NEWSBREAKTom Nash

NEW MODELSChevy Corvette Z06Chevrolet unveiled the Corvette Z06high-performance model. Its 7.0L(427-cu.-in.) LS7 engine pumps out ahealthy 500 hp and 475 Ft.-lbs. oftorque. Like Corvette’s C6-R race car,the Z06 is constructed with lots of alu-

minum, carbon fiber and magnesium,to bring curb weight down to 3130lbs. The result is 0 to 60 in less than 4seconds and to the quarter-mile in un-der 12 seconds, with a top speed of190 mph.

2005 Ford Mustang ConvertibleThe 2005 Mustang Convertible

comes equipped with a basic 4.0L, 210-hp SOHC V6 engine. Buyers who optfor the GT model get a 4.6L V8 withvariable cam timing that churns out 300horses. Buyers can also choose betweena standard five-speed Tremec manualtransmission or the new 5R55S five-speed automatic.

Special Auto ShowReport

HORSEPOWER VS. HYBRIDS

The 2005 North American International Auto Show in De-troit left media attendees feeling like they had seen a Dr.Jekyll and Mr. Hyde movie. While many companies touted“big, bad and powerful” as the theme for their 2006 andconcept creations, others preached “lean and green.” Somecompanies espoused both mantras! Either way, it was allabout technology.

The new “muscle cars” like the Ford Mustang, ChevyCorvette Z06 and Dodge Charger use the latest engine,transmission and emissions technology to accomplishperformance in a safer, more economical and environ-mentally friendly manner.

The new and upcoming hybrids are likewise drippingwith new technologies, needed to move the half-breedvehicles into the realm of usability by families. Two-

seaters and small four-seat cars are not on the shoppinglists of soccer moms. After driving minivans and SUVs,they’re not interested in taking a step back in comfort,convenience and utility just to satisfy the need to save alittle fuel and make the air a little cleaner. The movementto larger hybrids requires more power from bigger elec-tric motors, fed by larger batteries, charged by more effi-cient gasoline or diesel engines.

Hydrogen fuel cells are starting to be used in commer-cial vehicles and public transportation as a rolling provingground, but remain cost-prohibitive to produce and ex-pensive to maintain at this point. While hybrids may beonly a steppingstone to fuel cells, they’re at least opera-tional, affordable and maintainable.

That being said, let’s take a look at some of the morenoteworthy vehicles from among more than 60 unveil-ings of new production and concept vehicles intro-duced at the show.

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Chevy Corvette Z06

2005 Ford Mustang Convertible

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Dodge ChargerAs expected, Dodge unveiled the Charger to fill thevoid left by the Intrepid, a brand mainstay for adozen years. Charger reprises the name of the musclecar from the ’60s and ’70s, but this time with fourdoors. It also gives NASCAR a replacement for theIntrepid. The Charger comes with the potent 5.7L,340-hp Hemi and a five-speed auto trans. Look forspecial retro name and color 6.1L Hemi edition pack-ages, like Daytona, to follow. The Charger also can beordered with a 3.5L engine, but like, who cares?

Ford Fusion/Lincoln ZephyrFord Motor Company showed two new mid-size vehicles based on the same platform asthe Mazda6, but a little longer and wider. TheFord Fusion comes standard with a 2.3L 4-cylinder that cranks out 160 hp, coupled to ei-ther a five-speed manual transmission or five-speed automatic. The V6 option is a 3.0L,210-hp Duratec, which can be mated to a six-speed automatic. The Lincoln Zephyr is theluxury version, with lots of leather and wood.Eventually, a Mercury Milan edition will bepositioned between the two.

Saturn SkySaturn showed the sporty Sky roadster, the firstof several models planned to revive the ailing GM fledglingdivision. The two-seater has a retractable softtop that foldscompletely into the trunk. The Sky is powered by a 2.4L,170-hp Ecotec engine attached to a short-throw five-speedmanual transmission. A five-speed automatic is optional.

