2010 Detroit Auto Show Photo Gallery

Contrary to what I may have said about the 2010 Detroit Auto Show being somewhat dismal, that does not mean 2010 will be a sub-par year.
There are still plenty of great cars coming outthis year! For instance, after touring Cobo Hall, there are two particular autos that I am very interested in and I am eager to get behind the wheel. As a matter in fact, these may be the two out of four cars I sat in at the show.

Nothing else got my blood pumping.

And after driving just about everything you can imagine, I must admit, it takes a lot to muster up some excitement these days.


2010 Detroit Auto Show Photo Gallery



The first vehicle is the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG "Gullwing." Yes, I am a sucker for the Gullwing doors. Although I have never attempted, something tells me I could never fit into the classic 1950s Gullwing -- being 6'8 -- so, this is as close as I will ever get.

Additionally, the SLS is the first Benz to be produced at AMG from the ground up; this means it will be jam packed with the most up to date technology and advancements from the AMG division. Featuring a 6.3 liter V8 churning out 563-horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque it is the most powerful naturally aspirated engine in production. Uh, awesome?! Why wouldn't you want to drive this?

Although getting in it is a bit goofy -- duck under the door, step over the HUGE door sill and twist into the seat -- once you are in, it is like a glove. The seats wrap around you and once you close the door, the essentials are surrounding you like a cockpit should.

And, the best part, I fit!

Moving along...


2010 Detroit Auto Show Photo Gallery



My second pick, without a doubt, has to be the Lotus Evora. By far one of the coolest designs to emerge in 2009, the Evora channels some cues from the Lancia Stratos and has one of the most gorgeous interiors known to man. It's exterior is akin to pornography and the interior is a hip-looking, posh lounge.

Aside from looking damn good, it has a mid-engine layout that will be equipped with a V6 pushing out 276-horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque. Not to mention it is a Lotus, so that means two things will be prominent. 1) It is lightweight, coming in just under 3,000 pounds. 2) If it is a proper Lotus, it will handle like it is on rails.

After the Elise/Exige made its way stateside and revived the brand, after the cult classic Esprit, this car is theoretically the daily driver with a bit more room and sophistication. But, after getting a look at it in the flesh, it appears to be more of a two plus none.

Regardless, I am optimistic about giving this car a thorough work out.

What are some NEW cars that YOU want to drive in 2010? Voice your opinion here on AutoSpies...

2010 Detroit Auto Show Photo Gallery

At the recent 2010 NAIAS

Exclusive Interview with the Head of BMWNA Product Planning and Strategy/BMW Motorsport Manager, Martin Birkmann – A Look into the Future World of ///M Cars, Racing, and Current Engine Tech. At the recent 2010 NAIAS, we got a chance to speak with Martin Birkmann who is the Head of Product Planning and Strategy with BMW NA, as well as BMW Motorsport Manager in the U.S. If you haven’t already, we advise you get some coffee brewing or pop-corn popping – what follows is extremely interesting information about current and future BMW products.

With BMW’s new engines, the revamped N54 and now the N55, what have you upgraded on the N54?

Martin Birkmann: With the N54 we’ve basically changed the mapping of the engine, pressure of the engine, given it a more sporty, more torque, and peak oriented performance curve.

What are the differences between the N54 and N55?

Martin Birkmann: At first glance we’ve changed something in the architecture, we made the engine more compact, but in terms of costumer benefit the biggest change is the application of VALVETRONIC. With variable valve lift we eliminate the throttle and so we’ve made the engine again more efficient than the N54. The N55 is maintaining the N54’s base performance level, but gives you a lot of enhancement on the efficiency side

Will we see the N55 engine across the range?

Martin Birkmann: We started announcing the N55 for the 5 series GT so you can expect to find it in the regular 5 series sedan, one series, and we’ll roll it out for more and more applications.

With the new 5 series, what kind of changes can we expect to see on the new M5?

