By Isaac Adams-Hands

Revisited - Faces of NAIAS

GM will establish a lithium-ion battery pack manufacturing facility in Michigan, making it the first such plant operated by a major automaker in the U.S. It will build lithium-ion cells that are grouped into modules, along with other key battery components.

Chevrolet Volt (photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

The plan is to break ground in early 2009, with output starting in 2010. The battery packs will initially go into the Chevrolet Volt. GM has partnered with Korea’s LG Chem, and has been using the Korean company’s battery backs for virtually all of Volts’ testing procedures so far.

Compact Power, a subsidiary of LG Chem in Troy, Michigan, will continue to build battery packs for Volt prototype vehicles until GM’s battery facility is operational. In addition, GM and LG Chem have entered into an engineering contract, to expedite the development of the Volt’s lithium-ion battery technology.

GM will also open a new automotive battery lab – the largest of its kind – in the U.S., to further R&D efforts in battery technology. Finally, a partnership with the University of Michigan has been established to develop a specialized curriculum for battery engineers.

By Isaac Adams-Hands

Photo: Isaac Adams-Hands

DETROIT, MI – Green was the unofficial theme at this year’s North American International Auto Show. Now that there are more than 20 hybrids on the market with plenty more unveiled here, pure electric power has become the hot button to come.

Cadillac Converj (photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

Like a lightning bolt from the black cloud currently hanging over the industry, hybrid-electric, plug-in electric and improbable electric vehicles appeared on stands or in news releases throughout the show. Whether by design or coincidence, virtually every major manufacturer touted efforts underway to put electric vehicles on the road starting next year. 

BYD
You might not have heard of this company yet, but you will. BYD (Build Your Dreams) is a Chinese upstart that said here it plans to have a range of pure electric and plug-in hybrid  vehicles on the North American market within two years.

They will include the F3DM claimed to be the world’s first mass-produced plug-in hybrid sedan and the battery-powered e6, a mid-sized, five-passenger crossover with a claimed range of more than 400 km on a single charge.

BYD (photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

BYD is the world’s largest producer of rechargeable batteries supplying those used in cell phones by Nokia, Motorola, Samsung and others. It is now China’s largest independent produce of automobiles and plans to combine its battery and production expertise to expand around the globe.

Chrysler LLC
Chrysler showed four different electric concept vehicles at the show including a sports car, SUV, minivan and four-door sedan. Chrysler says it will put one of them, the two-seat Dodge Circuit into production next year.

Based on a Lotus chassis the Circuit is said to be capable of a to speed of 200 km/hr and accelerating from rest to 100 km/hr in less than five seconds. To these eyes the best-looking electric vehicle, hands down, is the rear-drive Chrysler 200C EV.

Dodge Circuit (photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

This elegant blend of style and technology is a source of great pride for Ralph Gilles, Vice-President of design for Chrysler. He told me it was his favourite among the various Chrysler concepts on display here “so beautiful you would never know it is an electric car “ he said. Chrysler is calling its electric technology ENVI.

Ford Motor Company
Ford says it will have an all-electric four-door sedan on the market in 2011 that will be capable of going more than 150 km before requiring recharging.

It will be part of a multi-prong electric effort that begins with a new battery electric commercial van in 2010, the aforementioned small car in 2011 developed in conjunction with Canada’s Magna International, and next-generation hybrid vehicles, including a plug-ion version in 2012.

“Next-generation hybrids, plug-in hybrids and pure battery powered vehicles are the logical next steps in our pursuit of greater fuel economy and sustainability,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development. 

General Motors
The Chevy Volt has a target painted on it’s back. The topic of immense publicity and scheduled for production late in 2010, the Volt will go more than 65 km on a charge with a tiny auxiliary internal combustion engine to recharge the batteries while the car is on the move.

Chevrolet Volt (photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

A further development of this “Voltec” powertrain is promised for other similar projects including the Cadillac Converj concept unveiled here. The unit envisioned for the Converj would be comprised of a 16-kWh T-shaped battery with 220 lithium-ion cells, an electric drive unit and a small four-cylinder engine-generator to recharge the batteries as needed.

With 273-lb. ft. of torque from idle, acceleration would be very strong and GM says top speed would be in the order of 160 km/hr. Like the Volt the actual propulsion would be from the electric motor at all times. GM says recharging from the grid will take about three hours at 220-volts and eight from a regular 120-volt outlet. 

