Toyota
- Toyota brought out the brand new Camry for 2015! Same boring Camry since 1997! That may be harsh, but it's true. The Camry is a perfectly fine car that will serve 90% of the public's need for their daily transportation (get where they are going safely, comfortably and reliably). They have nice features and tech packages (hey, Toyota has cars with Qi charging pads built in. That has to count for something). I'd recommend one to my sister. But even with the 'restyling', it's still boring to look at, and likely just as dull to drive.
- As if to make up for their perceived (or acknowledged) boring status in the automotive realm, given all the Camrys and Prius models (Priuses? Prii? How do you pluralize that?), the Toyota section had a little bit of everything there, from their latest cars and trucks, to some of their NASCAR racing cars, to BAJA racing trucks, to their Mirai fuel cell concept, to a Sienna minivan in full Spongebob Squarepants wrap. It's like the organizers said 'yeah, we know we're boring and all, but look...STUFFS!!' I suppose something would stick.
-One of the weirder things they had was a mashup of some of their cars with the folks from DUB, which would seem like the last form of corporate synergy you would look for. The 68 year old grandmother who loves her trusty Corolla would likely not be interested in 20" wheels for her car. And yet:
But that wasn't the strangest DUB modified car, no, not by a long shot. Try this Yaris:
- For me, the 2 best vehicles in the Toyota section were the Avalon and the Venza. The Avalon is probably the best looking sedan Toyota has created in some time, even if it's their version of a Buick Park Avenue. At least it manages to look better than the Camry it's based on. As for the Venza, for a crossover it's the best thing Toyota has had since they killed the Camry wagon. Only thing I'd hate would be replacing those 20" rollers. Either way, I'd spend my money on either.
- You know you're old when a Swagger Wagon starts to look like a sensible proposition.
Horsepower Warz
Even with the major push for more fuel efficient cars and downsizing V8s to Turbo V6s and Turbo I-4s, there are still small divisions within the Big 3 (Ford, GM, Chrysler) that either didn't get the memo or set said memo on fire. Each one had some 500+HP offering on display. To wit:
Even though the Mustang GT350R was just announced at the Detroit Auto Show (and the Shelby GT stealing some of that thunder a week later at the Barrett-Jackson auction), the base (?!?) Mustang GT350 is still a huge deal. This is the model that is set to replace the recently and dearly departed Boss 302, a car that handled so well on the track you almost forget there was an iron log that the rear wheels were connected to. With the latest Mustang the live axle has finally met it's demise and an independent rear suspension installed, which works wonders on the base Mustang (V6, GT and EcoBoost) setup. The GT350 does all the usual suspension tweaks and component lightening that any track focused car would do, and will be the first Mustang with magnetic shocks to further tighten up body control. But Ford has added one thing that has motorheads buzzing: a 5.2-liter flat plane V8 (what is a flat plane V8? Watch THIS.) Know who else uses a flat plane V8? Ferrari. Now, does this turn the Mustang into a cut rate 458? Hardly. But the engine should rev to the heavens and have a distinct bark when you floor it. Power numbers haven't been released yet, but they have promised 'over 500 HP and over 400 pound-feet of torque'. This without any superchargers, turbos, NOS, or large displacement engines (looking at you, GM...). The Boss 302 was never meant to be the end all be all of horsepower; rather it was built to cut down lap times on a track. GM countered the Boss 302 with their Camaro Z/28, with it's 7.0 litre (see...) engine, magnetic shocks and huge 305 series tires front and rear. With the GT350, the gauntlet has been tossed GM's way again. Game on
GM has also been making the rounds with it's halo performance car, the Corvette. The Z06 has always been the performance king of the stable, with the base (or Stingray, for the latest models) handling the entry level duties and occasionally the ZR-1 handling the bonkers engine department. Remember the C4 ZR-1 from the 90's, with the Lotus designed DOHC V8? Probably the most engine tech the 'Vette has seen in decades. But I digress... The Z06's mission has always been to compete with the best sports cars in the world, be it the M3, the GT-R or the all conquering 911. While the car was often greater than the sum of it's parts, there were always areas that the car lacked in (like the seats) or just weren't as polished as it's competitors. It also has the image of an 'old mans' car, the thing you buy when you're having your mid-life crisis. With the new C7 bases Z06, Chevy has managed to fix a few of those issues. Fit and finish have been improved. New seats actually support the driver. And in the engine bay, a 650 HP, 650 pound-feet of torque supercharged push rod (we don't need no stinking DOHC here!) V8 does it's best to melt it's Michelins the moment your right foot gets too happy. While those shopping for Italian or German marques probably won't cross shop the Z06, they would likely be quite nervous if one pulls up beside them at a red light or on the track. Some may hate the fact it can be had as a drop top, or that you can have an 8 speed paddle shifted automatic. Somehow, I think those same folks will get over it in the 3 seconds it takes the Z06 to hit 60mph. Alas, it still looks like an old man's car, just with carbon fiber aero bits.
