THE BEST OF THE 2008 AUTO SHOWS

With the Detroit, Chicago and LA Auto Shows already in the can, we've picked out some of the fun, if not impractical, vehicles that we thought were fun to look at if nothing else.  Take a look and enjoy the view.

 

2008 Audi R8 V12 TDI Le Mans Concept
The Audi R8 is absolutely the hottest sports car in the US market.  the list of $118k is on the way north based on sales of the initial 500 units brought into the US.  Here it it with a little more tweek for the R8 as a concept.  We first saw the R8 V12 TDI concept in Detroit where we fell in love with the silver car not for its over-the-top look-at-me styling, but because of what was under the glass engine cover. For its first European appearance, Audi has painted the car red and tacked Le Mans on to the end of its title. We're still concentrating on that engine.

It's powered by the same twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter diesel V-12 this time around, rated at 500 hp and a mega 738 lb-ft of torque. That engine also powers the 2009 Q7 V12 TDI that dropped in Geneva, so we know Audi can mass produce this astounding oil burner. The crazy-torque TDI engine is based on the 5.5-liter from the Le Mans-winning R10 TDI race car, hence the concept's new name.

 

2008 BMW M3 Convertible - North American Debut


 

The M3 Convertible is making its North American debut at the 2008 New York show.

Just when we thought we'd heard all that BMW had to say during the 2008 Detroit auto show, the company confirmed that a convertible will be joining the M3 lineup. The car's official unveiling will take place at the Geneva show in early March.

A convertible M3 is nothing new, nor are we surprised that one will be arriving on the E93 platform. All three previous M3 generations have been available topless, two of which were brought to the U.S. market. This is, however, the first M3 to get a retractable hardtop in its convertible form.

Based on the 3-series droptop M3 features the same 414-hp V-8 engine as the coupe and sedan. The M team has made improvements to the convertible to improve torsional stiffness, and they've fitted the car with unique suspension tuning.

2008 Ford Transit Connect Taxi Concept

After showing a variety of commercially outfitted Transit Connects in Chicago, Ford has given one a livery makeover for the Big Apple. The taxi is still yellow, but most everything else is different in this concept. The van features dual sliding doors and more space for passengers and their cargo. It uses the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that will come in all Transit Connects.

We like the idea, as the Transit Connect is a space- and fuel-efficient alternative to the ancient V-8-powered Crown Vics roaming metropolis.

2010 Pontiac G8 Sport Truck  And it won't get the El Camino badge!?

More than twenty years after the death of Chevy's famous El Camino, General Motors is giving Americans another chance to own a new car-based pickup. But like Pontiac's defunct GTO, this icon returns with a bit of an Australian accent.

Previewed at the 2008 New York auto show, the 2010 Pontiac G8 sport truck is essentially a lengthened G8 sedan - sans a back seat and trunk. Instead, GM's performance division worked a truck bed onto the G8's body, which first originated in Australia as the Holden Commodore. And like the G8's Holden cousin, the sport truck has already been an overseas hit as the Holden Ute.

Detroit 08: Significant Debuts For Actual Production Cars

Additional picks for significant production debuts at the 2008 North American International Auto Show. They're all game changers of some form or another. Read why we think so and then click the links at the end for full coverage of each vehicle.

 


 

2009 Hyundai Genesis

With rear-wheel-drive, a powerful V-8, and an attractive (albeit contrived) design, Hyundai moves into the large luxury sedan market. Slowly but surely, this company continues to raise its own bar. It's interesting to note that Hyundai didn't use the Genesis to launch a Lexus-like brand. We're eager to see who buys these cars.
 


 

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

True, we've known about this one since December, but it's hardly old news. Chevy is building the most powerful - and most expensive - Corvette ever. It may not look much different from other C6 Vettes, but this one is packed with enough power and tech to make up for it. If it's as good as it looks on paper there should be no shortage of customers for this $100,000 beast.
 


 

 

2009 BMW 335d

We love diesels and, according to a few recent All-Star lists, we happen to like the 3-series. We're glad to finally see a performance-oriented diesel sedan on its way to the USA. Honorable mention goes to the X5 equipped with the same engine - quite possibly the perfect tow vehicle. Let the diesel invasion begin.

 


 

2009 VW Passat CC

Sexy Passat used to be an oxymoron. VW has taken the idea for the Mercedes CLS (itself based on the E-class) and created a 4 Door coupe for the masses. Look for the Passat name to be dropped for the American market, and for the CC to start somewhere around $27,000. That's an impressive price for a car that looks this good.
 


 

2009 Cadillac CTS-V

Power like this was previously unheard of in an American sedan. Like the CTS coupe concept, the CTS-V shows Cadillac is serious about going after the likes of BMW and Mercedes Benz.  The factory-tuned horsepower war will no longer be limited to German soil.