Quick Morning Notes From NAIAS

We will have a much more in depth review of the day later tonight, but wanted to give you some quick thoughts so far today.

Ford had a nice production for their Focus intro of which you can see a quick blurb here on the blog below, general reaction form the jaded press corps was good.

GMC brought you the Granite, what they call an “Urban Utility Vehicle”, what also could be know as yet another Xb copy.  1.4 liter turbo motor and suicide doors.  Interior looks good, this is one of those prototype not announced for production cars.

Buick showed off the new Regal and also the GS “Concept”  Look for that to be announced for production shortly.  Some big power numbers announced for the GS Regal, 255HP and 290TQ out of a 2 liter turbo motor.

As a side note GM needs to hire some new writers for Mark and Susan, the fake conversation they had to begin the presser was corny and awkward.

We skipped the Toyota presser and by all accounts it was a good thing, reports are people were falling asleep there, also Toyota needs some new writers as well, the jokes wouldn’t have made it at amateur night at the comedy club.

VW showed off a highbrid coupe which has been tagged as the next Jetta and Mercedes touted it’s highbrids, then showed off a Convertible E Class which has a spoiler that comes out over the windshield header to direct air over the back seat passengers.  Seems like engineering for engineering sake.

We are taking a break, and will post notes later in the day, pictures to come as well.

2011 Ford Focus

There are a number of us here in the US who have been very envious of our friends in the EU who have the current generation Focus and especially the sporty ST version and then there is the VERY tasty RS version that gearheads in the US have been drooling over since it debuted.

While the ST/RS versions aren’t being announced at the NAIAS, they will be coming soon with the 250HP EcoBoost 4 Banger that will be announced, maybe at this show.  This is a mid life refresh, so what that means is that the basic car is the same with some fresh body work, a new interior and some refreshed/refined suspension.  What we will get in the US is a two liter direct injection I-4 with 150HP.  A 6 speed manual or a 6 speed DSG will be available.

The MyFord evolution of the SYNC system will be available with a Sony stereo system that was shown off last week at CES in Las Vegas.

The US, Russia and China get a version with a trunk, and thankfully the US will also get the 5 door which was STUNNING in person when we saw it at an embargoed event last month.  The interior is very well done.  Many people agreed with me that the interior of the Focus was more impressive that the Lincoln MKX that was also shown that day.

Have a look at a couple pictures and read through the press releases.

Focus Overview

Focus MyFord

The Latest Audi Clean Diesel Commercial

My fellow RoundAboutShow panelist Zack Bowman posted this video on the ExhaustNote blog.  I can almost guarantee that thanks to lawyers and special interest groups, you won’t see this on TV in the US because it will offend three people in a country of 300 Million!

Also in this era of “Green” where the politicians and leaders of Social Conscience who preach “green” fly in private aircraft and are driven around in SUV to all their speeches.  Also the same IDIOT’S prevent cars like this from being sold in the US at affordable prices  because they think technology that’s not ready for primetime for 7-10 years is a better idea then technology available TODAY than can cut petrolium use in the US by 20+% in a very short period of time.

Anyway have a look at this very funny Audi commercial.

Autoline After Hours Special Tuesday Edition

This week Autoline After Hours webcasts LIVE on a Special Day with Doug Fox, a Co-Chair of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.  We come to you Tuesday at 7PM ET to get a preview of next week’s NAIAS and an inside look at what’s gone on behind the scenes as Detroit has prepared for this year’s show amidst economic and bureaucratic turmoil. Joining in on the discussion will be Autoextremist Peter De Lorenzo and newcomer Steve Finlay, the editor of Ward’s Dealer Business.

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British Road Racer Guy Martin

If you follow the Irish Road Racing scene, you know, the men of testicular fortitude, who race on the roads rather than closed circuit courses, then you know the name Guy Martin.  Thanks to Jim Race for finding this.  Jim says expect an interview with Guy on an upcoming MotoGPod