DETROIT – From mega-horsepower supercars to range-extending electric cars to upstart trucks, there seemingly was something for anyone at this year’s Detroit auto show, arguably the largest annual showcase of the American auto industry.
And although much of what we thought would be revealed at this year’s Motown event was expected, several automakers still had a few surprises up their sleeves. And by the end of the first media day, a few show trends started to emerge.
First off, it almost appears as if some automakers knew that gas prices would plummet.
As I expected, hometown Ford thrilled the assembled media in the Detroit Red Wings’ Joe Louis Arena home ice with the reveal of not one, but three high-horsepower vehicles.
Also read: Sexy supercars steal the spotlight at Detroit auto show
First was the rumoured Ford GT supercar, a 600-hp twin-turbo mid-engine two-seater that will not only go racing at LeMans next year — but like the original 1960’s Ford GT40 — also be available as a street car.
Next from Ford was the new Shelby Mustang GT350R. Essentially, the R is what the Boss 302 Laguna Seca was to the Boss 302 — a street-legal, track day weapon.
Ford GT
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
Mustang Shelby GT350R
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
Ford GT
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
Mustang Shelby GT350R
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
Ford GT
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
Mustang Shelby GT350R
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
And for those who want to go off-road (and I mean way off road) the 2017 Ford F 150 Raptor also debuted, sporting a 3.5-litre turbo V6 that makes more than the current Raptor’s 411-hp and 434 pound-feet of torque 6.2L V8.
Although it didn’t catch me as off-guard as the Ford supercar, parent Honda gave driving enthusiasts a nice surprise with the long-awaited 2016 Acura NSX supercar.
Instead of the expected “around” 400-hp transversely mounted, naturally aspirated V6 plus three electrical motor hybrid powertrain, at the last minute, Acura created an all-new, longitudinally mounted V6, now with two turbochargers and making “more than” 550-hp.
2016 Acura NSX
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
2016 Acura NSX
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
2016 Acura NSX
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
Not all of this year’s surprises were limited to the mega-power variety.
Teased at last week’s International Consumer Electronics Show, the new, second-generation 2016 Chevrolet Volt gas-electric hybrid wasn’t much of a surprise, making its official debut here in Detroit.
With more mainstream styling, upscale interior and a longer electric range, the General Motors brand is hoping the new Volt appeals to a wider audience than just card-carrying Greenpeace members.
What was a surprise was the new Chevrolet Bolt EV Concept.
The bright orange, subcompact four-door hatchback is Chevrolet’s “vision” of an EV with a 300-kilometre range between charges with a starting price of “around $30,000” in the U.S.
With the goal to have a production Bolt EV (that may also have a new name) on sale by 2017, GM is trying to beat upstart Tesla, which is supposedly working a new EV with a similar range and price point.
2017 Chevrolet Bolt
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
2016 Chevrolet Volt
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
2017 Chevrolet Bolt
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
2016 Chevrolet Volt
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
2016 Chevrolet Volt
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
Another revelation at this year’s Detroit show was the attention GM was giving to its often forgotten Buick brand.
While Buick sales in China keeps GM’s coffers full back here in the U.S. of A., the brand is viewed as no more than a showroom full of rebadged cars from the General’s struggling European Opel brand (such as the 2016 Buick Cascada compact convertible that was unveiled in Detroit, but that I heard was not coming to Canada).
But with display separated from its sister GM brands, and the stunning debut of the new Avenir luxury sedan concept (a rear-wheel-drive four door that shares the same corporate platform as the forthcoming Cadillac CT6), perhaps Buick can become relevant again to buyers outside of Asia.
A new crossover at an auto show is no surprise.
Also read: Automakers trot out new luxury SUVs at Detroit auto show
Witness the expected debuts of the Audi Q7 (the VW Group’s first offering using a new, lighter modular platform that will also spawn the next-gen Porsche Cayenne and possibly the Lamborghini Urus and Bentley Bentayga SUVs) as well the second-gen Lincoln MKX (essentially a gussied-up Ford Edge using a new 2.7L turbo V6) here in the Motor City.
Yet Germany’s Volkswagen pulled a rabbit out of its lederhosen with its new Cross Coupe GTE Concept.
2017 Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE
Derek McNaughton, Driving
Instead of the expected production version of the VW CrossBlue three-row crossover, the Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE Concept that was rolled out here is a two-row crossover, in the same vein as a Ford Edge or Nissan Murano. Is the Cross Coupe GTE simply a smaller companion to the CrossBlue? Is it a replacement for today’s Tiguan or Touareg? Or both? Only VW knows at this point.
And finally, amongst all the brands and models that filled-up the COBO Center halls at this year’s Detroit show, I found it surprising how many so-called “all-new” vehicles looked vaguely familiar.
Also read: Pickup trucks get tougher at Detroit auto show
2016 Nissan Titan
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
2017 Ford Raptor
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
The 2016 Toyota Tacoma at the 2015 North American International Auto Show.
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
There was the new, second-generation 2016 Nissan Titan full-sized pickup truck, that looks like its designers were channeling the last-generation Ford F-150. There was the aforementioned 2016 Chevy Volt, that mimics a Honda Civic at the front and a Dodge Dart at the rear. There was the “new” 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE four-dour SUV coupé, a deliberate rip-off of the BMW X6 four-dour SUV coupé.
And last — and possibly least — there was the Hyundai Santa Cruz Concept, a five-passenger, two-poor, unibody pickup truck that looks at the best like a take on the just-departed Honda Ridgeline, or the worst, like a new-age Subaru Brat.
A Korean pickup debuting in Detroit? Yes, I was surprised.
Mustang Shelby GT350R
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2017 Ford Raptor
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2016 Nissan Titan
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
2016 Acura NSX
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
2016 Acura NSX
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
2016 Acura NSX
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
Ford GT
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
Hyundai Santa Cruz Crossover Truck Concept
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
Audi Q7
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
2015 Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
2015 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2017 Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
The 2016 Toyota Tacoma at the 2015 North American International Auto Show.
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
BMW 6 Series
PHOTO: John LeBlanc, Driving
Ford GT
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
2017 Chevrolet Bolt
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
Alfa Romeo 4C Spider
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
2015 Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 AMG
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
2016 Buick Cascada Convertible
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
2015 Buick Avenir Concept
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
2016 Chevrolet Volt
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving
Infiniti Q60 Concept
PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Driving