Toyota
Toyota  says it will launch an small urban electric vehicle -the FT-EV, by 2012. It will share a platform with the company’s tiny iQ four-seat A-Class car currently available in Japan.

Toyota FT-EV (photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

The FT-EV will have a range of up to 80 kilometres. It will be joined by 10 new gasoline-electric hybrids in the next three years. Toyota has entered into a partnership with Panasonic to develop and produce the lithium-ion batteries.

With fuel prices currently at very low levels, interest in vehicles that use very little of the commodity may be low as well. But there are few people who believe fuel prices will stay this low. By the time these vehicles hit the road they may have a very receptive audience.  

 
DETROIT, MI – Suppliers play a critical role in the development of new technologies used in the auto industry, commonly taking the lead role and in many cases pitching the new idea to the auto company. Today’s passenger vehicles are so complex it would be rare for any single entity to cover the development costs and employ the scientists and engineers that have to be dedicated to a particular project. While it is common for many of these to be used by a single manufacturer originally, in return for helping fund the development, the contracts allow them to be used by competitors after a certain period of time. Let’s take a look at some of these new developments, the companies behind them and the effect they will have on the vehicles we will be driving in the near future.
 

JOHNSON CONTROLS
Johnson Controls is one of the major players in the automotive supplier world. With more than 140,000 employees it has provided components for more than 200 million vehicles, 12 million homes and more than one million commercial buildings. It introduced a couple of new innovations at this year’s show including its very own concept vehicle, the re3.

The re3 is a showcase for innovative engineering and packaging centered around the fact that consumers today want smaller vehicles, without sacrificing features and functions. Innovations displayed on the re3 include: class-leading storage capacity in the instrument panel, a seat-wing armrest and controller on the driver’s seat, enabling some of the controls to be moved from the center stack to the seat; a conversational seating arrangement , Slim Seating and rear, stadium-style folding seats and Eco-friendly, renewable materials with “natural look” finishes

Johnson Controls re3

 Johnson Controls announced it has been awarded patents for an innovative new wireless connectivity technology that uses Bluetooth protocol for wireless connection of cell phones to the vehicle’s audio system allowing hands-free calling. The company is already the global leader in hands-free automobile system, providing them to manufacturers in North America, Asia, Europe and Australia.

BYD Auto Company
BYD (Build Your Dreams) is one of the amazing success stories coming out of China. From a staff of 20, ten years ago, it has grown to 140,000 at present as the world’s second largest producer of rechargeable batteries and a supplier of IT components to Nokia, Motorola, Samsung and others.

The next stage of its growth plan is to parlay that expertise into electric cars. BYD recently bought one of China’s largest auto makers and showed several new models here, among them the F3DM sedan, which it says is the first production plug-in hybrid vehicle with the company’s advanced Fe lithium-iron battery and its new Dual Mode (DM) plug-in hybrid system.

BOSCH
The Bosch name is well known in automobile circles. The German company supplies engine control units, fuel injectors, various electrical components, oxygen sensors solenoids to the industry. 

BOSCH

Founded in 1886, it has 271,000 employees in 50 countries, 25,000 of them in 70 locations throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Bosch invests heavily in research applying for more than 3,000 patents each year. One of its latest developments can be found in the new Ford F150 pickup – a brake control system that helps detect and prevent skidding rollovers and trailer sway. It is standard equipment on all F150 models.

FEDERAL MOGUL
Using recycled waste packaging and other by-products normally discarded in a vehicle manufacturing plant, Federal Mogul has developed an environmentally-friendly new sound-deadening product called QuietShield on the new 2010 Buick LaCrosse (Allure in Canada) .

QuietShield(R) is used as acoustical padding in the headliner to reduce noise in the passenger compartment. Federal-Mogul was founded in Detroit in 1899. Employing nearly 45,000 people in 35 countries it is a leading global supplier of powertrain and safety technologies.

VALEO
This French-based company with 16 R&D centers, 121 production plants and 54,000 employees in 27 countries helped develop the lighting system displayed on the Volvo S60 concept car that made its world-wide introduction here. The system could be considered a peak at the where automotive lighting is going, especially head and signal lights.

