The Best Cars at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show
This car transforms a practical SUV into a head-turning crossover vehicle that could easily lure younger buyers. Despite having a smaller, four-cylinder engine, it accelerates from zero to 60 miles per hour in 4.8 seconds and has 355 horsepower. The car has a sportier feel, with brawny bumpers and a twin-blade radiator grill.
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Practical enough to haul materials at a construction site, this key entry into the mid-sized truck segment also boasts a roomy, luxurious interior that’s as nice as any you would find in a passenger car. But there’s an ample bed to transport cargo, so the driver doesn’t need to compromise on functionality and practicality. As Ford steps out of the competition with no mid-sized offering and customers reconsider trucks as the economy picks up, this vehicle could be a boon for GM, appealing to customers from the crossover segment.
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Toyota has been known more for its stalwart, conventional designs than bold styling. But it pushed past those boundaries with this sporty car, which makes a big statement. In the vein of the Celica, this is the result of a new design process, which streamlines Toyota’s traditional consensus-based approach. The result is a sloping car, with a low-slung cockpit, reminiscent slightly of a Corvette. The car has already scored a marketing coup: It's used in the Sony Play Station Gran Turismo game.
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A high-performance sports car made with carbon fiber materials, this is sporty and eye-catching, with aggressive styling. At the same time, it’s a step forward in green. Instead of the gas-guzzling V8, it has a fuel-efficient, turbocharged six-cylinder engine that packs plenty of pep. The use of aluminum and carbon fiber make for a far lighter vehicle that gets 25 percent better fuel efficiency than its predecessor. But judging from the car’s dazzling appearance, no compromises were made to get there.
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Designed to capture the attention of the younger buyer, this model seems poised to succeed in that regard. The Beetle Dune is the kind of car anyone would want to take to the beach. It has a slightly rounder frame, making it just a bit sportier than the traditional Beetle. The front grille is dramatic. This is slightly longer than a typical Beetle and two inches higher off the ground, adding a youthful look. The new hood has a raised center section with air vents, which VW describes as having a "honeycomb appearance," all of which make for a spirited, fun appearance.
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The upstart automaker is making a bold and effective statement with this eye-popping butterscotch bundle. The small, rear-real drive car is aptly named, as it resembles a giant bumble bee – in a good way. The impressive design could help Kia stand out in the sports car segment, if it can get this type of car into production. The four-cylinder engine gets 315 horsepower. It has a bold grill and giant headlights, along with a sharp glass rear windshield that takes up most of the exterior.
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Porsche lives up to its status-symbol reputation with this sleek offering that includes a removable panel roof. The result is a half-open top that avoids full-blown windswept hair - a marvel of modern engineering. A sloping back windshield makes up most of the rear of the car. With a classy, testosterone-fueled look, this hot offering gets a top speed of 175 miles per hour. Priced at $101,000 MSRP, this appeals to a niche audience, but it's definitely a head-turner.
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This small crossover, with clean lines and a contemporary look, is a welcome departure from Volvo’s rather staid styling. There are more round shapes and a cut-out rear windshield in an interesting shape, with plenty of glass. One hopes Volvo draws on some of these design concepts to refresh its model line.
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This seductive car, painted in candy-apple red, is bound to catch the public's attention. This concept may help Infiniti increase its current 58 percent share of the luxury market. It’s lower and wider than a Q 50, with a taller hood. A large grille contributes to a more aggressive design and creates a sleek profile, which could pose some competition to BMW.
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Hyundai’s flagship vehicle was in desperate need of a refresh since its introduction in 2009 and the new model, displayed in sparkling silver, didn’t disappoint. The styling is elegant and more muted than its predecessor. It’s reminiscent of a sleek, European luxury car, with stark angular headlights and a pronounced hexagon-shaped grille made of semi-gloss chrome -- all of which are intended to appeal to the North American market. A tiny peek-a-boo triangular window behind the larger passenger window is a nice touch. Hyundai is vying to make this affordable luxury, with a starting MSRP of $40,000.
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The automaker’s amber-colored concept, rumored to be the next Maximua, could bring the shot of creativity that the sedan needs. It’s slee,k with a “V-motion” styling that makes the front of the car one smooth pane, resulting in an appealing look. Front headlights come together to form an X-shape, with dramatic effect. Nissan called the design “emotional,” and that’s a fitting description.
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This racing car gets 450 horsepower in a V8 engine and has a far more dramatic look then previous conservative Lexus models. The front hood is slightly elevated, raising the vehicle, resulting in a nice side profile. There are dramatic, angular sloping lines. The triangular shaped headlights hone in on the Lexus badge in the middle of the zig-zag shaped grille. This is a vehicle up for competing in what has become a segment loaded with prize products.
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