2013 North American International Auto Show

Detroit has done it again, with the North American International Auto Show kicking off the 2013 automotive calendar by showcasing a bunch of cool concepts and striking new models.

It was definitely the year of SUV and luxury concepts with a number of vehicles on show pointing to possible future models.

Nissan went for gold with its shapely Resonance concept that will likely form the basis of the next Murano. The Resonance featured a new interpretation of Nissan’s V-shaped grille that was lit from within and gave the front of the vehicle a blue hue.

Japanese giant Honda had a number of SUV concepts on show, starting with the Jazz-based Urban SUV concept that will preview their upcoming crossover that will appear in production form in 2014.

Honda’s Acura premium brand showed off its MDX and Volkswagen revealed its seven-seat CrossBlue concept, both of which are unlikely to make it to Australia any time soon.

It wouldn’t be the Detroit show without some muscle from the big three local manufacturers and this year was no exception.

Ford ripped the covers off its hulking Atlas utility concept that is a look into the not-too-distant future at what the next F-150 ute range will look like.

Meanwhile GM revealed Cadillac’s take on the range-extender hybrid vehicle with its Volt-based ELR concept that will go on sale in the US early next year.

The General provided another show-stopper in the shape of the next-generation Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.

Set to go on sale in the US in late 2013, the design of the Corvette features a more angular rear-end design in a clear departure from recent iterations of the iconic muscle car.

Not to be outdone, European giant BMW revealed the aggressively-styled 4 Series Coupe Concept that will replace the aging 3 Series Coupe range later this year.

While Italian car-maker Maserati used Detroit to show off its next generation Quattroporte sports sedan, it was Hyundai that stole the show with its striking HCD-14 Genesis concept.

The Genesis gives the world a look at the future design direction of the Korean car-maker, but there is only a slim chance that the large luxury sedan will make it to Australian showrooms.

Some other important new models that got their first airing included the all-new Lexus IS, rival Infiniti’s Q50, Mercedes-Benz CLA and E-Class range and the facelifted Jeep Grand Cherokee.

, 14/01/2013

And we’re off! The 2013 North American International Auto Show is upon us and we have already seen some hot new metal revealed. Detroit never disappoints and this year looks set to be a cracker.

The BMW 4 Series, Audi RS7, Chevrolet’s new Corvette Stingray and the stunning Hyundai HCD-14 Genesis Concept are just a few of the highlights so far.

Keep checking GoAuto for the latest from the showroom floor.

, 18/12/2012

IF the 2012 show was anything to go by, then the 2013 Detroit show is going to be huge.

The world’s leading car-makers are gearing up to reveal some exciting new metal at the January event, and while we already know of a number of major new models and concepts that will be revealed, a few surprises are assured.

Some of Europe’s biggest car-makers will use Detroit to show off key new models, with the BMW 4 Series Coupe Concept previewing the upcoming 3 Series Coupe replacement.

BMW will also show off its super-hot 4.4-litre V8 M6 Gran Coupe that has enough power to get you from 0-100km/h in just 4.2 seconds.

Not to be outdone by its Munich-based competitors, Mercedes-Benz will show its facelifted E-Class mid-sizer that features technologies from the next-generation S-Class that will launch in Australia by the end of 2013.

The Italians get a look in too with the new lighter but larger Maserati Quattroporte sports sedan having its first public outing.

The Maserati will come with the choice of a V6 or V8 engine that were designed specifically by Maserati Powertrain for the car and assembled by Ferrari at Maranello.

Some of the largest Japanese car-makers will make a splash at Detroit as well with Lexus finally revealing the production version of its crucial new IS small sedan that will go into battle against the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, among others.

Honda will rip the covers off its Urban SUV Concept that is based on the new Jazz light-car that is due in 2013.

Apart from a teaser sketch of the concept, few details are known about the vehicle, but Honda Motor Company CEO Takanobu Ito said in September that the new Jazz would be one of the key models in Honda’s plans to double sales to six million vehicles by 2017.

Honda’s luxury brand Acura will unveil a prototype of its next generation MDX large SUV which will likely go into production by the end of 2013 for release in early 2014.

Keep an eye on GoAuto for updates leading up to and during the show.