The 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid made its world debut at the 2009 Detroit Show. It went on sale in April and prices started from $19,800 for the LX version and from $21,300 for the EX version.
All Insights are powered by an advanced 1.3-liter SOHC aluminum-alloy i-VTEC engine and CVT, along with a new generation of Honda’s IMA hybrid system that incorporates a 13 hp electric motor and a compact Intelligent Power Unit (IPU). The car delivers an estimated maximum driving range in excess of 400 miles.
The 2010 Insight is being offered with dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags; front-side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); side curtain airbag system; anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution (EBD); driver- and front-passenger active head restraints and a front body designed to mitigate pedestrian injuries.
The EX models add alloy wheels, cruise control, 6-speaker audio system with USB audio interface, steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters, Honda Vehicle Stability Assist and an available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition.
Press release after the jump.
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It only makes sense that Mercedes would choose Detroit in January to debut the windowless and topless SLR Stirling Moss edition, right? This snow-in-your-hair super roadster will make its first public showing at the North American International Auto Show.
The last and most extreme version of the Mercedes SLR will be limited to 75 units and cost €750,000 (about $1.07 million at direct current rates.) The only thing separating the drive from nature in this speedster is the sleek carbon fiber bodywork, and a tonneau cover that can be applied over the passenger area à la old school topless racers.
The SLR Stirling Moss comes with the 5.5-liter supercharged V8 from the 722 SLR, which makes 650 hp. Without a windshield, this roadster can still hit a rip-your-face-off top speed of 217 mph.
More pics and press release after the jump
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Volkswagen is opening the year 2008 with the world premiere of the Passat CC. Its identifying characteristics: coupé design, yet with four doors; impressive comfort, yet pure dynamics; sporty interior, yet space without compromises. The interplay of these contrasts has resulted in a car whose concept and design set a new course beyond the mainstream.
The CC features a masculine shoulder line, which visually connects the front wheel wells to the taillights, providing the emotional and expressive stance of a sports coupe with all the convenience of a sedan.
The CC Sport and Luxury models are equipped with Volkswagen’s 2.0T inline four-cylinder engine carrying a turbocharger with intercooler and double overhead camshafts. The advanced four-valve per cylinder powerplant also is equipped with variable valve timing and a direct-injection fuel delivery system, both of which contribute to optimum fuel efficiency.
Mated with either a six-speed manual (Sport only) or six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic, the 2.0T delivers 200hp at 5100 rpm, and 207 lb.- ft. of torque between 1800 and 5000 rpm. The 2.0T delivers on its promise of performance with efficiency by achieving fuel economy of 21-mpg in the city, and 31- mpg on the highway with the manual, and 19-city/29-highway with the automatic – corresponding estimated 0-to-60-mph performance is a very capable 6.9- and 7.4-seconds respectively.
The VR6 Sport and VR6 4Motion models are powered by a 3.6L V6 engine that delivers 280hp at 6200 rpm and 265 lb.-ft of torque at 2750 rpm. Zero-to-60-mph performance is estimated at an exceptional 6.6-seconds; and fuel efficiency is 18-mpg in the city and 27-mpg on the
highway.
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Audi has been holding on to many of the details for the new V10 engined version of the R8. It’s been waiting for the premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit to confirm details of the car. Audi got so close to the finish line... and then blew it. We benefit because that means even though the Detroit show is still a month away, we’re getting plenty of new official details on the V10 R8.
The R8 V10 will be powered by the same 5.2 liter V10 as the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. The engine is rated at 525 hp, which is 105 more than the V8 version but about 27 less than the Gallardo.
What also distinguishes the V10 version is a new rear diffuser, twin oval tailpipes, and new LED headlights. The car still keeps the road-hugging magnetic ride dampers.
Officially known as the Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro, It can go from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 3.9 seconds. When equipped with R tronic semi-automatic gearbox, it reaches 200 km/h (124.27 mph) in another 8.1 seconds. Top speed should be about 316 km/h (196.35 mph).
Price will go up to about $180,000.
Press release after the jump.
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Looks like Lincoln sees its future in the crossover segment. After showing the production version of the 2010 MKT at the Detroit Auto Show, it showed off the little C concept.
This is a departure for Lincoln who’s line up has traditionally been larger cars. The crossover takes Lincoln’s hallmark styling cues such as the rounded nose with waterfall grille. In fact, this is almost like an MKT that got its rear end chopped off. The whole design of the car is rumored to fit over the European Focus’ global C1 platform.
