BMW's Ian Robertson On In-Vehicle Technology

 

2011 NAIAS: Media Day 1 Was Overwhelming, Day 2 Was Empty

The North American International Auto Show kicked off with its first of two media days on Monday January 10th with 18 manufacturer media conferences, that's right 18! Beginning at 6:30am, or 3:30am for those of us who flew in from the West Coast, Porsche debuted the Porsche 918 RSR hybrid concept medium-sized coupe that will only be driven by the race car driver assigned to the vehicle, not the masses. A big deal for Porsche being their first Detroit appearance in years because Porsche doesn't sell many cars in Michigan, unlike Los Angeles where it always has a lavish, expansive display in its own exhibit hall. So, exhausted from the outset after a 5:30ET/2:30PT wake up call, it's race and scramble to make the media conferences. Just 10 to 15 minutes between the vehicle introductions so no time for lunch because you would miss BMW, Audi and Toyota. Nearly 12 hours later, the challenge was staying awake for the 6:15pm Chevy Sonic unveiling, by using the toothpicks from GM's mini-burgers to keep my eyelids open. As it turns out, it was Chris Perry's last Chevy announcement as he now takes over U.S. marketing under GM's global marketing chief Joel Ewanick.

The only manufacturer to present on Day 2 was Volvo which is going through a product realignment so they showed off a crashed electric C30 and only got some audience because Wall Street analysts were gathering to hear Ford CEO Alan Mulally next door explaining their global strategy to Wall Street analysts. Fitting that Volvo had a crashed car given the state of many of us West Coast journalists. Otherwise, Day 2 was for getting photos and videos of the cars that were so mobbed on Day 1, but unfortunately without the executives to provide commentary on their new products. My personal show disappointment was the absence of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, apparently shown in a sneak preview to a select group of invited journalists. Talk is that show organizers will have to go back to spreading out the OEM presentations over a few days. It will help the local economy, not to mention the health of the sleep-deprived California journalists. Twitter may have tweeted out on Day 1, too. On a positive note, by viewing this website, you can see the quantity of material gathered. Next stop is NADA in San Francisco where manufacturers and dealers mix to examine their industry and its challenges.

Toyota's Jim Lentz Forecasts Better 2011 Sales vs. Flat 2010

2011 NAIAS: MINI Paceman Concept Is Peppy 2-Door Countryman

The all-wheel drive MINI Paceman has a 211 horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the same 1.6 liter John Cooper Works twin-scroll turbo engine that's in the John Cooper Works version of the Mini hatchback. Though still being billed as a concept, the Paceman will very likely go into production and showrooms. With so many tech-loaded small vehicles hitting U.S. streets, the MINI buyer must have an acquired taste and larger wallet than other compact car shoppers. The powerful Paceman promises to please those picky personalities.

2011 NAIAS: 2011 Jeep Compass Takes Cues From Grand Cherokee

 The new 2011 Jeep® Compass, taking design cues from the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, is available in three drivetrain configurations: Standard front-wheel-drive, the Freedom Drive I four-wheel-drive system and the Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package four-wheel-drive system that delivers Jeep Trail Rated® capability in Compass form. Compass features a standard 158 horsepower 2.0-liter World Engine with the continuously variable transmission and delivers 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway when mated to the five-speed manual transmission. The 172-horsepower 2.4-liter World Engine with dual Variable Valve Timing on both intake and exhaust camshafts, is available on all models.

 The 2011 Jeep Compass is available in three configurations: Compass, Latitude and Limited. All are available with front-wheel drive, the Freedom Drive I full-time, active 4x4 system or the Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package full-time, active 4x4 system with low-range capability. There's a long history of affection for the Jeep Grand Cherokee so its smaller sibling is hitting a market and loyalty sweet spot.

2011 NAIAS: Ford Vertrek Concept

The Ford Vertrek concept, built on Ford's global C-segment platform, has new 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine from the global Ford EcoBoost family mated to a new, fuel-saving Ford Auto Start-Stop technology. By 2012, the C-segment platform will underpin more than 2 million vehicles globally and by 2013, 80 percent of Ford's global nameplates and 90 percent of Ford's North American nameplates will have an EcoBoost option.

 Looks like Ford's latest charge into the growing mid-size CUV segment that Lexus started and built into a huge success with the RX.

Chrysler 200 Convertible: Retractable Hard Top Or Cloth Soft Top

The new 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible has been redesigned and re-engineered as a mid-sized convertible that seats four adults with ample room in the trunk, even when the power top is dropped. There are two automatically latching tops, a body-color painted steel, retractable hard top, or a cloth soft top, both of which can drop with the press of a button on the key fob. The 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible is offered with the available new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine and 2.4-liter I4 World Gas Engine, both mated to a six-speed transmission.

