Auto world

The motor city rolls out the red carpet for car enthusiasts

By Gautam Baksi

Daily Arts Writer

Runways of Paris, step aside: The real models strut their stuff in Detroit. Each year, the Motor City holds claim to one of the most prestigious fashion shows in the world, the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). But while other cities parade dozens of scantily clad females down a catwalk, Detroit captivates audiences with more than 600 totally bare models, each eagerly competing for attention from you, the American consumer. This year's lineup displays the best each auto manufacturer has to offer, ranging from big, bold hybrid crossovers to sleek, svelte sports sedans.

Automobiles at the NAIAS fall into three major categories: Concept, new and existing cars. Concept cars are usually one-of-a-kind, bold new vehicles primarily contrived to gauge the public's reaction. One of this year's most popular concept cars is the Ford Forty-Nine. Fitted with a glass roof and four bucket seats, this "custom coupe" is a contemporary update of Ford's first post-WWII design. Based on feedback and sales of the new Thunderbird, Ford may decide to take the Forty-Nine into production in a few years.

New models are less exciting at first glance, but probably more important to the consumer because they are not simply design ideas, but rather cars that have made the transition from dream into reality. The most exciting new car to hit American shores may be the Subaru Impreza WRX, a wickedly powerful, yet inconspicuous and inexpensive four-wheel drive beast. In addition, this year's new car lineup includes a handful of wagons, found for the first time on the Lexus IS300 and Volkswagen Jetta.

Finally, a large majority of automobiles at the NAIAS are simply updated existing production models. Toyota introduced the redesigned 2001 RAV4 sporting more interior room, better sound insulation and more supportive seats than last year's model. Overall, there haven't been any drastic changes to the RAV4, just emphasizing the word improved in "new and improved." Don't let looks be deceiving; many cars sporting small facelifts have made substantial mechanical and ergonomic changes underneath.

This year, the industry trends favored the return of the hatchback and the introduction of numerous retro-styled concept cars. A lot of designers, running out of SUV ideas, appear to be turning to European-styled wagons to lure buyers back. In yet another effort to create crazy crossovers, companies like Mitsubishi and BMW have even made their first attempts at the fusion of sports car and SUVs. But most of these designs appeared to be copycats of one another, playing off the past successes of cars like the Audi TT with its high waistline and low roof.

New Models:

- Ford Thunderbird - After three decades of woefully un-inspired styling, the much-anticipated Thunderbird coupe has finally resurrected itself as a 2002 model. Charismatic Ford CEO Jac Nasser beamed as he unveiled his "American Beauty" before an enthusiastic crowd. Prices start in the mid-'30s, but expect a premium to bring one home anytime soon. A fully loaded model - including removable top, 17-inch chrome wheels, traction control and unique interior trim color - is still priced under $40 K. Made here in Michigan with a 3.9 liter V-8 engine, the Thunderbird may signal a return to the glory days of big, beautiful American cars.

- Porsche 911 GT2 - Cleaners will have trouble keeping the carpets dry around the Porsche exhibit as car enthusiasts continue to drool over their latest beauties. The NAIAS gives us our first glimpse of the super-secret, super fast, greatest production Porsche ever built, the 911 GT2. Differences from the 911 Turbo include bigger brake cooling vents, a larger rear spoiler and a whopping 30 more horses under the hood. Porsche executives surprised the media by revealing the car will not have limited production. In other words, if you have the money, you can have the car.

- Jeep Liberty - Say goodbye to the 18-year-old Jeep Cherokee as the Liberty replaces one of the founding members of the booming SUV club. Built on a completely new platform, the Liberty is slightly larger than the Cherokee and available with an optional new 3.7 liter V-6 engine (4 cylinders are standard). Although the car's skin is updated from its boxy predecessor, the interior cargo area pales in comparison to other SUVs in its class. Built at DaimlerChrysler's new $1.2 billion factory in Toledo, Ohio, Chrysler hopes to sell at least 200,000 of these vehicles next year.

- Infiniti Q45 - With the growing full-size luxury sedan battle heating up between the Mercedes S-class and Audi A8, Infiniti wisely redesigned their flagship into a more seductive, more sophisticated winner. Powered by a 4.5 liter V-8 that puts out an impressive 345 horsepower, this beast can race to 60 mph in less than six seconds. Available with a host of goodies, including voice activated stereo, adaptive cruise control and satellite navigation, expect one at the nearest Infiniti dealership by April.

- Mercedes-Benz C-class Sport Coupe - Along with the release of a new V-6 Kompressor (German for supercharged) engine, this car marks a new venture for Mercedes. Recognizing Americans' apprehensions with hatchbacks, Mercedes cleverly raised the roofline of the car to add rear seat and cargo room to compete with a standard coupe. However, the new Coupe does succeed in adding a sporty flavor missing from previous Mercedes models and faster acceleration times to match. A glass panel is mounted on the vertical surface of the hatch to aid rear-view visibility, ala the old-school Honda CRX.

- Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix - Can Toyota and Pontiac successfully share a platform? Perhaps more importantly, why would they? These questions remain to be answered as the two begin production of these hybrid/crossover vehicles later this year at the GM-Toyota plant in California (where the Geo Metro/Toyota Corolla was made). Aiming at taking away sales of the wildly popular PT Cruiser, both vehicles will have optional 4-wheel drive and aggressive ground clearance. Each will boast a completely redesigned interior; Toyota borrows design cues from the Celica, while Pontiac from the Aztek.

- Toyota Sequoia - Though the interior may have some cheap plastic parts, this $40K+ full-size SUV will give intense competition to the Ford Expedition and Chevy Tahoe. Based on the Tundra pick-up, the Sequoia is larger than a Land Cruiser and offers an easy-to-remove and roomy third row of seats. Achieving ULEV (Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) status with a 4.7 liter V-8 engine forced Toyota to cut horsepower down to a "mere" 240. Resting on the strong Toyota heritage, the Sequoia may even win the hearts of many SUV naysayers.

Concept Cars:

- Mazda RX-8 - Since the death of the RX-7 in North America, sports car enthusiasts have been waiting for a replacement of their beloved speedster. Based on last year's Evolve concept car, this RX-8 is in the stages somewhere between concept and production. The RX-8 seats 2+2 (unlike the RX-7), but still uses one of Mazda's unique rotary engines, expected to pump out 250 horses. Sheathed in a beautiful candy-apple red, the RX-8 is distinctive and simply beautiful.

- Nissan Z - Nissan has had success with designs stemming from its Design International studio in California, so expectations ran high on the "Z," the future of Nissan's sports cars. Powered by a V-6 engine and expected to go on sale in the United States in the summer of next year as a 2003 model, Nissan claims it is designed to be as "revolutionary as the original Datsun 240Z was when it was introduced more than 30 years earlier." Instead, this over-styled, over-the-top sports car may end up like its ill-fated 300Z protégé from the mid-'90s.

- BMW X Coupe - If you love sports cars yet demand off-road capability, your dream car has arrived. The big, boisterous X Coupe resembles the BMW Z8 on anabolic steroids, yet boasts impressive ground clearance under its 20-inch wheels. Though in a very early form, this 2+2 super coupe is said to be able to achieve 60 mph in about five seconds - an absolute requirement when you're tearing up the off-road trails.

- Acura RS-X - Acura finally unveiled this three-door, four-seat prototype replacement to the Integra. The front-wheel drive RS-X will be equipped with an updated 2.0 liter VTEC engine linked to a 5-speed transmission, but enthusiasts are anxiously waiting for the six-speed version later this year. The front of the RS-X shares too many design cues (like the integrated headlights) with its Honda Civic brother. However, at first glance the RS-X appears to have stolen some of the body styling of the Toyota Celica, the overall result of which is in an unattractive crossbreed.

- Dodge Viper RT/10 Roadster - In a poor effort to keep its designs fresh and invigorating, DaimlerChrysler unveiled their prototype concept for the 2003 Viper RT/10 Roadster. Replacing its distinctive long, swooping side-body lines with sharp edges, the new RT/10 is a motley mix of Dodge Stratus and Stealth front- and rear-end styling tossed onto a copy-cat Corvette frame. This new American mutt also adds a wannabe Ferrari hood in a poor attempt at displaying pedigree blood. If this is an indication of Daimler-Benz's influence on an American classic, please keep them away from apple pie.

- Buick Bengal - Buick released this front-wheel drive, supercharged V-6 powered roadster with a retractable tonneau cover to favorable reviews. The rear seats slide back and a third door on the driver's side admits two more passengers. The Bengal has an impressive front grille, intended to look the teeth of, you guessed it, a Bengal tiger. With a heads-up display and joystick controls, the Bengal is similar to many of Buick's previous concept cars - none of which ever made it into production.

- Volkswagen Microbus - Using the popular 1960's hippie-mobile as a base, this concept follows the New Beetle in Volkswagen's attempt to reclaim young buyers with throwback designs. The Microbus is fitted with three rows of seating, with the second and third rows facing each other (in limousine style), each having access to high-tech audio/visual monitors. Unlike its classic predecessor, the Microbus' engine is in the front and it features a much larger wheelbase.

- BMW M3 Convertible - While anxiously waiting for Bimmer dealers to take delivery of the new M3 this summer, BMW tempts the public with the topless version of this super-coupe. Its wheelbase seems smaller than its 3-series convertible counterparts, but that shouldn't stop the M3 from sitting at the top of the heap of yuppie-mobiles. Although its rear seats are considerably cramped, BMW hopes that people won't mind while being catapulted from 0 to 60 mph in less than five seconds.