Arguably the country’s most important auto show, the North American International Auto Show has come to a close, but that hardly means that what transpired earlier this week at the Cobo Center in Detroit is old news.
The cars and concepts we saw unveiled in Detroit will set the tone for the industry for the next few years and that’s generally a good thing, since there were some exciting products unveiled in the Motor City.
In years past, it has been easy to pinpoint a general theme at the Detroit show, but this year’s unveilings seemed to span the entire market, from utlra-high mpg compacts like the Toyota Prius c to a family-oriented reinvention of Nissan’s Pathfinder.
All automakers talked about saving fuel, even Bentley with its Continental GT V8 (which is down four cylinders from the now range-topping model). There were plug-in hybrids from Ford (Fusion Energi) and Volvo (XC60 concept) and more “traditional” hybrids than we have space to list. BMW and Mercedes-Benz each showed off two, although the E300 diesel hybrid made its first and only appearance here, and while the Acura NSX will likely be reborn as a hybrid sports car.
But some debuts were aimed at those who relish the joys of motoring. Take the nearly 600-horsepower track-only Dodge Charger Redline by Mopar or the rear-drive compact Chevrolet Code 130R concept, for example.
With this diversity in mind, the Leftlane staff discussed our favorite debuts from the show floor and, after an intense voting process rivaled only by the New Hampshire primary, we whittled down a list of what we consider the 10 most important cars. We don’t universally love or hate this list, but we think these cars will make the biggest impact on the industry.
Here they are (in alphabetical order) and here’s why we picked them:
The 10 most important cars of the 2012 Detroit auto show
Acura ILX. Parent company Honda might be making some curious decisions, but it appears that things are back on track at Acura. The company’s thinly-disguised ILX concept car previews a new sub-TSX front-driver that should deliver exactly what the brand needs and what the industry seems to favor: A true premium entry-level model. Luckily, its toned haunches and edgy style look nothing like its Canada-only Honda Civic-based Acura CSX predecessor. Acura finally has room to move its TL up into the 5-Series realm where it should be. Sayonara RL.
Acura NSX. This isn’t the first time that Acura has teased us with a preview of what it says will be the second-generation version of its legendary mid-engined sports car. This time, the engine is in its traditional home, but a pair of electric motors supply power to the front wheels to make it a hybrid high-end sports car. Will it rekindle the original NSX’s magic? It’s too early to say, but this concept does certainly stir the loins.
Buick Encore. Is Buick’s new ultra-compact crossover a good fit for this market? We think so, but we realize that GM anticipates that its appeal will probably be more global than domestic. In person, this mini-ute looks far better than it does in photos. Its interior is surprisingly roomy and quite upmarket. Let’s just hope Buick gets the price right, otherwise this could be a tiny anchor for the fast-growing Buick speedboat to drag along.
Cadillac ATS. Cadillac’s wedgy CTS reinvented the brand about 10 years ago by offering impressive dynamics at a price far below that of similarly-sized German rivals. Will the same recipe work against the BMW 3-Series? If its looks and specifications are anything to go by, the ATS will undeniably be a hit – and it might be the first Cadillac to truly open up the lucrative European market. If the ATS isn’t a home run for Cadillac, we’ll be very surprised.
Chevrolet Code 130R Concept. Looking like a BMW 1-Series coupe that has been on a Bangle-free diet, the 130R checks all the right boxes for enthusiasts. It’s compact, rear-drive, turbocharged and, if it makes production, Chevrolet promises a base price in the mid-$20,000 range. That sounds just right to us. The oddly-named Code 130R is also the result of a lengthy consumer evaluation process, the kind of thing GM used to do really poorly but seems to have figured out since (a focus group somewhere apparently liked the Pontiac Aztek, for crying out loud).
Dodge Dart. When did Chrysler last field a world-class compact car? If you answered that with “never,” give yourself a pat on the back and a smiley face sticker. Essentially an Alfa Romeo Giulietta with Dodge styling cues and a few tweaks, the Dart delivers. And one of its most salient spec sheet virtues is its ability to meet a government-mandated requirement that it deliver 40 mpg combined on the CAFE cycle. Granted, it won’t hit 40 mpg combined on the window sticker you see in the showroom since CAFE and EPA standards are like oil and water, but the Dart is still expected to be a 41-42 mpg highway fuel sipper.
Ford Fusion. That Ford’s passenger car design chief Moray Callum is the little brother of Ian Callum, the man credited with giving Aston Martin its current design language, was certainly not lost on us when we first saw the Fusion. While Moray’s design is hardly original, it is downright striking as it transforms the dowdy Fusion into a genuine super model. A slew of thrifty four-cylinder engines including a high-tech hybrid model help give it the segment’s most complete powertrain lineup, too. Fusion instantly makes most rivals look like yesterday’s news.
Lincoln MKZ Concept. Lincoln built a stunning display stand, complete with modern Mad Men-inspired decor. Too bad the car the fledgling luxury division seemed as out of place as, well, a Lincoln somewhere cool and stylish. We liked some of the MKZ Concept’s detailing, but this luxury brand is going to need a lot more than an average-looking four-door to perk things up. Maybe our expectations were just too high?
Lexus LF-LC. Don’t look for an LF-LC to be scaring away ES-driving blue hairs at your local Lexus dealer any time soon, but this sporty coupe design exercise further solidifies the brand’s intention to become a sport-oriented player. It shape was positively glamorous, but we’re still having a hard time warming up to the jutting fascia. Is a reprise of the original Lexus SC in the cards? We sure think (and hope) so.
Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. Here’s the best sign yet that VW is committed to making the Jetta a North America-focused sedan: A high-mpg hybrid, the first of its kind in the compact sedan class. The Jetta became the car enthusiasts loved to hate when it became Americanized for 2011, but the public proved the naysayers wrong by snapping these four-doors with uninspiring four and five-cylinder gas engines up as quickly as VW could build them. We predict that this hybrid will definitely do two things: Sell in high volumes and irk diesel enthusiasts, who will use more fuel in their Jetta TDIs.
