Motor City Madness

Automakers pull out all the stops for the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
By Nina Russin

Dodge introduces the new Ram pickup truck, Rodeo style.

Los Angles has palm trees, Chicago has rhythm and blues, and Detroit has herds of long horns. If nothing else, it’s a memorable image. Chrysler staged the cattle round-up to introduce the 2009 Dodge Ram truck at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Ten cowboys drove a hundred twenty long horn cattle down Washington Boulevard: a potent photo op and fitting metaphor for what most urban commuters experience on a daily basis. The new Dodge Ram full-sized pickup truck comes with a variety of available engines, from a new Hemi that accelerates from zero-to-sixty in just over six seconds, to a more conservative 3.7-liter V6. A light-duty diesel engine arrives after 2009, and a two-mode fuel economizing hybrid goes on the market for the 2010 model year.

The new hemi delivers 404 foot-pounds of torque for towing heavy loads. Commuters will appreciate new comfort and convenience features that include heated and ventilated front seats and back seat Sirius television.

New off-road performance enhancements include standard hill start assist. Trailer sway control and electronic stability program, both standard, make maintaining direction control easier on uneven surfaces.

The crew cab has two in-floor storage bins big enough to hold coolers. An available cargo management system adds two weatherproof lockable storage compartments that are integrated into the fender sides.

2009 Ford F-150

Not to be outdone, Ford took the wraps off its newest F-150 full-sized pickup. The 2009 model comes with three available engines: a 5.4-liter V8 capable of running on E85 ethanol/gasoline blends, and two new 4.6-liter V8 engines. The new F-150 has improved towing capacity over the outgoing model, as well as several new safety features: advanced traction control with roll stability and trailer sway control, and an available rear camera backup system.

The super crew model has rear seats that flip up and out of the way to create a large cargo area in the passenger cabin. New comfort and convenience features include Sirius travel link that provides real-time traffic, weather and fuel prices, Ford’s Sync voice-activated command software, and an available Sony premium sound system.

A cargo extender in back stows out of the way when it’s not being used. A tailgate step makes it easier to reach into the cargo bed.

Honda unveils the new Pilot

The 2009 Honda Pilot that rolls out this spring will have better fuel economy than the outgoing model, be more spacious inside, and is engineered to minimize damage to smaller vehicles in the event of a collision. Honda took the wraps off a prototype model in Detroit.

The eight passenger Pilot is powered by a V6 engine with variable cylinder management. When power demands are low, the car’s on-board computer cuts out two or three engine cylinders to save fuel.

A 60/40 split second row seat on the new Pilot slides further forward for better access to the third row. The Pilot seats up to eight passengers. Both second and third rows fold flat to create a long cargo floor.

Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

Cadillac adds a hybrid version of the full-sized Escalade sport-utility vehicle for 2009. The two-mode hybrid system is the same technology as that in the Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid. The hybrid improves fuel economy by up to fifty percent in stop and go driving, since the engine shuts off at idle, and the car can run on electric power at low speeds.

Volkswagen CC four-door coupe

The all-new Volkswagen CC, a car than combines coupe-like styling with four-door practicality, rolls into showrooms next fall. There are two available engines: a two-liter block rated at 200 horsepower, and a 280-horsepower 3.6-liter engine. The base engine comes with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed Tiptronic transmission, while the optional 3.6 FSI comes with the Tiptronic only.

A panoramic sunroof covers the entire front half of the car, up to the B-pillar. A large rear spoiler adds a sporty touch to the exterior, and maximizes downforce when the car is driven at speed.

Inside, both rows of passengers get formed sport seats: heated seats are available as an option.

Hot sports cars

The Chevrolet Corvette, now in its fifty-fifth year of production, shifts gears with an all-new ZR1 model that has an estimated top speed of at least 200 miles-per-hour. The newest Corvette shares lightweight aluminum chassis components with the current Z06 model, but has different suspension tuning for wider tires.

At the heart of the car is a supercharged LS9 engine rated at 620 horsepower, and producing 595 foot-pounds of torque. The chassis rides on nineteen-inch wheels in front and twenty-inch rims in the rear.

The base model comes with lightweight seats and interior components for racing. Those opting for a more luxurious ride can upgrade to leather upholstery, with a navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity and more.

The ’09 Corvette rolls out this summer.