Automotive News - January 7, 2008 - (Page 15)

JANUARY 7, 2008 • 15 DETROIT AUTO SHOW PREVIEW The theme: Green and mean Fuel sippers and gas guzzlers share the spotlight Talk about contrasts. Next week’s Detroit auto show features fuel-sipping hybrids, zero-emissions fuel cells and a healthy dose of gasolinesucking, rubber-burning, performance cars. Five Chinese companies will set up shop in Detroit’s Cobo Center to woo potential dealers — and, looking ahead, future buyers. Green concepts include a fuelcell Cadillac crossover and the Chrysler ecoVoyager, a jelly-bean shaped vehicle. On the hybrid side, there’s the Toyota A-BAT pickup concept. On the other end of the spectrum, there’s the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, with over 620 hp and over 595 pounds-feet of torque. The Mitsubishi Concept-RA concept hints at the next-generation Eclipse and packs a four-cylinder diesel with 309 pounds-feet of torque. And the Mazda Furai concept has a 450-hp rotary engine. Also on display will be Ford’s most important vehicle: the restyled, re-engineered 2009 F-150 pickup. Dodge will unveil its equally transformed 2009 Ram. Other show highlights include Honda’s next-generation Pilot, Hyundai’s 350-plus-hp Genesis sedan and BMW’s 1-series convertible. Here is a brand-by-brand summary of what’s planned for the show. AUDI Audi is expected to unveil production and concept vehicles. Details have not been revealed. CADILLAC Cadillac is expected to show a crossover concept smaller than the SRX. The Provoq concept will define further the aggressive design strategy Cadillac started with the 2008 CTS. Elements include a bold front grille, side fender chrome accents and a wider track enhanced by bulging fenders. Expect fuel economy to be a key point. The Provoq concept will be powered by a fuel cell. CHEVROLET General Motors has taken the wraps off the “super Vette,” the high-hp Corvette that has been rumored for more than three years. The 2009 Corvette ZR1 features a 620-hp-plus supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 producing more than 595 pounds-feet of torque. Final horsepower and torque numbers will be announced as the car gets closer to sale next fall. Production will be limited to about 3,000 units. Highway fuel economy is expected to be a bit above 25 mpg. The front fenders and hood are made of carbon fiber. The hood fea- World debuts PRODUCTION VEHICLES Audi model 2009 BMW X6 crossover 2008 BMW 1-series convertible 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 coupe 2009 Dodge Ram pickup 2009 Ford F-150 pickup 2009 Honda Pilot crossover 2009 Hyundai Genesis sedan 2009 Kia Borrego SUV 2009 Subaru Forester crossover 2009 Toyota Venza crossover 2009 Volkswagen Passat CC sedan CONCEPTS Audi model Cadillac Provoq crossover Chrysler ecoVoyager Dodge Zeo wagon Ford Explorer America crossover Ford Verve sedan Hummer HX SUV Jeep Renegade SUV Land Rover LRX SUV Mazda Furai sports car Mercedes-Benz GLK SUV Mitsubishi Concept-RA coupe Nissan Forum minivan Saab crossover Toyota A-BAT pickup the current model. Power will come from a bigger V-6 engine; a V-6 diesel will be available for the 2010 model year. HUMMER GM executives admit that to make Hummer a successful global brand, the automaker needs a model less continued on Page 16 Dodge Ram gets interior upgrade Bradford Wernle bwernle@crain.com Land Rover’s LRX concept: 3 doors and a carlike stance Mercedes’ GLK concept is the basis for the brand’s smallest SUV. Press conferences for the Detroit auto show begin Sunday, Jan. 13 — and so does our online coverage at www.autonews.com. autonews.com tures a raised, polycarbonate window offering a view of the intercooler below it. The body also features a carbon-fiber roof panel and rocker moldings with clear-coated, carbon-fiber weave. GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz has said the ZR1 will be priced around $100,000. FORD Ford’s most important vehicle is the re-engineered and restyled F-150 pickup. The automaker’s profit powerhouse goes on sale in the fall. The 2009 F-150 features new interior and exterior styling, though spy shots show that the profile of today’s model is maintained. Sharp lines have been added to the sheet metal above the wheel arches. A larger Crew Cab model is expected. Ford says it stopped the F-150 program for two months in 2006 to make changes designed to keep it competitive. Ford said it will add a diesel option to the next generation of the F-150, though the new powerplant isn’t expected in the 2009 model year. Ford also will unveil the Verve and Explorer America concepts. (See stories, Page 24.) HONDA Honda will show a prototype of its redesigned Pilot. The mid-sized crossover is due in the spring. The new Pilot will have a more dramatic exterior and a larger interior than Dodge hopes to shake up the pickup market by offering some 2009 Ram models with a coil spring rear suspension in place of the traditional leaf spring suspension. Chrysler LLC engineers hope to set their pickup apart from the competition by giving it a superior ride without sacrificing load capacity. And the interior — a sore spot for some critics — has been thoroughly reworked. On the styling front, the 2009 Ram keeps its distinctive cross-hair grille yet looks sleeker and more aerodynamic than the current model. For example, the top of the grille extends forward, similar in execution to the Dodge Charger sedan, giving the truck a sense of motion when it is standing still. Refinement is the name of the game in the pickup wars these days, with brands battling to offer the most bells and whistles at the best price. Dodge will offer an option called Ram Box, a lock and key storage area in the bed similar to that of the Chevrolet Avalanche. The Crew Cab version will offer storage areas under the floor, similar to the storage areas in Chrysler’s new minivans. There is also under-seat storage. Chrysler, which has been lambasted for the appearance and quality of its interiors, wants the new Ram to showcase its ability to offer the kinds of softer surfaces and refined switches today’s truck owners see in their cars and other truck brands. Under the aegis of designer Ralph Gilles’ advanced interiors studio, Chrysler is bringing suppliers into the process earlier so quality can be improved and the process expedited. c The 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 will have more than 620 hp. http://autonews.com http://www.autonews.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - January 7, 2008

