N. American Intl Auto Show 07 NSX/Accord Concept Pix

[TSX69]

NAIAS 2007 (http://autoshow.autos.msn.com/autoshow/detroit2007/Article.aspx?cp-documentid=2211532)
In an event designed to emulate a Hollywood awards ceremony―complete with witty scripts and a live band―the winners of the International Car of the Year awards were announced Saturday evening.

Taking place on the eve before the of the North American International Auto Show opens to the press, ICOTY awards are hosted by ROAD & TRAVEL Magazine. Now in its 11th year, these awards are differentiated from others in that they are based on the emotional appeal of the new cars.

“The ICOTY awards focus on the emotional connection between car and consumer; how vehicles reflect our lifestyles and self image, an attitude the average consumer can identify with,” says the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Courtney Caldwell.

To be eligible for ICOTY, vehicles must be new or redesigned for the 2007 model year. Vehicles must also meet at least 7 of 12 criteria including: appeal to women & men, head-turning ability, ergonomically friendly, style, affordability, performance, practicality, grocery-getting potential, safe & dependability, proud to be seen in, fun factor, and wow factor.

The top three finalists in each category receive honorable mention during the presentation but the award goes to the one in each category which receives the majority of votes.

Winners are chosen by a jury of 12 automotive journalists―including MSN Autos editor Perry Stern and contributor Ann Job.

The two top awards for 2007 went to the Lexus LS 460 as Car of the Year and Chevrolet Silverado (Crew Cab specifically) as Truck of the Year.

The LS 460 is the all-new flagship of the Lexus lineup. Larger than its predecessor, the new LS is lavishly equipped with high-quality materials, luxurious amenities and advanced safety equipment. In addition, this high-end luxury car boasts a number of high-tech features, including the ability to park itself!

The Silverado is Chevrolet’s best-selling vehicle and was completely redesigned for the 2007 model year. The truck features a bold new grille, a roomier interior, a number of new convenience features and a lineup of more powerful, more fuel-efficient engines. Silverado features available towing capacity of 10,500 pounds, up to 367 horsepower and a maximum payload capacity of 2,160 pounds.

Winners were also announced in the following categories:

“Most Athletic” – Pickup Truck of the Year: Chevrolet Silverado

“Most Sex Appeal” – Sports Car of the Year: Jaguar XK

“Most Dependable” – Sedan of the Year: Toyota Camry

“Most Respected” – Luxury Car of the Year: Lexus LS 460

“Most Compatible” – Minivan of the Year: Hyundai Entourage

“Most Spirited” – Entry Level Car of the Year: Mazda MAZDASPEED3

“Most Versatile” – Crossover of the Year: Mazda CX-7

“Most Resourceful” – SUV of the Year: GMC Yukon

In addition to the category winners, the third annual Heart String winner was awarded by the ICOTY jury. The Heart String award recognizes the car commercial that makes the best emotional connection to consumers. The winner this year was “Father and Son” advertisement for the Ford Mustang. An advertisement for the Ford Mustang was the winner of the first Heart String award in 2005.

Also presented at the ICOTY award ceremony was the fourth annual Lifetime Achievement Award. This year’s award went to renowned spy photographer Jim Dunne. Detroit editor for Popular Mechanics magazine for the last 21 years, Dunne writes with a focus on developments in the auto industry and how they affect those in his native Detroit.

But Dunne is best known for his ability to sneak into places he’s not supposed to be at to get photos of cars that nobody’s supposed to see. In fact, at General Motors proving grounds in Milford, Mich., a fenced area where Dunne shot his first spy photo has been named “Dunne’s Grove.” Dunne’s unauthorized car photos have appeared in publications all over the world. He is well-respected among journalists and even automakers―in spite of his spy photos.

[VorteC]

Cool. Anyone hitting the naias? I will probably be there myself.. on the second weekend of the public showing.

[TSX69]

Acura previews 2008 NSX with Advanced Sports Car Concept
2008-acura-nsx-advanced-sports-car-concept.jpg

[Like it? Digg it!] Honda today unveiled the Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept, a preview of the design direction for the successor to the Acura NSX. The concept is designed to incorporate a powerful front-mounted, V-10 engine and a new high-performance, rear-wheel-drive based version of Acura's 'Super Handling All-Wheel Drive' (SH-AWD).