Valeo headlights (Volvo S60 Concept)

Using only LED (Light Emitting Diodes) the system developed by Volvo and Valeo has a low beam module positioned in the upper part of the headlight to produce a wide, consistent beam that adapts automatically to driving conditions (e.g. city, winding country road, etc.).

The high beam unit has been designed for optimal range in relation to vehicle speed and proximity to other vehicles and since the performance and color of LED lights is close to that of daylight, they offer better perception and more comfortable viewing.

LEDs are loved by designers because their small size and ability to be grouped provide greater freedom of design. They also boast very long life and draw less power than conventional lights. The turn signals, daytime running lights and side marker lights on the S60 Concept are also comprised of LEDs.

The iconic Honda Insight makes a return, but this time with a new mission. The original Insight was all about pushing the boundaries of fuel efficiency. The 2010 Insight, however, is about affordability and getting more people into dedicated hybrids.

When it goes on sale in April, it will be priced below the gasoline-powered Civic. The automaker wants to sell 200,000 units a year, with 90,000 allocated to the U.S. and 10,000 to Canada.

2009 Insight EX

The five-passenger Insight is not much smaller than a Civic, but is narrower. Styling echoes the Clarity, Honda’s fuel-cell vehicle that is already undergoing limited testing in the U.S.

The battery pack and controller are compact and have been set low in the body behind the rear seats, to facilitate sporty handling, and to allow 60/40 split and fold-down rear seating, like a normal five-door hatch.

All Insights get a 1.3-litre SOHC aluminum-alloy i-VTEC engine and CVT, along with a new-gen version of Honda’s IMA hybrid system. The gas engine also features cylinder de-activation. The new driver interface is designed to coach drivers to get the most efficiency from their Insights.

A driver activated ECON mode sets the table for optimized efficiency, while several driver feedback functions tell you how you’re doing as you drive, during your trip and over the lifetime of the vehicle.

The Taurus has been one of the most successful sedans in Ford’s North American line-up, and for 2010 it hopes to continue with its success with the introduction of the new Taurus.

Ford wants buyers to look at the new Taurus as an “aspirational car”, a car luxury car buyers would want to own. To attract such buyers, Ford is claiming it will be the quietest car in its line-up.

However, this is not an all-new car, it rides on the same platform as the Lincoln MKS, which itself rides on a modified version of the current Taurus platform.

Ford Taurus (photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

So it is more like “the emperor has new clothes” rather than an all-new effort. It even has the same engine as the current Taurus, a 3.5-liter, V6 producing 262 hp. The only transmission available will be a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters, for spirited driving!

The interior is where Ford seems to have spent most time with, it looks much better than that of any Taurus before and the quality of the fit and finish is superb. The exterior styling is also much improved, borrowing cues from Ford’s European market models.

The 2010 Taurus will go on sale this summer.

Fisker Automotive might be the new kids on the block, but that hasn’t stopped them from taking the limelight from more established manufacturers.

Last year, Fisker showed the concept version of its stunning Karma sedan at the North American International Auto Show. In 2009, the company brought a fully production spec, functional version of that car.

However, they didn’t stop there; they took this year’s show opportunity to bring another World premiere: the launch of the Fisker Karma Sunset.

Fisker Karma Sunset

This is a two-door, hardtop convertible version of the Karma sedan. It shares the same drivetrain for now; that means two electric motors driving the rear wheels. These motors get their power from advanced lithium ion batteries, which on a full eight-hour charge will give you 80 km of fully electric mode driving.

Once the batteries are depleted of power, a 2.0-liter, turbocharged gas engine (sourced from GM) will kick in to take you the rest of the way home. So this electric car has no distance limitations.

It is fast, too; this car in sport mode develops 403 hp, enough to propel it to 100 km/h from zero in 5.8 seconds, while top-speed is electronically limited to 200 km/h.

While the Karma sedan goes on sale later this year at a price of $87,900 (US), the Karma Sunset won’t see production until late 2011.

It might not be the perfect car for Detroit, Mi., especially in January, but still BMW held the world premiere of its second generation Z4 roadster at the 2009 North American International Auto Show.

This new roadster, which will go on sale in Canada in June of this year, finally has a folding hard-top roof, so it can compete more squarely against its main rival, the Mercedes-Benz SLK-series. The folding roof on the Z4 takes just 20 seconds to open or close.