What if you like the idea of 600+ horses, but need to carry more than one person, and doesn't look like a Mach V? Cadillac has you covered:
But even with a Corvette engine under the hood, the CTS-V was not the most powerful sedan at the show. This was:
This, ladies and gentlemen, is the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat. See that symbol on the front fender? That lets you know this is far from the V6 Chargers you may see in the hood (gas is expensive) or the V8 police interceptor that may be roaming the streets. Not even the former top dog SRT-8 model can stand next to it. This full size 4 door sedan has a 6.2 litre supercharged V8 making an unbelievable 707HP. Wrap your head around that for a moment. 707. BMW has nothing for it. Audi has nothing. Even AMG, known for making bonkers Mercedes for years, has nothing this powerful on a sedan. Franklin can take his 'Charger' to any shop in Los Santos and it won't make 707 HP. Find enough road (or an open test oval) and you'll top out slightly north of 200mph. True, even with huge Brembo brakes, 8 speed transmission, and leather and alcantara clad everything, it won't have anywhere near the brand cache as 'zee Germans'. A Charger is still a Charger, even with a ginormous engine under the hood. Still, any misgivings are likely forgotten once you flatten the loud pedal.
Trivia fact: the color of optional 20" dark bronze wheels are called "Brass Monkey". How great is that?
Colorful Sports Cars
Even with 700+ sedans making waves, typically your 2 door sports cars draw the crowds. The low slung body work, big wheels, and big exhausts are pretty obvious these cars are about speed moreso than practicality. But just in case, it's always best to paint them in the shoutiest colors you can for that added effect. For example:
Here we have the 2016 Jaguar F-Type convertible. Beautiful roadster, but so....boring in silver metallic. Great for a sedan, or if you're not trying to be too obvious (though, having a F-Type is pretty obvious by itself). But, if you have money to buy something like this, you likely already have a practical sedan, so why not just go all out:
Much better. This F-Type Coupe comes with a metallic orange (Jaguar prefers 'Firesand metallic) paint job that leaves no doubt this is a car to see and be seen in. Then again, with a list above $75k (and I'm sure this model is a LOT higher than that), I'd probably want to be seen too, so everybody knows how much debt I'm in. But that exhaust note though...
The F Type, like many sports coupes in this range, is trying it's best to take down the de facto standard of the genre, the Porsche 911. They weren't the only ones:
This is the Mercedes-AMG GT-S. Quick background. AMG has been tuning Mercedes cars for decades, churning out bonkers versions of all manner of C, E, SL, CL, and S-Class Benzes that would offer more horsepower and torque than the electronics could cope with (one engine made so much torque it had to be detuned as the traction control would try to compensate through at least 4 gears).
After being bought by M/B and becoming their in house tuning arm (much like the M division of BMW) AMG began to branch out from modifying existing Mercedes vehicles with the Black series to designing their own from scratch. Their first effort, the SLS AMG, was a nod to the iconic 300SL Gullwing, but with a 6.2L, 563HP V8 stuffed under the hood. While the SLS was set to do battle with the Ferraris, McLarens and Lambos of the world, M/B needed something a bit smaller to take on the all conquering 911. Downsizing the SLS chassis and engine, AMG has given us this electric banana colored (not the real name, but it works...) 4.0 L, twin turbo V8 that delivers 503hp and a properly sorted 50/50 weight distribution. While traditionally Mercedes products weren't exactly known for their handling prowess, AMG believes this vehicle has cracked that nut. Porsche may (or may not) still rule the roost, but they can't quite rest on their laurels.
Mercedes' country mate and heated rival, Audi, decided to play it a bit safer with it's sports car offering:
The Audi R8 V10 may be getting along in years (it's been out since 2007) but there's still nothing quite like it on the road. While not a classically beautiful car, this 2 seat mid engine coupe with it's unique carbon fiber 'side blades' is definitely distinctive and still turns heads. While it may not have the absolute grunt or razor edge that its contemporaries have (458, 911 GT3, MP4-12C, or it's cousin the Gallardo), a 550 hp V10 that revs to 8000 rpms and puts the power to all 4 wheels through a 7 speed dual clutch gearbox is nothing to take lightly. The R8 line is often credited with changing the focus of many of the current crop of supercars, making them much more comfortable and usable as a daily driver, while still being able to deliver thrills on an empty road or on a proper track. However, it comes at a price: over $220,000. Hey, that matte silver paint and fabulous Audi interior don't come for free.
Then we have Lexus, which isn't the first brand that comes to mind when the word 'sporty' is used with their vehicles. Tarted up Camry, maybe, but that's another story. Over the last few years, however, they have been making attempts at making genuinely sporty cars, spearheaded by the limited edition V10 powered Lexus LFA. Launching their "F"-series line of cars, Lexus hopes to have their own in house tuning arm like the M-division BMWs or AMG for M/B. Their most recent effort is the RC F, which they brought in 3 different flavors:
Raspberry:
Blueberry:
Or Orange Tang:
The exaggerated 'spindle' grille that Lexus is grafting onto every model, whether it works or not, is a matter of taste. Either from the front, rear, or side profile, there's always some...unique character line that jumps out at you. Not always cohesive, not a total mess either. Just unique. One things's for sure though: you won't be mistaken for driving anything else. Under the hood lurks a 5.0-liter V8 cranking out 467 HP. While that may not be quite enough to strike fear in the M4s, RS5s or C-Class coupes, especially while hauling around 4040 pounds of weight, it should definitely keep the competition honest. My favorite detail about the car, though, is under the hood:
On the Tang Orange colored vehicle (probably not the real name of the paint color) the intake runners are painted blue, making for a fantastic contrast (and matching the blue outline of the "F" marque sitting on the intake cover). It may not make the car any better, and many may not care, but it does make the car that much cooler.