"Our intention was to design an exotic sports car that gracefully combines advanced technology and strong emotion," said Jon Ikeda, principal designer, Acura Design Center. "The technical, machined surfaces and keen-edge design are balanced with sweeping curves and dramatic lines, all of which results in the ultimate exotic sports car."

The production version of the new NSX will arrive at the Tokyo Motor Show in fall 2007. Concept gallery after the jump…
http://images.leftlanenews.com/content/1-2008-acura-nsx-advanced-sports-car-concept.jpg
http://images.leftlanenews.com/content/2-2008-acura-nsx-advanced-sports-car-concept.jpg
http://images.leftlanenews.com/content/3-2008-acura-nsx-advanced-sports-car-concept.jpg

[Drunkenbuda]

sick.....

[TSX69]

http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/2007_detroit/0701_z+2007_accord_coupe_concept+front_left.jpg
http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/2007_detroit/0701_z+2007_accord_coupe_concept+rear_right.jpg

[l7h8626]

wth i thought that was a tC lol
rear looks like mitsubishi

[Revenent]

Not liking the back of the NSX concept.

I like having a good rear view - the back window is pretty much nonexistent on that thing.

Can you imagine not being able to see the cops chasing you?

[Revenent]

http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/2007_detroit/0701_z+2007_accord_coupe_concept+front_left.jpg
http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/2007_detroit/0701_z+2007_accord_coupe_concept+rear_right.jpg
I miss the sleeker frontal design of the TSX. That flat front is almost heading towards the Scion or 300M.

[VorteC]

Hey guys, I was just watching the live debut of the new Lancer and the prototype X. Did anyone else catch it? It's a new aluminum 2.0L engine and the EVO will get the 2.0L engine with a big turbo. They didn't give out any numbers but they said it will be more powerful than the current evo.

[TSX69]

Mitsubishi has revealed the Prototype X, a concept version of the 2008 Lancer Evolution X. The car was first previewed with the Concept X in 2005, and is now based on the production-ready 2008 Lancer sedan.

Power comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder engine with over 300 horsepower. A choice of a 5-speed manual or sequential-manual gearbox will be offered. Power will make it to the ground via a S-AWC (Super All-Wheel Control) system, featuring active steering and electronic yaw control.

Mitsubishi says the advanced technology represents the "largest leap in overall capability between two generations of the Evolution."

http://images.leftlanenews.com/content/1-2008-mitsubishi-prototype-x.jpg
http://images.leftlanenews.com/content/10-2008-mitsubishi-prototype-x.jpg
http://images.leftlanenews.com/content/8-2008-mitsubishi-prototype-x.jpg
http://images.leftlanenews.com/content/23-2008-mitsubishi-prototype-x.jpg

[BlueTSX05]

just sweet, love the accord concept, and the evo is just mean looking, love it

[TSX69]

Lexus has revealed a new version of its LF-A supercar concept. The concept was originally shown at the 2005 Detroit auto show, and has since been updated with a new exterior and interior. This latest iteration is expected to be very close to the production car, expected to arrive in late 2008 as a 2009 model.

The running gear of the LF-A is just as it was with the original, powered by a high-revving 500-plus horsepower V10 engine. Its front mid-engine placement, along with a rear-mounted transaxle and rear-mounted radiators, allows for ideal weight distribution, according to the company. The horsepower, improved aerodynamics, and revised styling makes a top speed of 200 mph possible.

"The first LF-A was a pure concept, but one that we went so far as to conduct engineering analysis on," said Bob Carter, Lexus Division group vice president and general manager. "This latest concept is much closer to a vehicle that we would bring to market, and one in which we will be gauging consumer interest."




http://images.leftlanenews.com/content/16-2009-lexus-lf-a-concept.jpg
http://images.leftlanenews.com/content/1-2009-lexus-lf-a-concept.jpg
http://images.leftlanenews.com/content/2-2009-lexus-lf-a-concept.jpg
http://images.leftlanenews.com/content/3-2009-lexus-lf-a-concept.jpg

[VorteC]

Oh wow, that looks soo nice!

[Drunkenbuda]

I'll hit it, the LFA.