The new Z4 also will be available from the start with three engine options, all straight-six engines. The Z4 sDrive23i produces 204hp, the sDrive30i produces 255hp, while the current range topping model, the sDrive35i produces 300hp thanks to its twin-turbo mechanics. Canada might only get the latter of the two engine options.

BMW Z4 (photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

Choice of transmissions include the standard six-speed manual, or the new seven-speed, double-clutch, Sport Automatic.

No prices were announced at the show, but talking to a few people at BMW, they suggest it won’t be much more than the current car.

Unlike the previous model, the 2010 BMW Z4 will not be built at the Spartanburg, South Carolina plant, instead it will be built in Germany.

Detroit, Mi. was once the most prosperous city in America. Back in the 1960’s it was home to the Motown record label, and of course it was home to the three largest car companies in the world.

Times sure have moved on, all the major record labels are now based in California, and while General Motors, Ford and Chrysler still call Detroit their home, these companies are no longer known as “The Big Three.”

GM employee (photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

Last year was especially tough for these companies, as sales of their trucks and SUV’s, which were once the lifeline for these companies, suffered tremendously, thanks to crude oil prices going as high as $147 a barrel (currently its back down to a more reasonable $40 a barrel).

The price of gas and the overall meltdown of the U.S. financial system lead to thousands of people losing their jobs and homes. Some are saying that this is the worst recession America has ever faced, even worse than the great depression of the 1930’s.

This had hit the American auto manufacturers hard and as a result they have cut down production on several models and closed down most of their plants for a month, if not more. If it wasn’t for the last minute government bail-out fund, these companies would have had to file for bankruptcy and thus would not have been at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (N.A.I.A.S.) held every January at the Cobo Hall in Detroit.

GM employee watches a live presentation (photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

Thankfully the bailout was approved and they all made it to the show, but the question on everyone’s lips was, with several car companies bailing out of this year auto show, and the troubling times with domestic manufacturers,  what will be the state of the motor show in the motor city?

To my surprise, I am glad to say, it is still an amazing auto show. The companies that didn’t show up (those are, Ferrari, Rolls Royce, Suzuki, Nissan, Infiniti, Land Rover and Porsche), they are fools for not taking advantage by being at such a great show.

The companies that are here, they did put their best foot forward. The displays looked amazing, the cars really are the stars of this show, and the models (of the two-legged variety) were prettier than ever before.

Also thanks to the efforts of some dedicated Michigan dealers, some makes made a return to the N.A.I.A.S. even if it was in a smaller capacity. These include Aston Martin, Lotus and Bugatti.

Media at NAIAS (photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

The Italian design house Bertoni is here too, showing its spaceship-esque B.A.T. 11 concept car (for those wondering, B.A.T. stands for Berlineta Aerodynamica Techinca).

So for all those who come to the auto show to look at dream cars, this years show certainly won’t disappoint.

Thanks to the efforts of new car companies like Fisker and Revenge designs, you will also see some cars before anyone else on the planet.

Over the last few years, some Chinese car firms have been showing their stuff at the N.A.I.A.S. and this year is no exception. You might have to wait a few years before you can buy a BYD or a Brilliance in North America, but you eventually will, and you know something, their products are getting better and better each year.

So if you have been toiling with the idea of going to this years N.A.I.A.S., I hope this would be enough to convince you to go, trust me, you’ll have a great time. You can send me thank you letters for recommending the show later.

A new family of E-Class sedans and wagons is coming to Canada next fall. The cars were given a special introduction on the evening before the first press day but were not displayed on the show floor. The perfectly-recognizable front fascia now has pairs of pointy parallelograms for headlights instead of twin ovals.

A slightly creased line that flows almost the length of the car, front to rear, is said to evoke the famous 1953 Ponton Mercedes. It does give character to the car’s profile. The trapezoidal rear lamps look a bit derivative, on the other hand.

