2006 Detroit Auto Show, Part X

2006 Detroit Auto Show Index by TCC Team (1/7/2006)

 

Audi Q5 in the Making?

 

Audi unveiled the Roadjet concept, which indicates that design chief Walter de‘Silva is moving toward a more pronounced V-form for the nose of new models. The Roadjet concept gives may be the concept of a new model between the A4 and A6, logically dubbed the Q5 under Audi’s new naming system (Q7).

The Roadjet Concept is a five-door wagon with a more wedge-shaped nose than Audi has used in the past. The Roadjet measures 185 inches long, is72.8 in wide and 61 in high. Its wheelbase of 112.2 inches results in more space for the passengers. All passengers have their own controls for air conditioning and audio.

A special feature is the drive select system that gives the driver a choice to pre-select several entirely independent vehicle characteristic sets through a button in the dashboard. The three modes are comfort, dynamic and sport; they alter the steering, damping and transmission settings, as well as the engine characteristics.

The concept car is equipped with the 3.2-liter FSI V-6 with an output of 300 hp and 447 lb-ft of torque. We know this engine from the A4, A6 and A8 where it produces 255 hp. The Roadjet should be able to sprint from 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds, and to reach an electronically limited top speed of 156 mph.

The concept car is the first Audi with a longitudinally installed engine combined with the sporty DSG, Direct Shift Gearbox that combines a seven-speed manual with the qualities of an automatic transmission. The car also has quattro four-wheel drive combined with a Torsen differential for optimal distribution of power to all wheels.

 

Audi Getting Compact Ute

 

The Audi brand will get a version of the compact sport-utility vehicle that the Volkswagen Group is preparing to building in Germany, said Dr. Bernd Pischetsrieder, chairman of the board of management of Volkswagen AG. The Q5, as the vehicle has been dubbed, will be coming to the United States, added Pischetsrieder. The architecture underpinning the compact sport-utility platform is flexible enough to ensure the Q5 will look very different from any other vehicle in the VW or Audi lineup, according to other Audi officials.—Joe Szczesny

 

 

Audi S6 Gets V-10

 

Is it an Audi power grab at Lambo’s expense? Just like the larger S8, the new S6 will be available with a version of the V-10 engine that is used in the Lamborghini Gallardo. In the S6 the motor will have 30 hp less than in the S8—420 hp with 398 lb-ft. of torque versus the S8’s 450 hp. This V-10 propels the S6 from 0-60 mph in 5 seconds. The car reaches a limited top speed of 156 mph.

The engine is mated to the six-speed Tiptronic transmission that adapts to the driver’s style. The driver can select Sport mode for upshifts at relatively high engine speeds and can change gears manually in both modes by means of the shift paddles on the steering wheel. A Servotronic power-steering system with variable ratios has a more direct response than in the A6, resulting in more agile handling too.

The S6 can be expected at Audi dealerships from this summer. Prices have not been released yet.

 

 

Rolls-Royce Convertible Coming in 2007

 

Rolls-Royce announced that its new convertible will hit the market in 2007. The British automaker is currently running a trial production of the new topless version in their Goodwood facilities in the United Kingdom. The Rolls convertible will be based on the 100EX concept that was unveiled in 2004 and will be quite similar in production. The technology will be carried over from the Phantom, but the car will be somewhat smaller. It has a similar aluminium space frame and will be equipped with the same 6.75-liter V-12 engine as the Phantom. There are more new models in the pipeline, but Rolls-Royce did not give away any further details.

 

Subaru Reviews B5 Concept

 

The Subaru B5-THP made its North American debut today in Detroit . The world premiere of the concept vehicle was in October in Tokyo . Subaru is eager to show its Turbo Parallel Hybrid (TPH) powertrain system and lithium-ion battery technology that lies underneath the skin of the sporty two-seater. The powertrain consists of a thin, 10-kW motor generator between the vehicle’s turbocharged boxer engine and the automatic transmission. In the B5-TPH the boxer operates up to 30 percent more efficiently than a conventional gasoline engine. Subaru did not announce any production plans.

 

 

Record Year for Maserati

In 2005, Maserati saw record sales in North America for the fifth time in its recent history. With 2,100 cars delivered the Italian sports car brand generated a 53-percent increase in sales over 2004. Of the 2,100 sold cars, 1,500 were Quattroportes, which led with a 33-percent share the segment among sedans with a base price between $100,000 and $200,000.

In Los Angeles Maserati unveiled the Quattroporte Sport GT and the GranSport Spyder models and in Detroit the Quattroporte Executive GT made its entry into North America.

The Executive GT is the most exclusive version of the four-door Maserati, and is recognizable thanks to the chrome front and side grilles and ball-polished 19-inch wheels. The interior is equipped with Alcantara suede for the roof lining, a leather-trimmed steering wheel with wood inserts and a Comfort Pack. The rear passengers have separate climate control zone with their own control panel, retractable wood rear tables and retractable screens on the windows for extra privacy. The price of this version is $115,000.

The Sport GT and the GranSport Spyder that were announced at the L.A. Auto Show have a price of $110,000 and $111,000 respectively. The three models will arrive at dealerships in March.

 

2006 Detroit Auto Show, Part I by TCC Team (1/8/2006)
Car and Truck of the year, Lexus LS has eight speeds, Enclave concept..

2006 Detroit Auto Show, Part II by TCC Team (1/8/2006)
Shelby GT500, Ford Reflex, predictions for 2006 and Lutz on GM financials.

2006 Detroit Auto Show, Part III by TCC Team (1/8/2006)
Hyundai HCD-9 Talus, Santa Fe, and the death of the five-day car.

2006 Detroit Auto Show, Part IV (1/8/2006)
Nissan's next steps, Benz GL-Class, GM hybrids.

2006 Detroit Auto Show, Part V by Bengt Halvorson (1/8/2006)
Honda Fit, Ford Edge, and more from Bill Ford.

2006 Detroit Show, Part VI by TCC Team (1/9/2006)
The new face of Lincoln, Mazda Kabura, Infiniti G35 and MINI Clubman.

2006 Detroit Show, Part VII by TCC Team (1/9/2006)
GM planning big price cuts, Aston Rapide, Volvo C30, XK pricing.

2006 Detroit Auto Show, Part VIII by Bengt Halvorson (1/9/2006)
Jeep Compass, Toyota Camry, Nissan Sentra and Urge.

2006 Detroit Auto Show, Part IX by TCC Team (1/10/2006)
Camaro by the numbers, Acura RDX, Jaguar gets Ford help.

2006 Detroit Show, Part XI (1/10/2006)
GM Value Pricing, Mitsu Eclipse and Concept-CT, CX-7 pricing, Scion xB 3.0.