Almost Showtime: A look at what’s on tap so far for the 2006 Detroit auto show
AUTOWEEK
Posted Date: 12/16/05
The North American International Auto Show is a little more than a month away, and the world’s automakers are gearing up for the big event. Here’s what we’ve learned so far about what will be on the show stands. Stay tuned for more updates and complete coverage of the show. Press days begin Sunday, January 8th.
Audi
First shown as a concept, above, in Tokyo, the production TT will keep the show car’s 3.2-liter 250-hp V6 and six-speed manual, though DSG will be available. It hits 62 mph in six seconds. The production car will come in both coupe and roadster form, with smaller engines offered. Word on the street is that the Audi will also show its performance A6, the S6, will be powered by a V10 of around 5.2 liters and 440 horsepower. We expect Audi to offer both six-speed automatic and seven-speed direct-shift gearboxes.
BMW Z4 M roadster
This is BMW’s answer to the Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG and Porsche Boxster S, The M roadster gets the same 3.2-liter inline-six engine as the soon-to-be-discontinued fourth-generation M3. The engine produces 343 hp, 78 hp more than the 3.0-liter I6 in the facelifted Z4 3.0i. Look for the same powerplant in the M version of the Z4 Coupe when it arrives in 2007. Drive goes through a standard six-speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels. BMW claims the 3267-pound roadster hits 62 mph from a standstill in 5.0 seconds-a mere 0.1 second slower than the SLK55 AMG and 0.5 second faster than the Boxster S. The M version of Z4 roadster will likely start on the high side of $50,000, slightly more expensive than the M3 Coupe but less than the M3 convertible. Look for sales beginning by March or April 2006.
Chevrolet Camaro
The Camaro rides on GM’s global rear drive platform, formerly known as Zeta. Power comes from the Corvette’s 400 hp LS2 V8. A production version of the car isn’t expected to go on sale for at least another three years, sources say.
Chrysler Group
Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass
Jeep unveiled the concept Compass, above, at the Frankfurt show, but it makes its debut as a production car in Detroit. Caliber, Compass and the Jeep Patriot share a platform with a 103.7-inch wheelbase and 2.4-liter engine. The Compass is meant to be the boy racer of the group, the Patriot (due later this auto show season) your more traditional Jeep. They also share that platform with the cool-looking Dodge Caliber crossover, which replaces Neon. It originally appeared as a concept in Geneva back in March.
Dodge Challenger
Dodge’s Challenger concept draws on the iconic 1970 model, says Tom Tremont of Chrysler’s Pacifica studio in California. The concept incorporates distinctive Challenger cues: the rear fender kick, wide-mouth front end, functional hood scoops and rectangular exhaust tips. The concept is built on a shortened Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger chassis (116-inch wheelbase vs. 120 inches), and gets a 6.1-liter Hemi hooked to a six-speed manual transmission with a pistol-grip shifter. Will they build it? With hardware in place and a primed market, we can’t see why not.
Ford Edge/Lincoln Aviator
The 2007 Ford Edge and Lincoln Aviator crossover utility vehicles will debut in Detroit. Both models feature a new 3.5-liter, 250-hp, 240-lb-ft 24-valve dohc V6 linked to a new six-speed automatic transmission created for front-drive applications. The transmission, which also can be used in all-wheel-drive vehicles and is capable of handling up to 300 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, is the product of a joint engineering effort with General Motors. The engine, which Ford says will power one in five Ford vehicles by 2010, is designed to accommodate hybrid technology, direct gasoline injection and turbocharging. Look for Edge and Aviator in dealerships next fall, in front- and all-wheel-drive configurations.
Geely
Yes, the Chinese are coming and automaker Geely will be the first Chinese company to show a car in Detroit. Geely, which had a display of vehicles in Frankfurt, hopes to enter the U.S. market by the end of the decade. Geely (pronounced GEE-lee), located in Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang province, will have an exhibit in the concourse of Cobo Center during press week where it will show one of its cars, the 7151 CK. Geely hasn’t yet submitted any model to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for testing and certification. Geely also has no dealer network yet but says it would like to start signing some in the next year to 18 months.
GM full sized utes
Other than the Camaro, GM’s full-size SUVs are the company’s biggest news. The 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade are all new and ride on what GM calls its 900 platform. The V8s are new as well, and The new range of V8 engine offerings includes a base 290-hp 4.8-liter; two 5.3-liters (one aluminum block and one iron block), with Displacement On Demand making 320 hp; a 6.0-liter heavy-duty with variable-valve timing, 350 hp; and another 6.0-liter with both Displacement On Demand and variable valve timing good for 355 hp. At the top of the range is a 6.2-liter with variable valve timing in 380- and 400-hp versions. GM promises much better build quality this time around. They all go on sale early next year.
Hyundai
Hyundai is set to show its HCD9 Talus concept car, which the automaker says will provide 'a glimpse of the future in the sports car segment,' according to the automaker. The HCD9 will be unveiled along with the world debut of the company's next generation Santa Fe ute.
Jaguar XK convertible
The XK convertible uses the same 4.2-liter 300-hp V8 and aluminum body as the coupe. The convertible weighs just 3759 pounds, with a top that opens and closes in less than 18 seconds. Pricing will be released later this year before it goes on sale next spring.
Lexus LS sedan
The concept was shown in Tokyo, now comes the production car’s world premier. Picture the concept with a little less chrome and smaller wheels and you’ve about got the production car. The fourth-generation LS will arrive in showrooms late next year. A hybrid version will be offered.