The new E-Class boasts the world’s best drag coefficient (Cd) at only 0.25, for a gain of 0.25 litres per 100 kilometres at 130 km/h. Only on the autobahn, of course. The car’s interior has also been entirely revamped with a flowing instrument panel design and it features new seats. The body shell has 30 per cent greater rigidity and the E-Class gets a new suspension to take full advantage of it, with an optional air suspension that works in synch with electronically-controlled dampers. The gasoline engines range in output from a 268-hp, 3.5-litre V6 to the 507-hp, 6.2-litre V8 in the E 63 AMG sedan.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The E 350 Bluetec sedan gets a turbocharged diesel V6 that delivers 210 hp and a massive 400 lb-ft of torque. With AdBlue injection, it already exceeds 2014 European standards. New 4Matic models get a fourth-generation all-wheel drive system that is more compact, lighter by 20 per cent and much more energy-efficient. As usual, the E-Class has a plethora of the latest safety systems such as headlights that automatically dim to avoid blinding other drivers and brighten up on dark roads.

A standard drowsiness detection system monitors more than 70 different parameters. Systems such as Night View Assist and the radar-based emergency braking system, new to the E-Class, come from the S-Class in updated form. Other safety systems include eight standard airbags, blind-spot detection, lane departure and retention, the familiar Pre-Safe system and a new ‘active hood’ that raises by 50 millimetres during a collision to increase the deformation range and further protect pedestrians.

If you want to understand what the new-gen Toyota Prius is all about, just consider this: Toyota’s objective is to sell 400,000 units each year by 2010. This will make Prius one of Toyota’s top selling global vehicles, right alongside venerable nameplates, like Camry and Corolla. Can you say “mainstream?”

Toyota Prius

With this model, Toyota believes Prius will shed its “second car in the family” and/or “super econo freak” status, and take its place as a prime family vehicle. So witness the larger size, larger engine, and feature-laden interior.

The 1.8-litre Atkinson-cycle engine is tuned to make lots of torque, so it can run at lower rpm at highway speeds. The engine also features an electric water pump, a new exhaust circulation system for faster warm-up, and no drive belts anywhere.

A new driver interface provides lots of fuel efficiency feed back to help the driver acquire eco-driving skills. Three are three selectable driving modes: EV mode allows for battery power at low speeds for about a 1.5 km; Power mode for a sportier drive; And Eco mode for optimum efficiency. A repositioned battery-cooling unit, and space saving contoured front seats, along with a bit more overall length, all contribute to more rear-seat and cargo space. 

The Lincoln version of the Ford Flex crossover made its debut in Detroit. Like the Flex, this new MKT is assembled at Ford’s facility in Oakville, Ont. But, as you can see, it doesn’t look anything like the squared-off Flex. The rising beltline over the rear quarter is perhaps its most distinctive line, and helps give the vehicle a lot of character, particular when viewed from the rear (check out those wrap-around tail lamps!).

Lincoln MKT

Inside you’ll find three rows of seating, in seven or six-seating configurations. The latter can be optioned with a “flow through second row console.” Other notable options include adaptive cruise control, a huge power sunroof, Active Park Assist, and a rear console mounted refrigerator.

Two V6 engines are available: the 268-hp 3.7-litre V6, which also powers Flex; and the all-new 3.5-litre V6 EcoBoost, which is Ford’s answer to the those who would normally need or desire a V8, but still want the fuel efficiency of a V6. Employing direct injection and twin turbochargers, the engine produces 355 hp at 5,700 rpm and 350 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm. AWD is standard and the both engines are mated to the six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission, which can be manually shifted via steering wheel mounted paddles. 

A rather unique part of this year’s Detroit show is the indoor test track for trying out electric and hybrid vehicles. The speed limit is 10 mph. And it’s not too big. But it is beautifully landscaped, complete with two ponds. It was originally only to have one pond, but a plumbing problem one floor up, created another one, which the landscaping crew cleverly transformed into part of the scenery.

Photo: Isaac Adams-Hands

I took out one of the new two-mode hybrids from GM, a Saturn Vue. My three-minute ride revealed not a lot. My next ride was the all-electric Mitsubishi iMiEV, which is on sale in Japan and on test in the U.S. Because it was all-electric, there was no danger of this car going into gas mode, I was encouraged by its handler, to “let ‘er rip.” I did. A little. And was suitably impressed again how instantaneous is the torque output of electric motors. But again, my time was short – only two laps per person, then you line-up again.

Some of the more cynical scribes at the press preview days suggested that the track was nothing more than space filler. They had a point. Usually during auto show days, this lower floor of the Cobo Hall would be filled with exhibitors from the non-automaker world – you know, the aftermarket guys, the custom builders, the guy selling the pickup truck shaped hot-tub.

