AB's Top Five Introductions from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Jan 13th 2010 at 12:00PM 
We love auto show season, mostly for the chance to see all the coolest new cars and concepts that the world's best automakers have to offer. This year at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, though, there weren't nearly as many new models to point our DSLR lenses at... for rather obvious reasons.
As such, we've cut the typical Top 10 in half and compiled a list of the Top Five Introductions from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. Keep in mind that there are a number of reasons why a vehicle might be interesting or important, and we've run the gamut to represent all different types on our list.
Interestingly, you'll only see Detroit-based automakers in our Top Five. That conclusion wasn't reached on purpose, we simply judged each new model on its own merits and this is how our musings turned out. For an added bonus, each of us in attendance picked our own personal favorite. So, without further ado, click here to see our Top Five Introductions from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.
[Image: Bryan Mitchell/Getty]
Top Five Introductions from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show
2011 Lincoln MKX
The new 2011 Lincoln MKX earns the fifth spot on our Top 5 Best Cars from Detroit by virtue of its hot new interior. Chief amongst the laudable innovations is Ford's new MyLincoln Touch (A.K.A. MyFord Touch) technology. With an eight-inch touchscreen display in the center stack, two 4.2-inch LCD screens to the right and left of an analog speedometer (the exact same screens you'll find in the Fusion Hybrid) and two steering wheel-mounted five-way button controllers, it's really quite cool.
Cadillac XTS Concept
Though it's technically a concept car, every indication is that the Cadillac XTS is bound for production in 2012 with nearly identical form to the showcar currently available for viewing at the Detroit Auto Show. This is one shape that can't really be appreciated in still photos – you really need to see it in person – or at least on video – to appreciate its complex curves and sumptuous interior. That said, check out our live photos below and let us know what you think.
Buick Regal GS
Gallery: Detroit 2010: Buick Regal GS
Like the Cadillac XTS that we just discussed above, General Motors says that the Buick Regal GS is just a concept. Also like the XTS, we have every reason to believe that the new Grand Sport is going to see production. Why else would GM go to the trouble of dropping in a brand-new direct-injected 2.0-liter turbocharged Ecotec four-cylinder with 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet or torque when they could have just shipped over an Opel Insignia OPC and just done a bit of badge-swapping?
2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
Gallery: Detroit 2010: Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
You'll be please to know that there's absolutely no mention of the word 'concept' in relation to the awesome 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe. You know the details already – 556-horsepower, 6.2-liter V8; six-speed automatic or manual gearbox, magnetic ride control suspension and giant Brembo brakes – so let's just concentrate on its (insert favored superlative here) looks. If this were solely a list of the Most Desirable Cars from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, you'd be looking at number one right here.
2012 Ford Focus
Gallery: Detroit 2010: Next-Gen Ford Focus
It's hard to overstate the importance of the next-gen Ford Focus, which we're hearing will carry a 2012 model-year designation when it comes to market early next year. First of all, it's a very good looking little car in both hatchback and sedan forms. Second, it once again shares its excellent underpinnings with the European model, making this a truly global platform. Finally, Ford had one of the coolest unveils in recent memory here at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. Click here for the video proof.
And now we come to the fun part. As you would expect, we don't always agree on what vehicles are most exciting or deserving of praise. Detroit's list of unveils was no exception. We decided to poll our team of bloggers that were in town covering the event, and here are their own personal picks:
- Alex Nunez: 2012 Ford Focus sedan
- Chris Paukert: 2012 Ford Focus hatchback
- Chris Shunk: 2012 Ford Focus sedan
- Damon Lavrinc: Buick Regal GS
- Drew Phillips: 2011 Ford Mustang GT 5.0
- Jeremy Korzeniewski: Buick Regal GS
- John Neff: MyFord/MyLincoln Touch
- Jonny Lieberman: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
- Sam Abuelsamid: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
- Sebastian Blanco: Toyota FT-CH
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Handsome 11:09PM (1/12/2010)
I'm loving all of these cars! MKX is great looking - a perfect evolution and execution on lincoln's design flow. The XTS is also very forward-thinking for Cadillac and I cannot get enough of this beauty! The Regal GS should do well and it leaves me with a great feeling all around. The Focus is awesome (although that schnoz is funky in a bad way) and it will totally bring the Focus nameplate's cred up here in the US. Great job, Automakers!
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madtuscan 12:15PM (1/13/2010)
TOP...
of the mill????
John H. 1:24PM (1/13/2010)
I agree with the Regal GS and the CTS-V coupe. The XTS P isn't bad, but just seems a bit bland when Caddy's been so dynamic lately.
The FoMoCo products just aren't as visually distinctive or striking - the Linc looks like an Edge with a new grille - not nearly as distinctive as a Chevy/Buick or Chevy/GMC split, much less a Chevy/Caddy split. The Focus isn't bad, but when are we getting a proper RS?
