{"id":19888,"date":"2017-01-05T14:03:18","date_gmt":"2017-01-05T18:03:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=19888"},"modified":"2017-01-05T14:03:18","modified_gmt":"2017-01-05T18:03:18","slug":"paynes-2016-detroit-show-top-10-where-are-they-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2017\/01\/paynes-2016-detroit-show-top-10-where-are-they-now","title":{"rendered":"Payne\u2019s 2016 Detroit Show Top 10: Where are they now?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Chrysler<\/p>\n<\/div>

It\u2019s almost show time in Detroit once again, but visions of last year still dance in our heads. The 2016 North American International Auto Show unveiled a little of everything from sleek sedans to pickups; from the electric Chevy Bolt EV hatchback to the 745-horsepower, V-8-powered VLF Force 1 sports car. With auto sales revving to over 17 million unites, there was a toy for everyone.<\/p>\n

So before the new acts roll out for 2017, here\u2019s an update on my 2016 Detroit Show Top 10. Are they as good as promised? Have they even turned a key? Let\u2019s find out …<\/p>\n

Chrysler Pacifica<\/strong><\/p>\n

Everyone knows minivans are the best family haulers out there, but they\u2019ve been typecast as boxy mom-mobiles (remember the devastating Mitsubishi SUV ad<\/a>: \u201cWhoever owns the tan minivan, your lights are on.\u201d). The handsome Pacifica aims to change all that \u2014 including a plug-in version so you never need visit a gas station if your daily routine covers less than 30 miles. Pacifica\u2019s sculptural design echoes Mercedes\u2019 R-Class wagon<\/a>, and doesn\u2019t skimp on inside amenities with a dresser-drawer console and stowable, foldable, removable middle seats.<\/p>\n

\"BMW<\/p>\n<\/div>

BMW M2<\/strong><\/p>\n

BMW delivered its 365-horsepower M2 \u2014 a $56,000 gateway drug to BMW\u2019s iconic performance badge that includes such highs as the $80,000 M4<\/a> and $115,000 X5 M SUV<\/a>. A throwback to earlier, more compact generations of M-coupe \u2014 its dimensions the same as my own 2001 M3 \u2014 the ferocious M2 looks fast just parked at curbside. I found it more fun<\/a> than any BMW I\u2019ve driven \u2014 with a bottomless well of torque from its twin-turbo V-6. In a year that saw the sensational Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio challenge the M\u2019s performance crown, the M2 is a reminder that the German brand is still the benchmark for style and speed.<\/p>\n

\"LincolnIf BMW\u2019s M is all about performance,\" \/><\/p>\n

Lincoln Continental<\/strong><\/p>\n

If BMW\u2019s M is all about performance, the Lincoln brand is about interior comfort. The brand\u2019s flagship Continental<\/a> is a rolling couch. Check that, it\u2019s way more comfortable than your couch. The 30-way front throne is tops in class \u2014 including an auto-headrest that cradles your head like a mother\u2019s arm. From the posh rear seat you have full interior control from radio to moon-roof to front passenger seat positioning. No wonder that\u2019s where Lincoln-spokesman Matthew McConaughey hangs out<\/a> in his latest ads.<\/p>\n

\"HondaRidgeline 2.0 is back with the only\" \/><\/p>\n

Honda Ridgeline<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ridgeline 2.0 is back<\/a> with the only crossover-like, unibody chassis in the hot, small-pickup segment. Though the Honda gives up some towing and hauling capability to its more traditional, body-on-frame competitors from Chevy and Toyota, its ride is unparalleled on-road. Which is where most of its metropolitan owners will drive it. With its Acura-shared, torque-vectoring AWD system it\u2019s fun to get dirty off-road, too.<\/p>\n

\"LexusI have yet to get my mitts on Lexus\u2019\" \/><\/p>\n

Lexus LC500 Coupe<\/strong><\/p>\n

I have yet to get my mitts on Lexus\u2019 dramatic-looking, six-figure flagship, which is due in the States in the first quarter of 2017. The LC is a two-door sports car \u2014 but with its big, honking, front-mounted V-8 and porky 4,300 pounds, it\u2019s aimed more at BMW 6-series customers than at the rubber-burning Porsche 911 crowd.<\/p>\n

\"VLFBased on the now-defunct Dodge Viper\" \/><\/p>\n

VLF Force 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Based on the now-defunct Dodge Viper bones, the front-engine supercar is the second offering from VLF (the initials of partners Gilbert Villarreal, a successful manufacturer, ex-GM product guru \u201cMaximum Bob\u201d Lutz and legendary designer Henrik Fisker), a company that builds automotive Frankensteins for luxury customers. The first was the VLF Destino \u2014 a plug-in Fisker Karma retooled with a Corvette V-8 \u2014 which rolled out last year<\/a>. In a nondescript building overlooking The Palace of Auburn Hills, the Force 1 is slowly taking shape. With a 513-cubic-inch Viper engine, you\u2019ll feel the Hills shake when it\u2019s ready.<\/p>\n

\"ChevroletFor those living under a rock for\" \/><\/p>\n

Chevrolet Bolt<\/strong><\/p>\n

For those living under a rock for the last year, the Bolt EV is the first electric car under $40,000 to go over 200 miles<\/a> on a charge (238 miles to be exact). That range is real (though expect to subtract 25 percent in Michigan\u2019s frigid winter temps), but this is no green snore-wagon. With the same-sized battery (60 kWh) as a base Tesla model S, low center of gravity and no range anxiety, the five-door hot hatch is a blast to drive hard<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"FordWith Aston Martin-like good looks and\" \/><\/p>\n

Ford Fusion<\/strong><\/p>\n

With Aston Martin-like good looks and the best-bod in class, the Fusion didn\u2019t need to change much for its 2016 refresh. A nifty e-shifter here, sharpened grille there. The real changes came underneath where the mid-sizer adds Sport, battery-powered Energi, and luxe Platinum trims to its already diverse lineup. Powered by a throaty, 325-horsepower V-6<\/a>, the Sport is a hot sedan with luxury performance at $20K less.<\/p>\n

\"AcuraThe Precision debuted as\" \/><\/p>\n

Acura Precision concept<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Precision debuted as an old-school, head-turning design concept. The sedan\u2019s purpose was to inspire Acura\u2019s tired lineup and its effect is already being felt. The 2017 Acura MDX crossover<\/a> sports the Precision-inspired \u201cDiamond Pentagon\u201d grille (ditching the much-maligned bottle opener). A near-production ready Acura Precision Cockpit concept followed at the LA Auto Show which points the way toward a new, touchpad-controlled infotainment interface.<\/p>\n

\"Buick<\/p>\n<\/div>

Buick Avista<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you didn\u2019t remember Acura\u2019s concept, it\u2019s probably because Buick\u2019s concept blew everyone\u2019s socks off at last year\u2019s show. The stunning coupe \u2014 based on the same Alpha platform that under-girds the athletic Cadillac ATS and Camaro \u2014 inspired hope for a production version. Don\u2019t hold your breath. Like the Precision, Avista is more likely to inspire next-generation sedans \u2013 like the stunning Lacrosse<\/a> and coming Regal.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s almost show time in Detroit once again, but visions of last year still dance in our heads. The 2016 North American International Auto Show unveiled a little of everything from sleek sedans to pickups; from the electric Chevy Bolt EV hatchback to the 745-horsepower, V-8-powered VLF Force 1 sports car. With auto sales revving […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19888"}],"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=19888"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19888\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19889,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19888\/revisions\/19889"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19888"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19888"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19888"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}