Detroit Motor Show 2013 preview
The Detroit Motor Show kicks off on Monday, and here are the best new cars and concepts set to debut at the show
The Detroit Motor Show opens its doors to the press on 14 January, and our guide to the show reveals what you can expect from the first major motor show of 2013.
There’s a definite trend for high-performance models at the NAIAS 2013, with the debut of the Audi RS7 expected, alongside the all-new Corvette C7, Maserati Quattroporte, MINI JCW Paceman, Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible and the BMW M6 Gran Coupe.
Some interesting concept cars will make their debuts at the show, with the BMW 4 Series showing the future for the coupe version of the latest 3 Series, a Jazz-based small SUV from Honda and a look at the next Ford F-150 pick-up truck – the world’s best-selling car.
Also at the show will be Cadillac’s coupe version of the Chevrolet Volt, the all-new hybrid Lexus IS and Infiniti Q50, which replaces the G Series saloon.
Here’s our full rundown of what to expect at the Detroit Motor Show 2013:
Acura
Honda’s luxury brand will take the wraps of the Acura MDX, its mid-size crossover that’s a rival for SUVs like the BMW X5. Although it’s not sold here, the MDX is crucial to the Acura brand, as it’s the firm’s top seller.
Performance is the name of the game for Audi, with the RS5 Cabriolet and R8 facelifts set to star on the firm’s stand. What’s more, the RS7 is hotly tipped to make its world debut at the show, powered by the same 552bhp 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 as the latest Audi RS6.
The Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible will make its public debut in Detroit. The firm claims that the drop-top can hit a top speed of 202mph, making it the world’s fastest four-seater convertible.
The Detroit Motor Show is a busy one for BMW. The facelifted Z4 makes its debut alongside the £97,490 M6 Gran Coupe. But the star of BMW’s show stand will be its dramatically styled concept for the BMW 4 Series, which closely resembles the production model which arrives in late 2013.
Cadillac
Joining the Vauxhall Ampera and Chevrolet Volt, the Cadillac ELR will become GM’s third model built on its Voltec range-extender powertrain. However, the ELR will feature a more coupe-like two-door body than the four-door Ampera and Volt, and will feature a more luxurious interior.
The legendary Chevrolet Corvette returns at Detroit. The seventh generation of the American supercar is completely new from the ground up, with just the cabin air filter and the rear latch for the removable roof panel carried over from the previous model. Chevrolet will also show off its all-new Silverado pick-up truck.
Not to be outdone by the all-new Chevrolet Silverado, Ford will show a concept for its new F-150. The current F-150 is the best selling car in the world, and the concept is expected to feature new innovations to keep it ahead of the Silverado in the sales charts.
Honda joins the small SUV party with an urban concept that previews its Nissan Juke-rivaling crossover. Due in 2014, the new Honda SUV is built on the platform of the next Jazz and will be shown in production form at the Tokyo show in November 2013.
It might be Kia that has an ex-Audi designer at its helm, but sister-brand Hyundai looks to be taking inspiration from Germany with its rakish, A7-esque HCD-14 concept. Designed at Hyundai’s US studio, it points the way towards its next Genesis saloon.
It’s out with the Infiniti G Series saloon, and in with the Infiniti Q50 at Detroit, as the all-new Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class rival is unveiled, along with Infiniti’s new naming system at the show.
Jeep continues to tweak its model range with a heavily revised version of its large Grand Cherokee SUV. New exterior styling and an upgraded interior are on the cards for the Grand Cherokee, which goes on sale here in June.
Sadly, we don’t get the Kia K7 in the UK. It’s a large saloon that will be seen in facelifted form at the show that we rate as one of the best examples of Peter Schreyer’s design for the South Korean firm.
Lincoln
Lincoln is a sub-brand of Ford in the US, and will be showing its MKC crossover based on the Ford Kuga, which is sold as the Escape in North America.
We’ve already driven the new Maserati Quattroporte, but the car will receive its full public debut at the Detroit show. New turbocharged Ferrari engines, a more practical interior and a stylish new body set the Quattroporte apart.
It’s been spied and leaked for some time, but the Mercedes CLA will finally make its debut at the NAIAS. Using the same platform as the A-Class, the CLA acts like the larger CLS does for the E-Class range, as a more stylish, four-seater coupe. The facelifted E-Class and E63 AMG will also debut at the show.
The hottest version of the MINI Paceman arrives, powered by a 215bhp 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine, and comes with ALL4 four-wheel drive and a slick six-speed manual gearbox as standard.
Rumours of a revised version of the Nissan Versa, which forms the basis for the Leaf, have already appeared online. The firm is also expected to show a new concept car.
Toyota will show the Furia concept at Detroit. So far only a teaser video has been released, but the car is expected to be a new Corolla saloon for the US market.
Volkswagen will definitely have a concept car at the Detroit Motor Show, but details are scarce as to what this is. Best bet so far is that it’s a concept that will preview a US-built seven-seater SUV that’s based on the same underpinnings as the US market Passat.
