2009 Detroit Auto Show Photo Gallery: Production Debuts

Let's just get this out of the way: 50 mph combined EPA rating. Combined. Not highway, not with a Bulgarian gymnast at the wheel, not with a backwind the size of Iowa. That makes the Toyota Prius the highest mileage car sold in America. That's a huge claim. Not only that, it's also the most aerodynamic mass-produced vehicle on the market as well. And while the new Prius doesn't look dramatically different, Toyota claims it's 90 percent newly-developed over the previous generation. Looks like the Prius will continue to wear the green car crown (for now).

Photo Courtesy of: Toyota

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The 2010 BMW Z4 has gone from slightly goofy looking to very classy. The longer hood line gives the Z4 a bit of the masculinity it always seemed to lack, and the integration of a retractable hardtop makes this a very compelling choice. The 2010 BMW Z4 will initially be offered with two versions of the 3.0-liter engine found in the 3 Series, one naturally aspirated, and another turbocharged. We fully expect an "M" performance version, though no word has officially spoken by BMW regarding its existence. Dropping summer of 2009, pricing should precede its launch.

Photo Courtesy of: NAIAS

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The exterior of the current Buick LaCrosse is about as bland as day-old Irish oatmeal. Next to the 2010 Buick LaCrosse one rubs their eyes in disbelief that the two cars even share a historical lineage. Which Senator was it that said General Motors can't build cars people want to drive? Oh that's right; it was Senator Footinhismouth. The 2010 LaCrosse's good looks continue on to the interior as well, highlighted by a cool blue ambient lighting. When the LaCrosse arrives this summer it will have stiff competition, starting with the highly lauded Hyundai Genesis, though the LaCrosse already has a leg up on the Genesis with the availability of a brand-new all-wheel drive system. No pricing has been announced as of yet.

Photo Courtesy of: NAIAS

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While performance has of late taken a notable back seat to fuel economy and environmentally-friendly technology, the Ford Specialty Vehicles Team (SVT) has a gift to those who speak only one language: Brutal horsepower, a language which sounds like a mix of Tim Allen grunting and tires melting. Unwrapped at the show, the new 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 delivers the most power and refinement ever from a Ford SVT-tuned performance Mustang, and according to Ford, it's "the best Mustang ever." The Shelby's 540 horsepower is only one of many upgrades made to the base Mustang, including the traffic police-baiting racing stripes.

Photo Courtesy of: MotorAuthority.com

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When Ford rolled out the 2010 Ford Taurus, people in the audience clapped, and they weren't just being polite. The 2010 Ford Taurus takes a sharp right turn away from Yawnington, BO (the geographical abbreviation for the state of Boringonia) and instead crafts an image that is both sporty and assertive, with chrome accents inside and out that come off as premium, not faux-gaudy. You can even get it with 20-inch rims, because what is a Ford Taurus without deuces? The flagship Ford sedan will go on sale at a starting price of $25,995 this summer.

Photo Courtesy of: MotorAuthority.com

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It's been rumored for a long time that Lexus would get its own variant of the Toyota Prius, for those looking for something a little less common place. Featuring such luxury items as Heads-up Display, LED headlamps, and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, it will be interesting to see in what other ways the HS250h differentiates itself from the Prius, which in previous-generations wasn't lacking in luxury accoutrements either. Expect the HS 250h to get excellent gas mileage, but not quite on par with the Prius due to additional weight and slightly reduced aerodynamics. No pricing information available at this time.

Photo Courtesy of: MotorAuthority.com

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Oh how long we've come since the days of the Chevrolet Blazer. I can hear my neighbor's brakes squeaking now. This 2010 Chevy Equinox is even a huge step over its most recent predecessor, the current Chevrolet Equinox. In addition to a vastly improved interior and exterior, the 2010 Chevy Equinox manages to achieve 30 mpg on the highway with a new 2.4L direct injection engine, a 25 percent improvement over the current Equinox. Key features include Bluetooth, navigation, and rear-seat DVD entertainment. Expect to see the 2010 Chevy Equinox in dealerships this summer. No word yet on pricing.

Photo Courtesy of: General Motors

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Ever since the Fisker Karma first debuted, we were skeptical it could ever turn into a reality. Supportive, but skeptical. A year later Fisker is back with an XL "I told you so!" t-shirt and the keys to a vehicle that is every thing it was promised to be in the debuted version, from the stunning design to the plug-in hybrid platform that offers an electric-only range of 50 miles. Did we mention is does 0-60 in 5.2 seconds? Pinch us. We're still skeptical about how a vehicle like this can be sold for $87,900 (please take my name off the Tesla waiting list), but we're learning very quickly to take Fisker at its word, and we only wish we could be there in November to accept delivery of one.

Photo Courtesy of: NAIAS

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Surprise! Or not really. Don't be deceived by the grand entrance on the new MINI Cooper Convertible, there isn't anything really that ground breaking about it (though how groundbreaking can you be with such an iconic shape? Call it the Volkswagen Beetle dilemma). New for 2010: A turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, a roomier trunk, an updated interior, and some dope-looking black rims (we hope those weren't just for show). Also optional, an "Openometer" gauge that tracks the amount of time spent in convertible mode. And to think, last generation MINI Cooper Convertible drivers had to calculate this by the severity of their farmer tans!

Photo Courtesy of: NAIAS

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The highly anticipated Jaguar XFR was unveiled in Detroit, along with an updated version of the wicked XKR. Both share a supercharged version of Jaguar's new direct-injection 5.0-liter V8 engine, producing 510 horsepower, good for a 0-60 time of 4.7 in the XFR. Characteristic of "R" badged Jaguars, the exterior enhancements are subtle, but unmistakable, and extremely attractive. The XFR gets exclusive 20-inch rims, and the XKR retains its signature chrome-lined lower mesh grille. Interiors get enhanced as well, including highly-bolstered seats for accelerating madly during off-ramp exiting.

Photo Courtesy of: NAIAS

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While Audi seems to really be doing just about everything right with their cars of late, the Audi A3 hasn't exactly driven itself off dealership lots. Why? Maybe because you wanted a Mini Clubman instead. Well consider this: Audi just dropped a big diesel bomb on the A3 in the form of the same 2.0L TDI engine found in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI. This should be good for at least a combined EPA average of 34 mpg. Those looking for a small, premium, high-mileage vehicle that don't use the word "cute" to describe itself should definitely keep an eye out for this vehicle.

Photo Courtesy of: MotorAuthority.com