Seven surprises on day one of the 2010 Detroit Auto Show

By Jonathan Oosting | MLive.com

The North American International Auto Show in Detroit opened its doors to the press Monday with big news from several automakers. Here's a look at seven surprise announcements and reveals.
1.  Toyota goes 8-bit with FT-CH concept

Referencing the car's 8-bit styling, Toyota on Monday unveiled their new FT-CH compact hybrid with a retro video and soundtrack, evoking past Japanese innovations in the video game industry.

While it remains a concept car at this point, U.S. President Jim Lentz said the FT-CH could be the first entry in the Toyota's upcoming family of Prius vehicles.

If produced, Toyota says the FT-CH would likely cost less than the Prius, which starts at $22,000, providing the Chevy Volt with some stiff competition. (Photo gallery)

MLive.com PhotoFord Chairman Bill Ford Jr. and Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm speak Monday at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.2. Michigan steals Ford jobs from Mexico as Focus goes electric

Ford dominated the headlines Monday at the Detroit Auto Show, announcing an additional $4.5 million investment in Michigan as it plans to build an electric version of it's popular Focus at the Michigan Assembly facility in Wayne.

The investment could produce up to 1,000 jobs according to Chairman Bill Ford Jr.

To produce the Focus Electric, Ford will move it's battery development in-house and shift production from Mexico to the Mitten State.

"There's a new spirit here," Gov. Jennifer Granholm said at a press conference announcing the development, "because we know the auto industry is back." (More)

3. Nancy Pelosi sees hope, plans return to Detroit

House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., got star treatment Monday at the Detroit Auto Show, touring the floor with the likes of new Chrysler chief Sergio Marchionne and Gov. Granholm.

"We've come to Michigan, come to Detroit, to see, listen and observe," she said.  "We go back with great optimism."

And like the governor of her state, she promised she'll be back. (More)

4. Tea Party for two: Local tea party limits turnout at protest

A national tea party group hoped to stage a large-scale protest of 'Government Motors' on Monday outside the Detroit Auto Show, but relatively few people showed up.

Joan Fabiano, an activist who organizes local tea parties, urged supporters via email not to show up, writing that such a protest could hurt business in the state.

It seems many followed his lead. (More)

5. From SUV to UUV? GMC unveils Granite concept

GMC launched it's Monday press conference with the new Granite concept, which Executive Director of Design Dave Lyon called an urban utility vehicle.

Lyon said he hopes the Granite, which is two feet shorter than the Terrain, will "redefine GMC." (More)

6. Ford sweeps 2010 Car and Truck of the Year Awards

Ford began the Detroit Auto Show with a bang, sweeping the 2010 Car and Truck of the Year at the morning awards ceremony.

A jury of 49 veteran automotive journalists voted the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Transit Connect the best car and truck of the year, respectively.

It was only the third time in the history of the awards that one automaker took home both honors. (More)

7.  Volkswagen unveils flashy NCC with flash dancers

Volkswagen took home Monday's honors for the most unusual reveal, hiring a group of male dancers to peel away panels hiding the automaker's gas-electric two-door hybrid concept.

While the dancers drew a few guffaws, the New Concept Coupe did not.

Powered by 27-hp electric and 150-hp gasoline engines, the NCC could get up to 45 mpg while going from 0-60 in 8.1 seconds, according to the automaker. (More)

2009’s Most Gorgeous Auto Show Babes

Editorial Team

from: http://www.nitrobahn.com/

With the conclusion of the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, the blogosphere has been abuzz with the latest auto models that the world’s best automakers had to display. However, amidst all this, most failed to notice the insanely beautiful “Booth Babes” that have been paraded in tandem with every new car. And I personally wouldn’t be surprised if I end up being entranced more by these “Babes” than the Nissan GTR or Maserati GranCabrio on display right beside them. Here’s a compilation of some of the best booth babes to grace the auto show circuit this year.

