A taste of Detroit for Europe

There was a time that the North American International Auto Show didn't really have much relevance for European motorists, writes Brian Byrne.

But with the globalisation of models, and the continuing interest in the US in having more fuel efficient cars, that has changed.

So we do now watch the Detroit show and those in other continents for debut cars that either come from our side of the world, or will likely be coming to us.

Of the more than 500 cars and trucks on the NAIAS floor this year, there are quite a few that we should be watching.

For instance, the whole hybrid thing is moving fast out of speciality and into mainstream. BMW's ActiveHybrid 5 and the Activehybrid 3 will be a significant move in two of their key executive models, enhancing even further the brand's drive to fuel economy with more power.

Similarly the Mercedes-Benz E300 Hybrid (pictured above) for that company's direct competitor to the BMW, which will pair a 2.2 diesel with hybrid technology and give 27 percent better economy than the E300 diesel, with just 109g/km CO2.
At other levels, the Jetta Hybrid shown at Detroit moves Volkswagen into the same general arena opened by Toyota's Prius, offering now a 1.4 TSI petrol engine with electric motor assist that is said to improve the fuel consumption by 20 percent over the petrol-only car.

Meantime Toyota itself is expanding its hybrid range with the Prius C, shifting the technology into the supermini segment based on a Yaris platform. A European version will showcase at Geneva in March.

Volvo also gave advance notice of taking a position in the hybrid stakes, with the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept. Basically the way the technology is going, it will soon be just another powertrain system option, like diesel or petrol are today.

The Dodge Dart debuted at Detroit is of interest to us over here in Europe too. Thanks to the Chrysler-Fiat alliance, we are likely looking at the Bravo replacement, as the Dart is built on a wider version of the Fiat-owned Alfa Romeo Giulietta platform. The intriguing part is that the Dart is being built in China, and there's every possibility that the Fiat version will be too.

Ford surprised by changing its boxy Fusion model to a new curvy version, which has all the cues for the next generation Mondeo expected to be revealed at Paris in September. The fusion even comes with 1.6 and 2.0 turbocharged petrol engines, marking a significant shift in engine sizing for the US market.

Nissan showed a concept for its next Pathfinder, which will probably take to the roads in Europe too, replacing a model which has been rather ageing for some time (and which isn't currently available in Ireland). It has a lot of Murano cues. While the market for large SUVs dropped substantially early on in the recession, it has been improving again underpinned by more fuel-efficient technologies, and the next Pathfinder will benefit from these.

BMW used Detroit 2012 to showcase its Roadster 2-seater, based on the Coupe variant which came to Ireland late last year. A niche vehicle, sure, but important because it represents the sixth model format in the Mini range since the modern version was first launched by the Munich carmaker. That there could be six different Mini models would have been unthinkable even half a dozen years ago. And they're not finished yet.

Also niche is the E-Bugster Concept shown by Volkswagen, confirming that maker's intention to be serious in the EV business. The technology will probably go mainstream first in a planned electric version of the up! city car. But never mind that, how cool is the 2-seat E-Bugster in its own right? Cries out for production with a conventional powertrain.

And just because there are people who would complain if we left them out, the supercar sporty enthusiasts across the pond will have been drooling at the new Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet and the Cayman R coupe from the same maker. If you're into Porsches, there's no need to say anything more. If you aren't, there's no need either.

Just a taste of Detroit, that. Samples which in one form or another will be coming to Irish showrooms sooner or later.

Meantime though, the Geneva Show in March looms fast. That's where our real interest lies.