Officials confirmed yesterday that the electrical fire that broke out above the Audi stand resulted in no injuries and no damages to any vehicles at the stand. The fire forced the evacuation of thousands of visitors to the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.

“There’s minor damage to the stand,” Audi spokesman Christian Bokich said. He said that all the vehicles at the stand were covered quickly when the fire broke out.

As of 3:15 p.m., the floor opened up to visitors.

Both the Audi e-tron concept and the 2011 A8 are in perfect condition.

2010 Detroit: 2011 Audi A8:

All Photos Copyright © 2009 Omar Rana ““ egmCarTech.

2010 Detroit: Audi e-tron 2-seater:

- By: Omar Rana

Attendees are expected to be let back in to the Detroit auto show this evening after an electrical fire in the ceiling of the Audi exhibit caused organizers to evacuate a smokey Cobo Center main floor earlier today. Organizers hop eto let people back in around 5:00 p.m., and those who were at the show at the time of fire will be granted admission back in on any of the remaining show days.

No one was injured and there were no reports of damaged vehicles.

Audi employees moved quickly to evacuate the floor and started to move vehicles off of their display, including the $175,000 R8 Spyder, when flames starting shooting up from the German automakers exhibit ceiling.

Police and security personnel were able to evacuate the thousands in attendance in an orderly manner and without incident. Many were annoyed at the inconvenience and expressed their regret about not being able to see the show, but the crowd has remained orderly up to this point.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Free Press

According to show organizers, the Detroit auto show experienced more than 21,000 more attendees on Monday than last year on the same day. 61,112 people attended this past Monday, as opposed to 39,715 for last year’s Monday exhibition.

Numbers for the weekend attendance, though up from last year, were not as staggering, with Saturday attendance rising from 74,613 in 2009 to 83,715 this year, and 90,608 attendees on Sunday last year, to 96,623 this year.

NAIAS chairman Doug Fox said in a statement that organizers could not be more pleased with this year”s turnout.

“The positive vibe of preview week is spilling into our public days and we are looking forward to keeping the momentum to continue what has been an exciting time so far.” Fox said.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

We are all finally back from Michigan after attending the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. All of us have caught up on many lost hours of sleep and have finally had some chance to look back at the show to pick our favorite debuts in Detroit.

Here is a list of what the egmCarTech team liked at the show – make sure you let us know what was your favorite debut from Detroit (one concept, one production).

Omar Rana (Editor in Chief): Production – Cadillac CTS-V Coupe; Concept – Audi e-tron.
Stephen Calogera (Senior Editor): Production – 2012 Ford Focus; Concept – Volkswagen NCCHC.
Kap Shah (Senior Editor ““ West Coast): Production – 2012 Ford Focus; Concept – Audi e-tron.
Anna Tarasova (Editor): Production – 2010 Bentley Mulsanne; Concept – Audi e-tron.

Hit the jump to see the complete list of concept and production debuts from Detroit.

2010 Detroit Auto Show – Concepts:

Toyota FT-CH
Fiat 500 BEV
Hyundai BLUE-WILL Concept
Cadillac XTS Platinum
Chevrolet Aveo RS Concept
BMW Concept ActiveE
Mini Beachcomber Concept
Volkswagen New Compact Coupe Hybrid Concept
Volvo C30 BEV
Buick Regal GS Concept
GMC Granite Concept
Lancia based Chrysler

2010 Detroit Auto Show – Production:

2010 Bentley Mulsanne
2010 Bentley Series 51 Continental GTC
2011 Lincoln MKX
2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is
2010 Ford Focus
2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet
2011 Honda CR-Z
2011 Audi A8
2011 GMC Acadia Denali
2011 Maserati GranTurismo Convertible
2011 Ford Mustang GT
2011 BMW 740i

Hip-hop star Nelly dropped by the 2010 Detroit Auto Show to let us know that his upcoming album’s artwork will feature the 2011 Ford Mustang GT 5.0L V8. The album, set to launch this later this year, will feature a tricked-out 2011 Mustang GT customized by DUB Magazine.

“I don”t care where you grew up, everyone knows the Mustang. At some point, you”ve had a conversation about a Mustang ““ and it was probably one about you wanting to get behind the wheel of one,” says Nelly. “I”ve always loved the Mustang; the vehicle has power to the point where you can”t help but want to hit the pedal. And the newest one? More power, hotter style.”

Nelly’s 2011 Mustang GT features a custom gloss black paint job with flat black racing stripes and a Street Scenes body kit complete with 22- and 24-inch wheels and Pirelli tires. The vehicle also gets a billet grille, hood scoop, tinted taillights, angel eyes headlights and a Borla exhaust.

