Mating Cattle Kick-off Festivities at 2008 Detroit Auto Show
Harshad Kuntey & Steven Hughes
Issue date: 1/22/08 Section: Automotive
Chrysler kicked off the press day introductions for the Detroit Auto Show with a duo of the new Dodge Ram pickups trucks driving behind a parade of 120 longhorn cattle and 15 longhorn cowboys. While the trucks and the cowboys were well behaved, the bulls had other ideas. The bulls indulged themselves with some attempts at lovemaking at the corner of Washington and Jefferson Streets, thereby distracting attention from the trucks - not exactly the welcome you want for a new Dodge truck.
If you are planning to hike down to Cobo Hall, here is a list of some interesting cars at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show that you might want to check out.
Dodge Ram - The Ram has plenty to crow about including the addition of a light duty diesel engine with 30 percent better fuel economy, a brand new independent rear suspension for increased comfort, and a "Rambox" - essentially storage bins in the wheels wells. The Ram also comes in a crew-cab for those who want to have their cake and eat it too.
Rants and Raves - Not much use to Ross grads unless you are the CEO of a ranch.
Ford F-150 - A complete redesign within 5 years is one indication of how quickly the competition has heated up in the full-size truck segment. The F-150 has been the best selling model in the United States for the past 30 years and has seen off cars including the Camry, Accord and Taurus. For 2009, Ford has restyled the truck to get a brasher front-face. Newer features include a center console that will hold two laptops, over 30 storage compartments, and flip-out steps in the tailgate that help you climb into the bed. The safety features include an alphabet soup of technologies such as ABS (anti-Lock Braking System), TSC (Trailer Sway Control), and stability control. While you are at the F-150 stall, you could roll-over (no pun intended) and check out the concept Ford Explorer.
Rants and Raves - The pickup equivalent of a Chrysler minivan.
Cadillac CTS Coupe - The CTS coupe was the surprise from GM - a 2 door version of the CTS sedan with identical wheelbase, but shorter by 2 inches. The coupe has a classic 2+2 seat layout with Cadillac's signature "Art & Science" theme styling. The styling works great except for the thick C-pillars, which make it look like a hatchback. I am more interested in the recently introduced CTS-V, a 550 horsepower BMW-baiter with a Corvette ZR1 engine.
BMW X6 Cross-Over Coupe - BMW adds another version to the hodge-podge of abbreviations. We already have the lowly SUV and the SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle like the X5), and X6 is now called the SAC (Sports Activity Coupe). I hope they don't go overboard and call the next car the SUC. It's an interesting take on the crossover theme, based on the X5 platform but with all the characteristics of an SUV. Engines are pretty much what you get in an X5 as well as a twin turbo 4.4 liter V8.
Rants and Raves - If it was my money, I would stay with the X5 or better yet, a good ol' BMW 5 series.
Volkswagen Tiguan - The Tiguan is a soft-roader in the same vein as a Toyota RAV-4 or a CR-V but with VW genes. It is based on the Rabbit platform and looks like a Junior Touareg. It's designed for those Ross grads who like to add a little altitude and traction to their Rabbits or GTIs. It should work quite well since it shares the GTI's turbocharged two liter mill. Europe gets an off-road version with hill-descent control but North America has to be happy with just getting the road version. Honestly speaking, we both felt that this car looks a lot better in the flesh than in pictures.
This year's show has also produced a slew of interesting concepts for the environmentally-conscious buyer. The one which stood out the most was the Audi R8 V12 TDI. In addition, the theme of the BMW stand was all about efficient dynamics. Here, BMW showcased their version of the hybrid two-mode transmission slated for use in the X6, a hydrogen powered 7-series, and an advanced diesel X5.
Audi R8 V12 TDI - If you are an avid observer of the supercar scene, I am sure you must have drooled over the recently introduced Audi R8 - a stunning mid-engined driving machine with 420 horsepower. How about a diesel-powered R8? For those who think that this is a absurd idea, may I draw your attention to the fact that Audi created history by winning the legendary 24 hours Le Mans race in 2006 with a diesel powered sports car, the Audi R10? The R8 V12 TDI builds on that tradition by powering this beauty with a turbocharged 6 liter diesel pumping out 500 horsepower and over 700 pound-feet of torque. To put it into perspective, that's twice that of the gasoline powered 'regular' R8.
Rants and Raves - This car is the diesel equivalent of the Tesla electric roadster.
Suzuki X-Head - You better have a barf bag when you approach this truck. This truck reminds me of a Mercedes Unimog - an off road truck used in Europe with all its utility and minimalistic design. It has a smallish wheelbase and a bed which is big enough to carry a Suzuki off road bike, but it is pretty much useless for anything else.
Rants and Raves - A Japanese Aztek with a wallop of off-road ability and two fewer seats.
