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Awards
GM swept the “Car of the Year” awards with both Silverado and Corvette taking top honours.
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2015 Ford F-150 Reveal
The biggest news of the show was the reveal of the latest generation Ford F-150.
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2015 Ford F-150 2.7L EcoBoost
Along with a new all-aluminum body, the F-150 showcases the new 2.7L EcoBoost.
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2015 Ford F-150
Redesigned interior looks as good as the exterior.
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2015 GMC Canyon
GMC confirmed that the Colorado’s twin will return as well, lifting the covers off the Canyon.
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2015 GMC
Like the old days, the two trucks will be nearly identical other than some trim and fascia treatment.
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Volvo
We are loving the look of this design study from Volvo. Could we have a Scandinavian Evoque fighter? We sure hope so.
Story by Budd Stanley, photos courtesy of Ford, GM and Chrysler
The North American International Auto Show, or NAIAS for short, is one of the biggest events on the international auto show circuit. However, over the last couple years, the show has floundered as manufacturers work to get their feet back under them after financial hardships and the industry recharges to the constantly changing needs of the automotive buyer.
This year has seen a return to form for the Detroit based show, not so much in terms of size, but in terms of importance. Big reveals, big concepts and big news once again filled the halls of COBO Center as manufacturers push the latest and greatest their companies have to offer. It was also a good year for the 4WD, with two major reveals, a big award and a cool new concept.
AND THE AWARD GOES TO...
With all that is going on in Detroit, its no wonder that the North American Car of the Year and North American Truck/Utility of the Year awards use this event to name their top picks for yet another year. The award ceremonies kicked off the whole event with the winners chosen by a jury of 49 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada. In the car category, the Chevrolet Corvette came out on top, however, it was the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 that took top honours in the Truck/SUV category with a convincing win over the new Jeep Cherokee and Acura MDX.
NEXT GENERATION FORD F-150 REVEALED
Having gazed my eyes upon the Atlas concept truck last year in Detroit, I was impressed with what Ford had cooking up for the future of the F-Series. While any concept car is merely an exercise of design architecture that will slowly trickle its way into future products throughout the brand, I was hoping the Atlas would be left as untouched as possible when it came time to rework the F-Series. After all, the due date for the next generation of the F-150 was coming near at that time. Well the date happened to be the first day of the NAIAS with one of the largest reveals of the entire show.
While the styling is a bold new interpretation of the F-150, there are still a lot of recognizable bits left despite a complete makeover. The biggest news has to be the all aluminum body, a trait that is becoming more mainstream in the automotive sector, but a revolutionary and pioneering move for the truck market. The switch of materials yields a weight savings of nearly 317 kg (700 lb). That’s great news, as efficiency will no doubt improve, however with the use of costlier materials, will the customer get left holding the bill?
In the case of the drivetrain lineup, there have also been some big changes. Gone is the 6.2L V-8 and the 3.7L V-6, both kicked to the curb to make room for more advanced machinery. These come in the form of a 3.5L naturally aspirated V-6 and a new 2.7L EcoBoost V-6. While Ford have yet to comment on power figures, the 3.5L already packs 290 hp in the Explorer, but expect that number to rise slightly. As for the returning cast, the 3.5L V-6 EcoBoost will be joined by the 5.0L V-8, but expect both of these engines to get slight bumps in output as well. This leaves us with three V-6’s and only one V-8, offering up some suspicious gaps. The disappointing news was the lack of a diesel, and what will happen to the Raptor with no 6.2L being produced? The hope is that with Ram’s recent launch of the EcoDiesel, Ford is keeping mum until they can exploit a lull in truck news. Likewise, is Ford working on a new V-8 or even a high performance EcoBoost to power the next generation Raptor? Who knows, but we’ll keep digging.
We finish off the F-150 with Fords redesign of the frame with high tensile steel for strength as well as weight savings. 2015 will also see an increase in tech as 360-degree cameras and remote drop tail gate features will make their way into production. Prices have not been announced but expect the 2015 F-150 to hit showrooms later this fall.
GMC CANYON FOLLOWS UP COLORADO
It was just last issue that we brought you the return of the all new Chevrolet Colorado. Unfortunately, details came just a few days too late before we went to print. However, we now know that the Colorado will be joined by its partner in arms, the GMC Canyon as GMC lifted the veil off the new design. Nice thing is, we can kill two birds with one stone, as both trucks will be nearly identical to each other.
Both trucks will be offered in both extended and crew cab configurations with 3251 and 3556 mm (128 and 140 inch) wheelbases respectively. No regular cabs will be offered and the extended cab will only offer a 6 foot 2 inch bed, while the crew will get two length options. Powertrains will include a 2.5L four-cylinder estimated to produce 193 horsepower and will be the only engine available with a 6-speed manual. The V-6 will be the 3.6L unit already found in most GM Crossovers that will be expected to produce a little over 300 horsepower. However, the big news will be the introduction of the brand-new Duramax turbo-diesel 2.8L inline-four cylinder that will be introduced in the 2016 model year. No numbers have been announced but expect something around 180 horses and upwards of 350 pound foot.
The good news is we’ll see a proper four-wheel-drive system in the new trucks with a unique AutoTrac transfer case, similar in design to that of the full-size pickups, that will offer the option of two-wheel drive and full-time all-wheel-drive modes, as well as a 4-High Lock and 4-Low Lock functions.
Following suite with the Chevrolet/GMC pecking order, the Canyon will be offered with slightly high levels of technology and features. Expect the Canyon/Colorado duo to hit the showrooms this fall.
IS VOLVO ABOUT TO TAKE ON THE EVOQUE?
Finally, we end with a concept car. Volvo pulled the wraps off their latest design exercise that will hopefully become the next XC90, which is long due for a makeover. The Concept XC Coupé is designed to be a unique blend of capable ruggedness and expressive elegance to a new, sportier attitude; or so says Volvo. We happen to like the homages to the recently deceased C30 and even the old P1800. Building on the brands XC (Cross Country) AWD vehicles, we can’t help but notice its similarities to a certain two-door Crossover Coupe built in Britain. The design was so fetching that it took home the prestigious EyesOn Design award as the Best Concept Vehicle for its Innovative Use of Color, Graphics and Materials. While the XC Coupé is nothing more than a design showcase, it sure would be something to see a Scandinavian competitor to the plucky little Brit. Don’t you think?