Production cars about the pump, not pomp

DETROIT–The auto industry's new global focus means that Detroit is now just another show in the rotation, rather than the only place to see exclusive premieres. This year, many of the cars seen for the first time in person by North American eyes had already been unwrapped in Paris, Geneva or Beijing.

PHOTOS: Production cars at Detroit

In years gone by, it was all about styling, then all about safety. Now, fuel efficiency reigns supreme, and no one dares uncover a car that doesn't improve over the model it replaces. Overall, the new models are stylish and packed with technology, but the most important performance is at the gas pump.

BMW 7 Series

Am I the only one who misses the Bangle Butt? Initially criticized and then almost slavishly copied, the rear-jutting trunk on the 7 Series is now smoothed out, while it's the twin-kidney grille that pushes forward.

The turbo-V8 750i is now joined by the new 740i, with twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder producing 326 horsepower. Both come in regular and long-wheelbase versions.

A new generation of iDrive comes with direct-selection buttons, which should make the complicated control system a little easier. Other features include a night vision system that detects at-risk pedestrians and, for those too busy to look, a camera system that reads roadside signs and tells the driver the speed limit.

Buick Allure

It's known in the U.S. as the LaCrosse – a rude innuendo in French prompted the name change in Canada – and it's completely made over for 2010, moving the model considerably upscale.

The attractive new design is based on the Invicta show car introduced at the Beijing auto show in 2008, and there's no question that GM is aiming the sedan for the growing Chinese market, where Buick is a popular brand. The new Allure owes its styling to Chinese and American designers, along with body and chassis engineers in Europe. Canada loses out, though, as production moves from Oshawa to Kansas.

Two engines will be offered: a new 3.0-litre V6 that makes 255 horsepower, and a 3.6-litre V6 producing 280 horsepower. Both have direct injection and six-speed automatic transmission for improved fuel economy.

All-wheel drive will be available, as well as a headrest-mounted rear-seat DVD system, driver's head-up display, adaptive headlamps that swivel when the wheels are turned and a blind zone alert to warn if another car is alongside.

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon

GM's recent switch to global thinking means that we'll get a model that normally would have stayed strictly in Europe. The first factory Cadillac wagon sold in North America, the Sport Wagon is based on the CTS sedan. As it becomes more environmentally unacceptable to drive an Escalade, GM's counting on buyers switching over.

Sized similarly to the sedan, but with nearly double its cargo capacity, the Sport Wagon will initially use the same 3.6-litre V6 engine, with six-speed manual and automatic transmissions. Later in the year, a more fuel-efficient 3.0-litre V6 will be added, but we won't see the diesel engine slated for Europe and Asia.

One quirk of the car is that it doesn't photograph very well: it's a much prettier thing in person. The interior is similar to the CTS sedan, but with a rear cargo management system, and if that isn't enough for your gear, there are load racks subtly blended into the roof.

Chevrolet Cruze

It would normally have been bigger news – the replacement for the Cobalt, the result of a $500 million (U.S.) investment in Ohio to build it – but the Cruze took a hit from the economic crisis, and it's now designated as a 2011 model, with the Cobalt soldiering on until then. Looking almost like a mini-Malibu from the front, Cruze is destined for 112 markets worldwide and built locally for each region.

Overseas models will get diesels, while we'll see two gasoline four-cylinder engines: a 1.8-litre and a turbocharged 1.4-litre, with manual or automatic transmissions. The turbo engine, scheduled for production in the hard-hammered Michigan city of Flint, should rate at about 140 horsepower, but with better fuel economy than the Cobalt.

Ford Taurus

The largest sedan in Ford's fleet, Taurus is now also designated the company's flagship, with a ground-up makeover delivered a year earlier than expected. Pricing for Canada hasn't been announced, but in the U.S., the base sticker matches that of the 2009 model.

The standard powerplant is a Duratec 3.5-litre V6 with six-speed automatic transmission. Ford also plans to eventually add an EcoBoost engine, which uses turbocharging and direct fuel injection to provide bigger-engine power with smaller-displacement fuel economy.

Styling looks more in line with Ford's European offerings: the thick three-bar "disposable razor" grille thinner lines, with a larger lower intake, while the rear echoes the 427 concept car that debuted in Detroit in 2003. Inside, a high dash is styled after the Mustang's twin-cockpit design.

The company is also piling on all of its technology: available adaptive cruise control, pushbutton start, massaging seats, collision warning, rain-sensing wipers, blind spot warning, cross-traffic alert, and MyKey, a brilliant system which allows parents to set limits on the car's performance and stereo settings when it's being handed over to younger drivers.

Honda Insight

The company revives the name of the first hybrid to reach our shores, on an all-new four-door hatchback expected be priced below the Civic Hybrid. It's a dedicated model, so no gasoline-only version is offered.

Insight uses a 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine and a new generation of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system that's lighter and smaller than that currently used in the Civic Hybrid. Working together, it produces 98 horsepower and 123 lb.-ft. of torque, and can run on battery power alone when cruising at around 40 km/h. Combined fuel economy is estimated at 4.7 L/100 km (60 m.p.g.). A driver-selectable economy mode improves mileage, while the speedometer's background colour changes to indicate how efficiently the car's being driven. An Eco Guide tracks efficiency, including a scoring system to monitor long-term driving habits.