RMN 1:59PM (1/14/2010)
I dont like the XTS interior, its probably the worst of the bunch. The CTS looks so much better.
RamblinReck89 12:07PM (1/13/2010)
The Focus hatch takes the cake for me because of what it means for Ford, but the Regal GS is, realistically, the one I'm most interested in buying.
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UtahAlumnus 12:09PM (1/13/2010)
That VW coupe wasn't bad.
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zamafir 12:16PM (1/13/2010)
What's interesting is that VW's been quietly confirming to many of us (and I'd assume autoblog as well, unless they're avoiding vw's people for some reason) that the coupe IS the new jetta that will be on sale this year (just add a pair of doors) yet autoblog doesn't share the same certainty it's headed for production as the various GM products they're inferring.
JimBob 12:50PM (1/13/2010)
Good on VW (in a strict business sense) for keeping the new Jetta (this coupe?) as hushed as possible. As uninspired as I think it seems, it still looks much better than the current Jetta.
(As an aside, does anyone else think that the current JettaWagon looks somewhat awkward with the new grill? The sharp grill seems to clash with the bubbly butt.)
Benfolio 12:11PM (1/13/2010)
I missed the chance to say it in previous Regal GS posts (and I'm sure someone beat me to it already), but did Buick raid the wheels off a 2010 Mazdaspeed3 or what?
Stop with the 'euro' split spoke wheels already! Where's the originality in wheel design these days?
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mnmlist 12:12PM (1/13/2010)
2011 Volvo S80>Cadillac CTS
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British_Rover 1:07PM (1/13/2010)
Err I sell Volvos and I wouldn't say the S80 is better then the CTS just different. The CTS is a much sportier vehicle and someone looking for that should go with the CTS. The S80 is more comfortable, you can't beat volvo seats, and someone looking for that should go with the S80.
Pricing wise they are about equal as an AWD S80 V8 with the same HP as a CTS-4 and the 3.6 DI is about the same price just over 50,000.
Atomicbri 12:13PM (1/13/2010)
What's happened to all these new Chrysler cars we are supposed to be seeing? Nothing new!! Just refreshes and not really even that, more like new trim grades. Nope I don't see Fiat doing a whole lot here to put any confidence in my mind Chrysler is on a right path. I don't see them on any path. I think we should have let them folded.
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zamafir 12:18PM (1/13/2010)
Fiat is going to take years, that's the problem we've known from the get-go with chrsyler. no R&D, no new products, stagnant inventory for years, it'll be a miracle if they survive the next 5. Well that and I think their vaproware budget for electric iterations of their old production cars ran out.
mnmlist 12:33PM (1/13/2010)
@zamafir: I second that. I'm mean what has Chrysler been doing this whole time? All of these high paid execs and "designers" sitting up in that huge building sucking their thumbs. What is the matter with Chrysler? Get off your butt and do what your paid to do, and its NOT making a Sebring. Chrysler's problem is the same as Acura. They have no angle. No purpose. No point.
Colin Smith 2:03PM (1/13/2010)
It takes a minimum of eighteen months to get a new model from computer to production, and that's assuming you already have the platform and engines waiting. Now include the fact - with Chrysler - that the company was in a state of collapse and there had to be a radical plant and management overhaul before anything at all could be started, and you can see why there aren't any new cars. Fiat is extremely efficient at designing new models, but they can't be magicked out of nowhere.
There will, however, be new product coming during the next twelve months.
getreal 12:16PM (1/13/2010)
That's how I know that all the people that try to say the Focus is ugly can not be serious. After making such a misstatement, each person then attempts to veil their bias with a supposed better example; Cruze, Civic, Corolla, Golf!!!! Next I imagine they will have the Focus watching out for that upcoming Nano.
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zamafir 12:21PM (1/13/2010)
The golf is a cohesive design, very squareish where the focus is organic, i'd say they're equals, especially as the hatch focus (Imho) isn't as much of a knock out as the sedan. Cruze, Civic, Corolloa? oh, hell no.
pcsario 12:54PM (1/13/2010)
"The New Golf is just f_ucking sexy."
http://media.canada.com/267c54bd-63f5-4113-9b72-08e5f2aaa7c2/germany-auto-vw.jpg
Yeah... keep telling yourself that. Keep drinking that lince fluid while you're at it.
Pdexter 1:12PM (1/13/2010)
Don't get me wrong here. Not saying that Focus is ugly. Does it deserve the hype, not at all imo. Just can't find anything special about it. You don't need to be a fanboy to have a opinion :)
Benfolio 12:21PM (1/13/2010)
Don't worry, they'll screw it up somehow before 2011.... I mean, that is the Euro model and SURELY we are not getting thos ebumpers, headlights, etc..... right?
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