Detroit spinners

However restrained your Christmas holiday was, getting back into the swing of work can be something of a struggle. Have a little sympathy then for the big car manufacturers trying to generate enthusiasm and stomach a challenging year ahead at the Detroit Auto Show 2012.

The Detroit show is the traditional curtain-raiser to the automotive calendar and is often seen as a barometer for the year ahead. Refreshingly it seems that, despite 2011 being a tough year for most manufacturers, 2012 has plenty of reasons for optimism.

As expected, most of the big show debuts had very strong green credentials: almost every star car on each stand was either a hybrid or showcased the latest highly efficient com­bustion engine, but unlike previous years where eco cars were whiter than white there was a parallel focus on making them desirable and fun to drive.

Chevrolet had two perfect examples in the form of a pair of concepts illustrating its ideas for youth-oriented cars of the future. The Tru 140S and Code 130R are designed to be low-cost but desirable four-seater coupes, both using the same high-efficiency 1.4-litre turbocharged engine already seen in the Vauxhall Astra to deliver over 40 mpg.

Both cars have distinctive and individual styling – remarkably so for such relatively low budget cars – and with a focus on sporty driving dynamics are likely to appeal to a wide audience. Yet using many existing mechanical parts (donated from the current Cruze saloon) helps to keep the costs down.

Even at the opposite end of the scale, driving pleasure and economy are seemingly going hand in hand. Both Mercedes-Benzand Bentley unveiled high performance luxury cars with substantially improved economyand emissions than before: the all-new Mercedes-Benz SL claims over 40 mpg combined in V6 form despite being able to reach 62 mph from rest in under six seconds, while Bentley’s Continental GT V8 hits the same benchmark in only 4.6 seconds yet is 40 per cent more economical than the W12 model. Even the usual supercar debuts all used hybrid power to achieve their headline-grabbing performance.

As a show that is understandably dominated by the home manufacturers, the 2012 Detroit Auto Show delivered a tone of cautious optimism and the products on show gave a clear indication that this year might be a good one for manufacturers and car buyers alike.

Volvo adds plug-in power to popular SUV

Alongside the recently announced V60 version, Volvo has given clear hints that an increased range of plug-in hybrid models with the addition of the XC60 Plug-In Hybrid Concept, unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show.

Volvo claims the XC60 has the performance of a six-cylinder car with just a four-cylinder engine, yet offers fuel economy far beyond what is typically possible from a conventional SUV.

The hybrid system is controllable by the driver, allowing pure electric running for up to 28 miles, while using all available modes it is capable of a claimed 53g/km of CO₂ for emissions, translating to well in excess of 100mpg.

The XC60 uses a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine which is the first of a new generation of powerplants from Volvo, as well as debuting a sophisticated infotainment system with online connectivity and a mobile phone application allowing constant communication with the car.

Volvo has given a two-year timescale for the XC60 to become a production reality, giving sufficient time for further development and economies of scale to reduce the final price.

Mercedes reveals new high-tech SL

Making its public debut at the 2012 Detroit show, Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the sixth generation of its seductive SL sports car.

Externally it appears quite similar to the outgoing car but for the first time Mercedes-Benz has adopted an all-aluminium bodyshell, saving a claimed 110 kg over a conventional steel shell. As well as boosting economy and performance the lightweight approach will benefit ride and handling.

Underneath the skin the SL is available with a range of new engines, including a 4.7-litre V8 that manages to offer 12 per cent more power and 32 per cent more torque while reducing fuel consumption by an impressive 22 per cent. The most popular option is likely to be the new V6 SL350, which is capable of a remarkable 41.5 mpg combined thanks to standard fit stop/start, yet it can still accelerate to 62 mph from rest in 5.9 seconds.

Unlike previous generations the SL can be fitted with an optional Magic Sky roof, which has a glass panel that can be switched from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button. Magic Vision Control is a sophisticated wiper blade system that distributes water ahead of the blade in both directions, while Frontbass uses spaces in the aluminium structure to amplify bass frequencies from the audio system without the need for additional speakers – both of these features are standard on all SLs.

UK prices and specifications are yet to be confirmed, but expect the latest SL to cost around five per cent more than the outgoing model in the summer of 2012.

Chevrolet Sonic points way to hot Aveo

Alongside two affordable concept cars Chevrolet also showed a production-ready performance version of its Sonic supermini, based on the Aveo as sold in the UK.

Adopting the efficient but powerful 1.4-litre turbocharged engine seen in other GM products should give the Sonic a brisk turn of speed. The other key enhancements are stiffer suspension, disc brakes all round, revised gear ratios and a sports exhaust system.

The outside is distinguished from lesser models by a chunky body kit, deep front grille and 17-inch alloy wheels.

RS spec also adds a higher specification infotainment system, aluminium pedals, sports seats and a chunky flat-bottomed steering wheel.

