Hyundai, VW Look To Move Upmarket With New Models

Would you pay $40,000 for a sedan from Volkswagen — or from Hyundai? Both automakers are betting that at least some consumers will part with Lexus- or BMW-type money for their latest creations. Aside from each having four doors, the cars are seemingly disparate: The Volkswagen Passat CC is a four-seater with coupe-like styling, while the Hyundai Genesis is a bigger, full-blown luxury sedan. For their respective brands, though, each car represents a gamble by going upmarket.

At Volkswagen’s straight-laced confines in Detroit’s Cobo Center, head spokesman Steve Keyes seemed upbeat about the Passat CC’s chances. It won’t be another Phaeton, he assured us, referring to a $65,000-plus juggernaut Volkswagen unleashed earlier this decade that was a resounding sales failure.

“This maybe should have been the car we had before the Phaeton,” Keyes said, adding that the Passat CC will start “in the mid- to high 20s.” The two examples at Volkswagen’s display were loaded to the gills with massive sunroofs and button-strewn dashboards, while press materials detailed high-tech features like lane-departure prevention systems, dynamically adjustable suspensions and even a self-parking feature. Keyes said the cost of a fully loaded Passat CC hasn’t yet been determined, but it will likely be much more than the regular Passat, which tops out around $40,000.

Volkswagen does sell one model in this price range — the Touareg — but it’s an SUV, not a premium sedan. This is definitely new territory for VW, Keyes said.

F-150, Ram Get Much-Needed Safety Features

Brawny V-8s and inventive storage features aren’t the only improvements for two of Detroit’s best-selling pickups. When the redesigned Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram hit dealerships this fall, some important safety features will also be standard — namely, electronic stability systems to counteract skids and side curtain airbags to protect occupants in a collision.

The extra features mark a “huge development” for pickup trucks, said Russ Rader, spokesman for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Pickups have generally trailed the market in safety features, with just 8 percent offering standard stability systems in 2007, according to IIHS. That same year, 58 percent of cars and 87 percent of SUVs were equipped with those systems standard. Worse yet, head- and chest-protecting side airbags were standard on just 7 percent of pickups in 2007, Rader said.

The outgoing Ram offered stability control and side airbags as options, but the F-150 – America’s best-selling vehicle — had neither. Despite the bravado-fueled perception that occupants in pickups are safer in crashes, Rader said they may actually need these features more than those riding in cars.

Cars.com's Must-See Guide to the 2008 Detroit Auto Show

This is your one-stop shop to make sure you don’t miss any of the terrific concepts and production cars debuting at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Below are snapshots of each manufacturer with links to coverage, photos, video and even maps of where they are in the hall. For convenience’s sake, we’ve sorted the guide in a winding pattern of where these vehicles are on the show floor so you won’t have to walk more than you need to.

Ford
Concept

• Ford Explorer America (photo gallery) (video)
• Verve sedan — Editor's pick (photo gallery)

Production

• 2009 Ford F-150 — Editor's pick (photo gallery) (video)

2008 Detroit Auto Show Video: Ford Explorer America Concept

KickingTires’ own Suburban Dad took on the most suburb-tastic concept at the Detroit auto show and filed this video report. We have to say, the sliding seats on the center track are pretty nifty. But we never knew the tailgate of an SUV could provide an escape for mom and dad.

2008 Detroit Auto Show Ultimate Concept Winner: Land Rover LRX

Concept cars don’t have to meet the same requirements to win us over as do production cars. Concepts don’t need to prove they’re viable in certain segments, they just need to talk to the gut, inspire and basically wow us. The Land Rover LRX was a stunner, especially for an SUV, no matter the size. Still, it was the LRX’s small dimensions and daring — for Land Rover — design that impressed us most. Inside, an iPhone dock really pushed things over the top.

Mike Hanley said this is a “must-see concept” at the show, and senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder said “I watched the LRX spin a few times and found nothing wrong with it.”

Runners Up: Cadillac CTS Coupe, Ford Verve

2008 Detroit Auto Show Ultimate Production Winner: 2009 Hyundai Genesis

It wasn’t an awe-inspiring year for new production cars, trucks and SUVs; the biggest news was the introduction of redesigned pickups from Ford and Dodge. However, our editors found Hyundai’s attempt to go upscale the best of the bunch.

The 2009 Hyundai Genesis really is near-luxury in quality, with some parts on par with the big boys, like Lexus. A rear-wheel-drive setup and choice of three engines — including a powerful V-8 — really pushed it over the top. Now, if only Hyundai would pick a grille for it…

Runners Up: Ford F-150, Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid

2008 Detroit Auto Show Winners and Losers: Concept Cars

This year’s Detroit auto show was awash in concept cars; they outnumbered new production cars almost two to one. Cars.com’s David Thomas, Mike Hanley and Joe Wiesenfelder take the automotive visions and boil down what wowed and what fizzled.

Cadillac CTS Coupe

David Thomas: Winner
This was the only true “surprise” of the show, and it looked pretty darn good in person. The back end needs some work, but besides that this could and should be rolling through your cul-de-sac in short order.

Mike Hanley: Winner
I agree with Dave that the rear-quarter of the coupe could be better shaped, and it wouldn't hurt to make that part of the car a little smaller, too. On the whole, however, the car is a looker and it gets my nod.

Joe Wiesenfelder: Winner
I like it overall, though the tail definitely goes too far. I'm confident they'll build the thing. The CTS sedan is so strong, GM would be foolish not to spread it around.

2008 Detroit Auto Show Video: 2009 Toyota Venza

One of the most intriguing new production cars in Detroit was Toyota’s new crossover, the Venza. Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder got an exclusive up-close look at the interior, which is quite luxurious for Toyota. Also check out its trick center console. If you wanted to see more of the Venza, then this is the video for you.

2008 Detroit Auto Show Video: 2009 VW Passat CC

One of the stranger introductions in Detroit was the Volkswagen Passat CC. It was strange not for its looks — it was quite attractive — but for the fact that it’s so similar to the regular Passat sedan we’re not sure how the company can sell the two on the same lot. That conundrum didn’t stop Cars.com’s Kelsey Mays from checking out the upscale CC in the video here.

2008 Detroit Auto Show Video: Toyota A-BAT Concept

One concept that surprised us at the Detroit auto show was this compact hybrid pickup from Toyota. The A-BAT was a terrific size when you were standing right next to it. You don’t really find trucks this small anymore, and a hybrid power plant would certainly up its cache if it ever came to market. Check out the video with me as your humble host for a better look.