Looking a bit like a larger version of the Honda Fit – a model that will also be hybridized, but not for our market – but with a longer and more graceful tail, Insight features 450 litres of cargo space, six airbags, available electronic stability control, LED brake lights and standard automatic climate control.

Lexus HS 250h

The fourth hybrid from Lexus, the HS 250h is also the first dedicated luxury hybrid, meaning there's no gasoline-only equivalent. It's also the first Lexus to use plastic made from plants, and the first to have a four-cylinder engine.

That 2.4-litre engine includes an Atkinson cycle, a variable valve timing system that improves fuel economy; it's mated to a version of the hybrid drive first used in the Prius. Within the Lexus lineup, it slots in between the IS and ES sedans.

The system produces a combined 187 horsepower and is expected to get 30 per cent better mileage than the best of the Lexus fleet. It'll also run on regular-grade gasoline. Other fuel-saving tricks include an exhaust recovery system to speed engine warm-up time, electric power steering, windshield glass that keeps the interior cooler, and an aerodynamic design to reduce drag. Ten airbags will be on board, along with an optional pre-collision warning system.

Mini Cooper Convertible

An all-new convertible joins the Mini lineup for 2009. It comes as the Cooper, with 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 118 horsepower, or the Cooper S, with turbocharged 1.6-litre and an output of 172 horsepower, both optimized for fuel economy and emissions. It all rides within a new body that's stiffer and lighter than its predecessor, and it has a one-piece rollbar that stays almost hidden behind the rear seat, popping up only if the underside starts to point skyward. It replaces the fixed twin hoops that looked great, but cut into rear visibility.

The "evolutionary" styling includes bigger taillights, larger side windows and hidden trunk hinges.

The top includes a sliding roof function – the front section peels back like a sunroof – but the idea is to keep it fully dropped as much as possible. To that end, there's an "Always-Open Timer," a cute little gimmick that tracks how long the roof stays open. With the roof up and the rear seatbacks folded, luggage space increases by 55 litres, to a total of 660.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The next generation of the "quintessential" Mercedes, the E-Class will come to Canada with a choice of three engines: a turbocharged six-cylinder diesel in the E350 BlueTec – making a rugged 400 lb.-ft. of torque – as well as the E350 with 3.5-litre V6 and E550 with 5.5-litre V8. The diesel includes full BlueTec exhaust with urea treatment to reduce emissions.

All-wheel-drive models, including an E350 wagon, will use the latest fourth-generation 4MATIC system, lighter and more compact than the previous system, but with better traction and fuel efficiency.

The oval front lights are gone, replaced with four sharp-pointed ones, while the car's general shape is still there, the body lines are more pronounced, especially a handsome contour on the rear fenders.

Technological features are packed in, including automatic emergency braking, auto-dimming headlamps, massaging seats, pedestrian-recognizing night vision, and a steering wheel that vibrates if you wander out of your lane.

Toyota Camry

Not quite all-new, the 2010 Camry and Camry Hybrid are updated with styling and feature upgrades.

The conventional Camry moves up from a 2.4-litre to a new 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing that produces 169 horsepower in the regular models, and is tuned to 179 horsepower in the SE, an increase of 21 more horses than before.

Transmission choices are a six-speed automatic or a new six-speed manual, one more cog than the current gearbox. The 3.5-litre V6 carries over.

Style-wise, the regular Camry gets a new grille and bumper, larger headlamps and new taillights, along with new wheel designs. New interior items include an optional premium stereo with USB and Bluetooth; for safety, all models have standard electronic stability control.

The Hybrid's face takes on a hybrid-unique grille and bumper, wider lower intake and redesigned fog lights, while the inside gets a new instrument cluster and softer seat upholstery.

Toyota Prius

The third generation of the first mass-produced hybrid receives a restyle that includes a more Yaris-like nose, more rear-seat legroom and more angular styling, but still with the trademark double-glass rear hatch. Exterior dimensions are virtually the same as before, but it rides on a new platform, with better handling and four-wheel disc brakes.

About 90 per cent of the hybrid drive is new, mated to a larger and more powerful 1.8-litre four-cylinder that reduces engine r.p.m. on the highway; combined power output is 134 horsepower. It has a combined estimated fuel consumption of 3.8 L/100 km (74 m.p.g.), compared with the 4.1 L/100 km (69 m.p.g.) that the current model gets.

As well as the standard operating mode, drivers will be able to manually select three others: Eco Mode for better fuel economy, Power Mode for a sportier feel, and an EV-Drive Mode that stays in battery-only at low speeds for about 2 kilometres.

An available sunroof contains solar panels, running fans that recirculate air when the car's parked to reduce the need for more aggressive A/C use. In Canada, the new model goes on sale in the spring.

Freelance auto writer Jil McIntosh can be reached at jil@ca.inter.net

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