Nelly says he can’t wait to hit the streets in his new 2011 Mustang GT.

Click here for our post on the 2011 Mustang GT from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.

Nelly’s 2011 Ford Mustang GT:

2010 Detroit: 2011 Ford Mustang GT:

All Photos Copyright © 2010 Stephen Calogera ““ egmCarTech.

- By: Kap Shah

While FoMoCo attracted a lot of attention at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show with the 2011 Ford Mustang GT and the 2012 Ford Focus, the Dearborn automaker stole the show by winning the 2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year awards.

Ford’s Fusion Hybrid won the Car of the Year award while the Ford Transit Connect stole the Truck of the Year award.

“Winning both of these prestigious awards is confirmation that the ONE Ford plan is working, delivering industry-leading products for our customers,” said Mark Fields, president of The Americas.

This was only the third time in 17 years that one manufacturer has won both titles.

Click through for the press release.

Press Release:

FORD SWEEPS N.A. CAR AND TRUCK OF THE YEAR AWARDS

* Ford swept the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards today at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), winning both prestigious awards for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and the 2010 Ford Transit Connect, respectively
* It is the third time in 17 years that one manufacturer has won both awards
* The Ford Fusion Hybrid is America”s most fuel-efficient midsize sedan with an EPA-estimated 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway
* The Transit Connect is an industry-exclusive vehicle developed to be a smart new choice for small business owners; it offers double the fuel economy of full-size vans, generous and accessible cargo space, and the agility and maneuverability to operate in crowded urban areas

DETROIT, Jan. 11, 2010 ““ Ford Motor Company scored a historic doubleheader today, capturing both the North American Car of the Year and North American Truck of the Year awards for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and 2010 Ford Transit Connect, respectively, at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). It is only the third time in 17 years that one manufacturer has won both titles.

The North American Car and Truck of the Year awards recognize vehicles based on factors including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar. A jury of 49 automotive journalists in the United States and Canada vote for the vehicles, which must be “all-new” or “substantially changed” from the previous model to qualify for the award.

The Fusion Hybrid edged out finalists including the Buick LaCrosse and Volkswagen Golf/GTI to win the North American Car of the Year award. It is the fourth hybrid vehicle in 17 years to win recognition as North American Car (or Truck) of the Year. It also is the second hybrid win for Ford ““ the most hybrid wins for any automaker. The Ford Escape Hybrid was named North American Truck of the Year in 2005.

The Transit Connect bested finalists including the Chevrolet Equinox and Subaru Outback to win the North American Truck of the Year award. It is the sixth Ford truck to win the award ““ the most wins of any automaker in the 17-year history of the awards program. It also is the second year in a row that Ford has captured the title. Last year, top honors went to the 2009 Ford F-150.

Fusion Hybrid a winner out of the gate
The North American Car of the Year award is the latest in an impressive string of awards and accolades for the Fusion Hybrid. Most recently, the vehicle was honored as CAR and DRIVER Magazine”s “10Best” Cars for 2010, one of AUTOMOBILE Magazine”s 2010 All-Stars, and the entire Fusion lineup captured the acclaimed MOTOR TREND Car of the Year® award.

The all-new Fusion Hybrid arrived in dealers in March, complete with a powertrain system that combines the best attributes of the gasoline engine and electric battery-driven motors to deliver the optimal experience for the customer in terms of driving performance and fuel economy.
The Fusion Hybrid also offers drivers a way to be more connected to the hybrid driving experience thanks to Ford”s SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide, a unique instrument cluster execution that helps coach them on how to optimize the performance of their hybrid.

Other class-exclusive technologies and features that set the Fusion Hybrid apart from the competition include Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®), Ford SYNC®, SIRIUS Travel Link™ and more total passenger and luggage capacity than the Toyota Camry.

Despite the slump in overall industry sales, 2009 was a record-breaking year for the Ford Fusion. Sales are at an all-time high, with the Fusion Hybrid accounting for almost 20 percent of total Fusion retail sales. Perhaps even more significant, more than 60 percent of Fusion Hybrid sales have been to customers coming from import brands ““ mostly Toyota and Honda.

