2012 Detroit Auto Show

2012 Detroit Auto Show

Another year is upon us and that means another 12 months of auto show fun, plus all the new model and concept unveilings that come with it.

First off the ranks is the annual Detroit Auto Show, or North American International Auto Show as it’s officially known, and while the industrial city’s streets are typically cold during this time of year, things will be very hot inside the halls of the Cobo Center once press days commence come January 9.  

Once again, the High Gear Media team will be on hand in Detroit to bring you all the breaking news, plus live photos and video footage, and remember, you can get our latest updates direct from the show floor by staying glued to our dedicated show page.

In the lead-up to the 2012 Detroit Auto Show let’s take a preview look at some of the cars and concept models scheduled to debut at next week's event.

Concept Cars

2012 Acura NSX Concept: Acura will be making waves at this month’s 2012 Detroit Auto Show with three new concept vehicles previewing models destined for production in the very near future. One of these will be the highly anticipated successor to the Acura NSX supercar, which despite still being a concept has already been confirmed for production by Honda CEO Takanobu Ito.

Other vehicles Acura has planned for Detroit include the new ILX Concept, which will preview a Honda Civic-based entry-level sedan due next fall, as well as a prototype of the next-generation RDX crossover.

Nissan Pathfinder Concept

Nissan Pathfinder Concept

2012 Nissan Pathfinder Concept: Nissan will also be bringing more than one concept vehicle to Detroit, in its case a preview of the next-generation Pathfinder SUV, which we recently spied testing, as well as a battery-electric commercial van. It will be shedding its truck-based ladder frame for a more car-like unibody design borrowed from the 2013 Infiniti JX.

Nissan hasn’t given any details on the electric van concept, but we suppose it will be the battery-powered version of the Nissan NV200.

2013 Honda Accord Coupe Concept teaser

2013 Honda Accord Coupe Concept teaser

2012 Honda Accord Coupe Concept: Honda will preview its 2013 Accord, we're guessing both the sedan and the coupe, with a new coupe concept in Detroit. There hasn't been any other details revealed except that the production version will hit showrooms next fall.

The introduction of the ninth-generation Accord will mark 30 years of U.S. production of the model at Honda’s plant in Marysville, Ohio, the first Japanese car assembly plant in the U.S. It will also mark the introduction of Honda's first plug-in hybrid model, which promises up to 15 miles of electric only driving.

2012 Smart For-Us Concept

2012 Smart For-Us Concept

2012 Smart-For-Us Pickup Concept: Fresh from its win in this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge, Smart is gearing up for this month’s 2012 Detroit Auto Show where it will be showing off the funky new For-Us electric urban pickup concept. We don’t expect Smart to ever launch a pickup model--at least in the foreseeable future--but it should point the way for styling of the brand’s next-generation ForTwo and rumored ForFour.

The For-Us is powered by the electric drivetrain that will feature in the latest-generation Smart ForTwo Electric Drive due next spring and should be able to reach a top speed of 75 mph.

2011 Lexus LF-LC Concept leaked

2011 Lexus LF-LC Concept leaked

2012 Lexus LF-LC Concept: With the new GS sedan wearing some attractive sheet metal, it may just be time for an updated IS range, and conveniently, Lexus has just unveiled a new design study... powered by a hybrid drivetrain.

The overall shape of the car closely resembles the lines of the 2012 Lexus LFA supercar, and we think it could preview a new high-end coupe the premium Japanese automaker may be considering. Penned by the artists at the company's Calty studio in Newport Beach, California, whatever it is, it will be revealed in full on January 9.

2012 Lincoln MKZ Concept: This new concept will preview the new 2013 Lincoln MKZ, which will share a platform with the next-generation Ford Fusion and the European Ford Mondeo, though will be significantly differentiated for a premium look and feel.

Expect the piano wire grille to remain, but with horizontal slats instead of Lincoln's current vertical design

Toyota's NS4 plug-in hybrid concept.

Toyota's NS4 plug-in hybrid concept.

2012 Toyota NS4 Plug-In Hybrid Concept: Like the LF-LC, the NS4 is a sports car concept and it’s likely to illustrate Toyota’s new design language.

Expect the NS4 to be sportier in appearance and far less conservative than recent Toyota concepts and production models (excepting, of course, the GT-86/Scion FR-S).

2012 Maserati Kubang

2012 Maserati Kubang

2011 Maserati Kubang Concept: We already saw it in Frankfurt but Maserati is likely to roll out the concept of its new SUV in Detroit considering this is the city where it will be built.

The Kubang, rumored to be headed for production in 2013, will share a platform with the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Dodge Durango, but will be powered by Maserati-designed engines built by Ferrari in Maranello, Italy.