One of my favorites excursions was a 5-day, 1,100 mile late August drive behind the wheel of a Sebring retractable hard top through upstate New York and Massachusetts. If successor, the 200 convertible, is better, it will be a big hit.

AN World Congress: VW's Jonathan Browning On Tracking Quality

2011 NAIAS: Ford's Latest Techology Innovations

2011 NAIAS: Audi Chairman Rupert Stadler On Technology

2011 NAIAS: BMW's Ian Robertson On Manufacturing Expansion

2011 NAIAS: Volvo Pres. & CEO Stefan Jacoby On Strategy

2011 NAIAS: Audi A6 & A7 Are Loaded With High Tech Features

 

The new Audi A6 will arrive at dealerships in early 2011 with a 300 horsepower 3.0 TFSI supercharged V6 and an optional 1,300-watt Advanced Sound System from Bang & Olufsen has 15 speakers and the Bluetooth car phone online which connects to the Internet, in partnership with Google. The MMI navigation plus has a touchpad allowing the driver to write the digits of telephone numbers and the letters of the navigation destination with a finger or scrolling lists and maps. The driver’s eyes can stay on the road because the system acknowledges every input acoustically.

The Audi A7 five-door coupe features a 204 horsepower 3.0 TDI engine as standard in a body that measures 16.31 ft. long and 6.27 ft. wide, but only 4.66 ft high.  Audi will initially offer the A7 with a choice of four V6 engines: two gasoline and two TDI units ranging in power 204 to 300 horsepower with two different transmissions depending on the engines.
Tech
All of the high tech features offered in the A6 will be on the A7 such as the radar-based distance control that accelerates the new A6 and decelerates within certain limits and active lane assist that helps the driver keep the A6 on course at speeds of 37.28 mph and above. The new parking system takes over steering from the driver when parallel parking or parking perpendicular to the road. It detects suitable spaces and automatically guides the A6 into and back out of parallel parking spaces – in several moves, if necessary. Audi also offers conventional parking assistance with and without a reversing camera. At speeds of 18.64 mph and above, Audi side assist system monitors the blind spot areas, as well as fast-approaching vehicles, at a range of about 150 ft. to the rear of the car.

An S line sport package is also available. The A6 won the EyesOn Design Award in Detroit and will  impress everyone who sees it. Two more winners from Audi!

2011 NAIAS: General Motors Debuts Buick Verano & Chevrolet Sonic

General Motors introduced two entry level vehicles in Detroit. The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic and 2012 Buick Verano.

The Chevrolet Sonic will come in a 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback powered by a standard 1.8 liter engine or an optional 138 horsepower 1.4 liter turbo mated to a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. Replacing, the Korean Aveo, the Michigan-made Sonic arrives this Fall with 10 airbags.

The all-new 2012 Buick Verano is powered by a 177 horsepower Ecotec 2.4 liter delivering an estimated 31mpg on the highway. A 2.0 liter turbo engine will be offered in the future.

NAIAS: 2011 Chrysler 300, All-New In the Spring Starting at $27,995

The all-new 2011 Chrysler 300 and 300 Limited models have a new look and powertrains while preserving that initial startle - "wait, is that a Bentley?" The 300 and 300 Limited have a 292 horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine with EPA-ratings of 18 city/27 highway. The all-new 2011 Chrysler 300C (pictured) has a 363 horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine delivering up to 25 highway mpg with Fuel Saver Technology that allows for seamless transition between four-cylinder mode when less power is needed and V-8 mode when more power is in demand. When running in four-cylinder fuel saver mode, the engine delivers up to 20 percent improved fuel efficiency.

Uconnect® Touch with an 8.4-inch standard touchscreen radio offers connectivity, Garmin® navigation and SIRIUS Travel Link for real-time weather, fuel prices and more. New active safety features include adaptive-forward lighting, Forward Collision Warning and Blind-spot Monitoring.
The all-new 2011 Chrysler 300 sedan arrives in dealerships in Spring 2011, starting at $27,995 (including destination).

NAIAS 2011: Toyota Prius V, C & Plug-In Join The Prius Family

The new Prius v midsize hybrid-electric vehicle and the Prius c Concept vehicle join the Prius midsize liftback which has accounted for more than 955,000 sales in the U.S. since it was introduced in 2000 becoming the third-best selling Toyota passenger car in the U.S. The new Prius v, with "v" for versatility is aimed at families with over 50-percent more interior cargo space than the current Prius - 34.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.