Well, owing to all the no-shows this year (Nissan, Porsche, Ferrari, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, etc.), there was space galore, and some thought the organizers didn’t want to advertise that fact with a virtually empty lower-floor exhibit area. Either way, space filler or legitimate show experience, it was different.

Winning the coveted North American Car of the Year title is a breakthrough achievement for Hyundai and a historical first for Korean cars. The Ford F-150, on the other hand, is an old pro at this. Previous full redesigns of the long-running best-seller had effectively won Truck of the Year trophies twice before, in 1996 and 2004. The winners were announced at the start of the first media day of this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, on January 11.

The Hyundai Genesis is the carmaker’s first foray in luxury cars and it prevailed with a final score of 189 points over the Canadian-built Ford Flex, a close second with 180 points. Third was the Volkswagen Jetta TDI with 131 points. 

Dr. Hyun-Soon Lee, Vice-Chairman of R&D at Hyundai Motor Co.

Accepting the award in Detroit, Doctor Hyun-Soon Lee, Vice-Chairman of R&D at Hyundai Motor Company stated that the Genesis was true to its name as “a new beginning for our company. It is our first global car, he continued, our first rear-wheel drive model and our first V8 engine.” In his eyes, the Genesis demonstrates the engineering excellence Hyundai as long been aiming for: ”It is a game-changing vehicle for us but it’s only the first: we will soon have the second and third stage, cars that we hope will bring us back on this stage many more times.”

In trucks, the Ford F-150 collected 259 points, giving it a solid margin over the Dodge Ram with 167 points, itself comfortably ahead of the Mercedes-Benz ML 320 Bluetec with 74 points. On the winners’ podium, Ford President of the Americas Mark Fields first let out a heartfelt “Wow!” He then thanked the team that redesigned the truck that has been the leader in the full-size pickup segment for 32 years in the U.S. and 43 years in Canada, adding that Ford “always puts great effort in learning about the actual use of its trucks, so this award also belongs to its users.”

Ford President of the Americas Mark Fields

The ML 320 and Jetta TDI were also the first diesel-powered entries to make it to the final round in the history of the North American awards, in their sixteenth edition this year. The program was effectively created in 1994 and remains self-administered and self-funded by an independent group of journalists to this day. It relies on the collective experience of fifty of the top writers and reviewers representing virtually all the major automotive media on this continent. Of this number, seven journalists are from Canada, including this writer.

Jury members started their work in August of last year by narrowing down preliminary lists of 39 cars and 24 trucks or utility vehicles that were potential contenders for the 2000 model year. A first secret vote netted a list of fourteen cars that included the following models, in addition to the above-named finalists, the Audi A4, BMW 1 Series, Cadillac CTS-V, Dodge Challenger, Honda Fit, Jaguar XF, Lincoln MKS, Mazda6, Nissan GT-R, Pontiac G8 and Toyota Venza. 

Hyundai Genesis

On the truck side, the eight other chosen contenders were the BMW X6, Chevrolet Traverse, Honda Pilot, Infiniti FX35/50, Kia Borrego, Nissan Murano, Subaru Forester and Volkswagen Tiguan. To be eligible, a vehicle must be all-new or extensively redesigned for the new model year. It must also be available for sale at the time of announcement or shortly after and it needs to have projected annual sales of 5000 units in North America for cars and 2000 for trucks. 

After a second round vote, three finalists were announced in Detroit on December 18 and jury members then proceeded to cast a final vote for the grand winners. All secret ballots are sent to the Detroit office of international accounting firm KPMG and the results kept secret until the envelopes were ripped open in Detroit on January 11.

Ford F-150

Interestingly, both the Genesis and F-150 would have already won their respective awards in the first round of voting. The Korean luxury upstart would have done so quite convincingly, with a tally of 223 points to the Volkswagen Jetta TDI’s 156 points and the 152 points allotted to the Ford Flex. 

The Ford F-150 had a closer battle on its mechanical hands, having collected 367 points in the first round while the Dodge Ram received 318 points. The Mercedes-Benz ML 320 Bluetec followed at some distance, with a total of 140 points.