[dina]

wow! some sick stuff

[otesrepsaj]

the accord and evo are hot..hopefully the production versions will look as close to the concepts as possible but they never do :rolleyes:

[VorteC]

hope ill get to see these beauties in person on saturday :)

[bluexcrush]

the nsx looks like the batmobile imo

[MemphisRheins]

wow... the Evo and the L-FA are just georgous

[TSXDude]

Hopefully the evo will make its Canadian introduction... my lease ends in two years.

[otesrepsaj]

lexus LFA > NSX concept IMO

[TSX69]

lexus LFA > NSX concept IMO
This car is HOT if Honda ever builds it:


http://www.rsportscars.com/foto/03/hondahsc03_01.jpg

[VorteC]

Looks like a Koenegsegg lol

[otesrepsaj]

http://www.tsxclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=6297&stc=1
http://www.tsxclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=6298&stc=1

[VorteC]

Hey otesrepsaj, I went to the show too! It was pretty awesome.. the LFA was there *droools* I will post all the pics 2moro.

[otesrepsaj]

Hey otesrepsaj, I went to the show too! It was pretty awesome.. the LFA was there *droools* I will post all the pics 2moro.
i didnt go, someone emailed those to me..i wish i could go but i would probably lust after a new car and then want to trade in my tsx hahha

nice pics in the gallery section vortec :thumbsup:

[TSX69]

http://i.a.cnn.net/money/galleries/2007/autos/0701/gallery.detroit5/images/2008_cadillac_cts.jpg
Cyclical motion
Posted by Tom Mutchler, Consumer Reports

Product cycles -- the time a particular design stays on the market -- play a big role in the competitive automotive market.

Some trends have emerged: Japanese marques redesign vehicles like clockwork every four or five years. On the other hand, some American cars stayed on the market far too long. Consider the last-generation of the Ford Taurus (1996-2006) or the Chevy Cavalier (1995-2004).

But there are signs of hope.

GM, in particular, is showing signs of squelching this trend. They've just unveiled an updated Cadillac CTS, which was first introduced in 2003. The Saturn Vue, introduced the same year, thankfully gets a big redesign for 2008. The current Chevrolet Malibu will have an even shorter lifespan (2004 to 2007). Product is everything in this business, and fresh product is even better.

[IMG]http://i.a.cnn.net/money/galleries/2007/autos/0701/gallery.detroit5/images/2008_maserati.jpg
Maserati Quattroporte Automatic
Posted by Joseph DeMatio, Automobile Magazine

Forgive us if we did not recognize the Italian gentleman who presided over the Maserati press conference this morning at Cobo Hall in Detroit: Fiat, Maserati's parent company, has shuffled so many executives in and out of the CEO chair at Maserati Spa, you'd think they were running a hair salon.

Roberto Ronchi, the current man in the CEO's chair, has the requisite Italian suit and the requisite Italian accent, adding "ah" to the end of many of his words: "The new automatic is very important in the United States, because you make-ah very long journeys."

The Quattroporte Automatic, which is now on sale for about $120,000, finally addresses complaints about the car's semi-manual paddle-shift transmission that have dogged the car since its introduction three years ago. That gearbox, called DuoSelect, will continue to be available, but most Americans will, we suspect, prefer the smooth new six-speed automatic to the DuoSelect's herky-jerky gearshifting, which really only worked when you drove the car very fast and aggressively.
http://i.a.cnn.net/money/galleries/2007/autos/0701/gallery.detroit5/images/BMW_3_convt.jpg
BMW drops cover from 3-series convertible
Posted by Erik Johnson, Automobile Magazine

The accents were thick, the presentation was business-like, and the information was copious. It was, in other words, a typical BMW press conference.

BMW traditionally uses Detroit as the platform from which to announce the previous year's sales figures, and the proceedings started with BMW board member Dr. Michael Ganal - filling in for the flu-ridden CEO, Norbert Reithofer - reporting a 3.5 percent jump in total retail sales to 1.37 million vehicles, 1.19 million of which wore BMW roundels. (For the record, Rolls-Royce put its gold-plated nose to the grindstone and chipped in with a record 804 Phantoms. Minis accounted for the rest.)

Diesel vehicles have been big news at this year's show, and the BMW event continued the trend. While the Bavarians didn't have any oil burners on the show stand, they did announce that they would be offering diesel engines in the U.S. as soon as next year, and that the powerplants would comply with the emissions regulations of all fifty states.