Martin Birkmann: I think it’s been widely speculated and confirmed that we’ve somewhat seen the dawn of the end of the NA engine. M is no exception, we’ve launched our first turbo M engines and I think that will be the biggest difference if you look at the tech spec sheet – that we will go with turbo charging for the M5. There is speculation that I don’t want to comment about; we will clearly see a change in the transmission strategy, we are still examining the need for a second transmission variant. We’ll know more about that as we go forward, as you know, every one should know that BMW NA in persona is a big proponent of manual transmissions and three pedal vehicle operation, but it’s not a trend that you see in the market gaining a lot of momentum right now. Our customers want more semi-automatic transmissions, so that’s a must, and everything else is a can. We’ll see as we approach the launch of the car.

What clear future do you see for BMW and racing?

Continued

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Trs: Sunseeker Predator 108 + Caterham Se7en

Sunseeker Predator 108 + Caterham Se7en – Click above for high-res image gallery There really isn't too much to say here, because when you mix awesome with awesome and come up with something stupendous you needn't bother with the chatter. As a special treat for the London Boat Show, Sunseeker grabbed one of its Predator 108-foot flybridge motor yachts, then instead of putting a tender in the hold, it stowed a Caterham Se7en. The only thing we want to figure out now is whether the Sunseeker is the best garage ever, or if the Se7en is the best replacement for a Zodiac in history? Have a look at the duo in the gallery of high-res photos below and check out the presser after the jump. We need to make a quick call about getting these in the Autoblog Garage... Sunseeker Predator 108 + Caterham Se7en

Toyota is likely to fold the brand

Scion iQ Concept - click above for hi-res image gallery

You know that Toyota iQ your cousin's seen running around Europe and Japan? It's making its way Stateside, first to next week's Detroit Auto Show, then to a Scion dealer near you as a hybrid. This is according to a scoop by Inside line. We've known for a while now that the iQ will be showing up as a Scion, just not for certain as a hybrid. Also, according to IL, the fate of the brand hangs in the balance. Also-also, they might (yay!) drop the name iQ.

That's right, the diminutive Toyota with the silly name is going to greet us as a youth-branded Scion. In multiple flavors, too. First will come a five-door hatchback, followed next by a four-door sedan. The latter is almost a little puzzling – who on earth wants a four-door sedan version – but then we recall all the other cars PR types tell us the American market forces into four-door guise and we're not surprised one bit. The Scion iQ will also come as a three-door hatch. Expect the five-door to show up first, towards the end of 2011.

The engine options are pretty interesting. If you so desire, a 1.3-liter four-banger will produce 93 horsepower. However, most folks will probably opt for the hybrid version. First of all, the gas and electric propulsion is so cheap that Toyota will be able to sell it for $15,000 or less. Second, expect a 1.5-liter four and some sort of electric motor to produce between 100 and 120 hp and return 60 mile per gallon. Not bad at all. Again, Inside Line ends their scoop explaining that if the iQ doesn't get youngsters buying Scions, nothing will. Er, make that nothing will have a chance to, as Toyota is likely to fold the brand.

Scion iQ Concept

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Land Rover is not going to make a full blooded Sport model

Land Rover is not going to make a full blooded Sport model of the Freelander with big V8 engine, like the Range Rover. That’d be too expensive and no one would buy it. Instead, from 2010 they offer a Sport Edition, which comes with unique styling, more luxury, efficient engine and great value for money.

Going on sale form January next year, the Freelander 2 Sport has a distinctive appearance to set it apart form the regular models. It comes in two colors: Santorini Black and Lago Grey and features 19″ limited edition diamond-turned alloy-wheels, rear spoiler and two-tone interior trim.

The interior of Freelander can be had in cloth/leather as standard or exclusive fine leather in contrasting Ebony and Storm with the sport styling pack. It also has an Ebony-coloured centre-console and lower fascia complemented with two-tone door casings. There is also embossed Sport emblem on the front and outer rear seat head restraints.

Freelander 2 Sport is powered by 2.2-liter TD4 diesel engine which is mated to a manual gearbox and features start/stop system. At 42 MPG and 179g/km CO₂ emissions, it is one of the most economical and green cars in this segment.

