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Motoring

Driving The Future

Our favourite cars from the Detroit Auto Show

by Matt Mensley | January 25th 2012 | 09:00 pm

In the words of Bill Perkins, chairman of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), everything that could go right, did. Showing signs of a recovering industry, the American auto market received an invigorating shot in the arm and has taken some well-aimed leaps down the right path toward a promising few years of motoring.

Through the welcome scores of hybrids – all electric – and new waves of 'normal' cars, there were some that promised a little more in the way of exclusivity. From a show that would normally see banal updates of established models, instead there were scores of complete overhauls, re-designs from the ground up and resurrections of cars once cast aside to the annals of history. It would be wrong to claim that it was all forward-looking, though, as anniversaries were celebrated, too.

Acura (the North American 'Prestige' marque of Honda) unveiled their NSX concept reboot (above). The original NSX of the 90s was a sports car aimed to compete with Ferarri's 348 offering of the time. Though this new concept may not have that same mission statement (despite its incredible ultra-aerodynamic looks), it certainly revels in its technological prowess. If the conceptualization video on the Acura webpages is anything to go by, this hybrid, all-wheel drive sports car would feature a dual electric motor system to power the front wheels and a VTEC direct-injection engine for the rear. We're thinking clean economical stops, starts and city driving, with roaring classic style power drives in the countryside and on the freeway. It'll be a sad day indeed if a car like this doesn't move beyond the concept.

See the Acura NSX conceptualization online

Maserati brought their Kubang luxury SUV concept to Detroit – the first Maserati to be built in North America. Touted as an important part of Maserati's future range of vehicles, it stands to be a good fit for their capabilities as a luxury marque. Stated in a news release, the car will remain 100% Maserati, in perfect continuity with the brand's core values of sportiness, glamour, performance and craftsmanship. The concept itself looks elegantly reigned in enough for there to be not many changes in the final car. After unveiling their first Kubang concept nine years ago at the 2003 NAIAS, it will be interesting to see if it will have been worth the wait.

View the Kubang concept webpages

The next car to get us excited is the 6th generation Mercedes-Benz SL. The 2013 SL, while remaining very close to the previous model aesthetically, has undergone a lot of work to make it as relevant and bleeding-edge as ever. Re-focusing on what makes the Sport and Lightweight what it is, Mercedes have trimmed some weight from their 60-year-old series with a completely aluminium structure and body. Innovative little features such as a motion-opened boot (for the lone driver with full arms, we imagine) means 'kicking' the car while carrying your golf clubs allows easy access with little hassle.

Explore further on the Mercedes webpages

Finally, fans of all-American muscle can rejoice at the opportunity to get their hands on limited edition Shelby GT500 Super Snake, GT350 and GTS Mustangs. Celebrating their 50th anniversary of cranking out high-performance beasts of the road, Shelby announced their celebratory Anniversary package. When buying any of the aforementioned Mustangs, the Anniversary package grants a special paint combination (black with gold stripes, or white with gold stripes), custom interior, special wheels and a unique VIN number. Beyond that, a special delivery of the car will be made to the Shelby Museum in Las Vegas, allowing for some euphoric desert driving nearby. Limited to only 100 of each model and 50 of each colour, potential buyers had better jump quick to join Shelby's celebration.

Join Shelby's celebration online

Sections: Motoring