On an entirely personal note, long-time North American Car or the Year steering committee member and organizer Chris Jensen shares this writer’s disbelief at the fact that the spacious and frugal new Honda Fit, with 106 points, did not even make the final round. The brilliant little Honda, a car for the times if there is one, would have made things extremely interesting in the final vote against the no less impressive Genesis, since jurors always give great attention to ultimate value in these awards.

PREVIOUS NACOTY / NATOTY WINNERS

2008 – NACOTY: Chevrolet Malibu

2008 – NATOTY: Mazda CX-9

2007 – NACOTY: Saturn Aura

2007 – NATOTY: Chevrolet Silverado

2006 – NACOTY: Honda Civic

2006 – NATOTY: Honda Ridgeline

2005 – NACOTY: Chrysler 300/300C

2005 – NATOTY: Ford Escape Hybrid

2004 – NACOTY: Toyota Prius

2004 – NATOTY: Ford F-150

2003 – NACOTY: Mini Cooper

2003 – NATOTY: Volvo XC90

2002 – NACOTY: Nissan Altima

2002 – NATOTY: Chevrolet TrailBlazer

2001 – NACOTY: Chrysler PT Cruiser

2001 – NATOTY: Acura MDX

2000 – NACOTY: Ford Focus

2000 – NATOTY: Nissan Xterra

1999 – NACOTY: Volkswagen New Beetle

1999 – NATOTY: Jeep Grand Cherokee

1998 – NACOTY: Chevrolet Corvette

1998 – NATOTY: Mercedes-Benz ML 320

1997 – NACOTY: Mercedes-Benz SLK

1997 – NATOTY: Ford Expedition

1996 – NACOTY: Chrysler minivans

1996 – NATOTY: Ford F-150

1995 – NACOTY: Chrysler Cirrus

1995 – NATOTY: Chevrolet Blazer

1994 – NACOTY: Mercedes-Benz C-Class 

1994 – NATOTY: Dodge Ram

Chinese carmakers were by no means at their first visit to the North-American Auto Show. This time, though, they would not be relegated to the lower level or outside corridors of Detroit’s Cobo Hall. No doubt aided by the absence of several prominent manufacturers, carmakers BYD and Brilliance would set up their wares at the heart of the show, between the giant spaces of Ford and GM.

Bound for Glory?

BYD (for Build Your Dreams) is a leading Chinese battery maker that started developing electric-vehicle batteries in 1996. Six years later, it started work on pure electric vehicles. It led to the launch of the e6 model that was the centerpiece of BYD’s display in Detroit. The company got a double boost of capital and publicity when legendary American investor Warren Buffett – still the richest man on this planet – injected $237 US million in BYD through Mid-American Energy Holding, a division of his famous Berkshire-Hathaway holding.

The electric-powered BYD e6 is a compact crossover built to showcase BYD’s Fe battery, said to deliver an exceptional 400-km range along with 0-100km/h times of less than 8 seconds and a projected top speed of 160km/h. The Fe battery pack can regain half of its power with a 10-minute quick-charge and get a full charge in just 60 minutes. In addition, BYD claims that the battery’s production is virtually pollution-free and that of its chemical components can be recycled.

BYD Auto has launched eight models in only five years and now wants to add crossovers and minivans to the mix. In Detroit, in addition to the e6, BYD exhibited the F3DM and F6DM, both gas-electric hybrid versions of compact sedans that are quite popular in China. The cars share a powertrain that combines a 1.0-litre gasoline engine and an electric motor for a combined output of 168 horsepower and a range of 580 km. 

BYD F6 DM (Photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

The F3DM and F6DM can also reportedly go 100 km on battery power alone, which is substantially more than GM’s target of 60 km with the Chevrolet Volt. Yet, the F3DM started selling in China last December. That said, the car displayed in Cobo Hall was a dismally-built knock-off of the previous-generation Toyota Corolla. It certainly is not ready for prime-time in a cut-throat North- American market where competition is fierce. 

At the bottom end of the BYD range is the F0, a subcompact that is the spitting image of the previous-generation Toyota Yaris. It has an all-aluminum 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine. BYD also makes the F6 CVT, a larger sedan powered by 2.0-litre gasoline engine mated to a CVT transmission. BYD’s current plans are to launch in Europe and Israel by 2010 and only “eventually” in North America. Beware the competitor that does not take the fledgling carmaker seriously. Remember Hyundai’s humble beginnings and see the gigantic banner it flew in Detroit this year, for its Genesis sedan’s victory in the North American Car of the Year awards.