Awards and accolades for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid include:

* MOTOR TREND Car of the Year Award
* One of CAR and DRIVER Magazine”s “10Best” Cars for 2010
* One of AUTOMOBILE Magazine”s 2010 All-Stars
* 2009 “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
* 2009 Ward”s Interior of the Year Special Achievement Award for Best Graphic Display for SmartGauge with EcoGuide digital instrument cluster
* Great Car for the Long-haul Salesman by Kelley Blue Book kbb.com
* One of America”s Top 40 New Cars by MOTOR TREND magazine
* Rated the No. 1 Hybrid Family Sedan by CAR and DRIVER in a recent comparison test by the magazine
* 2009 and 2010 Editors Choice for Fuel Sipper by CAR and DRIVER Magazine
* Best Hybrid for the Money in the Midsize Car segment by cars.com
* One of 2009 Top 10 Green Cars by Kelley Blue Book kbb.com
* The Detroit News Readers” Choice Award for “Best Value”
* 2010 Consumers Digest Best Buy
* Detroit Free Press 2010 Car of the Year
* 2010 Most Environmentally Progressive Car of the Year by Earth, Wind & Power
* 10 Best Engine by Ward”s Auto World

The 2010 Fusion Hybrid is built at Ford”s Hermosillo (Mexico) Stamping and Assembly Plant.

Transit Connect fills unmet needs of small businesses and fleets
The Transit Connect was brought to the U.S. to fulfill the unmet needs of small business owners and entrepreneurs, offering them a new vehicle choice with significantly improved fuel economy, generous and accessible cargo space, and the agility and maneuverability to operate in crowded urban areas.

Powered by a 2.0-liter I-4 engine with a four-speed automatic overdrive transmission, the
Transit Connect offers double the fuel economy of full-size vans, delivering an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.

The Transit Connect also has more than double the cargo-carrying capacity of the Chevrolet HHR Panel, making it suitable for a broader range of commercial-use applications. And it offers commercial users a cargo payload of up to 1,600 pounds ““ a larger payload than the full-size Dodge Ram 1500 standard-cab short-box pickup truck.

The Transit Connect also is available with the industry-exclusive Ford Work Solutions™, a suite of affordable technologies that provides customers with connectivity, flexibility, visibility and security to better run key aspects of their business.

On Transit Connect, Ford Work Solutions delivers three innovative features:

* A wireless in-dash computer that provides full high-speed Internet access, Bluetooth-enabled hands-free calling and navigation. The system also allows customers to print invoices, check inventories and access documents stored on their home or office computer networks right on the job site.
* Tool Link™, a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) asset tracking system that enables customers to maintain detailed real-time inventory of the tools or equipment.
* Crew Chief™, a fleet tracking, telematics and diagnostics system that provides dynamic location and performance data fleet owners need to more efficiently manage their vehicles, quickly dispatch workers to job sites, monitor driver performance for safety and economy, and keep detailed vehicle maintenance records.

Awards and accolades for the 2010 Ford Transit Connect include:

* 2010 Editors Choice for Vans by CAR and DRIVER Magazine
* Detroit Free Press 2010 Truck of the Year
* The Detroit News 2010 Truck of the Year
* 2010 Popular Mechanics Automotive Excellence Award for Best Workhorse Vehicle
* A Great Car for the Small Business Delivery/Utility Worker by Kelley Blue Book kbb.com

The 2010 Ford Transit Connect is built at the Ford Otosan Kocaeli Plant in Kocaeli, Turkey.

# # #

- By: Omar Rana

While we were certainly in our automotive glory these past two days at the 2010 North American International Auto Show, we can’t say that we weren’t a bit distracted by the beautiful ladies adorning some of the exhibits. Many of the higher-end luxury models such as BMW, Audi, and Maserati had gorgeous models accompanying their display vehicles, and we must thank them, as this provided for a bit of visual distraction from all the cars.

Hit the jump for the high-res image gallery from Detroit.

2010 Detroit Auto Show: The beautiful lionesses of Detroit:

All Photos Copyright © 2010 Stephen Calogera ““ egmCarTech.

- By: Stephen Calogera

For its presence at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, Tesla showed off a red Tesla Model S Sedan and announced that it has produced the 1,000th Tesla Roadster.

“A year ago right here in Detroit we had delivered about 150 Roadsters, so VIN 1,000 is a humble but important milestone for us,” said Tesla CEO Elon Musk. “It’s fitting to do something special with this unique car.”

As for the Model S Sedan, Tesla was keen on letting us know that the sedan is a 7-passenger vehicle with a third rear-facing row for children only. The Model S is expected to begin production in 2012 with prices to start at $49,900 after U.S. federal tax credit.

Click through for the high-res image gallery and the press release.

2010 Detroit: Tesla Model S Sedan:

All Photos Copyright © 2010 Omar Rana ““ egmCarTech.

Press Release:

Tesla Celebrates 1,000th Roadster

Electric automaker displays VIN 1,000 at North American International Auto Show, will donate full value to charities

DETROIT — (BUSINESS WIRE) “” Tesla Motors has built its 1,000th production vehicle — a significant milestone for the only automaker worldwide producing and selling highway-capable electric cars.

