cars.com: Car reviews and photos from the 2005 auto show circuit

Monday, Jan. 12, 2004

Tricked-Out 'Tuners' Have Small But Distinctive Presence at Show

Hyundai showed a Santa Fe customized by apparel maker Troy Lee Designs

The automotive specialty market has staked out a presence at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, albeit a modest one in an exhibition space separate from the main show floor.

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004

Lexus Reveals Hybrid-Powered RX SUV and GS Sport Sedan

Denny Clements with the hybrid-powered 2005 Lexus RX 400h

Lexus kicked off the final day of press conferences at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit by unveiling two new production vehicles, the hybrid-powered 2005 RX 400h and the next-generation 2006 GS sport sedan.

BMW and Chrysler to Field Four New Convertibles by Summer

Wolfgang Bernhard with the 2005 Chrysler Crossfire Roadster

Four new ragtops based on existing models made their debut at press previews earlier in the week. BMW rolled out the first-ever convertible version of a 6 Series coupe, called the 2004 645Ci Convertible, and the Chrysler Group introduced three models: the Chrysler Crossfire Roadster and PT Cruiser Convertible -- both 2005 models -- and the 2004 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.

Exotic Marques Add Distinct Allure to Auto Show

Chrysler ME Four-Twelve concept

High-end sports cars and sedans invariably rank among the most compelling machines at the North American International Auto Show. Though our wallets might not be able to cope with such a purchase, we can still gaze at and swoon over their glorious lines and marvel at their technical details.

Monday, Jan. 5, 2004

Entry Level Gets Influx of New, Redesigned Models

Jim Farley discusses the 2005 Scion tC

Attempting to gain an early foothold with the loyalties of today’s and tomorrow’s young drivers, Scion and Suzuki unveiled entry-level compact hatchbacks Monday that boast utility and affordability.

With Cylinder Deactivation, Honda Adds New Dimension of Conservation to Hybrid

Takeo Fukui speaks at a media preview for the Detroit Auto Show

Honda Motor Co., already a leader in gasoline/electric hybrid and hydrogen-fuel-cell innovation, announced today that it will use another conservation-minded technology, called cylinder deactivation, in a hybrid Accord sometime this year.

Lincoln Bows Full-Size Pickup, Next-Generation Aviator Concept

Darryl Hazel presents the 2006 Lincoln Mark LT

Lincoln has taken its second crack at a luxury pickup truck with the 2006 Mark LT, and made its second attempt at the Aviator with the Aviator Concept. The Mark LT, which goes on sale in February 2005, is based on the 2004 Ford F-150 SuperCrew full-size pickup and has a 5.5-foot cargo bed. The Aviator Concept is a rethinking of the brand’s latest model. Where the current, body-on-frame Aviator sport utility vehicle is based on the Ford Explorer, the Aviator Concept is based on a midsize car platform that Ford Motor Co. has adopted from its Mazda subsidiary’s Mazda6.

Many Hands Add Many Quirks to Nissan Concept

Nissan Actic concept

More than 70 Nissan design personnel from Nissan studios around the world took part in the company’s latest concept, an innovation-rich wedge-shaped hatchback called the Actic presented Sunday night at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Mercedes-Benz Debuts New E-Class Diesel, Updated Vision Grand Sports Tourer

2005 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

Mercedes-Benz will offer a diesel engine in the United States this spring, having unveiled it Monday in the form of the E320 CDI at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Subaru Hopes to Start Legacy of Rising Sales; VW Shows a Smaller Crossover/SUV Prototype

2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT

Subaru introduced the 2005 Legacy 2.5 GT sedan and wagon — two models first seen at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany last September under the name Legacy 2.5 — today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Mitsubishi Shows Concepts for Pickup, Hybrid Eclipse

First look at the Mitsubishi Concept-E

Mitsubishi held the world premiere of two new concepts — a truck and a sports car — at the 2004 North American International Auto Show today that hint at the automaker’s future lineup direction.

Pontiac Intros 2005 G6 Sedan, First of Three Body Styles

Gary Cowger, Lynn Myers, and GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz at the unveiling of the Pontiac G6 sedan

At the North American International Auto Show press preview in Detroit today, Pontiac introduced the 2005 G6 sedan, a new model based on the 2003 concept car of the same name that will replace the Grand Am in the autumn of 2004. Pontiac will follow the sedan, possibly within a year, with a 2+2 coupe and a convertible.

Range Stormer Concept Suggests New Look for Land Rover

Mark Fields, head of Ford's Premiere Automotive Group, introduces the Land Rover Range Stormer concept

Land Rover threw the assembled media a curve today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit — or rather, threw many curves on a Range Stormer sport utility vehicle concept that is considerably less boxy than the British make typical produces.

Sunday, Jan. 4, 2004

Ford Shelby Cobra Concept Tests Waters for Another Pricey Sports Car

Ford Shelby Cobra Concept unveiled

At an invitation-only dinner held after the North American International Auto Show's press preview had closed for the day, Ford Motor Co. Chairman and CEO Bill Ford made a grand entrance by driving into Cobo Convention Hall in the Ford Shelby Cobra Concept car. The concept was inspired by the 1960s-era Shelby Cobras, whose creator, Carroll Shelby, rode alongside Bill Ford in the passenger seat.