While all of that was certainly fascinating, the most important announcement was that of the 3-series convertible. The next-to-last version of the latest 3-series to be revealed - the wicked, V-8-powered M3 should drop this fall - the convertible now sports a retractable hard top for the first time. Made from steel, the lid will open or close in about twenty seconds. It goes on sale in March.
http://i.a.cnn.net/money/galleries/2007/autos/0701/gallery.detroit5/images/2008_porsche_cayanne.jpg
Porsche's redesigned Cayenne
Posted by Marc Noordeloos, Automobile Magazine

Porsche chose Detroit for the worldwide debut of the new, updated Cayenne SUV.

First impressions; it looks better. The "visual lower center of gravity" look that Porsche stressed multiple times in the introduction makes for an improved, but by no means a beautiful, Cayenne.

Even though fuel prices have dropped back down towards the $2.00 per gallon range, Porsche was proud to say that a new direct injection fuel system combined with aerodynamic advances should yield up to a fifteen-percent improvement in gas mileage.

Don't be swayed too much. It will still be a thirsty beast, but at least performance improvements are also included. The top model, the Cayenne Turbo, puts out 500 hp and, according to the manufacturer, hits 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. All for the almost comical price of $93,700.

Well, maybe not too comical. The better looking, but less powerful, supercharged Range Rover costs about the same.

Prices for the base V6-powered Cayenne will start at $43,400 while the middle range Cayenne S starts at $57,900. As always, Porsche stresses that they do not discount their vehicles and this, combined with lower production numbers, historically yields excellent residual values.

At the end of the press conference, the current CEO and president of Porsche, Dr Wendelin Wiedeking, stressed two points about the company. First, other than the introduction of the 4-door Panamera sedan in 2009, there will be no new Porsche models over the next five years.

Also, Dr Wiedeking claims that Porsche will never build a modern version of a classic model like Ford did with the GT or Chevy with the Camaro. I guess building the same model since 1964, the 911, allows Porsche to keep the retro card firmly in hand.
http://i.a.cnn.net/money/galleries/2007/autos/0701/gallery.detroit5/images/Lexus_LF_A.jpg
Posted by Joseph DeMatio, Automobile Magazine

Lexus ushered journalists into a vast, dimly lit ballroom at Cobo, where I could barely see the floor in front of my chair, let alone the notebook in front of my face, to introduce the second iteration of the LF-A concept car that first appeared here two years ago.

This car is a lot closer to production, and Lexus confirmed that it will be powered by a high-revving V-10 engine making at least 500 horsepower. If that sounds familiar, it' because just yesterday, Acura unveiled its Advanced Sports Car Concept, which also points the way toward a new, $100,000-plus sports car with a V-10 engine.

The LF-A looks mean and very Japanese, with the long hood and short rear deck that you expect in a front-engine exotic. To be precise, Lexus calls this a front/mid-engine car, meaning the V-10 will be positioned behind the centerline of the front axle for ideal weight distribution, just like the V-12 in the Ferrari 599GTB. Two of the more interesting design fillips are the shark-fin air scoops molded into the top of the doors and the rear quarter-panel and the sculpted exterior mirrors. The nineteen-inch BBS wheels, covering big Brembo brakes, are hot, hot, hot.

A V-8, high-performance version of the existing Lexus IS sedan also rolled out onto the stage. Badged the IS-F, it will go on sale a year from now, just in time to battle the next-generation BMW M3, which also gets a V-8. The "F" designation is a nod toward the internal code name used within Toyota back in the 1980s to refer to the original Lexus LS400: F1, for "flagship 1." Lexus has now appropriated this consonant as its own version of BMW's "M." Officials made it clear that a production version of the LF-A supercar will be the second Lexus vehicle to use the "F" designation.

So, a big "F" you from Lexus here in Detroit. Wasn't there some other letter they could have used?
http://i.a.cnn.net/money/galleries/2007/autos/0701/gallery.detroit5/images/Acura_ACC.jpg
Acura gets Emotional
Posted by Karl Brauer, Edmunds.com

Acura wants the company's future product to be guided by emotion, and the not-so-creatively-named Sports Car Concept is supposed to represent that thinking. (You can get Automobile Magazine's take on it here, too.) With a front-engine and all-wheel-drive it could be argued that this concept isn't as "creative" as its mid-engine predecessor (the NSX).

