8 hottest cars at Detroit auto show

January 13, 2015 01:13 pm | Updated 01:49 pm IST - DETROIT

The Acura NSX debuts at media previews for the North American International Auto Show in Detroit Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

The Acura NSX debuts at media previews for the North American International Auto Show in Detroit Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

The North American International Auto Show begins this week in Detroit with media and industry previews. It opens to the public on January 17. Here are the hottest cars in the line-up:

Ford GT

Ford unveiled the Ford GT, a super car that will go into production next year (AP)

Ford stunned the crowd with its new GT, a high-performance supercar. The lightweight, carbon fibre GT has a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine that produces more than 600 horsepower. The two-seater has deep, dramatic scoops in the hood and the sides and advanced aerodynamics, including a deployable rear spoiler. It’s Ford’s first GT in more than a decade and one of 12 new Ford performance vehicles coming to market by 2020. The GT honours the 50th anniversary of the original GT40’s 1966 victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford says the new GT will go on sale late next year, first in the U.S. Production will be limited. Pricing will be announced later, but Bill Ford says it will in the range of other exotic supercars like the $200,000 Lamborghini Gallardo.

Acura NSX

The 2015 Acura NSX is displayed during the first press preview (Reuters)

The production version of Acura’s NSX got a boost from Jerry Seinfeld, who was in Detroit promoting the supercar. Featuring a twin-turbocharged V-6 engine and a three-electric motor hybrid system, it promises total power output of more than 550 horsepower. In a video before the car was revealed, Mr. Seinfeld and fellow comedian Jay Leno joked about who would be getting the first one. The NSX can run in four modes that offer different performances, as well as variations in the engine’s sound level. A team of 100 workers will build the car in Marysville, Ohio. Acura plans to start accepting orders starting this summer and the first NSXs are expected to be on the road later in the year. The starting price is seen in the mid-$150,000 range.

Alfa Romeo 4C Spider

Alfa Romeo CEO Harald Wester poses with his company’s 4C Spider (Reuters)

A convertible version of the 4C coupe with a removable carbon-fibre hard-top, it has a 1.75-liter turbocharged engine that puts out 237 horsepower mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Spider and the 4C will be difficult to get. FiatChrysler says only 3,000 will be built by hand in Italy, and fewer than half of those will be convertibles. Pricing hasn’t been announced, but expect the Spider to run between $60,000 and $85,000.

Porsche 911 Targa GTS and Cayenne Turbo S

A Porsche 911 Targa GTS is displayed during its world premiere (Reuters)

Porsche unveiled a pair of new offerings, including the 911 Targa 4 GTS that packs 430 horsepower and promises zero-to-60 mph acceleration in 4.1 seconds a hair faster than the current Targa S model. The sports car maker also showed off a Turbo S version of its Cayenne that it says completes the new range of offerings of the SUV, bringing 507 horsepower to the table.

Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE concept

The Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE concept vehicle (Reuters)

It’s Volkswagen’s third concept previewing a seven-passenger midsize SUV. The goal is to start producing it in the U.S. at the end of 2016. Volkswagen says the five-passenger plug-in hybrid Crosse Coupe GTE, with its upscale, muscular design gives the clearest idea yet of the SUV’s styling. Among its most prominent features is a wide, aluminium-framed air inlet below a narrow, two-bar grille. Under the hood is a 276-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 and two electric motors, which can power the car in electric mode for up to 20 miles or can combine with the gas engine for a total of 355 horsepower.

Mercedes GLE Coupe SUV

The new Mercedes GLE Coupe SUV (AP)

Mercedes takes on the BMW X6 SUV with its four-door GLE Coupe, a crossover version of the midsize E-Class sedan. It has a coupe-like roofline and a wide, tough stance. In the U.S., the GLE 450 AMG 4Matic Coupe will go on sale with a 362-horsepower V6, a nine-speed transmission and all-wheel drive. It’s Mercedes’ first AMG sports model, and promises features such as variable controls depending on road conditions at a lower price point than the traditional AMG. At the top of the line is the Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S Coupe, powered by a 577-horsepower, 5.5-liter V8. Look for both versions in the U.S. in August.

Mercedes-Benz F015

Mercedes-Benz’s self-driving concept car (Special Arrangement)

Mercedes is taking the idea of a self-driving car to a new, luxurious level with the F015. The car resembles a silver capsule and made its debut at the consumer electronics show in Las Vegas. It’s on display in Detroit as the automaker pushes into what Dieter Zetsche, leader of Mercedes-Benz, calls “the hottest next wave” in the auto industry. The roomy, lounge-like interior is loaded with high-resolution touch screens and offers an adjustable seating system with four rotating chairs that allow the occupants to sit face to face (like in the days of horse-drawn carriages, Mr. Zetsche notes).

Infiniti Q60 concept

The Infiniti Q60 concept vehicle (Reuters)

Infiniti previewed the design of its upcoming Q60 coupe with a concept car. It’s got sharper, more precise styling than the current Q60, along with a more aggressive grille and narrowed headlights. Infiniti says the Q60 that will go on sale next year will be strongly influenced by the Q60 concept. With sales lagging, Nissan’s luxury brand could use the boost.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.