Honda RidgelineHonda steps into the pickup truck arena for 2006 withthe four-door Ridgeline. It’s powered by a 3.5L, 255-hpVTEC V6 engine with 252 ft.-lbs. of torque, mated to astandard five-speed automatic transmission. It features afour-wheel fully independent suspension and a VariableTorque Management 4-Wheel Drive System (VTM-4WD) that can transfer up to 70% of the available torqueto the rear wheels. The new half-tonner sports a steel-reinforced composite bed, lockable watertight storageunder the truck bed and a dual-action tailgatethat lowers like a traditional tailgate or swingsaway to the side.

Mercedes-Benz M-ClassAlmost overlooked during the glitzy pressdays unveilings was Mercedes’ revamped M-Class SUV. The sport/ute’s success is impor-tant to Mercedes-Benz because it’s theirbiggest seller in the States and accounts for agoodly chunk of its profit. Two models will beoffered for 2006—the ML350, powered by anew 268-hp, 3.5L V6 with variable valve tim-ing and the ML500, propelled by a 302-hp,

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Dodge Charger

Lincoln Zephyr

Saturn Sky

Ford Fusion

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5.0L V8. A stalk on the steering column (no console-mounted shifter) engages the seven-speed automatic trans-mission, which can be manually shifted by the Touch Shiftbuttons at the back of the steering wheel.

CONCEPT VEHICLESGM SequelAlthough General Motors showed its near-future Gra-phyte dual-mode hybrid, it was the hydrogen cell proto-type, the Sequel (shown on the next page), that drew themost attention. It’s the next generation of last year’s Hy-Wire hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, with its body mountedon an 11-in.-thick skateboardlike platform containing alldriving components. Using the fourth-generation GM fuel cell stack, it can do 0 to 60 in about nine seconds.Three compressed hydrogen tanks hidden inside theplatform give it a range of 300 miles.

Ford FairlaneFord unveiled its new approach to the luxury people-mover concept, designed for family or group travel. Thetall, boxy body has three rows of seats, lots of glass and,at the rear, a kitchen with refrigerator, cutting board andutensils, for tailgating or the impromptu picnic. The sidedoors open clam style, for easy access. The tailgate opens

NEWSBREAK NEWSBREAK

Honda Ridgeline

Mercedes-Benz M-Class

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down or swings away in either direction. The Fairlane ispowered by a 210-hp, 3.0L Duratec DOHC V6, drivingan AWD system. There are lots of safety features, includ-ing stability control and a safety canopy rollover air bagsystem.

Lexus LF-ALexus showed the gorgeous LF-A concept vehicle, consid-ered by many to be a luxury supercar street version of itsFormula 1 car. It’s powered by a competition-style engineof under 5.0L, but its more than 500 hp pushes top speedto over 200 mph. While the LF-A is officially only a con-cept at this time, company officials did confirm that a car ofthis type is being considered for production.

Jeep HurricaneJust when you think you’ve seen it all, DaimlerChrysleroutdoes itself. Following on 2002’s Tomahawk V10-pow-ered motorcycle and the 850-hp ME Four-Twelve supercarlast year, the engineers at Auburn Hills unveiled the JeepHurricane, a dune buggy with not one, but two Hemi en-gines! With one 5.7L at each end of the vehicle, the total of670 hp and 740 ft.-lbs. of torque drives the wheels througha special system of electromechanical controls. It sports aone-piece ultra-lightweight carbon fiber and titanium body.The uber off-roader can toe both sets of wheels inward andspin on its own axis!

Rolls-Royce 100EXFrom the ridiculous to the sublime (and still a littleridiculous), Rolls-Royce says this “experimental” vehiclewas created to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the firstmeeting of Charles Rolls and Henry Royce. It’s madewith plenty of weight-saving aluminum, both structurallyand on the exterior—most notably the brightly polishedhood and window frame. Under the shiny hood lies a9.0L, 64-valve, naturally aspirated V16 engine that cranksout nearly 700 hp to turn the big 21-in. wheels. Its hugeclam-style doors allow easy access to the luxurious ma-hogany and dark leather interior. For tailgating, the splittrunk lid folds out to become a table to serve the cham-pagne and caviar.

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Lexus LF-A

Jeep Hurricane

Rolls-Royce 100EX

GM Sequel

Ford Fairlane