Lincoln Continental for 2025 Seen in Detroit

A Lincoln concept for 2025 was spotted at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show.

Lawrence Technology University had a subtle stand in Cobo Hall during the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. Lawrence Tech has a partnership with Ford for their undergraduate degree program in transportation design, and this model, built by students Colin Bonathan and Jeeho Cha, was produced at the American automaker's product development center.Titled the Lincoln Continental 2025 concept, it drew a bit of attention at the auto show.
Bonathon created the exterior, focusing on styling and aerodynamics. Cha then worked the interior of the 2025 concept, giving it a mahogany center console and Alcantara seats. A Lincoln emblem is built into the roof's design, which in true concept fashion, turns black at night and lights up with the actual location of stars.Built at a quarter-scale of the full size, the futuristic concept also features center-opening doors, sliding trunk bed and retractable food cooler with a drinks dispenser. Oh, and there is a Bonsai tree in there as well.

A123 will supply battery packs for BMW hybrids

Lithium-ion battery-pack maker A123 Systems, whose customers include General Motors, Fisker and ALTe, will make battery packs for two new BMW hybrid vehicles this year. Both vehicles, the 3 Series Sedan and ActiveHybrid 5 hybrids, were unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The vehicles, which BMW will start selling this year, will be equipped with A123's 32113 cylindrical batteries. The ActiveHybrid 5 hybrid will feature fuel-saving functions such as an "ECO PRO" mode which shuts off the gas engine when the car is coasting and a stop-start function when the car isn't moving.
The vehicles mark an attempt by BMW to boost its presence in the U.S. hybrid vehicle market, where it's had little success. The German automaker sold just 391 of its 750 ActiveHybrid sedans and ActiveHybrid X6 SUVs combined last year.
A123 is hoping the BMW agreement marks a turnaround of sorts for a company that's lately been beset by challenges. The company, whose batteries are also in the Via extended-range plug-in trucks that are also being unveiled this week at the Detroit Show, said late last month that batteries it made for the Fisker Karma were faulty and could cause coolant leaks. In November, A123 laid off 125 workers at two Michigan plants because of Fisker's delays in launching sales of the Karma. In November, A123 also cut its 2011 revenue forecast because of fewer-than-expected Karma orders. A123 reduced its 2011 sales forecast by $45 million to between $165 million and $180 million. The battery maker, which was founded in 2011 and went public in September 2009, has reported losses every quarter since 2008.

Dodge Aims the New Dart at Main Street

After seven years without a serious contender in the compact class, Dodge comes back and with a clear mission. 

Sergio Marchionne's efforts to revive the fortunes of Fiat Group brands and those of Chrysler Group brought us so far a mishmash of cars. It started off with badge engineering as Chryslers were rebadged as Lancias in order to save the Italian marque.That is an old industry trick and Lancia's success hangs in the balance because its situation in Europe is still deteriorating. But that was only the first move as the second one is building Dodge cars on European platforms.

Enter the 2013 Dodge Dart, a compact sedan that should bring Chrysler back into the competition in the compact cars segment. That segment accounts for roughly 10 percent of the US market and it's growing due to the unending economic crisis, new emission rules, and more frugal customers.In the past, Chrysler produced a few notable and popular compacts, such as the Neon in the '90s. Lately, however, it was represented in this segment by the Caliber, a hatchback that didn't find favor with US customers. It was designed during Daimler's reign and was a relatively complicated car to comprehend with its confusing appearance.

It appeared larger than what it really was and it resembled a crossover, though its target audience was people shopping for a small, simple and cheap car - not a Teutonic masterpiece.

In its first two years, the Caliber, which was intended to be a "world car," was also sold in Europe and China. It had initial success but later on sales dropped like falling off a cliff. The model was doomed and with Chrysler going into bankruptcy and the need for a new compact model for the American market, Marchionne decided to take a bold step by adopting a European platform (and he probably didn't have any other options).

The Caliber was such a poor product that Dodge now claims that for seven years the firm wasn't represented in the compact category."The compact sedan segment in the United States is the second-fastest growing segment in the industry, so (lacking a compact car) we've been playing with one arm tied behind our back," said Reid Bigland, Dodge brand President and CEO."When the new Dart hits the streets, we'll finally be back in the game, playing with 100 percent of the new-vehicle sales market."
The new Dart's look transmits a sporty feeling with Italian flavor due to its stance (and the bright red paint). The Dodge corporate front-end is prominent with its crosshair design and the familiar rear-end design taken directly from the Charger and Challenger.However, a few Alfa Romeo design cues are clearly evident such as the headlamp design and the overall side view silhouette.The interior design is also a significant improvement over the Playschool toy car interior of the Caliber. Emphasizing performance, the dual exhaust is also a unique feature for the segment.

