THE first motor show of 2016 might have been in the cold U.S. but European manufacturers showed a surprising amount of new metal turning heads in Detroit that will make a massive impact on sales this year.
Here’s five of my favourites from the Detroit Motor Show.
Audi h-tron concept
The next step towards Audi’s long-term Audi goal of CO2-neutral mobility is shown at this year’s NAIAS in Detroit in the form of the Audi h-tron quattro concept car – a striking SUV that uses a highly efficient fuel cell with an output of up to 110 kW, and a further on-demand power boost of 100 kW courtesy of a lightweight lithium-ion battery.
The car can be fully refuelled with hydrogen in around four minutes, and is then ready to drive for up to 372 miles with 550 Nm of all-wheel drive Quattro torque, 0-62 mph in under seven seconds and 124 mph top speed. When will we see it in production? It’s ready to go – just waiting for the fuelling infrastructure.
What is coming soon is the new A4 Allroad. Most obvious differences over the standard Avant is the 34mm of extra ride height, plus the chunkier body cladding with wider arches and standard Quattro four-wheel drive. The A4 Allroad’s dimensions are the same as for the standard Avant, so this means the same 505-litre boot and power-operated tailgate. One petrol and five diesel versions of the A4 Allroad will be available at launch later this year.
Mercedes E-Class
It might look like a scaled-up C-Class which itself is a miniaturised S-Class, but get past the ‘same again looks’ and there is much to impress about Mercedes’ latest version of its executive favourite – the E-Class. Firstly, there’s the interior tech, with all E-Class models fitted with an 8.4-inch infotainment screen – with an even bigger 12.3-inch screen available as an option.
Virtual, customisable instruments are also likely to be an attractive option. Elsewhere, there are touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel. Other class-leading features include Active Lane Change Assist, which works by allowing the driver to steer into a selected lane as if by magic. Another star feature is Active Brake Assist, that tells of impending crash situations and supports by applying the brakes automatically. Other clever features include Attention Assist, which warns of inattentiveness and drowsiness.
BMW M2
No real surprises here as BMW has already communicated details of its baby M3 saloon.
However, the BMW stand at the Cobo centre was the first time we got to see the 365bhp saloon.
Replacement for the highly-respected limited-build 1-Series M Coupe from back in 2011, you’ll have to get in quick if you want one of these, as apparently fewer than 500 cars will come to the UK priced from £44,070.
Resplendent with muscular bulging wheel arches, it’s a mean machine straight out of the box.
Porsche 911 Turbo
With first drives of the lesser face-lift, turbo-powered 911 out before Christmas, it wasn’t going to be long before a freshened version of the fastest 911 (well at least until the GT3 breaks cover!) was going to be revealed.
Anyway, Detroit was the place where the 911 Turbo broke cover and the key change over the outgoing car is a 20bhp power hike from the 3.8-litre flat six engine, taking it to 533bhp.
Outside, you’ll spot the revised 911 Turbo by the new exhaust, engine cover, tail lights and larger 20-inch alloy wheels. Want one? Well, you’ll not have long to wait as the first cars hit UK shores next month priced from £126, 925.
Volvo S90
Latest in a Chinese Geely-supported renaissance, which started with the new XC90 SUV, that was launched last year. Highlights of the sleek looks include the concave grille and distinctive T-Shaped Thor’s headlights first seen on the XC90.
Inside, like the outside, design cues first shown in the XC90, such as the Sensus touch-screen infotainment system, have been carried over. This time with some vertical airblades.
A new Volvo is the perfect platform for new safety kit and with the S90 there’s a new feature of the City Safety system, that’s able to detect large animals such as deer. Also, the standard IntelliSafe Assist will allow autonomous driving.