We hope we have piqued your curiosity. This is the biggest auto show in the world. More than 6700 journalists from 62 countries visit the auto show every year. Since its designation as an international auto show in 1989, the show has hosted more than 1,049 vehicle introductions - and it's right in your backyard. So make the hike to downtown Detroit to check out your potential after-graduation rides.
If you are planning to hike down to Cobo Hall, here is a list of some interesting cars at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show that you might want to check out.
Dodge Ram - The Ram has plenty to crow about including the addition of a light duty diesel engine with 30 percent better fuel economy, a brand new independent rear suspension for increased comfort, and a "Rambox" - essentially storage bins in the wheels wells. The Ram also comes in a crew-cab for those who want to have their cake and eat it too.
Rants and Raves - Not much use to Ross grads unless you are the CEO of a ranch.
Ford F-150 - A complete redesign within 5 years is one indication of how quickly the competition has heated up in the full-size truck segment. The F-150 has been the best selling model in the United States for the past 30 years and has seen off cars including the Camry, Accord and Taurus. For 2009, Ford has restyled the truck to get a brasher front-face. Newer features include a center console that will hold two laptops, over 30 storage compartments, and flip-out steps in the tailgate that help you climb into the bed. The safety features include an alphabet soup of technologies such as ABS (anti-Lock Braking System), TSC (Trailer Sway Control), and stability control. While you are at the F-150 stall, you could roll-over (no pun intended) and check out the concept Ford Explorer.
Rants and Raves - The pickup equivalent of a Chrysler minivan.
Cadillac CTS Coupe - The CTS coupe was the surprise from GM - a 2 door version of the CTS sedan with identical wheelbase, but shorter by 2 inches. The coupe has a classic 2+2 seat layout with Cadillac's signature "Art & Science" theme styling. The styling works great except for the thick C-pillars, which make it look like a hatchback. I am more interested in the recently introduced CTS-V, a 550 horsepower BMW-baiter with a Corvette ZR1 engine.
BMW X6 Cross-Over Coupe - BMW adds another version to the hodge-podge of abbreviations. We already have the lowly SUV and the SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle like the X5), and X6 is now called the SAC (Sports Activity Coupe). I hope they don't go overboard and call the next car the SUC. It's an interesting take on the crossover theme, based on the X5 platform but with all the characteristics of an SUV. Engines are pretty much what you get in an X5 as well as a twin turbo 4.4 liter V8.
Rants and Raves - If it was my money, I would stay with the X5 or better yet, a good ol' BMW 5 series.
Volkswagen Tiguan - The Tiguan is a soft-roader in the same vein as a Toyota RAV-4 or a CR-V but with VW genes. It is based on the Rabbit platform and looks like a Junior Touareg. It's designed for those Ross grads who like to add a little altitude and traction to their Rabbits or GTIs. It should work quite well since it shares the GTI's turbocharged two liter mill. Europe gets an off-road version with hill-descent control but North America has to be happy with just getting the road version. Honestly speaking, we both felt that this car looks a lot better in the flesh than in pictures.
This year's show has also produced a slew of interesting concepts for the environmentally-conscious buyer. The one which stood out the most was the Audi R8 V12 TDI. In addition, the theme of the BMW stand was all about efficient dynamics. Here, BMW showcased their version of the hybrid two-mode transmission slated for use in the X6, a hydrogen powered 7-series, and an advanced diesel X5.
Audi R8 V12 TDI - If you are an avid observer of the supercar scene, I am sure you must have drooled over the recently introduced Audi R8 - a stunning mid-engined driving machine with 420 horsepower. How about a diesel-powered R8? For those who think that this is a absurd idea, may I draw your attention to the fact that Audi created history by winning the legendary 24 hours Le Mans race in 2006 with a diesel powered sports car, the Audi R10? The R8 V12 TDI builds on that tradition by powering this beauty with a turbocharged 6 liter diesel pumping out 500 horsepower and over 700 pound-feet of torque. To put it into perspective, that's twice that of the gasoline powered 'regular' R8.
Rants and Raves - This car is the diesel equivalent of the Tesla electric roadster.
Suzuki X-Head - You better have a barf bag when you approach this truck. This truck reminds me of a Mercedes Unimog - an off road truck used in Europe with all its utility and minimalistic design. It has a smallish wheelbase and a bed which is big enough to carry a Suzuki off road bike, but it is pretty much useless for anything else.
Rants and Raves - A Japanese Aztek with a wallop of off-road ability and two fewer seats.
We hope we have piqued your curiosity. This is the biggest auto show in the world. More than 6700 journalists from 62 countries visit the auto show every year. Since its designation as an international auto show in 1989, the show has hosted more than 1,049 vehicle introductions - and it's right in your backyard. So make the hike to downtown Detroit to check out your potential after-graduation rides.
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