Chrysler claims the Dart possesses plenty of Alfa Romeo DNA (what's bad with Dodge's?) so the three available engines are, as expected, of Italian origin and carry the MultiAir logo, a technology the Fiat Group developed in the last few years. This is not a bad thing in the least.
All three are gasoline engines, as the compact segment is still, for the most part, devoid of many of the new propulsion technologies.The engines include the 160hp Tigershark 16-valve 2.0-liter engine, a 160hp 16-valve 1.4-liter MultiAir Intercooled Turbo, and a new Tigershark 16-valve 2.4-liter MultiAir 2 four-cylinder.
Another unique thing that Dodge added is a gearbox lineup that includes a six-speed manual gearbox as the base option, a regular six-speed automatic, and an optional six-speed dual-clutch.
All in all, at least in the halls of Cobo Center, the Dart looks brilliant and offers the traditional automatic 2.0-liter compact car along with some spicier variants. When it finally hits showrooms in July and after several test drives, we'll know for sure whether Dodge is truly back in the game.

The 2013 Cadillac ATS: The New Standard of the World

This is the American sport sedan that will take on the German luxury brands. Let battle begin. 

Just a few days before Christmas, automakers began to shut down their operations for the holiday. However, Cadillac's new car test team was at the Nord Schleife, the famous picturesque track around the Nurburgring castle in western Germany.They brought with them a prototype ATS with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 270hp and a second ATS packed with a 3.6-liter V6 equipped with the second- generation Cadillac Magnetic Ride Control suspension.

Two weeks before the opening press day of the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, the test run on the Nurburgring, the home track and development center of German luxury brands, further clarified a point that became even more evident before its Detroit premier: the ATS is going to beat the Germans at their own game.

"The ATS marks the debut of this brand's new rear-wheel drive architecture that's been optimized for agile, quick and fun driving dynamics," said David Leone, global vehicle line exec at Cadillac, adding that this platform was fine-tuned on Germany's Nurburgring. "We spent countless hours behind the wheel of this vehicle perfecting the final execution."

Going fast round the Nurburgring requires a lightweight car combined with a potent engine and an able suspension system. And the ATS is committed to fulfill each of those requirements. When it goes on sale in the second half of 2012, it will be, according to Cadillac, the lightest car in its segment with curb weight of 3,400 pounds.It will also have a sophisticated suspension system that will be offered in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive. The bottom line is that the ATS is based on a new platform that will hopefully give Cadillac a better shot at their German rivals.

Weight reduction was achieved through the use of an aluminum hood, magnesium engine mount brackets and even lightweight, natural-fiber door trim panels."Low weight helps enable the ATS's driving experience, making it feel more nimble and controllable," said Dave Masch, ATS chief engineer. "Mass efficiency helps the car respond more immediately and precisely to driver input, and improves fuel efficiency."

The ATS's exterior design betrays its segment origins: its shape is more angular than any comparable German car.

The grille is almost rectangular and the headlamps are modern but, unlike their competitors, are in a portrait position rather than a landscape one.The interior design also carries Cadillac hallmarks and it should be nothing less, since the ATS is still an all-American car, after all.

The aluminum-intensive powertrains not only help to minimize overall weight, they are instrumental in favorable power-to-weight ratios that contribute to the ATS's willing feeling of performance. The 3.6-liter V6 is constructed of cylinder block and heads that are cast in aluminum.

A composite intake manifold saves approximately 5.5 pounds and an integrated cylinder head/exhaust manifold design saves approximately 13 pounds. The connecting rods are made of powdered metal with a higher ratio of copper, which makes them stronger and helps to reduce weight even more. The pistons are made of lightweight cast aluminum, which means there's less reciprocating mass in the engine for less inertia and greater operating efficiency.
At first, the ATS will be offered with three engines. A 202hp 2.5-liter four a 270hp comes standard and there's another, but more advanced, 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo with more of a European flavor.

And finally there's the familiar 320hp 3.6-liter V6 as the more traditional American engine. The smallest engine, the 2.0-liter turbo, will be available with either a six-speed manual while a six-speed automatic transmission remains an option. The latter gearbox is standard for the 2.5 and 3.6 versions.

