By Steven D. Gatt, Automotive Editor
Click on the highlighted vehicle names to see full-size JPEG pictures of them.
No one knows why, but the NAIAS is held in January, one of the coldest months in Michigan. As your automotive editor, it is my assignment to go there, freeze and get the scoop. The show is bigger than ever: Cobo Hall is filled to capacity. In past years, motor home and conversion manufacturers would use the lower level to display their wares but this year, the auto show is overflowing into Cobo Hall's basement. Detroit itself is also looking better than ever, with a renaissance plan that includes two new sports stadiums, casinos, upscale and trendy restaurants and an image makeover. Here's the scoop....
Almost every manufacturer at the auto show had a concept vehicle. The Lexus HPS concept almost didn't make it. The concept of a future, mid-size luxury vehicle was involved in a fire that nearly destroyed the $2 million car. This car is close to production, as a replacement for the aging GS300. It looks great but expect to see the styling toned down for production.
Hyundai, a small Korean manufacturer which believes in low cost but not low content vehicles, showed off a Tiburon Convertible concept. Unless consumer demand at the auto show tells them otherwise, Hyundai will not build this car. They indicated during the press briefing that tooling and production costs would bring the cost of the vehicle to $25,000, making it too expensive for production.
The struggling Mazda company, that in 1995 discontinued the RX-7, rolled out a new concept. Based on the Miata MX-5 platform, the RX-1 concept could see production as a replacement for the RX-7. Insiders are hoping that this car will be produced with the famous rotary engine. With Ford holding the purse strings, it all depends on cost and consumer reaction.
Chrysler spent a ton of money on concepts, creating five of them for four different divisions. Media onlookers speculated that 4 of the 5 concepts are slated for production before the year 2000. The Chrysler Phaeton, a 4-door retractable hard top convertible is the one not ready for production. It features, conceptually of course, a dual cowl design with a speedometer and odometer in the rear seat. It also has a 425 hp, 5.4L, V12 engine. Surprisingly enough all of the Chrysler concepts were running, not just clay models.
The Dodge Copperhead is certainly production ready. The second snake in the Dodge den is expected to be an affordable hot rod. It rides atop the Plymouth Prowler platform, already in production from a concept car. The Copperhead has a 220 hp, 2.7L, V6 that is shared with the new LH sedans. The fact that it rides on an existing platform and carries a production engine gives quite a bit of hope for future production.
Plymouth is displaying the Pronto. The Pronto is based on the current Neon platform yet has more interior space and less overall length. It carries over the exposed front bumpers of the Prowler to give it a family resemblance. The purpose of the Pronto concept was to evaluate how more recycled materials could be used in a production car. For example, the exterior is molded recyclable plastic with the color molded right in, saving time, money and paint.
The Jeep Dakar is one of two Jeep concept vehicles. The Dakar based on a stretched Wrangler has 4 doors and a rear seat that doesn't ride over the axle. Many of the media professionals feel this, of all the Chrysler concepts, is the most production ready. I would expect to see this in dealerships within two years. The other Jeep concept, ICON, is a look into the next generation of the Wrangler. The concept makes use of extensive weight saving materials and a more fuel efficient engine. Since the Wrangler is new for 1997 this concept is at least 4 years away from production.
Explorer fans will love the Ford Tremor concept. The Tremor features a 380 hp, 4.6L, V8 engine. When introduced it was just sitting on the display area. Alex Trotman, President and CEO, started the Tremor and it literally shook the arena. When the next Explorer arrives, you will see some of the styling themes this concept carries along with a performance edition. The Mercury MC4 concept received a lot of attention from the press. The MC4 continues Ford's edge styling theme into a sports car. The MC4 is a 4 door coupe; it features two suicide doors similar to those on the F150. While the Ford Tremor is production feasible, the Mercury MC4 is production unthinkable. While not exactly regular production, or concept, Saleen Manufacturing is displaying the 1997 Saleen Mustang at the Michelin Tires display. This is one hot Mustang with upgrades in engine and handling performance.
General Motors has four concept vehicles, of which three are production possible. The Chevy S10 Extreme Force is a S10 with a big ol' V8 stuffed under the hood and some road hugging tires to match the hugger orange paint. The GMC Yukon Denali is a super luxurious look at the next generation of GMC and Chevy trucks. The front end styling is similar to prototype drawings of 1999 full-size C/K pickups. Pontiac has the completely unfeasible concept car of the GM displays. The Rageous is outrageous, it is similar to the Mercury MC4; being the 4-door coupe with two suicide doors. The Rageous has a hatchback and tailgate design for easy storage space. Take special note of the hood design, expect to see it next year on the Firebird Trans Am. Oldsmobile is looking for suggestions on its concept car. The Alero coupe is scheduled for production later this year. The concept car features removable glass panels which are difficult to store. My recommendation to Oldsmobile was to try something like the Porsche Targa with the sliding glass roof.
