2006 Detroit Auto Show

Aston Plans for Rapide Deployment

Officially, the new Rapide is just a concept vehicle, but get Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez going and you realize the gracefully elegant sports sedan is just waiting for the go-ahead. Another entry in the emerging four-door coupe segment, the Rapide would become the flagship of the British marque's lineup, priced around $250,000, Bez hinted. For that, a buyer would likely get Aston's massive, 6.0-liter V-12, which makes 480 horsepower, and an elegant interior that belies the traditional spartan nature of a sports car. The Rapide concept featured an interior outfitted in wood, chrome and leather, with an unusual "Isoclima" glass roof that can be dialed anywhere from clear to opaque. Under the rear cargo floor, Aston outfitted the concept vehicle with a champagne cooler, glasses, and even a chessboard for leisurely picnics. Such features "might be a step too far," admitted Aston design chief Marek Reichman, though the electronic roof - similar to one used by Maybach - is under study.

New Camry Adds Distinctive Appearance, Hybrid Model

Toyota today pulled the wraps off the sixth generation of its best-selling Camry sedan, which will replace the current version that was introduced for 2002. As expected, the new 2007 Camry is highly influenced by the current Avalon, introduced last year, and also inherits various design cues and features from upmarket Lexus models. While the dimensions aren't markedly different than those of the current Camry it will replace, the proportions have been changed to make it more rakish and flowing, with a more sophisticated headlight and grille treatment, a softer-sloping rear pillar, and the wheels pushed farther out to the corners, increasing wheelbase by about two inches.

The Camry will have a standard 158-hp, 2.4-liter in-line four that's a revision of the existing engine. The next generation V-6 makes a much bigger leap in power, with the optional 3.5-liter - basically the same engine as is offered in the Avalon - offering 268 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. The V-6 is mated to an all-new six-speed automatic transmission, while the four-cylinder goes with either a five-speed automatic or a five-speed manual. Most notably, Toyota is offering the latest version of its Hybrid Synergy Drive system on the Camry, pairing it with a four-cylinder engine for an emphasis on fuel economy rather than all-out performance; though the hybrid powertrain still delivers up to 192 hp, with EPA fuel economy of 43 city, 37 highway, an official range of well over 600 miles, and 0-60 in less than nine seconds.

Jag XK Gets $75K Pricetag

Just as Jaguar's new XK sports coupe gets ready to roll into showrooms, the automaker is adding a second model to the lineup. The convertible version features a three-layer ragtop that can operate in just 18 seconds. The XK convertible's aluminum chassis and body are not only lighter than the old sports car, but 50 percent stiffer. The automaker intends to bring the coupe to market for $75,500, officials announced on Monday, while the convertible will carry a $6,000 premium. So far, Jaguar claims to have received about 4000 "firm" advance orders for the next-generation XK.

Ford Edges Into Crossover Market

As part of a "Driving American Innovation" product and concept unveil event at the Detroit auto show, Ford's Americas president Tom Fields rolled out Ford's long-awaited mainstream crossover vehicle, the Edge, built on the same platform as the Mazda CX-7 and the to-be-introduced Lincoln MKX.
In the same class as vehicles like the Honda Pilot, Nissan Murano, or Toyota Highlander, the tall-roof Edge has a smooth, very non-trucklike shape-including a front end that bears some similarities to the recently introduced Ford Fusion sedan-that puts it in a different market segment altogether than traditional offerings like the Explorer. With a 250-hp, 3.5-liter V-6, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and either front or all-wheel drive, the Edge is set to offer very carlike performance. And it will offer standout features like a huge panoramic roof. Fields said that the Edge should get good fuel economy-in the mid-20s on the highway. The Edge will be built in Oakville, Ont.-Bengt Halvorson

Audi Q5 in the Making ?

Audi unveiled the Roadjet concept, which indicates that design chief Walter de'Silva is moving toward a more pronounced V-form for the nose of new models. The Roadjet concept gives may be the concept of a new model between the A4 and A6, logically dubbed the Q5 under Audi's new naming system (Q7).

The Roadjet Concept is a five-door wagon with a more wedge-shaped nose than Audi has used in the past. The Roadjet measures 185 inches long, is72.8 in wide and 61 in high. Its wheelbase of 112.2 inches results in more space for the passengers. All passengers have their own controls for air conditioning and audio.

A special feature is the drive select system that gives the driver a choice to pre-select several entirely independent vehicle characteristic sets through a button in the dashboard. The three modes are comfort, dynamic and sport; they alter the steering, damping and transmission settings, as well as the engine characteristics.

The concept car is equipped with the 3.2-liter FSI V-6 with an output of 300 hp and 447 lb-ft of torque. We know this engine from the A4, A6 and A8 where it produces 255 hp. The Roadjet should be able to sprint from 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds, and to reach an electronically limited top speed of 156 mph.

The concept car is the first Audi with a longitudinally installed engine combined with the sporty DSG, Direct Shift Gearbox that combines a seven-speed manual with the qualities of an automatic transmission. The car also has quattro four-wheel drive combined with a Torsen differential for optimal distribution of power to all wheels.
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