2005 Ford Mustang Puts Concept-Car Looks in Consumers’ Driveways

William Clay Ford, Jr. and the 2005 Ford Mustang GT

Just one year after it wowed attendees of the North American International Auto Show with the Mustang GT concept, Ford Motor Co. wowed the media by introducing a 2005 production version that retains all the elements that made the concept great. Inspired by the classic pony cars of the late 1960s, this completely re-engineered and redesigned model, which Ford considers the fifth Mustang generation, has a larger interior and more powerful V-6 and V-8 engines, including the first 300-horsepower V-8 in a Mustang GT. The Mustang coupe is scheduled to go on sale in autumn of 2004 as a 2005 model, in V-6 and GT trim levels. A convertible version is expected to follow by about six months.

Ford, Chrysler Begin Revamping Lineups With New Sedan, Wagon

Steve Lyons explains how the Five Hundred fits into Ford's product lineup

At the North American International Auto Show press preview, Ford Motor Co. introduced the 2005 Five Hundred sedan and 2005 Freestyle crossover, the first two models in a new strategy that will supplement or replace much of the company’s car lineup over the next few years.

Asian Manufacturers Show Sporty, Compact Concepts

Kyoji Takenaka presents the B9SC concept from Subaru

Mazda used the North American International Auto Show press preview for the world premiere of its MX-Micro Sport concept, a four-door hatchback that recalls the Mini Cooper in size and spirit.

Toyota Shows Imposing Full-Size Truck Concept, New Highlander Hybrid

Jim Press unveils the FTX concept

Toyota announced the addition of a second hybrid vehicle to its U.S. lineup during its Sunday afternoon press conference at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid will go on sale in about a year and is equipped with a variation of the Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain currently used in the company’s Prius midsize car.

Chevrolet Unveils All-New 2005 Corvette

GM CEO Rick Wagoner with the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette

General Motors began writing the sixth chapter in the history of its two-seat sports car on Sunday, officially unveiling the long-hyped 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. Though rumors of the sixth generation, or C6, began years ago, the impact of the new model was no less dramatic. Chevrolet executives took turns reciting highlights of the car’s 50-year run, while images from its history were displayed on a giant screen at the Detroit Opera House.

Honda SUT Concept Sets Direction for Future Truck

Tom Elliot introducing the Honda SUT Concept at an NAIAS media preview

A pickup truck from Honda? No, you’re not in Bizarro World. You’re at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, where this afternoon American Honda unveiled its SUT Concept vehicle, a midsize pickup with unibody construction.

Cutting-Edge Manufacturing, Parts Sharing Make Pontiac Solstice a Reality

Bob Lutz behind the wheel of the 2006 Pontiac Solstice

At a press preview for the North American International Auto Show, General Motors rolled out a prototype 2006 Pontiac Solstice. Based on the concept car of the same name that debuted here two years ago, the Solstice is an affordable two-seat convertible expected to compete with the Mazda Miata and Toyota MR2 Spyder. Key to the model’s future are the new Kappa platform, innovative manufacturing techniques and broad parts sharing among GM divisions worldwide.

Audi A8 L Pumps Up to 12 Cylinders

Len Hunt, Audi of America vice president, introducing the A8 L 6.0 quattro

The big news — quite literally — at the Audi stand this afternoon was the North American unveiling of the company’s 2005 A8 L 6.0 quattro. The A8 L 6.0 quattro equipped with a W-12 engine will arrive in the second half of 2004 with a base price between $112,000 and $116,000.

Infiniti Follows Nissan Into Full-Size Truck Waters With QX56 SUV

2004 Infiniti QX56

Infiniti, Nissan’s luxury division, premiered its first full-size luxury sport utility vehicle today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Prius, F-150 Take Car, Truck of Year Honors

Steven Lyons (right) and Phil Martens, VP of product creation for Ford, alongside a 2004 Ford F-150

A new technology and an old standard were represented today as the awards were given out for North American Car and Truck of the Year. The winners were the gasoline/electric hybrid Toyota Prius -- the first midsize hybrid on the U.S. market -- and the redesigned Ford F-150 pickup truck.

A Chrysler Supercar Is the Beginning of a Year of New Products From the Big Three

Wolfgang Bernhard introducing a supercar prototype at the media preview for NAIAS

At today’s Chrysler luncheon in the Cobo Center, the first of dozens of media previews held by automakers this week before the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) opens to the public on Jan. 10, there was further evidence that 2004 will be the year of the product push by the Big Three.

Monday, Dec. 29, 2003

Home Teams Plan to Make Points in Detroit

BMW will unveil the convertible version of its new 6 Series line.

This year's North American International Auto Show gives the hometown teams -- Chrysler, Ford and General Motors -- the chance to show off. In 2004, the three individually and combined will launch more new vehicles than in any other time in their histories.

Cars.com 2004 Auto Show

2004 Detroit Auto Show Coverage

Curtain Drawn on Show with More Than 70 New Vehicles

Monday, Jan. 12, 2004

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004

Monday, Jan. 5, 2004

Sunday, Jan. 4, 2004

Monday, Dec. 29, 2003


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