2011 Detroit Motor Show Review

Gone were the over the top concepts, big bangers that would never be produced, replaced by a new crop of smaller cars, with manufacturers delivering on promises made to the US Treasury after American taxpayers kept some of the biggest car names financially afloat in the aftermath of the economic crisis.

Whether we like it or not, the future is paved with hi-tech, clever cars that will use a variety of hybrid and electric power sources. Already a trickle of these cars has reached Australia, but with the arrival of the mid-sized GM Volt next year, things will really begin to get interesting as local consumers come face to face with the future of motoring.

The good news is that a number of manufacturers have demonstrated that electric does not have to mean boring. One of the standouts at Detroit was the Porsche 918 RSR, a concept supercar, which will eventually make it to the racetrack. Importantly, this stunning car uses the hybrid electric drivetrain from the 911 GT3-R racer to boost performance and lower fuel consumption.

The two-seater mid-engine coupe 918 RSR clearly reveals what happens when the technology fitted in the 911 GT3 R hybrid and the design of the 918 Spyder are transferred to a modern, innovative super sports car.

In the 918 RSR, muscular wheel arches, dynamic air intakes and a pulpit-like cockpit dominate the line's elegant flow. A visible fan wheel between the ram air intake tubes and a rear spoiler with RS Spyder dimensions additionally emphasise the racing function.

It is powered by a 3.4-litre V8 outputting 420kW of power at 10,300rpm. The fuel motor is supplemented by two 75kW electric motors to the front wheels, with the power distributed between each wheel according to available traction. A flywheel accumulator, which collects electrical charge, further backs this up whenever the car is decelerating. This can be called up at the push of a button for overtaking or other maneouvres.

For Chrysler the big reveal was the new second generation 300C, which will be coming to Australia. With distinctive styling, the 300C has been a hit in Australia, with the big rear-wheel drive available with a choice of V8, V6 or diesel engine. Styling is a little subtler than before, with the red-hot SRT model to follow later in the year. Chrysler is replacing its entire lineup with either a new or significantly improved vehicle over the next few months.

A number of interesting small cars were displayed with Hyundai's cutting edge Veloster three door coupe making its world debut. It also goes on sale here later in the year.

One of the few concepts on display was the Ford Vertek, which will make it into the US market soon, with Australia an unknown quantity as Ford do not wish to detract from the Territory's sales.

Among the star cars, Mercedes-Benz announced that the SLS AMG E-Cell concept will be going into production and going on sale in 2013. This battery powered electric-drive super sports car generates 392kW and 880Nm of torque. With 'gullwing' style doors and finished in dramatic lime green colour, the SLS AMG will undoubtedly become a highly desirable collector's machine.

Also grabbing attention is the new Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG. The top of the range version of the four-door coupe is equipped with the newly developed AMG V8 bi-turbo engine, featuring a peak output of up to 410kW and 800Nm of torque, as well as the AMG Speedshift MCT 7-speed sports transmission. The combination of an AMG RideControl sports suspension with electronically controlled damping system and new front axle, newly developed electro-mechanical AMG sports parameter steering, and also optional AMG ceramic high-performance composite braking system, is synonymous with maximum driving dynamics. Visually, the CLS 63 AMG impresses with its athletic appearance and distinctive exterior and interior design.

Completing an impressive trifecta from Mercedes-Benz is the new SLK Roadster. This third generation sports car receives upgrades and improvements in all departments, yet retains almost timeless classic proportions. With styling cues borrowed from earlier SLKs, Benz has combined elegant beauty with style and performance.

Benz did not have the stage alone in new sports cars, with BMW revealing the new 650i convertible, Tesla its electric roadster, and an updated Porsche.

Chevrolet created a wave with its new Sonic, which will arrive in Australia later this year badged as the new Holden Barina. Everything was not staid and mainstream for GM, however, with Cadillac announcing it will return to racing this year in a special race prepared version of its CTS-V Coupe. In full race kit the CTS-V certainly looks the goods.

Another car with racing overtones is the Wikispeed SGT01 prototype. The selling point of this prototype is its achievement of fuel economy in excess of 100 miles per gallon coupled with speed capability up to 160km/h. The four passenger vehicle is built on an extruded aluminium chassis with a simple geometric shape. The key parts of the car - suspension and engine - are designed as modular, meaning that they can be removed and replaced rapidly. Powering this unusual car is a 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder Honda engine. The company hopes to sell the car in kit form for around $30,000.

More conventional models were shown by BMW, with world premiers of the 6 Series Convertible and the 1 Series M Coupe. The 6 Series boasts V8 power from a BMW twinpower turbo that delivers 300kW power and 407Nm of torque. It can be combined with either a six speed manual transmission or an 8-speed automatic sports transmission.

While some may be disappointed with the showing at Detroit, what it lacked in glitz it certainly made up for in real world cars that are set to change what we drive in the future.

Brian Tanner