As the new CTS sport sedan earns accolades and new owners, Cadillac takes the next leap forward by premiering the 2009 CTS-V, the brand’s ultimate expression of performance and luxury. Launching in the fourth quarter of 2008, the all-new CTS-V intends to combine the serious performance of an elite sports car with the poise and elegance of a prestigious luxury sedan.
>> read 2009 Cadillac CTS-V Picture Gallery
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Lexus will unveil a more luxury-oriented version of the hybrid Prius next year at the Detroit Auto Show (same place where the next generation Prius will be unveiled). The car is internally named SAI (will get new name at launch) and will arrive in U.S. showrooms by summer 2009.
It will be a more luxurious model, more comfort orientated with unique and sleeker styling. Company inspired said there will be some similarities to Toyota’s Concept X shown at the Geneva motor show last March.
The SAI will get a more powerful version of the Prius’ hybrid powertrain, which will be mated to either a 2.0 or 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine. At launch it will probably have a nickel-hydride battery, but be upgraded to lithium-ion technology by the end of 2010.
Mercedes and McLaren will bring their final cooperation at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. The SLR Speedster has been caught testing at the Nurburgring in Germany. It will be limited to only 75 units, and the price is rumored to be somewhere in the 750.000 euro area.
The production car will come without air conditioning and with ceramic brakes and a track-derived exhaust system. It will be 200kg lighter than the SLR coupe and capable of accelerating from 0 to 186mph (300km/h) in just 26 seconds, while top speed will be of 218mph.
Suzuki has announced it will skip the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit because the space it was offered didn’t fit its needs, the company and show organizers said Wednesday. First auto maker that announced it will skip the show was Porsche.
Suzuki’s acknowledgement that Cobo Center isn’t big enough is the first confirmation by an automaker that the convention center doesn’t fit carmakers’ needs.
"From a Suzuki standpoint they were in need of space — more than they were allocated," said Rod Alberts, executive director of the NAIAS. "There’s a need for additional space at Cobo. It’s time for some expansion."
Jeff Holland, a Suzuki spokesman, said the space and location that the company was offered didn’t fit its display needs, adding that Suzuki’s plans for more active displays couldn’t be accommodated. Suzuki plans to introduce three new products in the next 18 months, and other cities better fit their marketing needs, he said.
"It’s recognizing that we can’t be everywhere and recognizing that opportunities are better in shows in other parts of the country," said David Boldt, product public relations manager for Suzuki.
Saab will unveil the 9-4X next year at the Detroit motor show in January and sales will begin later on the year. The first prototypes have been caught testing in Germany.
The 9-4X will have its design inspired by the 9-3 and 9-3, ,- but with more modern materials and better build quality.
Under the hood GM will place a 2.8-litre petrol V6 and an automatic box. The production version will be 4.95m long and 1.92m wide. It will be built on a new platform — a mix of GM’s Theta 4x4 platform and the new Epsilon II chassis known as Theta premium.
Toyota will unveil the next generation Prius next year at the Detroit Auto Show. Sales will begin in late 2009. It will be larger than the current generation, but also greener and better to drive than today’s globally successful model.
The hatchback will be about 10cm longer and 3cm wider than today’s car and, to cope with the bigger size, the engine will move up from 1.5 to 1.8 litres. Power should increase to 100bhp.
Toyota says it can achieve this higher output while still improving economy and lowering emissions. Sources in Japan claim that Toyota is aiming for a 12 per cent improvement in fuel consumption, leading to a combined economy of over 70mpg and C02 emissions of just over 90g/km.
Toyota Prius is a real success; but this is no secret. And it was normal for the company to take the hybrid car to the next level; as it is also normal to work on a more luxurious version. It will be sold under the Lexus logo and will be unveiled next year at the Detroit Auto Show next to the Mark III Prius.
The Lexus "Prius" will be a a lifestyle wagonlike vehicle based on the Prius platform and drivetrain.
Also the Toyota A-BAT is just a concept for now, but the truck is being evaluated as a potential addition to extend the architecture and powertrain plans for the next-generation Prius platform.
The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) announced today that the 2009 show will take place Jan. 11 -25, 2009 at Cobo Center in Detroit. Press Preview will be held Sunday, Jan. 11 through Tuesday, Jan. 13. Industry Preview will be held Wednesday, Jan. 14 and Thursday, Jan. 15. The annual black-tie Charity Preview gala will be held Friday evening, Jan. 16. Public Days will be held Saturday, Jan. 17 through Sunday, Jan. 25.
In review of NAIAS 2008, organizers reported that of the 58 total vehicles unveiled, 44 were worldwide debuts and 14 were North American
debuts. The NAIAS also welcomed more than 700,000 attendees, 6,000 international media from nearly 60 countries along with a host of celebrities and 37,000 industry insiders from 2,000 companies. In addition, $6 million was raised for children’s charities at the annual black-tie Charity Preview.
Just two days after its worldwide debut, the BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupe was named "Best Production Truck" at the EyesOn Design Awards at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). Held each year, the EyesOn Design Awards recognize major design achievement in the automobile industry, and recipients are selected from among all new concept and production vehicles making their debut at the Detroit show.
>> read 
As you know, I’ve recently returned from the NAIAS and I’m an opinionated person.
What you don’t know is that I was accompanying the guy that runs this blog on this expedition, a fella who loves BMWs, is difficult to understand because his native language is French, and a man who barely notices that there are such things as pick-up trucks. Also a carefree bachelor.
I, on the other hand, have in-laws. Those in-laws all drive trucks. I pay attention when (...)
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