New, green and lots of pizzazz
CODY STORM COOPER for the TORONTO STAR
The BMW Concept Active E was one of the more interesting cars on display in Detroit.
Bmw Concept Active E
Based on the 1 Series Coupe, this car will go into real-world test fleets in 2011, and is intended to pave the way for the company's electric-drive Megacity Vehicle. BMW says that will be a regular production model within the next five years.
The Active E uses a new electric motor integrated into the rear axle, with a lithium-ion battery pack co-developed by BMW. It produces 170 hp, 184 lb.-ft. of torque, and a range of about 160 km on a charge, which takes about 4 1/2 hours to fully top up.
The Active E is rear-wheel-drive and tuned for sporty handling and acceleration. The company estimates zero to 100 km/h in less than nine seconds. The compact powertrain doesn't cut into passenger or luggage space, which is already tight in a regular gasoline 1 Series.
The new concept also includes ConnectedDrive, which lets the driver check the battery charge, locate a charging station, or turn on the heater or a/c remotely from a cellphone.
BMW Z4 SDrive 35is
The sDrive 35is twin turbocharged 3.0 litre is tweaked to produce more power by increasing air intake and boost pressure. 
Horsepower is 335, exhaust is tuned to rumble, and the roadster borrows some M performance upgrades, including M Suspension that reduces ride height. Changes to the front and rear bumper, diffuser and tailpipe add cachet to the rest of the changes. It's not an M, but it's faster than previous Z4 M models.
Buick Regal
The Regal's back, and with good news for Ontario. 
After the first year, production will switch from Europe to GM's plant in Oshawa, which built the old Regal until it was discontinued.
Already on sale in China, the midsize sedan is based on the Opel Insignia, named the 2009 European Car of the Year. The 2011 car revealed at Detroit wore premium CXL trim, with additional trim levels coming in 2012.
The standard engine is a 2.4 L Ecotec four-cylinder, making an estimated 182 hp, with a six-speed automatic transmission. The same engine is offered in the larger LaCrosse, but should produce more pep in this lighter sedan. A direct-injection 2.0 L turbocharged four-cylinder with an estimated 220 hp will follow, and be available in six-speed manual transmission. No word on pricing, but it will be an entry-level offering.
Buick Regal GS
The Buick Regal GS was presented as a "show car" – not a concept, but the go-fast gang let loose on the upcoming Regal production car. 
Buick first applied a higher-horsepower Gran Sport package in 1965, and it's calling the Regal GS a 21st-century successor.
Power is supplied by a high-output turbocharged Ecotec 2.0 L four-cylinder, with six-speed manual transmission, all-wheel-drive, and electronic limited-slip rear differential. It's a version of the optional turbo engine from the production Regal, and while many rivals top its expected 255 hp, the torque is an impressive estimate of 295 lb.-ft.
Standing apart from the regular Regal are 20-inch wheels, front air intakes, spoiler, Brembo brakes, sport steering wheel, metal pedals, all-black interior and Recaro seats. GM could easily redeem itself for all those misguided SS badges by sending this hot Buick to market.
Chevrolet Aveo RS
The Chevrolet Aveo RS hints at the next-generation 2011 production Aveo. But just as Superman couldn't fool us by putting on glasses, take off the RS's 19-inch wheels, trim the front inlets and change the lights, and you should pretty much be there. 
The current Aveo is made in Korea. The upcoming Spark subcompact will take its place in that plant, and the new Aveo will come from GM's Orion Assembly in Michigan, restoring 1,200 jobs.
The RS is longer and wider than the existing Aveo, and looks like a two-door, thanks to hidden rear door handles. Power comes from a turbocharged 1.4 L engine that will also be used in the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze, with six-speed manual transmission. That won't be the Aveo's base engine, but give it time, and you'll probably be able to tick it off on the option sheet.
Fiat 500
Chrysler probably took whatever record there is for most buzz without actually holding a press conference.
It simply put two Fiat 500s in the middle of its booth, stuck a couple of gorgeous women beside them, and had Fiat (and now Chrysler) chief Sergio Marchionne casually show up. Instant and insane media scrum.
We're scheduled to get the 500 this year, built at Chrysler's plant in Mexico. The versions shown at Detroit are still up in the air; one was all-electric, the other a high-performance Abarth edition.
Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta's big splash was at the Los Angeles show, but there were plenty of them in the booth at Detroit. Coming here as a 2011, it's a global car, with sedans and hatchbacks built for North America in Mexico. Ford has already built and sold half a million in Europe and Asia.
The company got smart with promotion: rather than just "target the youth market," Ford imported European cars and lent them out to 100 people in the U.S., in return for social media screen time. The resulting YouTube videos alone have been seen 5.5 million times.
Fiesta uses a 1.6 L four-cylinder, estimated at 119 horsepower, with five-speed manual or a new dual-clutch six-speed automatic transmission. Such super-smooth units are a joy to drive, and can get better mileage than a stick shift. Standard features will include electronic stability control, and a driver's knee airbag in addition to seat side and curtain ones.
Ford Focus
Auto writers used to buy ink by the gallon so they could complain that our Ford Focus wasn't the same sharp-handling performer offered in Europe. 
