2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV. GM's little all-electric promises a range of 200 miles and will take just 60 minutes to fast-charge to 80% battery capacity—all for around $30,000 after government kickbacks. The Bolt is a rare example of a production model out-looking the concept that preceded it. Not to mention that GM is getting to the mass-market EV market before rival Tesla.Paul Sancya—AP
The North American International Auto Show opened in Detroit on Jan. 11. The global automotive industry is wrestling with what its future—shaped by advanced technology and new Silicon Valley-based competitors—will ultimately look like. But that didn’t stop them from taking the wraps off glitzy new production and concept vehicles. Here’s a closer look at the most exciting.
Buick Avista Concept. Um, Buick kinda won the show this year. GM's premium brand, while considered highly desirable in China, is still trying to shed its U.S. image as the nameplate of choice for Social Security recipients. This large two-door, four-passenger coupe is likely a styling exercise for a future sedan. The concept of a Buick-ified Chevrolet Camaro is an easy winner.Bill Pugliano—Getty Images2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV. GM's little all-electric promises a range of 200 miles and will take just 60 minutes to fast-charge to 80% battery capacity—all for around $30,000 after government kickbacks. The Bolt is a rare example of a production model out-looking the concept that preceded it. Not to mention that GM is getting to the mass-market EV market before rival Tesla.Paul Sancya—APVolkswagen Tiguan GTE Active Concept. After a wincing, 10-minute apology over the diesel scandal that was as uncomfortable to listen to as it appeared to be to deliver, VW executives pulled the cloth off this compelling concept. The Jeep-like off-roadster is exactly what consumers want these days—a good-looking small SUV that goes places but sips gas.Mark Blinch—Reuters2017 Ford F-150 Raptor. Pickups still make Americans weak in the knees because, well, look at it... Ford has had success using aluminum to lighten the curb weight of its heavy-duty trucks as well as improve performance. That, the company happily crowed at the show, has helped keep it the country's top truck for almost four decades.Carlos Osorio—AP2017 Porsche 911 Turbo. No surprise the
Stuttgart stalwart made its most iconic model faster and more expensive. But the redesigned exterior is subtle and gorgeous: A tweaked front end with side air blades and narrower LED lights make the car look slightly wider.Paul Sancya—AP2017 Genesis G90. Hyundai wants its piece of the luxury market. So it's moving its Genesis and Equus models into a new sub-brand and the G90 is that strategy's coming out party. Whether this tony V8-powered sedan can push the Korean company to a Lexus-sized success remains to be seen.Tony Ding—AP2017 Volvo S90. The still-Swedish but now Chinese-owned brand is trying to build itself a comeback that started with the XC90, which won the prestigious truck-of-the-year award at the show. The S90, a sensor-laden beauty, is the next step in the brand's quixotic conquest of European rivals like BMW and Mercedes.Paul Sancya—APKIA Telluride Concept. Kia's inexorable march up the automotive food-chain continues with this big truck. Yes, it vaguely looks like 1998. But, the band needs something compelling to compete with the GMC Yukons of the world.Larry W. Smith—EPANissan Titan Warrior Concept. Are you getting the extremeness of Nissan's Titan Warrior? It's extreme. Nissan, for the moment, can only dream of posting truck sales numbers to rival Ford or GM. But this steroidal version of its Titan line is a credible expression of that dream.
Rebecca Cook—Reuters2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The biggest "wait what?" moment of the show: Chrysler ditching its once-hot Town & Country badge and bringing back the Pacifica name, which had been lost to the ages. And yet, this minivan—which will compete with the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey—is a looker in person. A plug-in hybrid version is an interesting twist in the line.Mark Blinch—Reuters