However, using this design gives the concept car a greater shot at reality, as a front-engine, AWD platform would much easier to use for other, non-sports-car, models (such as a large luxury sedan). The NSX could have only ever been a sports car, but this basic structure could underpin multiple Acuras.

My biggest complaint? It looks too much like a 1970s Corvette, at least in the front end. But the proportions are right on, and Acura does need a shot of both performance (love that V10 under the hood) and emotion in their line-up. I'll take mine in emotional red, thank you.
http://i.a.cnn.net/money/galleries/2007/autos/0701/gallery.detroit5/images/Accord_Coupe_concept.jpg
Honda Accord coupe concept
Posted by Karl Brauer, Edmunds.com

Coming off its 11th consecutive year of record sales, and an aggressive program of hydrogen fuel cell development, Honda unveiled its latest take on the Honda Accord.

This model has long been the basis for Honda's success in the U.S., and the Accord Coupe concept car (like most Honda concept cars) is an accurate portrayal of what the next version will look like.

The exterior shape uses upswept lines and an aggressively-sloped roofline to give the concept a sportier appearance than the current model. While Toyota is ending production of its Solara coupe Honda is confirming a commitment to the two-door market.

The production version gets to dealers next fall. Expect increases in both horsepower and fuel economy.
http://i.a.cnn.net/money/galleries/2007/autos/0701/gallery.detroit5/images/SYNC_Graphic.jpg
In sync with Sync?
Posted by Cliff Weathers, Consumer Reports

At today's Detroit auto show, Ford was the recipient of much hype and star power when it introduced its Sync collaboration with Microsoft.

Old-money Ford chairman Bill Ford trotted out new-money Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates on a satellite link from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to introduce the system, which should provide seamless integration between vehicles and various electronic gadgets, such as Bluetooth phones and digital audio players.

A mobile phone's telephony features, like address books, ringers, and speed dialing, are integrated through your vehicle's driver interaction system. The phone's voice recognition system can make them all hands free. Digital audio players, which will hook up through a USB port, will display their menu functions on the driver interaction screen and play through the audio system. (We hope they'll feature Bluetooth in the near future.) Even USB jump drives loaded with music will play on the car's audio system through the USB port.

But while Ford was making its big splash with this mobile device gateway, automotive supplier Johnson Controls quietly introduced practically the same thing in a small conference room upstairs in Cobo Hall.

Johnson says it is in talks with several automakers that are interested in this kind of connectivity and it might be found in production cars within a few years. So, don't think Ford has a better idea; it has a good idea that many others in the industry have had as well. No news yet as to whether the band *NSYNC will be endorsing either technology.

[ians]

That NSX concept is coming from US design and also not a mid-engine config so Honda Japan very unlikely will put it into production or at least name it NSX.

[TSX69]

Back to the Drawing Board (http://news.windingroad.com/countriesmarkets/japan/japan-report-acuras-nsx-seen-going-back-to-the-drawing-board/)
When Acura showed the Advanced Sports Car Concept off at Detroit this January, the car drew a lot of wows, but insiders let it be known that the shiny showstand beauty was not for real.

How could it be, when the concept was an engineless, interiorless fiberglass mock-up with blacked-out windows? Wait for the Tokyo Show in October, went the word, when Honda/Acura would show an updated version, much closer to what will appear in the showrooms around 2009, complete with promised V-10 engine.

Now comes word from a source familiar with the program that the Tokyo Show car won’t be for real, either and that secretly, behind the scenes, Acura has completely torn up the whole script and started over. Honda’s top management isn’t happy with either car, so we hear, so it’s back to the drawing board, again, at least in terms of how the finished car will look, although the basic proportions and front-engined V-10 package and all-wheel drive layout will stay…

Adding to the pressure, of course, is the Lexus LF-A and thunderous new Nissan Skyline GT-R, two major league rivals close to production and that at the going rate will beat the Acura into the showroom by years.

Another issue is price. While the NSX ended up a $90,000 car, Acura is thinking about $150,000 for the new V-10 car, which is Aston Martin DB9 money, near enough, so the customer base is set to be far more exclusive even than the NSX….
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