The car, which bears the unique Vehicle Identification No. 1,000, is a special-edition Roadster Sport in “Millennial White,” with a unique interior and carbon fiber accents. VIN 1,000 will be on display at the North American International Auto Show through Jan. 24.

The world’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer will donate the $175,000 Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of this collector’s car to several charities in metro Detroit.

Tesla will donate the full value of the car to organizations including:

* Forgotten Harvest: Oak Park, Mich.-based charity focused on alleviating hunger and waste by rescuing food from more than 450 food industry donors.
* The Children’s Center: Detroit-based coalition of civic, corporate and philanthropic leaders dedicated to helping disadvantaged children and families.
* FOCUS: Hope: Detroit-based community organization focused on food and health programs to single low-income mothers and children, civic revitalization, and back-to-work education projects such as a “green jobs” training program.
* Sierra Club: The nation’s oldest and largest grassroots environmental group with over 1.3 million members and supporters, winning big victories to stop global warming and move America into a clean energy future.
* National Wildlife Federation: America’s largest conservation organization with more than 4 million members, partners and supporters working to protect and restore wildlife habitat, confront global warming and connect with nature.

Tesla, a Silicon Valley-based automaker that began vehicle development in 2004, has delivered Roadsters to customers in 43 states and 19 countries. The company operates 10 retail outlets in the United States and Europe.

Roadster Road Trip Car and Model S on Display

The Tesla booth at the Detroit auto show also features “VIN 750,” an Arctic White Roadster Sport that recently completed a 2,700-mile cross-country road trip to Detroit from Los Angeles. Tesla employees drove 750 through nine states, three time zones, and two snowstorms ““ without a drop of gasoline.

The acclaimed Roadster accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 and is twice as energy efficient as leading hybrids. It is the only highway-capable electric vehicle for sale in North America or Europe.

The 2010 North American International Auto Show also marks the Detroit debut of the Model S. The Model S is an electric, seven-passenger sedan that Tesla plans to begin producing in early 2012 with an anticipated base price of $49,900 after a US federal tax credit.

- By: Omar Rana

• Key Competitors: Rolls-Royce Phantom and Maybach if you remember who they are.
• Power: 6.75L twin-turbocharged V8 ““ 505-hp / 752 lb-ft of torque.
• Transmission: ZF 8-speed automatic.
• Availability: On sale now.
• Pricing: $285,000.

Since Bentley was not present at the 2009 LA Auto Show last month, it decided to come to Detroit with its new flagship sedan – the 2010 Bentley Mulsanne.

If you thought the Bentley Mulsanne was gorgeous in pictures, wait until you check it out at a local auto show near you. It’s a monstrous in size and proportions and really stands out in the crowd from competitors including Rolls-Royce and Maybach.

Hit the jump for more high-res photos from Detroit.

2010 Detroit: 2010 Bentley Mulsanne:

All Photos Copyright © 2010 Stephen Calogera ““ egmCarTech.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Bentley’s press conference at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show consisted of two things – the Bentley Mulsanne (which we’ll post about in just a few) and this special-edition Series 51 Continental GTC. The Series 51 package will be available on the Continental range’s GT, GT Speed, GTC and GTC Speed models

What’s so special about the Series 51 package? Well besides the starting price of $192,750 for the GT Coupe model, it provides thousands of configurations available through Bentley’s expansive colour and trim catalogue.

The Series 51 name comes from the year that the first official styling department was established in Crewe by the gifted John Blatchley, who shaped the original and iconic 1950s Bentley Continentals.

Worth it? You decide.

2010 Detroit: Bentley Series 51 Continental GTC:

All Photos Copyright © 2009 Stephen Calogera ““ egmCarTech.

Press Release:

BENTLEY MOTORS SHOWCASES NEW FLAGSHIP MULSANNE AND SERIES 51 CONTINENTAL GTC AT DETROIT MOTOR SHOW

* Americas’ motor show debut for new Bentley Mulsanne and Series 51 Continental GTC convertible

* All-new Mulsanne to start at $285,000 in the United States with first deliveries to begin this Fall

* Series 51 specification provides an exciting new design direction for Continental GT and GTC owners

(11 January 2010. Detroit, MI USA) Bentley Motors, the only ultra-luxury manufacturer with a stand alone display at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, pulled the wraps off the all-new Bentley Mulsanne flagship sedan and ‘Series 51′ designer edition of the Continental GTC convertible during the vehicles’ first motor show debut in The Americas.

The new Mulsanne, designed and engineered at Crewe from the ground-up, reaffirms the marque’s intent to create a new flagship Bentley with refined performance and unparalleled levels of luxury with the coach building elegance for which the marque has long been renowned.