Caddy V-8 is endangered species An industry turns green -- let's talk JAPAN TRIUMPHANT Ford, Microsoft to offer 911 service in Sync GPS will track fuel price Brose buys Siemens motor unit as step toward N.A. growth Expanding Meridian sees bright future Federal-Mogul CEO to stay Harbour Consulting sold Soft market threatens Tundra sales goal Ford dumps volume targets for dealer bonuses How HCCI engines work Visteon: 'We're leaner and smaller' Ford doubles regional promo money Gasoline-diesel combo moves closer to reality Rethinking retail: A hot topic at World Congress Denso expands hybrid plant CAFE fines may yield meager grants Some pay raise: To $8.3 million from $1 New Chrysler purchasing chief looks to Asia BMW adds jobs to boost S.C. output Continental layoffs follow production cuts at Chrysler Study: Indirect loan delinquencies soar No more peekaboo for Camaro Saturn's Lajdziak: GM is 'where I wanted to be' LETTER TO THE EDITOR Why buy Japanese? Here's an answer CAFE will put new entrees on auto show menu What an exciting way to start 2008 LETTER TO THE EDITOR 84-month financing is nothing new LETTER TO THE EDITOR GM ad policy shift is good for dealers JAMES B. TREECE Detroit show gets back on a global track LETTER TO THE EDITOR Too many dealers: Blame greed LETTER TO THE EDITOR Why not learn from Toyota? LETTER TO THE EDITOR A hot news item? Nah; it's 9 years old Suppliers to the 2008 Saturn Vue Supplier personnel Haldex farms out brake work The theme: Green and mean Dodge Ram gets interior upgrade BMW's 1-series coupe gets a soft-top counterpart Chrysler eye candy includes green jelly bean Chinese automakers increase their presence Concept offers a peek at Explorer's likely successor Ford goes global in styling its B-cars Forum concept is a clubhouse on wheels Dealers Simple safety: Green, amber, red Lexus SUV luxury will grow on you Personnel Gas prices boost Nissan car sales as trucks tank This year's U.S. sales forecast: Gloomy Ford: Tata is lead bidder for 2 brands Ex-Toyota manager goes to Audi Hyundai has new N.A. chief TRW buys Delphi brake assets Who's No. 1? Time for an official review Waning interest Solstice outguns Miata - again Once more into the legal fray? Lifan is the latest Chinese wannabe Things are looking up (and down) for MG Who has 1st Mustang - and what's it worth?

Automotive News - January 7, 2008

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