Chevrolet shows future direction with new concepts

In front of a packed auditorium Chevrolet unveiled two new concepts at the Detroit Auto Show that indicated the brand’s future goal to conquer the young drivers market.

Both new concepts are four-seater coupes powered by the familiar GM 1.4-litre turbocharged engine with a US sticker price of under $20,000 (€15,500), promising genuine affordability and 40 mpg economy thanks to underpinnings based on existing Cruze saloon.

The Tru 140S is billed as an affordable exotic, with a very strong design theme said to be influenced by modern Ferraris. Despite the seductive lines the intention is to offer genuine space for four adults.

Its sister concept, the Code 130R, is a rear-wheel drive coupe with echoes of both the BMW 1-Series Coupe and its Chevrolet Camaro sibling. Despite these strong looks, GM North America President Marc Reuss said the Code was not a retro car but a functional, modern muscle car.

Although no plans for production were mentioned, the use of current mechanicals and a low retail price could see either or both cars reaching showrooms, although Chevrolet’s determination to involve potential customers throughout the design process could see the most popular of the two eventually becoming a reality.

Audi goes off-piste with Q3

Seen in public for the first time at the Detroit Auto Show, Audi has unveiled a new concept based on the current Q3 SUV. Dubbed the Q3 Vail, it is a more dynamic version with a winter sports theme – although the key change is the adoption of the 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine seen elsewhere in the Audi range.

The Vail adds a two-tone colour scheme with a bespoke body colour – Energy Red – combined with matt grey lower sections, prominent running boards, a single-frame grille and a slick roof rack with LED lights built in.

However, it is the powerful 310 bhp engine that is the most interesting feature, delivering a 5.5 second 0-62 mph time and a top speed of 163 mph. Although many of the Veil’s features remain conceptual, the adoption of this characterful five-cylinder engine points the way to a future Q3 production model wearing the S badge that will be the flagship of the range.

Although Audi remains tight-lipped on the subject, a production Q3 with this engine layout would be likely to appear towards the end of 2012.

Next Mondeo appears as new Fusion

Anyone with a new Mondeo pencilled in as their next company car will be pleased with the unveiling of the 2013 Ford Fusion at the Detroit Auto Show.

The Fusion is the most crucial car for Ford in the US but is also virtually identical to the next generation Mondeo that will appear in Europe early in 2013.

Visually the bold front end design instantly grabs attention, with clear design influences from the likes of Aston Martin. It has a high window line to give the sides visual strength while at the rear a high tailgate line finishes with a design quite similar to the current car.

The push for greater efficiency and economy is now a global target, and hence the Fusion will be offered with a wide choice of powertrain options: alongside a naturally-aspirated petrol there are two Ecoboost turbocharged engines, a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid versions, with the latter claiming to be the world’s most fuel efficient vehicle. The European Mondeo will add a range of diesel options to this choice.

The Fusion also brings a host of driver assistance technologies, such as lane departure monitoring, adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring, all appearing on a Ford mid-sized offering for the first time.

On sale in the US later in 2012, the Mondeo will reach UK showrooms in the first quarter of 2013.

Cadillac reveals new compact challenger

Ahead of the official opening of the 2012 North American International Auto Show home manufacturer Cadillac unveiled its all-new ATS to a select audience in Detroit.

Dubbed ATS and sized just below the existing CTS, senior Cadillac executives admitted that the compact saloon is targeted directly at the class leaders, such as the BMW 3-Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class saloons.

Cadillac claims the ATS is ‘nimble, quick and fun’, with an all-new chassis underneath the bold exterior that follows a familiar pattern of hard edges and prominent features as seen on its most recent models.

Crucially the ATS will be available in right-hand drive from the start of production, indicating that the American firm is likely to spearhead a renewed effort in the UK with its latest offering.

Available in rear-wheel and four-wheel drive formats, the ATS will be offered with a choice of two four-cylinder petrols, a 3.6-litre V6 petrol and a four-cylinder diesel. The higher output four-cylinder unit is a new turbocharged power plant with a quoted output of 270 horsepower, considerably more than any rival offerings.

Cadillac claims a strong focus on weight saving too, with aluminium and magnesium suspension components, an aluminium bonnet and even magnesium paddle shifters on automatic versions. This helps towards an impressive 50:50 front/rear weight distribution, and with thousands of development miles carried out at the famous Nurburgring Nordschleife in Germany there is a clear focus on dynamic ability.

The ATS will also be one of the first Cadillacs to receive the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) instrument layout, which uses a 12.3 inch TFT display in place of the instrument panel and a claimed world-first capacitive touchscreen in the centre console, allowing a wide range of user configuration and the ability to use apps to enhance the user experience.

US sales will begin towards the spring of 2012, with potential UK sales starting at the end of the year.