The Series 51 Continental GTC represents Bentley exterior and interior styling at its most vibrant and will enable customers to order ‘off the peg’ from an exclusive range created by Dirk van Braeckel’s renowned team of Crewe-based designers.

“The Detroit Motor Show remains an important stop for Bentley on the annual calendar of international motoring events,” said Christophe Georges, President & Chief Operating Officer for Bentley Motors Inc. “Detroit is also the motor show debut for our flagship Mulsanne and the Series 51 Continental in The Americas region ““ our single largest worldwide ““ so it is an important opportunity to reach key influencers.

“Our annual NAIAS private customer previews have also proved successful and that proud record looks set to continue especially as we’re the only ultra-luxury manufacturer with a stand alone display this year,” Georges added. “Bentley has a busy year ahead and displaying our Mulsanne and Series 51 Continental GTC among Detroit’s automotive insiders, influencers and customers is central to our launch strategy.”

Flagship Bentley Mulsanne

The Bentley Mulsanne, which goes on sale in the fall of this year, will be priced at $285,000 in the United States. The Mulsanne will offer customers a degree of choice when commissioning their cars which is unmatched in the industry. The luxury Bentley flagship offers a palette of 114 paint colours, 21 carpet colours, nine wood veneers and 24 interior leather hides, all of which will be tanned using a decades-old process to ensure this future classic retains its distinctive scent.

In addition, through Bentley’s bespoke service, unique colours can be developed which will exactly match a customer’s vision and taste. With more standard leather and wood veneer than any other Bentley in the modern era, it is understandable that each Mulsanne will take nine weeks to build.

Bentley’s legendary hand-assembled V8 engine pays homage to its predecessors yet for the new Mulsanne it has been comprehensively re-engineered to employ advanced technologies that deliver unstressed, refined performance. The new Bentley V8 engine is lighter and features cylinder de-activation and variable cam phasing, a combination that can significantly reduce both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Advanced technology is exquisitely packaged within the Mulsanne’s opulent cabin. Behind its heritage-inspired dials and new glass-effect switches lay leading edge features including iPod and mp3 connectivity, Bluetooth and a SIM card reader, as well as a 3G MMI system. Those opting for NAIM’s premium audio system will be treated to the world’s most powerful system fitted to a production vehicle ““ a 20-channel 2,200-watt experience.

Series 51 Continental GTC

The Series 51 package, available on the Continental range’s GT, GT Speed, GTC and GTC Speed models, will be priced from $192,750 for the GT coupe model. It provides for a virtually bespoke vehicle experience due to the thousands of configurations available through Bentley’s expansive colour and trim catalogue.

Series 51 is named after the year that the first official styling department was established in Crewe by the gifted John Blatchley, who shaped the original and iconic 1950s Bentley Continentals. Every Series 51 car will feature a highly-distinctive interior colour palette and unique exterior design cues.

Bentley’s Colour and Trim team, managed by Melinda – June Jenkins, has designed some specially tailored three-tone interiors which demonstrate the full potential of leather hide colours and showcase the creative application of contrast stitching and piping. The colour combination on the Detroit show car is Imperial Blue as the main and secondary hide, Linen seat and door inserts and Saddle contrast stitching and piping.

Bentley’s designers have also selected a range of premium-quality materials for the dashboard and centre console to complement the three-tone interiors. The Dark and Bright ‘Engine Spin’ aluminium options provide a striking contrast with darker and lighter hide colour choices and a special, limited-edition Amboyna veneer reserved for solely for Series 51.

Both the Continental GT and GTC offer a powerful road presence and the Series 51 cars further accentuate these sporting credentials with some eye-catching exterior styling. A 20″ 14-spoke polished Diamond wheel with a dark centre cap provides Series 51 cars with a purposeful and stylish appearance. The cars will be distinguished by a signature ’51′ badge on the front wings.

To enhance and personalise the Continental GT still further, a new two-tone paint can be commissioned which complements the contrasting interior configuration. This highly distinctive colour split (with one colour running over the bonnet, roof and flowing down to the boot) is a classic design used on many sporting Bentleys of the past.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Cadillac kicked of the second press preview days at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show with a bang by introducing their press conference with this video – a promo of the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe. Needless to say, we were blown away and pretty deaf after the video was over.

Check out our post on the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe’s appearance at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.

Refresher: The 2011 BMW Cadillac CTS-V Coupe is powered by a Supercharged 6.2L V8 making 556-hp with a peak torque of 551 lb-ft. Mated to a 6-speed manual dual-disc clutch, 6-speed automatic (with paddle shifters), 0-60 mph comes in just 3.9 seconds.