New Cars

2013 Bentley Continental GT V8

2013 Bentley Continental GT V8

2013 Bentley Continental GT V8: As we’ve known for some time the big Bentley coupe and its GTC convertible sibling are to receive a new V-8 option, and at Detroit they will finally receive that engine: a newly developed twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 rated at 500 horsepower and 487 pound-feet of torque.

According to Bentley, the new V-8 Continental models should remain true to the automaker’s promise of reducing CO2 emissions by up to 40 percent compared to its previous models. Final numbers will be released closer to launch though Bentley boasts that they will be capable of traveling more than 500 miles on a single tank of gas.

2013 Cadillac ATS

2013 Cadillac ATS

2013 Cadillac ATS: Cadillac's long-awaited rival to the BMW 3-Series will finally be revealed in Detroit, and we can't wait. Having been tested at the Nurburgring, as well as GM centers around the U.S., Cadillac's new baby is shaping up to be one sharp-handling sports sedan.

It's also expected to come with a high-performance turbo four as well as a V-6, which should appease not only performance buffs but green fans too.

Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid Concept

Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid Concept

2014 Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid: While Europe will get a diesel-electric plug-in hybrid V60 wagon next year, American buyers will have to wait until sometime in 2014 to be able to scoop up a similar model from their local Volvo dealership.

A preview will be shown in Detroit, complete with a new 350-horsepower gasoline-electric plug-in hybrid drivetrain and the stylish and flexible XC60 crossover body.

While official EPA numbers are still years away from release, Volvo is predicting that its XC60 Plug-In Hybrid should be good for 50 mpg combined when in Hybrid mode. The total driving range on a full charge of the batteries and the gas tank topped up should also come in at around 600 miles.

2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS

2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS

2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS: With its 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque 1.4-liter turbo four already found in the Sonic lineup, the new 2013 Sonic RS is more of a trim line rather that a brand new model.

Nevertheless, we’re still eagerly awaiting some time behind the wheel as the car has the potential to become a new performance bargain.

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class: The Mercedes-Benz SL is a car that needs no introduction, and in just a few weeks’ time we’ll get to see the sixth generation of the cruiser, the first of course being the legendary 300SL gullwing. The latest variant is lighter, more powerful and dare we say it, more stylish than its predecessor, which is no easy task considering how well rounded the last SL was.

2013 Dodge Dart Compact Sedan

2013 Dodge Dart Compact Sedan

2013 Dodge Dart: The replacement for Dodge's compact car, most recently the Caliber, will debut in Detroit, and it bears a once-familiar name: Dart. Based on a combination of Alfa Romeo underpinning and Dodge style, the Dart will have to bring a lot to the table considering it’s going up against the 2012 Ford Focus and popular 2011 Chevrolet Cruze.

Powered by a 1.4-liter MultiAir turbocharged engine, the Dart could in fact pack a good deal of punch. Alternatives to the standard engine include the Tigershark 2.0-liter four-cylinder and the Tigershark 2.4-liter MultiAir. Three transmission choices (not yet disclosed) will be available with the three engines, possibly including a dual clutch and a nine-speed--yes, a nine-speed!--automatic.

2013 Buick Encore teaser

2013 Buick Encore teaser

2013 Buick Encore: Buick has a new crossover in the pipeline; a compact affair with premium features including Buick Intellilink, HID headlights, and turbocharged power. It's called the Encore and it will be a five-passenger crossover feature "QuietTuning" technology.

Hit the next page to see what else will be on display at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, and remember to follow our dedicated show page for all the latest updates


2012 Ford Focus by Roush

2012 Ford Focus by Roush

And The Rest

2012 North American Car And Truck Of The Year: Finalists Revealed

New Lexus LX Coming To Detroit Auto Show

Roush Working On New 'Stage 3' Tuning For 2012 Focus

Volvo Details Diesel-Electric Plug-In Hybrid, Gas Version Coming To U.S.

2013 Scion FR-S Revealed Ahead Of 2012 Detroit Auto Show

2012 Porsche 911 Cabriolet Preview: 2012 Detroit Auto Show

2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Revealed In New Official Images

Jaguar Land Rover Chooses Delhi Over Detroit

2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Confirmed For Production

Infiniti Set To Make Appearance At 2012 Detroit Auto Show

2012 Dodge Charger Redline: Mopar Performance Outpowers SRT?

2012 Chrysler 200 Super S: Mopar-Modded Version Coming To Detroit

2012 Chrysler 300 Luxury Series Preview

Mercedes Brining E400 Hybrid And E300 Bluetec Hybrid to Detroit

That's all for now but remember, you can get our latest updates direct from the 2012 Detroit Auto Show floor by staying glued to our dedicated show page.