DETROIT: Once again the Cobo Center in Detroit hosted this week the annual North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). The show is without doubt the largest auto show in North America and is also one of the oldest — starting in 1899. This year NAIAS will continue until January 24, opening its doors to the public after press, industry and charity previews.
This year is unique in introducing many practical production cars and fewer concept cars. Most of the concept cars were either showcasing new technologies such as the Audi h-tron or innovative design such as the VW Tiguan GTE Active Concept. Most concepts at NAIAS are expected to enter production in some form in the near future.
On display at NAIAS there was flair, style and excellence in abundance. New hybrid and plug-in hybrid were overshadowed with the lowest fuel cost in a decade. Yet, some model got media interest for their environmental credentials.
Arab News monitored five major updates at NAIAS and many innovations. Most notable of these were the Lincoln Continental, the Lexus LC 500, the Audi h-tron quattro concept, the Buick Avista and the Mercedes-Benz E Class. Mercedes Benz also revealed several models that got visitors’ attention. Volvo too revealed a luxury model, the S90 which rivals the German premium sedans.
These vehicles showcase some of the highlights of NAIAS 2016:
• Lincoln Continental: Lincoln is a brand on the rise and its latest offering, the Continental, does not disappoint. While the underpinnings may share roots with other Ford vehicles, the turbo V-6 powertrain and interior are unique to the Continental — and that may give it enough separation from Ford brand vehicles to make it a success. Quiet, understated luxury is always what Lincoln has stood for. The car looks elegant and close to the concept which the company has previously displayed at the Dubai motor show. The new Continental is said to represent Lincoln’s new philosophy of “Quiet Luxury,” with intentions of offering a more pleasurable traveling experience instead of focus on performance.
• Lexus LC 500: Lexus has been accused in the past of lack of flair, of copying opposition and being too close to the parent company, Toyota. The concept car LF-LC unveiled at the 2012 auto shows changed all that and gave Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda an idea to silence critics. The LC 500 comes to imbue the brand with some excitement and enhance its sense of identity. Styling is close to the original LF-LC concept. Underneath that long snout sits the 5.0-liter naturally-aspirated V8 from the Lexus RC F and GS F. It produces the same 467 horsepower and 389 pound-feet of torque it does in those models, and is mated to a new 10-speed automatic transmission. That will get the LC 500 from 0 to 60 mph in under 4.5 seconds, Lexus says.
• Audi h-tron: This is a hydrogen-powered concept that beats Tesla for range of 372 miles. It has three fuel tanks hidden beneath the passenger and luggage compartments which can be replenished in just four minutes. The fuel cell has an output of up to 110 kW, supported by a lithium-ion battery which supplies a further 100 kW for short, temporary bursts of acceleration. During driving, this secondary power source slowly recharges every time the driver taps the brake. It boasts a top speed of 124 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in under seven seconds The fuel cell and the high-voltage battery power two electric motors, which are located on the front and rear axles for 90 kW and 140 kW of power respectively. Rounding out the car's green credentials are a heat pump for the interior air conditioning and a solar roof that generates up to 320 watts of power, or an extra 620 miles of driving each year.
• Buick Avista: This is a sparkling new coupe based on the same GM platform as the Chevy Camaro and offers up to 400 horsepower. The all-new Avista concept is Buick’s best effort yet, showing how a Buick can move right past "sporty" to become "seductive." Buick executive director of global design Bryan Nesbitt sums it up simply, "It was designed to capture the spirit of the perfect drive."
The Avista relies on a 400-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 to make good on the subtle threats issued by its mean glare. The engine sends power to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The car has GM's Magnetic Ride Control, active fuel management (cylinder deactivation) and stop/start technologies. Inside, Buick covers the 2+2 layout with sweeping, uninterrupted lines that mimic the exterior. The concept wears a futuristic iteration of Buick's IntelliLink infotainment system, with touchscreen controls stretching across a wide instrument panel and down the center console.
• Mercedes-Benz E Class: One of the most relevant cars for Europe and the Middle East is the Mercedes-Benz E Class, which was unveiled at Detroit for launch in 2017. It looks like a scaled down S Class and is very strong on technology. The company describes it as “the most advanced vehicle the Mercedes-Benz product portfolio." Big features include Drive Pilot, a semi-autonomous system that can handle highway driving up to 130 miles per hour — and still up to 81 mph when road markers are unclear or non-existent.
Some of the NAIAS products on display are expected to filter down to regional markets during the year. These products promise higher levels of technology, clean driving and better designs. Consumers are likely to be spoilt for choice.
Source : http://www.arabnews.com
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