What's clearly still missing is an optional diesel engine. Mark Reuss, GM North America president, has promised that a diesel will soon be available. And in a very short time, we'll know for sure whether Cadillac has done their homework properly and whether they can truly reestablish themselves as the standard of the world.

The Best Concept Cars from the 2012 Detroit Auto Show

Will any of these concepts reach production? Only time will tell. Words by Jay Traugott

Concept cars have always been something of a conundrum for automakers. On the one hand, they often have no intention of producing them because they're supposed to only be design studies.But what happens when the public embraces a particular one and would love to see it reach production? In that case, the automaker may relent in order to satisfy buyers and prove they have the best designers in the industry.
Other times, too many great concepts remain just that and never see production. And from the CarBuzz editors, here are the best concepts from Detroit. If all goes to plan, each will reach showrooms floors, in some form, sometime in the near future.

Acura NSX Concept: Ever since the original NSX ceased production in 2005, fans and enthusiasts have practically begged Acura to build a replacement. The Japanese automaker was always keen to do it, but various obstacles (global recession, natural disasters in Japan) delayed development. But that's all in the past as the NSX Concept is everything we hoped it would be and so much more. Powered by the next-generation VTEC V6 with direct-injection and mated to a dual-clutch transmission, this mid-engined hybrid supercar comes equipped with Acura's Super Handling All Wheel Drive system.
It can instantly generate negative or positive torque to the front wheels during cornering. Also new is an electric motor that provides an extra boost in power.Pricing hasn't been announced, but it will be in showrooms in only three short years.

Lexus LF-LC Concept: With the exception of the LFA, Lexus has been in desperate need of a performance and styling revival for some time. And in an industry where styling is increasingly vital, Lexus has finally come up with something that may just do the trick.The LF-LC is a 2+2 grand coupe that we think is the most stunning thing ever to come out of the Lexus design studio in Newport Beach, California. Featuring bold and aggressive styling throughout, the LF-LC is anything but conservative with its sleek profile and pronounced front-end grille.
Its interior is also a significant upgrade from before with an abundance of polished wood trim, leather, and suede.The only question remains is whether Lexus will actually build it. Five years ago, we'd say no, but with ever growing competition and a need for brand definition, we wouldn't be surprised to see a production version in the near future.

Honda Accord Coupe Concept: After the mini debacle that's become of the newly redesigned Civic and some other models, Honda is desperate to show they still have style. The current Accord sedan is a bland example of their current lack of design ambition, but the Japanese automaker is out to fix that for the car's 30th anniversary.The Accord Coupe concept seen here is an early preview of the upcoming ninth-generation model. Although at first one may mistake it for the current car, a closer look will reveal that this concept has more aggressive lines and shorter overhangs. Power comes from a new 2.4-liter four pot with direct-injection that produces 181hp and 177lb-ft of torque.Honda also announced that they'll be bringing back the Accord Hybrid, which hasn't been on sale since 2007. This next generation hybrid will have a 2.0-liter inline four gasoline engine paired up with a 120kW electric motor that receives power from a lithium-ion battery.

Lincoln MKZ Concept: Oh Lincoln, where have you been for so long? That's the exact question the automaker has been asking itself lately. With the end of the long-running Town Car, Ford's luxury division is in desperate need of a product and design revival if they ever want to match cross town rival Cadillac in the quest to become a global luxury brand.Enter the MKZ. Penned by former Cadillac Chief Exterior Designer Max Wolff, the new luxury sedan represents everything Lincoln wants and needs to become within the next few years.
Featuring a panoramic glass roof that's integrated into the body, the MKZ's overall proportions are bold and fresh, two words that Lincoln has nearly forgotten.Overall, the concept is an elegant and dynamic preview of what we hope Lincoln will be producing in the next couple of years. The question is, however, is whether this design direction is fully transferrable to a production version? We'll have our answer soon enough.

Chevrolet Code 130R Concept: This one was an unexpected surprise. Dubbed the 130R, Chevrolet is clearly intent on luring in younger customers looking for a true performance coupe.Powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-banger with 150hp and mated to either a six-speed manual or auto gearbox, the rear-wheel-drive concept also features advanced technologies such as eAssist tech. This includes shutting off its engine at stops, regenerative braking, and the use of smooth torque while accelerating. Although the interior is still in the design phase, Chevrolet claims they're intent on bringing the car to production. They also stated future buyers will be able to have high-tech toys such as WiFi, MyLink, and smartphone connectivity.With a target price somewhere around $20k, the Code 130R could very well be the performance bargain of the near future in addition to being a technological display for today's social media-obsessed youth.

