2012 Detroit Auto Show: What To Expect, Updated

Twenty-five days separate us from the 2012 Detroit auto show. Of the more than 36 new cars coming to the show, we now can confirm at least 28 vehicles will be there.

Unlike the 2011 L.A. Auto Show, the Detroit show seems to focus heavily on concept cars. The most important production cars we know of now include the 2013 Ford Fusion, 2013 Dodge Dart, 2013 Acura RDX, 2013 Toyota Prius c and the 2013 Cadillac ATS.

This week we learned that the 2013 Fusion will be at the show and a Lincoln MKZ concept, as we previously reported. The Fusion will be introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Jan. 10 and at the Detroit auto show on the same day. The next-generation Mercedes-Benz SL-Class will also be shown off (shown above).

There will be some thinly veiled concepts to look out for, too. They include the Acura ILX Concept, a compact car with a hybrid variant, and, more importantly, the 2013 Honda Accord Coupe Concept. If past Honda concepts are any indication, it will pretty much be the new Accord that will go on sale later next year.

For now, those are the major releases we know about. We’ll have more info once the 2012 Detroit auto show gets under way Jan. 9.

2012 Cadillac SRX Video

The Cadillac SRX is nipping at the heels of the CTS series for best-selling Cadillac of the year. The model’s appeal comes from its good exterior looks and composed ride. There are still some issues though, including so-so brakes and some interior design gaffes, according to Cars.com Senior Editor Bill Jackson.

2012 Detroit Auto Show: What To Expect

Nearly a month from today will mark the return of America’s — and maybe the world’s — most important auto show. Thirty-six all-new vehicles are set to debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, according to the Detroit Free Press.

After a two-year hiatus, Nissan and Infiniti will be at the show. At the same time, Suzuki, Land Rover and Jaguar will be leaving.

New vehicles at the show will include the 2013 Toyota Prius C, which will be the most fuel-efficient and most affordable Toyota hybrid available, according to the automaker.

2012 Toyota Camry Earns Five-Star NHTSA Rating

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released its first batch of 2012 model year ratings this month. Under the stricter guidelines, only three 2012 models — the Chevrolet Camaro, Cadillac CTS and Toyota Camry — have earned five-star composite scores from the safety agency. In fact, as we previously reported, the Camaro is the only vehicle to earn a perfect rating across the board since the new guidelines took effect for the 2011 model year.

NHTSA’s composite scores are composed of five-star ratings for frontal, rollover and a combined side pole and barrier tests. The side pole test, which is new, simulates a 20-mph side-impact crash into a 10-inch-diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar on the driver’s side.

The redesigned 2012 Camry earned a five-star overall rating, getting four stars in the frontal test, five stars in the side-crash test and four stars in the rollover test.

2013 Cadillac ATS Coming to the 2012 Detroit Auto Show

We’ve already seen what Cadillac plans to offer at the top of its passenger-car spectrum in the guise of the 2013 Cadillac XTS. Now the carmaker plans to show off its new entry-level compact luxury sedan, called the 2013 ATS, next month at the 2012 Detroit auto show.

The ATS is a small rear- and all-wheel-drive luxury sports sedan engineered to compete with the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4. The ATS will begin production this summer and will be built alongside the Cadillac CTS sedan, coupe and wagon in Michigan.

Cadillac says it’s pitting the sedan against the best in the category, with a lot of the engineering and tuning occurring in Germany and sometimes at the vaunted Nurburgring test ring. You can check out that testing in the video below. We’ll learn more details at 2012 Detroit auto show.

Cadillac Ciel Concept: Photo Gallery

You may see design cues from Cadillac's four-door convertible Ciel concept in future Cadillac products, even if the Ciel itself has little chance for production.

More 2011 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

The more wild aspects of the Ciel's design are the vertical LED headlights that mold into front fender and rear taillights that hark back to classic Cadillacs.

2013 Cadillac XTS Video

The 2013 Cadillac XTS is certainly a departure for the luxury brand, which has been focusing on rear-wheel-drive sports sedans, according to Cars.com Executive Editor Joe Wiesenfelder. The front- or all-wheel-drive XTS will be the largest Cadillac car available, with one of the plushiest interiors we’ve seen from the brand. Another neat item is the all-aluminum grille — something even pricier Jaguars don’t have, Wiesenfelder says.

2013 Cadillac XTS: Photo Gallery

The 2013 Cadillac XTS is the first all-new large sedan from the American luxury marque since the STS debuted more than seven years ago. (The STS has since then been discontinued.)

More 2011 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

Along with a larger-than-life, ornate grille and massive alloy wheels, there’s unique purple stitching along the dash trim and seats. It’s certainly an eccentric touch on an otherwise conventional-looking luxury sedan.

2013 Cadillac XTS: Up Close

As you work your way up a luxury brand's sedan lineup, styling typically becomes more restrained, and that's true with the new Cadillac XTS full-size sedan ... overall. The signature shapes and design cues are there, but the only in-your-face element on the show car is the gigantic aluminum grille. (Wow, real aluminum!) Even for someone like me who likes Cadillac's bold grilles, this one's a bit much, but it's possible the show's bright lights are making it look more cartoonish against the charcoal-gray paint. Also, the aluminum grille comes only on the top Platinum trim level. Lower trims have a darker grille.

More 2011 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

Even apart from the front view, there's no mistaking the XTS for anything but a Cadillac. The three-dimensional vertical taillights hint at the tailfins of yesteryear. They're much better integrated than the SRX crossover's Spock-ear execution. Also evident is the CTS coupe influence on the rear end, which comes to a point in the center and is topped by a combination spoiler/center brake light.

2013 Cadillac XTS at the 2011 L.A. Auto Show

• Competes with: Lincoln MKS, Chrysler 300, Lexus GS, Infiniti M
• Looks like: A cushy Caddy from the days of yore
• Drivetrain: 300-hp, 3.6-liter V-6; six-speed automatic transmission; front- or all-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Spring 2012

Cadillac has been busy reinventing itself for the better part of a decade, trying to reposition itself as a competitor to German luxury sports cars. Those efforts have worked to some degree, but even so, there's a large contingent of Cadillac buyers who just want a cushy and comfortable cruiser. The 2013 Cadillac XTS was built with these car shoppers in mind.

More 2011 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

The XTS is more of a modern replacement for the DTS sedan rather than a replacement for the also-defunct, performance-minded STS large sedan.