Ford Steals An Eventful Detroit Auto Show

In a world where it is becoming next to impossible to keep a good secret, most brands have given up trying and often reveal their auto show gems as early as a month ahead of schedule. With that in mind the power of a true surprise has grown exponentially, especially if that surprise is a poster worthy supercar. The Acura NSX was supposed to be the supercar star of the NAIAS but then the Ford GT concept happened. There have been rumors of a GT resurgence and but nothing could quite prepare for a supercar more than worthy of an exotic badge. It's the Asterion that Lamborghini wished it could have debuted in Paris. The fact that the first shots of the GT came directly from the floor made this reveal that more exciting. Aside from the simple Lotus Evoraesque interior and a poor take on a racing steering wheel, the GT looks to challenge the very best much like the original GT40 did in the 1960s and a decade ago. Bucking most trends again Ford quotes as on sale date of 2016. The GT also gives credence that Chevy will finally make a mid engine "Corvette" after all those years. Following the no teaser route Ford rounded out its tremendous Monday with a worthy second generation Ford Raptor powered by a preview of the GT's EcoBoost and topped it all of with a track special Mustang GT350R complete with carbon fiber wheels from the factory. Likely a first for a car you can pronounce or hope to see. The only demerit was Ford's lack of actual horsepower numbers but others (Acura, Toyota) are just as guilty.

 

• Acura updated its NSX to keep it fresh since its concept and normally it would a star but the Ford GT upstaged it. The lack of facts and figures for a production debut worries that the turbo V6 might not be as strong as hoped for and the interior
•  Much like the GT the Avenir is an excellent surprise from Buick but will there be a production version and would could you actually expect from it?
• Chevy revealed a much better if a Kia Forte-esque second generation Volt but the idea of a Bolt with four times the electric range for the same money makes it almost irrelevant. The i3 blushes that someone is actually following its design formula.  
• The Q60 concept looks great aside from the kink but it will lose a bit of luster going into production and its competition looks good too.
• Could Hyundai Santa Cruz get it right where Honda did not with the Ridgeline by making a unibody pickup small enough?
• Likewise Nissan knows it can't compete directly with domestic full size pickups but instead of going small it went 200/2000 big along with a heavy duty diesel good enough to top the HDs just a few years ago. Clean and tidy design with search and rescue worthy head lights!
• Lincoln looks to be getting better at makings crossovers, almost making the Porsche SUV that Porsche wants to make but its interiors don't match the outside. Can it bring it all together in a sedan?
• Not completely new but more updated than expected, the Tacoma will continue to lead the mid size category in sales. Just give us the power ratings Toyota.
• Volkswagen will make a 7 seat crossover, eventually. After yet another sharp concept you can only hope that the production version stays full strength.