Porsche Returning to Detroit Show for 2011 after a Three Year Hiatus

After a three year absence, Porsche will return to the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit next year. The show's organizers say they see this move as an indication that the auto industry is getting "stronger".

The show's co-chairman, Bill Perkins said, "We're very excited about it. The demand for space is very strong. People see the market coming back."

Porsche abandoned the Detroit Show in 2008, citing that it wanted to find more personal ways to reach out to potential customers. It must have worked with Porsche selling 15,719 vehicles in the U.S. between January and August 2010, up 23.5% from same time last year.

The upcoming 2012 Porsche 911 (see spy video here), which will feature a new engine and lighter chassis, could make its world debut at the 2011 NAIAS, though chances are the Stuttgart automaker will prefer to reveal the car at the Frankfurt show in September of the same year.

Nissan, Mitsubishi and Suzuki have also been absent the past two years the show was held, and are unconfirmed for the 2011 edition.

By Tristan Hankins

VW Releases Fresh Drawings of New Midsize Sedan, will Replace the Passat in the USA

In an effort to stem the outpouring of criticism aimed directly at the recently-revealed B7 Passat, VW has released some more pics of the upcoming American NMS (New Midsize Sedan). Thankfully, we here in the States won't have to deal with the reskinned Passat and its - according to our readers - "boring" looks. Instead, we'll be getting a production version of the car seen here, Teutonic and built in Tennessee.

VW says the NMS will debut at the NAIAS in Detroit in January 2010, with sales beginning in the third quarter. Short of the pics they've released, there have yet to be any official details; however, it's safe to say this will essentially be a Passat with a more Ameri-centric look.

Other than that, one styling bonus over the B7 that's immediately noticeable is the C-pillar's BMW-derived Hofmeister kink. Other design elements that would be appreciated in a production model are the higher belt line, squat appearance, narrower daylight opening, and Audi-inspired tail lights. VW, get us some pics of this thing pronto.

By Phil Alex

Concept car : GMC Granite 2010

The 2010 Detroit Auto Show opens in Detroit today with a new crossover concept from GM, the GMC Granite.



The Granite may be on display as a concept car, but it�s closely related to a new vehicle already headed to Chevrolet dealers, the 2011 Orlando. It�s a safe bet that GMC will get a version of the Granite to sell in the 2012 model year, but GM hasn�t confirmed its plans for the small wagon just yet.



Still, it�s easy to see how the Granite concept could translate into what would be the smallest GMC ever offered. For one, there�s the powertrain, a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder that will power the Orlando as well as the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze sedan and in non-turbo form, will be the range-extender engine found in the 2011 Chevrolet Volt. In this case, it�s coupled to a six-speed automatic.

read full article: blogs.thecarconnection.com

Concept car : Volvo S60 2010

 

A few weeks ago we brought you the first hint of Volvo's new S60 concept car and here are the first images of the vehicle that will be unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in early January 2009. The Concept gives an indication of what the all-new Volvo S60 will look like when it's launched in 2010. The coupe-inspired lines that gave the original S60 its characteristic stance are more pronounced in this next generation.

"The concept car's exterior gives a clear indication of what customers can expect of the all-new S60. On the inside we've been even more daring," says Volvo Cars Design Director, Steve Mattin.

The front of the S60 Concept sports the enlarged iron mark in the trapezoidal grille. The two lamps that flank the grille emphasize the vertical stance of the front, highlighting the hood's V-shape. The angled headlamps flow into the sculptured hood and, combined with the lower air intake's reverse trapezoidal shape, gives the concept car an expressive "face".

Viewed from the side, the concept's slim coupe roofline and windows are accompanied by an entirely new shoulder line, forming a gentle double wave from the headlamps to the rear. Both the seven-spoke 20" wheels and the tread of the low-profile tyres have been specially designed, while the bronze brake calipers match the `Warm Liquid Copper' paint on the car.

The unique rear parallelogram doors offer a spectacular show when opened or closed. Door opening is initiated by pressing a button and the movement starts in the traditional way. In the next phase, the forward section swings away from the body and the door glides parallel with the side of the car until it reaches its end position by the rear wheel.

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2011 BMW 740i Brings Six-Cyl Power Back to the US

BMW has announced the return of the 740i and 740Li models for the 2011 model year.

The 2011 740i and 740Li will be powered by BMW's twin-turbocharged inline-six with 315 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 330 lb-ft of torque from 1600-4500 rpm. The six-cylinder is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Both models will be available in the spring of 2010.

Detroit 10' Preview: Toyota to Debut Dedicated Hybrid Concept

Toyota has just announced that the automaker is going to unveil a new dedicated hybrid concept at the Detroit Auto Show next month. Toyota didn't release any details about the concept, but since its being labeled as a "dedicated hybrid concept" it will not be a hybrid version of anything currently in Toyota's lineup. It could however be a concept version of the upcoming Prius Coupe or a wagon that has been rumored.

Concept car : New Jaguar XF 2010

Unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show 2009, the new 2010 XF Jaguar has set out to design, develop and build the definitive Jaguar sports saloon. Now with magnificent new petrol and diesel engines, representing the very latest in advanced power and technology, the 2010 Model Year XF is even more thrilling to drive.

All-new AJ-V8 Gen III petrol engines and new AJ-V6D Gen III diesel engines � all delivering more power and more performance with comparable or better fuel economy and emissions than the engines they supersede. The new 3.0-litre AJ-V6D Gen III engine makes its debut in the 2010 Model Year XF. The twin sequential turbocharged engine is available as the 275PS/600Nm S or a 240PS/500Nm version. Both offer exceptional efficiency and refinement and in the case of the Diesel S accelerate from 0-60mph in just 5.9 seconds.



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