2009 Geneva Auto Show

Source: [WorldCarFans]

2009 Detroit Auto Show

Source: [auto-o-holic]

2009 Frankfurt Auto Show

Source: [WorldCarFans]

2009 Shangai Auto Show

Source: [WorldCarFans]

2009 Melbourne Motor Show

Source: [PressPortal]

2009 Moscow Auto Show

Source: [EnglishRussia]

2009 Tokyo Motor Show

Source: [CarScoop]

10 Cool Concepts from the Tokyo Auto Show

click here for the gallery.....10 Cool Concepts from the Tokyo Auto Show

2009 New York Auto Show [Pics]

As the auto industry copes with the economic downturn, the 2009 New York International Auto Show provides an opportunity for manufacturers to put their best face forward.

read more | digg story

Mercedes-Benz to Bring 4-Cylinder Diesels to the U.S.?

By Jerry Garrett

Would a Mercedes-Benz luxury car that gets 44 miles a gallon interest you? Would your interest be tempered at all to know that car is powered by a 4-cylinder engine?

Those are the questions Mercedes-Benz would like to have answered before it decides whether to bring cars with that engine to North America. So, at the 2009 New York auto show, Mercedes is showing what it calls the Vision E250 BlueTEC concept.

Chris McGrath/Getty Images Dianne Reeves sang as the Mercedes-Benz Vision E250 BlueTEC concept was introduced.

“This is the world’s cleanest and most fuel-efficient luxury sedan,” said Klaus Maier, the Mercedes-Benz executive vice president who introduced it. “It has fantastic fuel economy of up to 44 miles a gallon, and it would be ready to run in all 50 U.S. states.”

The 2.2-liter diesel gets a boost from a two-stage turbocharger and direct fuel injection and is clean enough to meet emissions standards that won’t be in effect until 2014.

“In Europe, the press calls it the ‘wonder diesel,’” said Dr. Maier. “Besides clean, efficient operation, it also offers 6-cylinderlike smoothness and power.”

And its fuel economy is almost double that of a V-6.

New York is an important market for Mercedes-Benz, and the auto show here, which annually announces attendance in excess of one million people, is a prime location for getting feedback.

“We would like to see if people would accept a 4-cylinder engine in a luxury car,” said Geoff Day, a spokesman for Mercedes-Benz U.S.A. “It doesn’t have to be in an E-Class, of course. A C-Class or a GLK could be more likely choices for America.”

If the response here is positive enough, the engine could be made available for United States certification quite quickly, Mr. Day added. Sales would not be far off.

VW’s Diesel Roadster Gets 54 MPG, Offers Eco-Mode

Written by Jerry James Stone

At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Volkswagen showed off its latest roadster — the BlueSport Concept. The BlueSport features a 177 hp diesel engine with rail injection and a downstream NO_x storage catalytic converter, all in a 6-speed DSG dual clutch transmission.

With a top speed of 140 mph, the 2.0-liter turbodiesel (TDI) delivers 258 lb-ft of torque. The Euro 6 compliant version gets 54.7 mpg where as the US version will get around 42 mpg. I am happy for the Tier II emission standards we have here in the US, and T2B5 standards are close to California’s stricter Level II standards, but do we really lose 12 mpg by those standards?

It’s VW’s eco mode that accounts for the boost in fuel economy: an automatic start-stop system and energy regeneration. Together they propel the Concept BlueSport to an additional fuel savings of up to 0.2 liter per 100 kilometers in city driving.

The roadster is barely over a ton. It’s lightweight construction includes a soft top that is the lightest in its class. It paid off. It will take less than 6-seconds to hit 60 mph. Of course, its weight also pays off in fuel consumption.

Editor’s note: this post was updated 1/24/2009 at 4:12 PST to change a reference to the vehicle hitting “top speed” in under 6 seconds. It should have said it will hit 60 mph in under 6 seconds.

Photos: VWvortex.com