Photos: 10 Cars From Detroit Auto Show

Feb 20, 2012 10:01 am

Because you are what you eat — and what you drive

By Arash Shirazi

"American cars are back," declared the Wall Street Journal in the days leading up to last month's Detroit International Auto Show, one of the industry's biggest showcases for what's new, what's next and, well, which cars to drool over.

American cars were back in Detroit. The buzzword at this year's show was "Small Premium," meant to capitalize on American consumers' taste for smaller, more fuel-efficient cars — but without giving up luxury. Ford and GM seem to have gotten the memo, as did their European and Japanese counterparts. Another hot topic, predictably, given sky-high prices and warming temperatures, was green — manufacturers touted the fuel efficiency of their fleets along with their investments in hybrid, electric (EV) and other new technologies.

But Detroit is still the show for automakers to roll out their latest and greatest, no matter what the MPG or buzzword. BMW debuted updates to its best-selling and arguably most important model, the 3 series. Acura showed off the sporty ILX sedan. Cadillac talked up its "3 series fighter," the ATS sport sedan. And Toyota's Scion division released the rear-drive FR-S, finally making good on its promise to Celica enthusiasts.

Here's our selection of some of the best cars showcased at the 2012 Detroit International Auto Show:

Photos: 10 Cars From Detroit Auto Show

BMW 3 Series
BMW spared no expense to display its best-selling "bread & butter" model. The award-winning 3 is the industry benchmark, and BMW has no margin for error for its cash cow. The new 3 grew a few inches and now comes in three different trim packages: Luxury, Sport or Modern, with each featuring subtle interior and exterior trims. BMW also added more tech, luxe and room, along with an optional four cylinder turbo engine that makes this 3 the most fuel-efficient ever.

Ford Fusion
The 2013 Fusion looks like the product of a one-night stand between an Audi and Aston Martin. The stunning front grille immediately grabs your attention, while the profile and rear recall the lines of an Audi. The Fusion was one of the most talked-about models at the Detroit Show and underscores just how serious Ford intends to compete in the mid-size segment currently ruled by the likes of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

Scion FR-S
In the '80s and mid-'90s, Toyota ruled the rear-drive sport coupe segment with the Supra and Celica, but lost its way by later designing cars that started to look like home appliances. In time, Celica/Supra enthusiasts started lobbying the automaker to return to its racing roots. Enter Toyota's Scion FR-S. Making its North America debut in Detroit, this highly anticipated compact rear-drive sports car comes loaded with a rapid 16 valve four-cylinder engine, standard Bluetooth and HD radio — Pioneer sound — all packaged at a base price of about $25,000.

Audi S6
The Audi S6 was always the Khloe Kardashian of the sport sedan world: attention-seeking, well-dressed and ready to work, but always third best when compared to BMW's M5 and Mercedes-Benz's E-AMG. This may change with the launch of the new S6. This sporty sedan is striking. It seduces drivers and passengers alike with a quilted leather and suede interior, Harmon Kardon stereo, standard Quattro all-wheel drive, and 0-60 in 4.8 seconds.

Lexus GS
The once dominant luxury carmaker in America is finally getting its mojo back. While the GS is by no means a revolutionary design by the staid automaker, it is indicative of what's to come from Lexus in the near future. First with the LFA supercar and now the GS, it seems that Lexus' design team are eschewing green tea for sake in an effort to build sexier cars . While the former GS was the equivalent of automotive ambien, the new model awakens the driver with sport suspension, an industry-leading 12.3 inch LED screen, and a beautiful interior that may just be best in class.

VW Beetle
The first Beetle became a symbol of hippie culture; the '90s relaunch became known as the ultimate "chick car." The bosses over at Volkswagen wanted the next Beetle to do one thing: man up! The result is a more masculine and menacing Beetle that's sleeker and sportier than ever. Coming soon? An even faster and more furious Beetle-R with a turbo-charged engine, all-wheel drive and over 200 hp.

Cadillac ATS
Cadillac makes no excuses about its desire to take on BMW. The latest contender comes in the form of the 2013 ATS. The rear-drive Caddy was finely tuned on German's famous Nürburgring, which the automaker describes as "the world’s most demanding testing ground." The ATS boasts a stunning interior loaded with tech. It includes Cadillac's much-talked-about CUE Entertainment center, and a center console that features an eight-inch screen with downloadable apps and Pandora.

Acura ILX and NSX Concepts
It's hard to believe that Acura, now widely recognized for an uninspiring line of cars, had once created icons like the Legend and NSX. The bosses over at Honda, Acura's parent company, reacted to a significant drop in sales by asking the designers at Acura to channel the old design ethos, and the results are the ILX and NSX. Acura was mum about details on both concepts, so while help isn't exactly on the way, there's at least a glimmer of hope from the Acura line.

Dodge Dart
Now owned by Italy's Fiat, Chrysler's Dodge division has gotten a slick Italian makeover. Fiat is sharing its expertise at building small, desirable cars with the revived brand. One of the latest iterations of this joint venture is the 2013 Dodge Dart. Obviously meant to compete with Hyundai and Honda competitors with a host of standard options like its most-in-class 10 airbags, an 8.4 inch touch screen control panel, ambient lighting and 40 MPG, the Dart's new design gives it — and Dodge — a fighting chance.

Lexus LF-LC Concept
Officially unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show, this stunning coupe designed in Lexus' studio in Newport, California, was the most buzzed-about and photographed car at the show. While purely a concept vehicle, the gorgeous LF-LC likely hints at future Lexus design innovations. Too bad it won't be on the road itself anytime soon.