2010 Detroit: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe:

2010 Detroit: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe:

- By: Omar Rana

Sharing the sentiment of his company that rival auto boss Ed Whitacre holds of his own, Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said that the government should expect its investment in the company back. And quite possibly, along with a profit. This comes a day after Whitacre said the same about GM to a show-attending Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.

Also, like GM, Chrysler would have to become a publicly traded company in order for the government to turn a profit, and Marchionne has indicated that such is a possibility for 2011. Motown rival General Motors said that it will be ready for an IPO in the second half of ’10.

Marchionne was not as adamant in his claim as Whitacre was, and warned that the opportunity for profit available at Chrysler is a lot less than at GM, but he did put particular emphasis on Chrysler’s pledge to pay back its $7 billion Treasury loan; interest included. In order of the government to turn a profit on the Chrysler investment, the company’s value would have to rise to about $60 billion.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: CNNMoney

Who would have thought that one day we’d mention Ferrari and Chrysler in the same sentence – but with Fiat and Chrysler now working together, that day has become a reality.

While the 458 Italia is no where in plain site, Ferrari is using a little section at Chrysler’s display to show off the Ferrari 599XX.

Power for the Ferrari 599XX comes from a 6.0L V12 engine making 700-hp with a maximum torque of 479 lb-ft. Ferrari also added a new F1 inspired gearbox that transfers power to the wheels with gear change time cut down to 60 ms.

The Ferrari 599XX is only available to a select group of clients and we’re not one of them.

Click through for more high-res images from Detroit.

2010 Detroit: Ferrari 599XX:

All Photos Copyright © 2010 Omar Rana ““ egmCarTech.

- By: Omar Rana

The 2010 North American International Auto Show press preview days have been full of announcements and unveilings. One of the more interesting ones however, has been the Toyota FT-CH dedicated hybrid concept.

Designed in Europe and engineered with cutting edge electric drive technology, the FT-CH is a concept that addresses Toyota’s mission to develop a ‘Prius family’ of vehicles that will grow to include plug-in hybrids, battery electrics, and a few years down the road, hydrogen fuel cells.

Toyota has long been on the forefront of automobile electrification, bringing to market the RAV4 EV in the late 90′s, and the Prius today being a symbol of the hybrid movement in general. That being said, there are no present plans to produce the FT-CH, but they do plan to launch eight all-new hybrid models over the next few years and to sell one million hybrid units per year globally in the early part of this decade. Read below for Toyota’s press release and images of the car at the 2010 North American International Auto Show.

Make the jump for the press release and the high-res gallery.

2010 Detroit: Toyota FT-CH Concept:

All Photos Copyright © 2010 Stephen Calogera ““ egmCarTech.

Press Release:

DETROIT, January 11, 2010—Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A, Inc., today unveiled the FT-CH dedicated hybrid concept at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.  The FT-CH is a concept that would address Toyota”s stated strategy to offer a wider variety of conventional hybrid choices to its customers, as it begins to introduce plug-in hybrids (PHVs) and battery electrics (BEVs) in model year 2012, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCHVs) in 2015 in global markets.

“Within the next 10 to 20 years, we will not only reach peak oil we will enter a period where demand for all liquid fuels will exceed supply,” said Jim Lentz, TMS president.   “A century after the invention of the automobile, we must re-invent it with powertrains that significantly reduce or eliminate the use of conventional petroleum fuels.  One of many alternatives is through what is commonly called the electrification of the automobile.  By far, the single most successful example of this has been the gas-electric hybrid.”

The CH stands for compact hybrid as in compact class and it”s a concept that can best be defined by comparing it with the mid-size class Prius.  The FT-CH captures the spirit and functionality of a car that thrives in the inner-city environment; sized right to be nimble, responsive and maneuverable.

“It”s a package Toyota dealers and customers have been asking for,” added Lentz.

The FT-CH was styled at Toyota”s European Design and Development (ED²) center in Nice, France.  Compared to Prius, it is 22 inches shorter in overall length, yet loses less than an inch in overall width.  In spite of its compact external dimensions, FT-CH was designed for maximum passenger comfort and interior roominess, with an imaginative sense of style.

ED² designers looked to capture the vivid, high-energy appeal of what has come to be called the 8-bit generation.  Popularized in the early 80″s, 8-bit microprocessor technology dominated the budding home video game industry.  Today, 8-bit is considered a specific retro-style that is embraced by such things as 8-bit genre music and 8-bit inspired art.

The direct reference to the 8-bit generation is meant to be fun and innovative, colorful and stylish, with strong appeal to young buyers.  Lighter in weight and even more fuel efficient than Prius, the concept specifically targets a lower price point than Prius, thus appealing to a younger, less-affluent buyer demographic.

Pointing to how Prius has become a universal icon for hybrid technology, Lentz confirmed that TMS is developing a Prius family “marketing strategy” for North America that will take full advantage of the Prius brand equity.

