{"id":17848,"date":"2016-01-15T16:37:45","date_gmt":"2016-01-15T20:37:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=17848"},"modified":"2016-01-15T16:37:45","modified_gmt":"2016-01-15T20:37:45","slug":"payne-10-best-at-detroit-auto-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2016\/01\/payne-10-best-at-detroit-auto-show","title":{"rendered":"Payne: 10 Best at Detroit auto show"},"content":{"rendered":"

You know this is a good show when the all-new Mercedes E-Class, Volvo S90, and Porsche 911 Turbo S don\u2019t make the 10 Best cut. The Turbo S (S stands for \u201cSee ya\u201d) looks like a 911, has five-zillion horsepower and goes 205 mph. Ho-hum. So what\u2019s new?<\/p>\n

Lots, as you stroll the wide boulevards of Cobo Center at the Detroit auto show, opening to the public on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Those boulevards are broader this year since Mini, Jaguar, Land Rover and Tesla aren\u2019t in the house. That leaves more more elbow room for everyone else. For those who did bring skin to the game, well, there\u2019s a lot of nice skins out there. A healthy eight concepts are on display in addition to the usual Detroit menu of luxe coupes and red-meat trucks.<\/p>\n

I put on a bib and sampled them all. Here\u2019s my Top 10.<\/p>\n

\"PACIFICA<\/p>\n

Chrysler Pacifica<\/p>\n

Seriously, Payne? What happened to all that red meat you were just talking about? Ah, but this is no ordinary minivan. Forty years after it invented the segment, Chrysler has set out to redefine it with the sleek Pacifica. Inside, it adds even more tools to its Swiss Army knife versatility: a console drawer for iPads, video screens for kids, even a vacuum cleaner.<\/p>\n

\"BMW<\/p>\n

BMW M2<\/p>\n

The long-awaited M performance-coupe version of the 2-series is the same size as big brother M4 10 years ago, yet packs 35 more horsepower. As the M4 (and sedan stable mate M3) has grown in size, power, and price, it has become more like a Corvette sedan than the nimble M3s of old. The throwback M2 has the performance of a Porsche Cayman \u2014 but with four seats so the kiddies can enjoy the thrill ride.<\/p>\n

\"LINCOLN<\/p>\n

Lincoln Continental<\/p>\n

While Cadillac has invested billions to go toe-to-toe against Germany\u2019s athletes, Continental appeals to a customer who wants \u201cquiet luxury.\u201d Priced like a mid-sizer at under $50K, it has the room of an S-class big sedan. The new face of Lincoln has class-leading innovation inside with 30-way seats.<\/p>\n

\"RIDGELINE<\/p>\n

Honda Ridgeline<\/p>\n

The unibody pickup is back. The only pickup not based on a truck rail frame, the Ridgeline shares a platform with the popular Honda Pilot. Ridgeline took a couple years off for an extreme makeover in order to present a more \u201ctrucky\u201d appearance, yet retains unique features like a trunk under the pickup bed.<\/p>\n

\"LEXUS<\/p>\n

Lexus LC 500 Coupe<\/p>\n

Lexus\u2019s polarizing, Darth Vader-like face must be growing on people because I heard nary a word of criticism about this stunning V-8 coupe from my media colleagues.<\/p>\n

\"VLF<\/p>\n

VLF Force 1<\/p>\n

When car guy \u201cMaximum Bob\u201d Lutz and legendary designer Henrik Fisker get together expect fireworks. The explosive Force 1 delivers. Sporting the biggest engine on the show floor at 8.4 liters, the Viper-based VLF also sports the industry\u2019s tiniest headlights and taillights, thanks to special LED construction.<\/p>\n

\"NAIAS<\/p>\n

Chevrolet Bolt<\/p>\n

The Bolt joins the Chevy Volt plug-in in GM\u2019s quest to make battery-powered cars for the masses. Whether the masses jump for a $37,500 Chevy Sonic (the Bolt will be built on the subcompact $15,000 Sonic\u2019s platform at GM\u2019s Orion assembly) remains to be seen. But for green buyers the electric Bolt should be a hit with 200-mile range, raised crossover seating, and sporty looks.<\/p>\n

\"FORD<\/p>\n

Ford Fusion<\/p>\n

Refreshed for 2016, the Fusion is the centerpiece of Ford\u2019s display because it proves a family sedan can make pulses race. With its Aston Martin face and coupe-like roof, Fusion\u2019s a looker. It should get more looks by adding three trims: a 325-horsepower Sport, battery-powered Energi and luxe Platinum.<\/p>\n

\"ACURA<\/p>\n

Acura Precision concept<\/p>\n

With its wide stance, chiseled bod and cabinet doors, the Precison is an old-school, wow-\u2019em concept. Beginning with its \u201cDiamond Pentagon\u201d grille, Precision aims to ban the beak and redefine Acura.<\/p>\n

\"Avista<\/p>\n

Buick Avista<\/p>\n

Hell must be freezing over. Lexus and Buick have two of the sexiest cars on the floor. \u201cI saw it and thought: \u2018That\u2019s a Buick?!\u2019 Just like the ads,\u201d exclaimed three-time Indy winner Helio Castroneves who paid a visit to the floor while promoting the Belle Isle Grand Prix. Gorgeous from head to toe, the concept (you\u2019re making it right, GM?) should also be fun to drive since it shares Camaro\u2019s chassis.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You know this is a good show when the all-new Mercedes E-Class, Volvo S90, and Porsche 911 Turbo S don\u2019t make the 10 Best cut. The Turbo S (S stands for \u201cSee ya\u201d) looks like a 911, has five-zillion horsepower and goes 205 mph. Ho-hum. So what\u2019s new? Lots, as you stroll the wide boulevards […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,87],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17848"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17848"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17848\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17850,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17848\/revisions\/17850"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17848"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17848"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17848"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}