Many of the other manufacturers have concept vehicles. The fifteen I mentioned are either the most significant or interesting ones at the show. Volkswagen has a concept that they are looking for input on as well, if your in the area you might want to drop by their display.
Ford introduced for production the Escort ZX2. This is the Escort coupe replacement for the GT model of yesteryear. On sale in the spring, the Escort ZX2 is designated a 1998 model. It has a 130 hp, 4-cylinder engine and a sportier suspension. This new Escort will go head-to-head with the likes of Saturn SC2 or Dodge Neon Sport Coupe. Also designated a 1998 model, Ford introduced the redesigned Contour. It features a new head/tail light treatment, redesigned interior controls and two more inches of rear seat legroom. Fords' biggest introduction, by far, was the Lincoln Navigator. This full-size sport-utility vehicle is based on the Expedition but is more than a rebadging like the Mercury Mountaineer. Of special note, the Ford Expedition was named the 1997 North American Truck of the Year.
Since the introduction of the Dodge Caravan with the drivers side sliding door Ford has been playing catch up with the Windstar. At the auto show, Ford introduced the Windstar family entry system. The new Windstar has a drivers door that is 6 inches longer and a driver's seat that tilts and slides forward, yet retains memory position. This is a stop gap measure that Ford hopes will stop the flood of sales to Dodge minivans. Ford also has to be concerned about their minivan sales because Toyota introduced the Sienna minivan that has dual sliding doors.
Chevrolet introduced three significant products this year. Each of the three products were all-new ground up redesigns. The Malibu was named Motor Trend Car of the Year, a highly suspect pick. The Venture minivan finally brings Chevy into the minivan war as a really player. The most significant introduction was the official unveiling of the 1997 Corvette. I look forward to driving one, because many journalists have begun singing high praises of the new 'Vette.
Cadillac is displaying production versions of the Catera, their entry into the low-end luxury market. Cadillac is also showing off OnStar, their navigation/cellular/emergency system soon to be available on all Caddy's.
Chrysler not only has five new concept cars but three all-new products at the NAIAS. The Durango sport-utility vehicle is being shown to the public for the first time. Also being shown are the all new 1998 LH sedans: Chrysler Concorde and Dodge Intrepid. The Concorde and Intrepid are strikingly designed; they look a lot like last years concept cars the Intrepid ESX and Chrysler LHX.
Honda will be entering the mini-SUV market this spring with the new CR-V. The CR-V was supposed to be available already but it has sold so well in Japan that a second plant had to be added for capacity for the United States. Honda is also has on display the EV Plus, their electric vehicle for the southwest U.S. Ever in marketing gear, they are showing the EV Plus in green; an earth tone. Over at Acura, Honda's luxury division, they are showing the Integra R type and a significantly revised NSX, in day-glow yellow.
Elsewhere on display are a plethora of luxury vehicles. BMW has the new 5-series on display, Motor Trend Import Car of the Year. Also at the BMW display is the Z3 M roadster. The M roadster has the same 2.8L, I6, that M3 coupe does, giving it more spunk with its' style. Another sure to be popular roadster on display is the Porsche Boxster, only $40,000. Mercedes-Benz won North American Car of the Year with its' own roadster the SLK.
Mercedes-Benz gave the CLK its' worldwide introduction at the Detroit auto show. The CLK looks like an E-Class upfront but is a coupe and is simply a beautiful car. Coupes are becoming very popular again, Jaguar has the XK8 and Volvo introduced a very shapely C70 and C70 convertible. Yes, I said Volvo and shapely in the same sentence.
Subaru has a new, but unnamed, production SUV on display for the first time anywhere. The new vehicle is designed to compete with the RAV4 and CR-V in the mini-SUV market. This is significant new market for Subaru. Mitsubishi has the ragtop Eclipse and the all-new Diamante luxury sedan. Diamante has yet to be a significant player in the luxury car market: with this redesign, Mitsubishi hopes to change that.
Ferrari is back at the NAIAS for the first time in 6 years on display are three different versions of the F355, one 465 GTO and one F50. Even automotive journalists drool over Ferrari. Of course, right around the corner is Lamborghini with the Diablo.
Each year the auto companies try to out do each other with the most extravagant product introduction. This year more companies than ever vied for that title. Chevy brought in a magician to introduce the new Corvette to the world. Nissan did a very cool reenactment of the popular 'Toys' commercial featuring Ken, Barbie, Mr. K, and the 300 ZX. Dodge broke through the floor with the new Durango and lightning struck twice with Ben Franklin and the introduction of the Concorde and Intrepid. My choice for best show at the show was the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz CLK. Against a plain black background, a painter with three brushes in each hand brought to life the CLK with a rainbow array of colors. In 10 minutes, start to finish, this plain background became a masterful piece of artwork. Mercedes then did the unthinkable. They drove the CLK through the background, and painting, to triumphant applause.