“The strategy is still taking shape and obviously it will require additional models to qualify as a family,” said Lentz.  “Among others, the FT-CH is a concept that we are considering.”

In the early 2010s, Toyota plans to sell a million hybrids per year globally, a majority of those in North America.  To accomplish this, Toyota will launch eight all new hybrid models over the next few years.  These will not include next generation versions of current hybrids; instead, they will be all new dedicated hybrid vehicles, or all new hybrid versions of existing gas engine models.

The heart of hybrid technology is its battery.  Since the early 90″s, during the early stages of first-generation Prius development, Toyota has been committed to in-house R&D of advanced nickel-metal hydride batteries.  Through three generations
of Prius and a total of seven full-hybrid models, it has systematically reduced size, weight and cost while improving energy density, quality and reliability.

Toyota”s joint venture partnership with Panasonic has been a key element of its success in the advancement of hybrid technology.  Later this year, Panasonic EV Energy (PEVE) will have three separate, fully operational production facilities with a combined capacity of more than one million units per year.

Moving the promise of electrification one step further, Toyota recently kicked off its global demonstration program involving approximately 600 Prius plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.  Beginning early this year, 150 PHVs will begin to arrive in the U.S. where they will be placed in regional clusters with select partners for market/consumer analysis and technical demonstration.

The Prius PHV introduces Toyota’s first generation lithium-ion drive battery.  When fully charged, the vehicle is targeted to achieve a maximum electric-only range of about 13 miles and capable of achieving highway speeds of more than 60 mph in electric-only mode. For longer distances, the Prius PHV reverts to “hybrid mode” and operates like a regular Prius. This ability to utilize all-electric power for short trips or hybrid power for longer drives alleviates the issue of limited cruising range encountered with pure-electric vehicles.

All program vehicles will be equipped with data retrieval/communication devices which will monitor activities such as:  how often the vehicle is charged and when, whether the batteries are depleted or being topped-off during charging, trip duration and all-electric driving range, combined mpg and so on.

As it becomes available, data from the program vehicles will be posted to a dedicated Web site.  This in use, readily available data will help consumers understand how the vehicles are being used and how they’re performing.

Toyota believes this demonstration program is a necessary next step in societal preparation in that it allows Toyota the unique opportunity to inform, educate and prepare customers for the electrification of the automobile in general and the introduction of plug-in hybrid technology.

Toyota is moving quickly with the development of PHV technology well beyond this demonstration program.  Advanced battery R&D programs with nickel-metal, lithium-ion and “beyond lithium” are underway for a wide variety of applications in conventional hybrids, PHVs, BEVs and FCHVs.

In the early 1990s, Toyota began R&D on building a practical and affordable hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.   FCHV technical advancements have moved at a rapid pace.  Engineers have made great strides in cost reduction targets in both materials and manufacturing and Toyota is committed to bringing hydrogen fuel cells to global markets in 2015.

Toyota”s latest model, the Toyota FCHV-advanced began its own national demonstration program late last year.  Over the course of the three year program, more than 100 vehicles will be placed in an effort to demonstrate the technology”s performance, reliability and practicality in everyday use.

Recently field tested in southern California by two national laboratories at the request of the U.S. Department of Energy, the FCHV-advanced confirmed an estimated single-tank fuel range of 431 miles.  In combined city and highway driving from Santa Monica to San Diego the FCHV-adv logged an estimated 68 miles per kilogram of hydrogen, the rough equivalent of 68 miles per gallon.  That range is equivalent to a Highlander hybrid at more than double the MPG with zero emissions other than water vapor.

In 1997, Toyota introduced the RAV4 EV battery electric vehicle in California.   1,484 of these 100 mile range large-battery electric vehicles were either sold or leased over the course of the program.  Nearly half are still on the road.

Shortly thereafter, Toyota started a modest demonstration program with a small- battery electric urban commuter vehicle, called the e-com.  This concept addressed the idea of the “on-demand” city station car similar to the Zip-car business model that is becoming popular in large urban areas.  Although shorter in range, the e-com program addressed a specific mobility niche at a much more affordable price than the RAV4 EV.

The RAV4 EV and e-com programs were short lived due to lack of commitment from the market; the consumer and the consumer”s environmental mind set were not ready to commit to battery electric vehicles at that time.  Recent increased awareness of environmental issues and the benefits of advanced technology vehicles have reinvigorated an interest in the electric vehicle market.  As a result, Toyota will bring a small, urban commuter lithium-ion BEV to market in model year 2012.

Battery technology has progressed significantly in the time since the RAV4 EV and e-com programs.  But major challenges still remain.  The cost of lithium-ion batteries needs to be reduced significantly, or a more affordable alternative developed.