Under the hood Lincoln placed the new 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine that delivers 180 hp and 180 ft.-lbs. of torque. Fuel economy is rated at 43 mpg on the highway.
The name of this car may not be very clever, but it could be very telltale. The concept is named after C-sized car segment which is refers to compact cars. This designation is used more as an industry inside term in the U.S., and is more known in Europe. Could this car (that rides on a global platform) be a vehicle Ford is looking at more for Europe than the home market?
Press release after the jump.
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Fisker Automotive founder Henrik Fisker is no dummy. Before he was in the hybrid car game he was supplying the world with sleek coupes and convertibles like the Tramonto and Latigo. So when his company put out the production Karma sedan at the Detroit Auto Show, Fisker also lobbed off two doors and the roof to create the Karma S concept car.
The Karma S shares its aluminum spaceframe architecture and Q-Drive powertrain with the Fisker Karma sedan. So just like the sedan, the convertible can run up to 50 miles on using its lithium-ion battery pack to power the combined 403 hp of the two electric motors. Beyond the battery-packs range a 260 hp 2.0-liter GM Ecotec engine will generate the electricity.
The design provides for a compact folding hardtop that doesn’t interfere too much with the car’s design lines. No word yet on how much added wright comes with losing the Karma’s top, but that will become clear when/if this car makes its planned 2011 production deadline.
Press release after the jump.
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Welcome to the Chevrolet Volt on steroids. It was only last year that Fisker first showed off its concept for the Karma, and now its back in Detroit to show off its production form.
Appearing in almost the same clothes as last year, the production Karma is being marketed as an eco-friendly luxury sedan. It’s a plug-in hybrid that uses a lithium-ion battery pack to power two 200+ hp electric motors for about 50 miles. Once the juice runs out of the batteries, a GM-sourced 2.0-liter gas engine making 260 hp generates the electricity needed to power the sedan. Fisker says the Karma makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in less than 6 seconds and can hit a top speed of more than 125 mph.
The hybrid Karma has the height of a Porsche 911, length of a Mercedes Benz CLS and the width of a BMW 7-Series. Those may be sexy benchmarks but odd dimensions. Either way, it seems to work on this car because Fisker gave the Karma a distinctively sleek, wind-cheating body. The whole package is one of the most aggressive-looking electric vehicles out there. This is undoubtedly helped but the short height of the car combined with its 22-inch wheels.
Fisker says its already received 1000 orders for the new Karma. Deliveries will begin in the fourth quarter of 2009. Price will start from $87,900.
Press release after the jump.
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This one made it to the big show without a hitch. In a time when even some big automakers wouldn’t make it to the North American International Auto Show, the Revenge GTM-R we previewed last month showed up in Detroit.
Indiana-based Revenge Designs only had to take its supercar a few hours north for its big debut. The GTM-R utilizes GM-Performance LS7 427 engine that delivers 505 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. Revenge claims the car can make the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 3 seconds and the quarter-mile in 11.6 seconds.
The lightweight design (2550 lbs.) is rumored to help the car get an unsupercar-like efficient 25 mpg. If a good ’ol American supercar sounds good, grab $145,000 and hurry up. Revenge is only looking to make 100 GTM-R supercars this year.
Kia announced that is would bring a special version of its Soul compact crossover to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. As we got closer to the show, it began to seem that Kia did more than just add a few new panels to its newest economy car. Instead Kia lobbed off the roof and two doors to create a cool budget-friendly beach buggy it calls the Soul’ster.
It’s of course no surprise that Kia says that the car can be offered with any of the four engines that are available for the Soul sedan/crossover. So if Kia were to put this into production it could come with one of four gas and diesel options offered internationally (the U.S. will only get the 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine making 140 hp). But remember that is IF Kia puts this little guy into production.
Press release after the jump.
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Audi jumped the gun on the Detroit Auto Show last month and revealed the full information on the R8 V10 version. But that didn’t stop it from giving the car an official reveal party in Detroit. Since Audi also released a new image gallery, we’ll play along and post the news.
The R8 V10 will be powered by the same 5.2 liter V10 as the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. The engine is rated at 525 hp, which is 105 more than the V8 version but about 27 less than the Gallardo.
For the full details and gallery, go here.
2009 Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI
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