Brilliance by association

The story of Chinese carmaker Brilliance Auto is quite different and so are its cars. By outsourcing substantial chassis and powertrain work to the engineering wizards at Porsche, by setting up joint ventures with BMW, by letting Giorgetto Giugiaro’s troops take care of styling and design and by using Toyota TQM system for manufacturing, Brilliance Auto has is quietly putting itself on the world map of car manufacturers. While not a global automotive powerhouse yet, its 300,000 sales in 70 countries last year are nothing to sneer at.

The cars themselves are rather attractive, although not yet design leaders. Brilliance displayed four models in Detroit: the M1 and M2 sedans, the M3 coupe and the FRV, a compact hatchback sedan designed by Giugiaro that looked like a Lancia, somehow. The sedans are ok and the M3 coupe quite decent-looking and powered by a Porsche-engineered 1.8-litre engine. Its closest equivalent would be a Hyundai Tiburon.

Brilliance M3 (Photo: Marc Lachapelle)

All four cars show much better build quality and materials than their BYD compatriots. In the past two years, Brilliance has been a presence at the Detroit, Paris, Geneva, Frankfurt and Moscow auto shows, in a quest to raise public while actively seeking partnerships that would prove mutually beneficial. No timeline has yet been set for sales in North America, but we most likely have not heard the last of Brilliance Auto, nor of its charged-up neighbour.

Jaguar had a few things to growl about at Detroit. Most notable was the introduction of its all-new-from-the-ground-up 5.0-litre V8, which finds its way into both the new XF sedans and the XK coupes and convertibles.

It purported to feature the world’s first spray-guided direct injection system. Naturally aspirated versions are good for 380 hp @ 3,500 rpm and 461 lb-ft of torque, from 2,500 to 5,500 rpm. (By the way, the current 300-hp 4.2-litre V8 stays in the line-up, partly to keep XJ powered, and partly to be an alternative to the competition’s V6 models.)

Jaguar XFR

For duty in the first-time-seen XFR, which also debuted at Detroit, and the revised XKR, the new 5.0 litre V8 is boosted the traditional Jag way – by fitting twin “Eaton” type superchargers. The blowers crank the V8’s output to 461 hp (2,500-5,500 rpm) and 625 lb-ft of torque (2,500-5,500). That’s sic.

To demonstrate the awesomeness of this engine, Jaguar took an XFR to Bonneville, and during a secret speed trial, posted a stunning top speed run of 225.675 mph, making it the fastest Jaguar ever. 

Going against the current at this year’s Detroit show, Subaru was riding the wave of an excellent year that saw a rise in sales as well as market share. Officials had stories of “honest long-term value, reliability and strong retained value” and of customers coming to the brand while moving from large SUVs to more efficient vehicles such as the Outback. But there was also mention that “people forget we have been making sedans.” The carmaker’s core model is indeed the Legacy sedan which is celebrating its 20^th anniversary in 2009.

Subaru Legacy Concept (Photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

More than 3.6 million of these cars have been built in Subaru’s plants in Japan and Indiana since 1989. To underscore the importance of the Legacy sedan, Subaru unveiled the Legacy Concept, a virtual giveaway of an upcoming all-new Legacy.

Introduced as “a global mid-size sedan with interior space to fit four adults in comfort” this concept is built around versions of Subaru’s trademark boxer engine – in 3.6-litre form – and “symmetrical” all-wheel drive system. Painted in gleaming “Ultimate Silver”, the mid-size sedan has muscular flanks with strongly-accentuated wheel arches and front grille that looks disturbingly Chevrolet-like, in spite of Subaru’s claim that it conveys its new graphic signature. One has yet to detect a coherent design theme with the carmaker’s recent creations.

With its “striking four-seat layout” and the interior, as often in concepts, is pure design hyperbole not very likely to make it into the production model. The seats are draped in Pearl White leather “with a blue sheen” while the black metallic leather on the door trim creates contrast. The center console features a large touch-screen display that groups controls for the major systems. In all likelihood, the production version of the Legacy will be introduced at the New York auto show next spring.