Toyota NS4 Concept: Ok, just go ahead and say it: Who needs yet another Toyota plug-in hybrid? Most car enthusiasts are not a fan of this genre simply because there's no performance fun. All very true, but we can't deny the relevance of this rapidly growing segment.Toyota clearly feels the same way and much of their future lies within being the leader in green cars. With the phenomenal success of the Prius, the NS4 concept is actually an early preview of what the next generation Prius may look like. One of the biggest criticisms of the Prius is its bland styling.
If Toyota is truly serious about improving its design image, they shouldn't tone down the NS4's lines too much when heading to production.With its sleek lift back profile and trapezoid grille, we like where Toyota is heading. Along with advancements in extended range and charging time technology, the NS4 concept could turn into a Prius actually worth taking a closer look at.

Honorable Mention - Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept: The arrival of the third generation Volkswagen Beetle last year was a big deal and worth the wait. The German automaker corrected the many wrongs of the previous model by adding more aggressive styling and improved performance options for its iconic model.So we weren't surprised in the least when VW revealed their E-Bugster concept. It doesn't take much to figure out how the name came to be, but VW was clever to give it a unique design to further separate it from the production car. With its low roofline and shallow windows, this EV is loaded with the latest of VW's green technology. Sitting three inches lower to the ground than the regular version, its interior features EV-specific gauges that display energy consumption fluctuations with vehicle acceleration along with a screen that shows the battery's charge status and regeneration intensity. Sitting on a set of 15-inch aluminum wheels, the E-Bugster is an intriguing example of what may be in store in the coming years for the Beetle.
Photos courtesy of Autoblog/AOL.

The Oldest Mercedes 300SL in Existence

In amongst some of the latest cars to come off the production line, this 300 SL was one of the first. 

To make it to the ripe old age of 60 is a respectable achievement for anybody and even more so for a car. Many classics are left to rot or sent to the crusher after being pillaged for any reusable parts, but every now and again, one survives.The second-ever 300SL from 1952 is such an example. As the first model was destroyed, chassis number 194 010 00002/52 is thus the oldest 300SL in existence and has been painstakingly restored to its original condition to celebrate the series' 60th anniversary.

On June 1951, Mercedes' bosses decided to take part in the 1952 Le Mans endurance race and ordered the development of the 300 SL Super-Light, later changed to simply the 300 SL. The W 194 was the company's first racing car since the end of World War II.Head of Mercedes passenger car testing Rudolg Uhlenhaut developed a special frame weighing just 50kg and the bodyshell was made from aluminum and magnesium. The 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine was from the 300 saloon but the car's most discerning characteristic was the gullwing doors that were widened to make access easier during racing.Tuned by Mercedes engineers, output was rated at 170hp and the engine was angled 50-degrees to the left and fitted with a dry sump. Combined with a low weight of just over a ton the SL managed a top speed of 143mph, impressive for its day.Ten cars were constructed for the 1952 racing season with the W 194 going on to form the basis of the W198 production 300 SL that has lived on for six decades and spawned six generations, the most recent of which just made its world premiere at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show.

Chrysler Boss asks if the 700C Concept Minivan is Stupid, Beautiful or Crazy ?

If it's attention that Chrysler wanted, it sure got what it asked for with the most secretive concept model of the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, the 700C minivan. And this despite the fact that the automaker didn't even issue a formal press release on its conceptual people carrier. But all for good reason as Chrysler brand global boss Saad Chehab explained in an interview with Australian news site Drive at the Cobo Center.
Chebab told the website that Chrysler did not release any supporting information on the 700C because it "wanted unsolicited opinion about the car and its potential" from the motor show visitors. He also said that the 700C was a last minute addition to Chrysler's Detroit Motor Show booth.
“This is the first step we are taking into it to see what the feedback would be from customers, from the media, to see if this is something we might see in the future that maintains the useability of people-movers, but at the same time giving something more to the driver and the passenger next to them," Chebab explained.
We also learn that the 700C is based on the current Town & Country's running gear and that the designers' goal was to redefine the category not by reinventing its packaging features but rather the interior and exterior styling.
“It’s a styling exercise for us, looking at the future of mobility, of people-movers,” said Chebab. “What’s the Swiss Army knife of cars going to look like in the future?
“It’s the first step into the future and we are asking people ‘what do you think?’... Is it stupid, beautiful, crazy…?”
And with that, Chebab gave us the idea for our poll, which you can vote on below right after you take a look at the comprehensive gallery that follows.