2012 Detroit Auto Show

DETROIT – Three thoughts came to mind when I was walking around the cavernous COBO exhibition hall that houses the North American International Auto Show that this city has hosted for more than a century. The first was more horsepower but better fuel efficiency. The second was alternative powertrains. And the third was connectivity.

Smaller, lighter and more fuel efficient me was the theme of this year’s show. Yes, there was a bit of brute horsepower on display. But absent for the most part were pitches for or world debuts of brawny pickup trucks, full-size sport utilities or exotic concepts that didn’t stand a chance of production.

Also gone were the glitzy theatrics to introduce new products that before the auto industry’s collapse started to rival Broadway shows.

 

During its introduction of the new Fusion, Ford made public what I thought were some startlingly stats: more than half of twentysomethings say they would rather be connected to social media web sites than drive. That’s got to be scary for every automaker and it evidently is fueling the push to turn automobiles into Wi-Fi hotspots on wheels.

What’s more, Ford reported that millennials (11 to 30 year-olds) say they prefer small or compact cars.

Dodge’s 2013 Dart, which goes on sale this spring, will feature a choice of three gas sipping four cylinder engines,  three transmission choices, 12 exterior colors and 14 interior hues. Aimed at millennials, the car also has 150 customization options, dedicated storage space for an iPad, satellite radio, voice controls, an SD card reader, USB port and a single disc CD player are among a bevy of equipment to attract young drivers.

Chevrolet has gotten scads of ink, some good and some not, for its electric powered Volt but it’s the compact Chevrolet Cruze that is rolling out of showrooms at a rapid clip; 231,000 last year. The 40 mpg Sonic has been on sale for three months and Chevrolet has yet to run a TV ad a testament to the power of the connectivity of Internet.  Although the Chevy has introduced new products like the Malibu to appeal to its traditional customers, clearly, it has millennials in its sights. Why?

Chevrolet said according to U.S. Census data, 80 million Americans are approaching 30-years-old and they represent 40 percent of today’s potential car-buying public and they have $1 trillion in purchasing power. The two Chevy concepts introduced at the NAIAS were aimed right at them.

Priced, if they go into production, in the low $20s, both cars will let owners connect their Smartphone apps through Chevy’s new MyLink system or through Wi-Fi.

Mercedes-Benz — Fuel efficiency and luxury models are normally not linked. But once Mercedes-Benz showed off the 9^th generation of its iconic SL Class roadster which will be 308 lbs lighter than the model it replaces and 30 percent more fuel efficient, the German luxury brand previewed its E400 hybrid which will feature a 302 horsepower V6 couple with an electric motor. The sedan is expected to achieve 27 mpg in combined city and highway driving.

But I think the real news is the E300 BlueTEC Hybrid. BlueTEC is Mercedes-speak for diesel. It’s unclear whether this car will go on sale in the U.S. but its fuel efficiency rating of 56 miles per gallon is astounding for a midsize luxury sedan. As the popularity of diesels rises and the price premium for them as well as hybrids come down, I expect to see this car on American roads.

Volkswagen introduced its second hybrid in the U.S. market, the 2013 Jetta Hybrid. It will use a 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine that weighs just 216 pounds. The downsized four-cylinder engine develops 150 horsepower and 184 pound-feet. Combined with a 20 kW (27 hp) electric motor, the Jetta Hybrid is expected to attain 45 mpg when it goes on sale in November.

BMW — In addition to unveiling its new 3-Series which is the most popular entry level luxury nameplate in the world, BMW also introduced what it calls the ActiveHybrid 5, or 5-Series Hybrid.

True to BMW’s performance heritage, the car generates a combined 335 horsepower from its twin turbo V6 and electric motor. It can get from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and the gasoline engine can be “decoupled” and the car can coast (cruise) using stored kinetic energy at speeds up to 100 mph. Although the automaker didn’t release specifics, it did say that the ActiveHybrid 5 would have a double digit increase in fuel efficiency over a gasoline only powered BMW 535i when it goes on sale in March.

Audi — Although it didn’t introduce another hybrid, there is a Q5 Hybrid, Audi did unveil the Q3 Vail concept. A small crossover vehicle, the Vail is a lightly veiled precursor to the Q3 which will join its Q7 and Q5 utility lineup. The Vail is powered by a 2.5-liter five-cylinder direct injected turbocharged engine that makes 314 hp and 295 pound-feet of torque. When the actual Q3 goes on sale, I expect this engine to be the more powerful of two engines; the other being the 2.0-liter 180 horsepower five cylinder engine that also powers the Q5. Can you say fuel efficiency?

Volvo – Although the Swedish automaker called it a concept, the Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid is more than likely on the way. The automaker is awaiting the development of its new four cylinder engine which in the concept produces 280 horsepower and a matching 280 pound-feet of torque. Coupled with its electric motor, the crossover has a combined 350 horsepower.

Drivers will be able to select the pure mode; the XC60 will run solely on its electric motor for up to 35 miles. Hybrid mode combines the gasoline engine and the electric motor and gives the vehicle a fuel efficiency rating of 50 mpg and a range of 600 miles. The Power mode enables the XC60 Concept to get from a standing start to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds.

Toyota unveiled its Prius C Hybrid which goes on sale in April. It’s lighter in weight, lower in stance and more than 19-inches shorter than the regular Prius. The car is designed for city driving. The automaker promises that the smallest of its Prius hybrids will achieve 53 mpg in city driving and will be priced at less than $19,000.

Continuing its industry leadership in hybrids, Toyota announced that it will also launch a Prius Plug-in Hybrid and that goes on sale in March. The company will launch small volume models of the Scion iQ EV and the second-generation RAV4 EV this year. EV stands for electric vehicle.

Buick introduced its Encore small sport utility. Taking styling cues from the three-rowed Buck Enclave crossover, the Encore it small and will be powered by a 1.4 liter turbocharged four cylinder engine that generates 140 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. It will be mated to a six-speed transmission. Since it won’t go on sale until early next year, it’s a bit early for an EPA rating but by definition the engine size suggests that the Encore will be gas sipper.

Nissan showed off what it called the Nissan e-NV200 Concept. It might be produced and aimed primarily at small businesses. Nissan is enjoying some sales success with its electric Leaf and it is using that power technology in the e-NV200. The vehicle upon which it is based, the NV200, becomes New York’s official Yellow Cab at the end of 2012. Thus, there might be fleet possibilities, if the vehicle goes into production. Nissan called the concept “a near-future production version” of a full electric vehicle designed to provide businesses or families with flexible, roomy interior space, while achieving a “dramatic” CO₂ footprint reduction.