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Corvette Z06, Kia Ri, Subaru B9 Tribeca and more
DETROIT, Mich. - SUVs are the most important thing in the world. For those automakers who, earlier in the show, dared to think that the dark era of the Sport Utility Vehicle was passing and that it was safe to introduce such novel things as sedans, compacts and coupes, they were wrong - SUVs, especially luxury SUVs are once again being foisted down the public's pocket book by over eager automakers desperate to get in on the profit margin bonanza. Sure, there are rebels at this year's 2005 North American International Auto Show. Kia, always a rogue, dared to trot out a new Rio compact, -- and General Motors - sated with their large and profitable stable of SUVs - brought out a 'Vette Z06 and the Cadillac STS-V - high performance cars that add flair to the driving experience. There was much more, including a new Toyota Avalon, two new cars from Mitsubishi, a Lincoln sedan and a new Mazda 5. The Subaru Tribeca took the honors for most risky design, while the Land Rover Range Rover kept up the SUV beat.
2005 North American International Auto Show spotlights production vehicles
Photos by Erik Hanson
Cadillac, the American luxury automaker that developed the world's first V-16 engine and the world's worst cylinder deactivation technology, has never built a motor more powerful, or more sophisticated, than the supercharged, 4.4-liter Northstar V8 that resides under the hood of the new 2006 Cadillac STS-V. Developing 100 horsepower per liter, this new engine is capable of propelling the new 4,300-pound STS-V to 60 mph in less than five seconds. Photos by Erik Hanson
Cadillac, the American luxury automaker that developed the world's first V-16 engine and the world's worst cylinder deactivation technology, has never built a motor more powerful, or more sophisticated, than the supercharged, 4.4-liter Northstar V8 that resides under the hood of the new 2006 Cadillac STS-V. Developing 100 horsepower per liter, this new engine is capable of propelling the new 4,300-pound STS-V to 60 mph in less than five seconds. Photos by Erik Hanson
Cadillac, the American luxury automaker that developed the world's first V-16 engine and the world's worst cylinder deactivation technology, has never built a motor more powerful, or more sophisticated, than the supercharged, 4.4-liter Northstar V8 that resides under the hood of the new 2006 Cadillac STS-V. Developing 100 horsepower per liter, this new engine is capable of propelling the new 4,300-pound STS-V to 60 mph in less than five seconds. Photos by Erik Hanson
Endowed with more of everything that makes a Corvette yummy, and officially recognized as the fastest and most powerful production car that General Motors has ever produced, the new 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 makes 500 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 475 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,800 rpm from a 7.0-liter, hand-built, LS7 V8 that is based on the standard Corvette's LS2 6.0-liter motor. That's a smidge more than 427 cubic inches, for all you Oldie Oldersons, and you should also know that the majority of the motor's twist comes online at 1,600 rpm. Whammy, blammy, yowee, zowee! Photos by Erik Hanson
Endowed with more of everything that makes a Corvette yummy, and officially recognized as the fastest and most powerful production car that General Motors has ever produced, the new 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 makes 500 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 475 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,800 rpm from a 7.0-liter, hand-built, LS7 V8 that is based on the standard Corvette's LS2 6.0-liter motor. That's a smidge more than 427 cubic inches, for all you Oldie Oldersons, and you should also know that the majority of the motor's twist comes online at 1,600 rpm. Whammy, blammy, yowee, zowee! Photos by Erik Hanson
Endowed with more of everything that makes a Corvette yummy, and officially recognized as the fastest and most powerful production car that General Motors has ever produced, the new 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 makes 500 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 475 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,800 rpm from a 7.0-liter, hand-built, LS7 V8 that is based on the standard Corvette's LS2 6.0-liter motor. That's a smidge more than 427 cubic inches, for all you Oldie Oldersons, and you should also know that the majority of the motor's twist comes online at 1,600 rpm. Whammy, blammy, yowee, zowee! Photos by Erik Hanson
Wider, taller, and longer, the new Rio provides more of what Kia believes subcompact car shoppers desire. Thanks in part to its longer wheelbase, passenger room now registers 92.2 cubic feet, and trunk volume has increased to 11.9 cubic feet. Safety continues to be a priority for the company, so the five-passenger 2006 Kia Rio is equipped with front, side and curtain airbags; front disc brakes; and three-point seatbelts for all passengers. Peace of mind is addressed by Kia's popular five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and its 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, with five years of roadside assistance thrown in, as well. Photos by Erik Hanson
Wider, taller, and longer, the new Rio provides more of what Kia believes subcompact car shoppers desire. Thanks in part to its longer wheelbase, passenger room now registers 92.2 cubic feet, and trunk volume has increased to 11.9 cubic feet. Safety continues to be a priority for the company, so the five-passenger 2006 Kia Rio is equipped with front, side and curtain airbags; front disc brakes; and three-point seatbelts for all passengers. Peace of mind is addressed by Kia's popular five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and its 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, with five years of roadside assistance thrown in, as well. Photos by Erik Hanson
Wider, taller, and longer, the new Rio provides more of what Kia believes subcompact car shoppers desire. Thanks in part to its longer wheelbase, passenger room now registers 92.2 cubic feet, and trunk volume has increased to 11.9 cubic feet. Safety continues to be a priority for the company, so the five-passenger 2006 Kia Rio is equipped with front, side and curtain airbags; front disc brakes; and three-point seatbelts for all passengers. Peace of mind is addressed by Kia's popular five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and its 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, with five years of roadside assistance thrown in, as well. Photos by Erik Hanson
Bid the BMW V8 under the Range Rover's hood goodbye, because for 2006 it's being replaced with Jaguar-sourced powerplants in both normally aspirated and supercharged formats. The standard 4.4-liter V8 makes 305 horsepower, and the 4.2-liter supercharged V8 cranks out 400 horsepower, making the 2006 Range Rover the most powerful Land Rover ever. Not only are the engines more muscular, but also they are expected to be more fuel-efficient thanks to drive-by-wire throttle control and advanced engine management systems. The engines are also modified to work better at extreme angles during difficult off-road travel, and have been modified to provide improved protection against rocks, dust, and water. Photos by Erik Hanson