Like hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, battery electrics will require the creation of infrastructure for recharging on the go.  This issue of range is also a challenge to overcome.  Even at 100 miles, BEVs as a primary mode of transportation do not yet offer what most consumers see as true mobility.

Toyota believes these are hurdles that will be cleared.  For the last decade its focus has been to concentrate on a comprehensive advanced technology strategy including BEVs, PHVs, and FCHVs.  Common to all three is the move to electrification, the full commitment to advanced battery technology and how lessons learned from conventional hybrid R&D have given Toyota a leg-up on all three.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Joining Ferrari and Maserati at Chrysler’s stand in Detroit is the new Fiat 500 with an electric powertrain. No details on the Fiat 500 BEV (battery electric-vehicle) were released and Fiat / Chrysler have yet to say whether or not the model will enter production.

The Fiat 500 will be available in North America with a 1.4L Multiair engine in the fourth quarter of 2010. A 1.4L Multiair turbo will arrive in the fourth-quarter of 2011.

Click through for more high-res images from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.

2010 Detroit: Fiat 500 BEV:

All Photos Copyright © 2010 Stephen Calogera ““ egmCarTech.

- By: Stephen Calogear

• Key Competitors: None, it’s only a concept”¦ for now.
• Power: 1.6L direct-injected 4-cylinder mated to 100kw electric-motor.
• Transmission: Continuous Variable Transmission.
• Production: Nothing confirmed.

After showing us the BLUE-WILL Concept at the Seoul Motor Show last year, Hyundai today held the North American debut of the new four-seat ‘sedan’ that it says “explores future design direction of compact cars.”

Known as the company”s first plug-in hybrid, the BLUE-WILL is powered by a gasoline direct-injected 1.6L engine mated to a CVT transmission and a 100kw electric-motor, which is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack that sits under the rear seats.

Will we ever see the Hyundai BLUE-WILL on the roads? Well, for now the concept is just making rounds at auto shows and Hyundai says that it “demonstrates to eco-conscious car buyers everywhere that Hyundai has practical hybrid solutions that will appear on the next generation of vehicles.”

2010 Detroit: Hyundai BLUE-WILL Concept:

All Photos Copyright © 2010 Stephen Calogera ““ egmCarTech.

- By: Stephen Calogera

• Key Competitors: BMW 7-Series, Lexus LS, Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
• Power: 3.6L V6 direct-injected gasoline engine mated to a plug-in hybrid system – 350-hp / 295 lb-ft.
• Transmission: 6-speed automatic.
• Production: Nothing confirmed yet, but it’s pretty certain that it will.

Late last night we brought you details on the new concept from General Motors, the Cadillac XTS Platinum. Unveiled here in Detroit today, the XTS has yet to be confirmed for production. All GM is saying for now are things like these:

“The XTS Platinum concept is the next expression of Cadillac”s Art and Science execution philosophy, reflecting our drive to deliver the latest innovations in the most artful manner,” – Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac general manager.

But then we heard Ed Welburn, GM’s design chief, talking to some other GM employee after CEO Ed Whitacre checked out the car for himself. “Looks like he likes it – let’s just hope the public likes it now.” With that in mind, the XTS is destined for production and should replace the Cadillac DTS and STS very soon.

Can we expect a XTS-V to go head-to-head with the Mercedes-Benz S63 (or S65) AMG? Only time will tell.

2010 Detroit: 2010 Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept:

All Photos Copyright © 2010 Omar Rana ““ egmCarTech.

2010 Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept:

- By: Omar Rana

• Key Competitors: Acura MDX, Lexus RX, Audi Q5, Volvo XC60, Mercedes-Benz GLK.
• Power: 3.7L Duratec V6 Ti-VCT- 305-hp / 280 lb-ft.
• Transmission: 6-speed SelectShift automatic.
• Availability: Later this year.
• Pricing: TBA.

The new 2011 Lincoln MKX is here and it seems like it’s here to make a statement and to show off the reinvention of the Lincoln brand, which Chairman Bill Ford points out is really important to him, his father and his grandfather.

Totally redesigned for 2011, the new Lincoln MKX gets the brand’s signature split-wing grille and gets rid of the unibrow tail lamp, which we never liked in the first place.

The 2011 MKX will also be the first FoMoCo vehicle to feature the company’s redesigned interior with MyFord Touch (known as MyLincoln Touch in the MKX).

Click here to see our original post on the MKX for more details.

2010 Detroit: 2011 Lincoln MKX:

All Photos Copyright © 2010 Omar Rana ““ egmCarTech.

2011 Lincoln MKS:

- By: Omar Rana