2012 Detroit Auto Show - Ford Fusion Early Leader

2012 Detroit Auto Show
DETROIT, MI. — Is it too early to proclaim a breakthrough vehicle for 2013? If the Detroit Auto Show press preview is any indication, the bold statement made by the completely renovated Ford Fusion made it the inspirational leader of a world-wide resurgence in optimism that filled Cobo Hall filled with impressive automotive statements for styling and technical advancement.
Chevrolet, which recently introduced its new Malibu, unveiled at the show an RS model of its just-released subcompact Sonic. , The TRU 140S, and the 130R rear-drive coupe are youthful variations. And Cadillac tried to pre-empt the Monday press-day opening by unveiling the ATS, a compact Cadillac, at a press day-eve ceremony. At the show, Cadillac showed off its XTS, a sleek sedan first seen at the Los Angeles show in November, as the replacement for both the departed STS and larger DTS.
It was the first such award for any Land Rover vehicle, while Hyundai’s victory continiued the South Korean company’s hot streak. The Genesis won 2010 North American Car of the Year, and the Sonata was runner-up to the electrified Chevrolet Volt as 2011‘s top car. Success of the compact Elantra elicited genuine emotion for Hyundai’s U.S president and CEO John Krafcik. “I’m surprised and humbled to win this, because the Focus is an amazing car and the Passat is incredible,” said Krafcik. “The Elantra already sold over 200,000 already. “
Later, Krafcik said, “We’ve become known as a terrific value brand, and now we’re becoming a valuable brand,” as Hyundai indicated it wasn’t slowing its momentum. Hyundai unveiled a new turbocharged version of the Veloster, a sporty coupe that was also a Car of the Year candidate, and a new coupe version of its restyled Genesis, powered by either a turbo 4 or a direct-injected 3.8 V6 with an in-house-built 8-speed automatic.
But the Domestic Three — formerly known as the Big Three — didn’t have to hide from the show’s spotlight array of electric vehicles, compacts, compact utility, hybrids and futuristic styling concepts. The Fusion was a little bit of all those features, with its eye-popping lines, and it became the most talked-about introduction at the show, turning attention from displays of the best of the 2012 models to the newest coming vehicles for 2013.
The new Fusion has dramatic styling, with a completely new grille that replaces the horizontal bar grille that had become identifiable on virtually all Ford vehicles. The new car has a low, open grille that resembles an Aston Martin, with sleek horizontal headlights wrapping around and creating an overall low and exotic/sporty look. The silhouette is also distinctive, and the tail wraps together with a fast-sloping rear angle that looks similar to the Audi A7. Just as impressive is that under the hood, the Fusion will come with a standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, plus a pair of EcoBoost turbocharged 4s, measuring 1.6 and 2.0 in displacement.
The 1.6 EcoBoost comes with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic, while the 2.0 EcoBoost has only an automatic, but offers an all-wheel drive alternative. Ford’s biggest splash with the Fusion will be its completely revised hybrid system, using lithium-ion technology. Ford sources said 500 patents were made off the hybrid system, and suggest it might be the best hybrid in the world, using Atkinson-cycle technology on the 2.0 combining with the hybrid to get over 100 miles per gallon. The Fusion won’t reach showrooms until late summer, as a 2013 model.
Honda is the unquestioned best at keeping its new vehicles secret, and its upscale Acura brand unveiled an impressive trio of cars on the first press day, including a revised new RDX crossover SUV, an ILX concept sedan, and a long-rumored replacement for the NSX sports car — introduced by Takanobu Ito, the engineer who brought out the original NSX and who now is president and CEO.
Honda itself displayed what it calls a concept version of the 2013 Accord coupe, which is not greatly changed from the slick current coupe model, but the upcoming Accord sedan will back off from the upsizing of its current generaton to downsize for better economy and performance. Shorter in overall length and slightly lower, the Accord will maintain the same interior room. Biggest news is Honda finally foregoes its aging 5-speed automatic transmission by issuing a new continuously-variable transmission, and a 6-speed automatic, as well as a 6-speed stick, and Honda also is updating its engine line to something called Earth Dreams Tech, with strong but small engines for its mini cars, and suggests it will start putting a 1.6-liter diesel in some models. Honda also promises a plug-in hybrid Accord that will automatically select when it can run on pure electric and when it will operate as a regular hybrid.
Toyota also is overing an electric version of its Scion iQ, and RAV4, the latter of which uses a Tesla system with well over 100 miles per full charge. Toyota also showed an NS4 concept, a sleek 4-door that uses solar panels in the roof and cameras instead of side mirrors. The Lexus brand for Toyota displayed its new GS sedan, which goes on sale in February, and a new LF-LC Coupe, a beautifully sculpted exotic sports car.
BMW shows a new Mini hardtop, and its new 3-Series, including the ActiveHybrid3 among a new line of hybrids. Among the show-stoppers is a BMW i8 concept car that has a starring role in the new Tom Cruise Mission Impossible movie, and takes BMW styling to its futuristic best.
Audi surprised everyone with the Q3 Vail, a stubby but attractive compact crossover SUV that fills out a fleet with the full-size Q7, midsize Q5 and now the compact Q3. Audi’s dependable turbo-diesel will be coming in the A6 by 2013.
Buick brought a return to the domestic flurry of late, adding a new Encore compact crossover SUV as a younger sibling to the popular Enclave. A 5-passenger vehicle, the Encore will be built in Korea and be powered by a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder with a 6-speed automatic — the same engine that was refined since starting life as an Opel Astra powerplant in the Chevrolet Cruze, and Sonic, and Buick Verano. A belated surprise came from the Chrysler stand, where a 700C was shown as a futuristic concept Town & Country.