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If you're considering a new car, keep these upcoming models, just unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show, in mind.


1. Honda CR-Z

Honda is going "retro" with this hybrid model just introduced at the Detroit Auto Show. It goes on sale in the summer.

Back in the 1980s Honda sold a two seat car called the CR-X. The same trait that made it fun to drive -- it was extremely light -- also made it extremely fuel efficient. The way the EPA rated fuel economy in those days, it got an eye-popping 57 miles per gallon in highway driving. Using today's EPA test, it would get about 51 mpg.



The CR-Z hybrid won't even touch that. Honda estimates it will get 36 mpg and 38 on the highway with an automatic transmission and slightly less with a manual. It's powered by a 1.5-liter engine and electric motors for a combined 122 horsepower.

The pay-off for today's lower fuel economy is that the CR-Z will be bigger and much safer than the CR-X. Twenty years ago, a safe small car was virtually an oxymoron. The federal government never crash tested the CR-X but, given that the larger Honda Prelude of the time earned just one star, it's unlikely the CR-X would have done better. Improved safety means more weight -- from airbags and added body structure -- and lower fuel economy.


2. Ford Focus

When the new Focus compact car goes on sale at the start of 2011, Ford will finally be selling the same Focus in Europe and the U.S. It will start producing this car in other markets after that. That's good for Ford because it saves the carmaker serious money. It's good for you because Ford's European Focus is a much better, more enjoyable car than the one they've been selling here.


The new Focus will have a new hi-tech 2.0-liter engine and a dual-clutch six-speed automatic transmission. Dual clutch transmissions provide a feel similar to that of a manual, but the shifts happen automatically and much faster than you could manage yourself.

The new engine is more powerful than today's Focus and Ford promises it will be up to 10% more fuel efficient, which could mean fuel economy of about 33 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving.

3. Lincoln MKX

Besides a new, more flowing design with Lincoln's signature "bow wave" grill, the MKX crossover gets a new 305-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine. The most important improvements are on the inside, however. The new MKX's much-improved interior is more fitting for a luxury brand. Also, this SUV offers Ford's first use of the MyLincoln Touch interface technology. (It will also be sold as MyFord Touch and MyMercury Touch.)

The system is a maxed-out form of Ford's popular Sync software that drivers can use to operate their mobile phones, music players and various car functions and features using voice commands or a simple touch-sensitive computer interface. The system is designed to keep the driver's hands on the wheels and eyes on the road.

The MKX will be quieter than competing crossovers from Lexus and Audi, Ford boasts, while being more enjoyable than today's MKX. Besides the new engine, which you'll also find under the hood of the new Mustang, the MKX will have a manually shiftable six-speed automatic transmission.

4. Mercedes-Benz E-class Cabriolet

This cloth-top version of the E-class coupe is the first convertible E-class since the 1990s. Mercedes engineers have made a valiant effort to protect E-class Cabriolet occupants from the downsides of driving a convertible.

The E-class Cabriolet has a "a particularly high level of sound insulation," according to Mercedes, giving it one of the quiestest interiors in its class with the roof up. The top can be raised or lowered at speeds up to 25 miles per hour.

With the top down, an available "AirCap" system creates an area of calm warm air for the occupants even as the wind rushes by above them. With the windows rolled up, small wind deflectors rise above the windshield and behind the back seats to create the effect. The system can be deployed at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour.

The E550 Cabriolet will have a 382 horsepower engine and the E350 provides 268 horsepower. The car goes on sale in the spring.

5. Ford Mustang GT 5.0

If you're thinking of buying a 2010 Ford Mustang, stop now and go back to waiting. If you already bought one... sorry. While the 2011 Mustang isn't exactly a new car -- it's just an improvement to the car you can buy now -- but the improvements are major.

Most significant is the new 5.0-liter V8 engine unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show. It's going to replace the 4.6-liter engine in today's car. The new engine is significantly more powerful, producing 412 horsepower compared to 315 from the 4.6-liter engine, while fuel economy is one mpg better.

The base Mustang's V6 engine, which was unveiled in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show, is a lot better, too. It produces 305 horsepower, nearly as much as today's V8. At the same time, it's projected to get 30 mpg on the highway.

Of course there's more to performance than just the engine. Ford promises better steering feel from a new electronic power steering system and the suspension system has also been improved to provide even better handing than the current Mustang.

6. Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

Cadillac unveiled the CTS coupe, Cadillac's splashiest style statement to in recent years, at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. This is the supercharged 556-horsepower high performance version with the same engine and transmission as the four-door CTS-V sedan. Given that the CTS-V can already out-race more expensive European competitors, the CTS-V coupe, smaller, lighter and with a slightly wider tail, should be even more exciting.

Other differences from the sedan include a more sloped-back windshield and Corvette-style touch-pads in place of traditional door handles. Like the sedan, it will be available with either a six-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission.

 

Some pictures of the CR-Z

 

Original CRX was fairly inexpensive and moddable...new one is opposite...fail

 

pssssh Just imagine that body with a K20/K24 swap or something......... Sweet ass body style.

 

and it's a hybrid, so it's gay !!!

 

^ Fuck that........... The bodystyle would be sweet with a swap.

 

thats sad that it takes ripping apart a brand new car in order for it to be sweet. They said the same thing about the Insight and... oh yeah that thing failed too.

 

I like the CR-Z. I would own one if I could afford one, But it still would be a sweet and nasty ride with a swap in it. An upgraded version of a CRX civic with a K20/K24 swap. Gets old seeing the same old stuff from Honda owners. Same old civic with same old swap. I like to see new stuff being done. For example.. Old hatch bodystyle with a New civic front end, Or a Crx with a Integra front end. Being unique shouldn't make you feel sad. Some1 doing something out of the box is great in my book. They get Two Thumbs up.

 

see from your perspective, all of what you mentioned is "new" and "different". From mine, its yet another FWD(!!) that has to be dramatically improved upon for it to be relevant. Engine swapping hondas has been done so much now its kind of a novelty to find a civic that ISN'T swapped. If you really want to be unique, buy a CRZ and DON'T mod it. Even better, if you want to be unique, step out of the heard of Hondas.

Again, thats just my point of view.

 

it is saying that u drive an acura tl ... is that not a honda