Now, with its global vision, Ford is producing one model, built locally with only minor changes for each region. Ours will come from Michigan.
The current Focus comes as a sedan or coupe; this next-generation 2011 will be four-door only, in sedan or hatchback. Its new platform will eventually slip under 10 models worldwide, including an all-electric Focus that will also be built in the U.S. and be available in Canada.
Global only goes so far: don't expect Europe's diesel powertrain. In Detroit, Ford showed an all-new, direct-injection 2.0 L gasoline engine it says produces 20 more hp than the current 2.0 L, but with 10 per cent better fuel economy.
The transmission is a dual-clutch six-speed automatic, a super-smooth design that's working its way down from higher-end segments. Gadgets will range from SYNC and navigation screens, to a semi-automatic parallel parking system.
This is possibly Ford's most important new car in years and it looks like it's done right.
Gmc Granite
GM says the GMC Granite is only a concept, but it's hard to imagine letting this one bypass production. Its boxy styling resembles Kia Soul and Scion xB. 
Granite would be the smallest GMC ever, slotting under the compact Terrain, but its square-edged design maximizes interior space. Granite features four doors that swing open front to back without a centre pillar.
Granite uses a turbocharged 1.4 L four-cylinder from GM's new family of fuel-efficient engines, mated to a dual-clutch six-speed automatic.
>Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid Coupe
You can be sporty and still save the environment according to Honda, should you choose its new 2011 CR-Z sport hybrid coupe. 
The two-seater has a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine, producing a pious 122 hp. The wedgy shape has some go-fast panache, but the front end overhang has a heavy touch.
Drivers can select between Sport Economy and Normal driving modes, and a six-speed manual and CVT will be offered. It will be priced higher than the bigger Insight hybrid, and goes on sale this summer.
Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai's midsize sedan made a stop between shows. This 2011 version was introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December, while the company will announce two new engines, including a hybrid, at the upcoming New York Auto Show.
Built in Alabama, this new sixth-generation model no longer offers a V6. Instead, its direct-injection 2.4 L four-cylinder will be "class-leading" at 198 horsepower, the company says.
It's pretty, too, with flowing roof and body lines. Despite the lowered lid, headroom is still decent, and the U.S. EPA classifies it as a large car due to its passenger volume.
Hyundai Tucson
The Tucson offers a balance of performance, handling and practicality. 
The U.S. gets two trim lines, while we get a budget-minded base one – or so we can guess, since Canadian pricing hasn't been announced. Like the Sonata, it comes only with a 2.4 L four-cylinder. The Tucson makes 176 hp, but outperforms the V6 it replaced. The new model is larger than the old one, but weighs less.
Jeep
Chrysler showed three new Jeep trim models: Liberty Renegade, Wrangler Islander and Wrangler Mountain.
The Renegade name was first used in 1964 and now migrates to a trim level on Liberty with contrasting exterior and interior trim. The Wrangler Mountain adds 32-inch tires, side steps and Mountain graphics. The Islander features a fun little tropical character dubbed "Tiki Bob" on the fenders and upholstery.
Even bigger news, although not officially presented at the show, were new engines resulting from the Fiat alliance. Chrysler will introduce Fiat Powertrain's 1.4 L engine, in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged versions, using a variable valve actuation system called Multiair that increases power and torque, with decreased fuel consumption and emissions. Chrysler's 2.4 L World Engine will also feature Multiair. On the V6 side, one 3.6 L Pentastar engine will first appear in the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Mini Beachcomber
Mini previously announced plans for a new crossover to launch this fall and while it probably won't be as naturally air-conditioned as the Beachcomber, expect this concept's brand-new all-wheel-drive system to be a vital part of it.
It pays homage to the Mini Moke of the 1960s; entry is easy because there aren't any doors. If it rains, a soft roof can be pulled over the top rails, and lightweight panels put over the door openings.
Subaru Legacy
Subaru's midsize sedan is redesigned into its fifth generation for 2010. wider and has a longer wheelbase. The base 2.5i can be upgraded to a PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle), 
which Subaru says cuts emissions by up to 90 per cent compared to a conventional vehicle.
The base engine doesn't change, but the turbocharged GT gets a horsepower boost, and the 3.0R morphs into the 3.6R, thanks to a new 3.6 L six-cylinder engine. All stick shifts are now six-speed, while the automatic option is continuously variable. Naturally, all-wheel drive is the default. In Canada, Legacy runs from $23,995 to $38,395.
Subaru Outback
Subaru's Outback wagon made it to the top three in the North American Truck of the Year award handed out at the show (Ford's Transit Connect commercial van won). 
It's redesigned into its fourth generation for 2010, sharing its new platform with the Legacy sedan, along with its 2.5 L four-cylinder and new 265-hp 3.6 L six-cylinder. The base model is PZEV.
The rear suspension is new, as is electronic stability control on all models, plus new roof rails with integrated crossbars that swing and lock into place when you need them. Prices range from $28,995 to $40,795. The high end includes navigation and leather seats.
Tesla Model S
The Tesla Model S electric prototype is looking svelte but it's slow to launch. 
Tesla Chairman Elon Musk announced at the show that it's about 2 1/2 years from hitting the street after hoping for a launch in 2011. U.S. pricing was also pegged at $57,400.
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