toyota’s FT-CH – “One of several fancy eco-friendly cars coming your way from the world’s largest hybrid producer, this New Toyota is a small aquatic creature-looking vehicle that strays away from almost anything related to the brand – aside from “hybrid” logo and Toyota seal.” Still in development phase, expect to see FT-CH and possibly many other Prius-related vehicles in 2011.
Lexus LFA – The Museum Piece
The much-anticipated Lexus LFA boasts a 552 horsepower V10 engine and leaps from 60 in 3.6 seconds up to 202 mph. That is reason enough to keep it up on a pedestal, behind an armed guard and locked gate. What’s the other reason? This particular Lexus, which made an appearance in Detroit, costs $350,000.
BMW Z4 sDrive35is – Too Much Name
BMW has always been accused of having their head up their bums. Right? Maybe it’s just our opinion. But let’s face it, they make fantastic automobiles. Their 2011 Z4 is not exception. But it’s name. why BMW – sDrive35is? It’s all marketing, and everyone is mocking it. Not really sure if this particular BMW will be taken seriously with such a confusing group of random letters and numbers.
2011 Mustang 5.0
And finally we present to you, your 2011 Ford Mustang GT! It has a 5.0-liter V8-powered GT, which produces 412-horsepower and up to 390 ft-lb of torque – pushing the racer to 60 mph in under 4.7 seconds. Using the six-speed automatic the car generates a 17/25mpg rating. That, my friends, is up from the 4.8 V8 in last year’s model. Well played Ford, well played.
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