Also available is a resin Panoramic View moonroof with power retractable sun shades and Prius v will have the Entune™ multimedia system engaging mobile apps, such as Bing, OpenTable,  and movietickets.com, along with accessing travel-related services, such as live weather, traffic, fuel information (location and price), stocks, news and sports. With an advanced conversational voice recognition system that helps the driver to stay focused on the road, Entune eliminates the need to memorize thousands of voice commands and helps reduce driver distraction.

Prius c Concept, the Small "city"-centric Hybrid Vehicle will come to market in the first half of 2012.

The third addition is the Plug-in to be initially offered in 14 West and East Coast states (Arizona, California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Virginia and New Hampshire) where nearly 60 percent of all Prius models are currently sold.  Availability in all remaining states will be a year later. Depending on driving conditions, Prius Plug-in can be driven approximately 13 miles on battery power at speeds up to 60 mph.  Its compact Lithium-ion battery provides less weight and a quicker recharging time, taking three hours on 110 volts and 1.7 hours on 220 volts.  It can be "topped off" anytime with a convenient short charge.

With the success of the Prius hybrid, Toyota is simple expanding the appeal of the brand by catering to more tastes and needs. You might say they are entune with the market.

2011 NAIAS: Kia KV7 Concept Blends Practicality With Flare

Kia Motors’ U.S. design studio unveiled — the “KV7” concept van that has a futuristic blend of curves around a boxy frame which some critics say borrows from the Ford Flex. It has corporate jet lounge-like seating where passengers can face each other to engage in conversation. It reminds me of the station wagon of the future which I saw as a kid at the 1962 Seattle World's fair. The front passenger seat that swivels around is a practical idea that more manufacturers should embrace to make an easy exit from the vehicle for our aging population - turn towards the door and step out rather than kicking your legs to the side. The large gullwing door that swings up to open may present some problems in tight parking spaces.

The KV7 concept is powered by Kia’s new Theta II 2.0-liter GDI turbocharged engine, which is capable of delivering up to 285 horsepower and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission to deliver V6-type power and performance while achieving better than 30 miles per gallon on the highway. The KV7 concept is my choice for the most radically inspiring concept vehicle at the Detroit Auto Show because it mixes practically and personality into a van, a segment which many moms avoiding because of the stereo-type that goes with them. The KV7, if it becomes reality, could lure the crowd of minivan moms that have opted for SUVs and CUVs back to the van segment.

NAIAS: Honda Civic Concepts To Become Reality In A Few Months

Honda showed off their new 2 and 4 door Civics in Detroit as concepts when, in fact, they'll be in showrooms in a few months. Shortly after the 4 door version was unveiled it was shipped to the Montreal Auto Show because Civic is a top seller in Canada.

That 4 door Civic had an unfinished interior with clay sculpting so it appears to be a concept that will be quickly transformed. Some critics were expecting a more drastic design change in the Civic but if it's not broke it doesn't need to be fixed, maybe just tweaked. Both models looked sleek and ready for personalization by their huge, loyal Civic fan base. Let's see if the production models and pricing details are released by or at the mid-April New York Auto Show.

NAIAS: Hyundai Veloster Shines In Detroit

Hyundai Veloster, the Korean carmaker's new entry level hatchback is anything but jurassic as the name might imply. The Veloster fits with the company's new branding which was unveiled just before the car itself in Detroit. New thinking. New Possibilities. Here's a small hatchback with a 1.6 liter 138 horsepower engine with possible 40mpg fuel economy and an option to mate it to their DSG transmission.

The Veloster looks like a 2-door car from the driver's side that has one larger door but on the passenger side there are two doors for easy access to the back seat behind which there may even be enough room for golf clubs. Hyundai continues to impress and this vehicle could catch on with twenty-somethings or even families with small kids who are on tight budgets demanding fuel economy. With a $17,000 price tag this could be another hit from Hyundai. Watch for it in showrooms this summer.

2012 VW Passat From Tennessee in Mid-August In $20K Range

The all-new 2012 Volkswagen Passat made in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is larger (191.7 inches) and will launch in mid-August in the $20,000 price range to boost U.S. sales. The exact price will be announced in March. There are 3 engine options: a 5 cylinder expected to get 31mpg, a diesel at 43mpg and a 6 cylinder at 28mpg. Plans are to produce about a million over the next 7 years. VW's goal is to triple current annual volume to 800,000 by 2018.