2012 NAIAS Preview
Christmas day has past. The kids’ stockings have long been emptied and stowed. We are now a mere 10 days from the opening of the 2012 North American International Auto Show. So before we make our annual pilgrimage to the auto show in the D we figured we better get our wits about us (our Executive Editor may have been hitting the egg nog heavy) and sort the rumors from the fact about what we’ll be seeing in Detroit.
For starters the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards will be announced bright and early Monday morning. This year’s car short list includes the Ford Focus, the Hyundai Elantra and the Volkswagen Passat. All three cars have been received with much acclaim but are not without their pit falls. The Focus has been hampered by weak public perception on the quality of its dual clutch tranny, the Hyundai’s maximum fuel economy claim has been questioned and the new larger Passat rides on a torsion beam rear axle–ugh. Which way the voting goes is anyone’s guess.
The Truck of the Year short list is rounded out by the BMW X3, Honda CR-V and the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque. I may be tipping my hand here, but my vote goes to the Evoque. There’s just been too much good press for the new little Rover to think otherwise (but we’ve been wrong before).
NACOY Finalists
NATOY Finalists
Once that bit of business is out of the way it is straight on to production unveilings with Ford kicking things off at 8 AM (word on the street is the 2013 Fusion will make its debut then). But enough of this speculation. Below is a compilation of all the metal we will for sure be seing in just under a fort night.
Buick Encore
This may not exactly be the Baby Enclave that many of us were expecting, but we’ll take it nonetheless. The Buick Encore, being slowly revealed to us on Facebook, is a tall roofed crossover rumored to be built on none other than the Chevrolet Sonic platform.
Photos courtesy of Buick
Cadillac ATS
The ATS is probably the most anticipated new vehicle introduction on this list. Built upon GM’s new rear-wheel drive Alpha platform, the ATS was tuned at the Nurburgring to finally go head to head with the German competition. Right out of the gate the ATS will be available with a 2.5L DI 4-cylinder, the venerable 3.6L DI V6 and an all-new 2.0L turbocharged DI 4-cylinder packing 270-horsepower.
Photos and Video courtesy of Cadillac
Chevrolet Sonic RS
GM is determined to alter the image of its small cars. Enter the Sonic RS. Power comes from the same 1.4L turbocharged 4-cyinder as in the upper level Sonics with 138-hp and 148 lb-ft of torque, but the suspension has been lowered slightly and firmed up for sharper handling. Improved cosmetics, sports seats and steering wheel and aluminum pedals round out the upgrades.
Photos courtesy of Chevrolet
Dodge Dart
As we discussed in the Garage the new Dodge Dart is actually based on an Italian: the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. There will be multiple engine choices (a turbocharged 1.4L 4-cylinder Multiair is said to be one of them) as well as a 9-speed automatic transmission (yowsers!).
Photos courtesy of Dodge
Lexus LF-LC
It’s hard to say what Lexus has up their sleeves with the LF-LC. Our best guess is a full-sized coupe to take on the Mercedes-Benz CL and BMW 6-series crowd. Regardless, the LF-LC’s styling is not the Lexus par-for-the-course lukewarm (be it red hot or ice cold we’ll let you be the judge). We’ll know more on Jan. 9th.
Photos courtesy of Lexus
Mercedes-Benz SL
Clearly leaning on the SLS for design inspiration, the new-for-2013 SL is nearly 300-lbs lighter than the outgoing model. The SL550 will debut with the 429-hp and 516 lb-ft of torque twin-turbocharged 4.6L V8. We’ve sampled this engine in the S-Class and let’s just say it’ll put a smile on your face!
Photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz
Nissan Pathfinder Concept
This teaser photo doesn’t reveal much but Nissan has stated that the Pathfinder will seat seven and will retain its traditional SUV hallmarks including 4-wheel drive (vs all-wheel drive). For more details we have to wait until January 9th.
Photos courtesy of Nissan
Toyota Prius c
We were introduced to the concept Prius c last year when Toyota rolled out the rest of the family. We liked the idea, but that car had us wrinkling our brow a little too much. Thankfully, what you see below is what will debut as the production Prius c January 10th. While we aren’t the biggest fans of the Prius itself, we have been (relatively) smitten with the exteneded family (especially the Prius v). Here’s hoping the Prius c has some actual driving character!
Photos courtesy of Toyota