2010 Land Rover Freelander 2 Sport pricing starts from £26,695 on-the-road.

Toro Rosso and Renault – and Sauber

Ralf Schumacher entered Formula One six years after his brother Michael, with the same Jordan team that introduced his sibling to the grid. That's about where the similarities end. After an 11-year career with Williams, Jordan, and Toyota, Ralf retired in 2007 and ended up in the DTM series. He was a good driver and had a decent car early in his Williams tenure, but he simply didn't have the edge. He ended up with fewer race wins, six, than his brother did World Championships.

Now that Michael has returned to the circus, it looks like Ralf wants his turn under the Big Top again. Ralf said, "I know that my reputation suffered during my time at Toyota but I left that behind me. I know what I can do and I feel ready to do it again." Having turned down a race seat with one of the new teams, other rumors suggest that he's talking to Toro Rosso, where he would replace Jaime Alguersuari and partner Sebastien Buemi. Toro Rosso and Renault – and Sauber, depending – are essentially the only teams who have openings and a chance of giving Ralf a car he can do something with.

Mitsubishi Roadest

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander Roadest - click for high-res gallery

Normally when an automaker updates a model, even if it's just a quick cosmetic change, the earlier version is treated like cheek meat – nobody wants it unless it's a real good deal, and the dealers just want them gone. Mitsubishi evidently thinks its home-market will be kinder to the compact crossover-ute-thing we know and love as the Outlander.

While a new Evo-esque beak has been grafted onto our Outlander for 2010, the softer, older version will continue to be offered to JDM buyers alongside a more cosmetically aggressive model. To avoid confusion, a country-specific rhinoplasty-enhanced model will be branded Outlander Roadest (note that the fascia and, grille and foglamps are all distinct from the U.S. model), while the older bodywork model will continue on as just plain "Outlander." Regardless of the looks, both iterations will get a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine as standard, good for 148PS (about 146 horsepower). The offal-likeness is in play with pricing as well, with the new-old Outlander selling for just ¥1,995,000 (about $22,000) while the Roadest will command ¥2,475,900 ($27,100).

Mitsubishi Roadest

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Ford Kuga in front, possible 2011 Ford Kuga out back

2008 Ford Kuga in front, possible 2011 Ford Kuga out back – click above for high-res image gallery

Here's the skinny: Ford's current Escape is heading the way of the dodo bird. In its place will be the Kuga, a much less dowdy looking compact CUV that should compete nicely with the likes of the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson. The European designed 2011 Kuga will be built here in the United States at a Louisville, Kentucky plant. All this we already know and have known for some time now.

What we don't know is what Ford will call the Kuga when it goes on sale here in 2011. Kuga is obviously one option, but so, apparently, is Escape. According to Wards Auto, Ford's domestic dealers are pushing for Escape. "I believe the Escape is a great vehicle with a great reputation and that it would be a big mistake to kill the Escape name," says one San Diego based dealer.

Others point back to Ford's decision to drop the Taurus name in favor of Five Hundred – part of the brand's strange decision to make all cars start with the letter "F" (Focus, Fusion, Five Hundred – though the Mustang never became Fustang) and all SUVs and crossovers start with the letter "E" (Edge, Escape, Explorer, Expedition, Excursion). Though, of course, reverting back to Five Hundred was supposed to drum up some long lost brand equity/nostalgia, which is the first thing CEO Alan Mulally did when he changed Five Hundred back to Taurus. Very complicated stuff, no?

So, Kuga or Escape? While there are many good arguments for Escape, here's one for Kuga – Ford's One World strategy. Simply put, rather than having one Focus for Europe and one for North America, Ford is working toward offering one global vehicle per a given segment – and that's it. And naming one car one thing for one market and one car another for another is essentially a monkey wrench in the plan. What should Ford do, and more importantly what will they do? Place your vote in our poll below and leave any further thoughts in Comments.

What should Ford call the Kuga when it reaches the U.S. market?

KugaEscapeNeither