Graeme Fletcher: Ford GT
What would any self-respecting auto show be without its fair share of exotic cars? The Cadillac CTS-V is a luxury version of the Corvette Z06, except with four doors. The Acura NSX is as sweet and seductive as it was promised to be for what seems like an eternity. Then there was Ford — the launch of the Mustang Shelby GT350R signalled that the company’s newly formed Ford Performance arm was going to up the ante in the go-faster arena.
Well, the bombshell landed in the form of the seductively exotic Ford GT. Not only does it have frighten-Ferrari, jaw-dropping looks, but its body is comprised of lightweight aluminum and carbon fibre. This and the fact the mid-engined 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine will deliver in excess of 600 horsepower makes it my ride of choice at this year’s North American International Auto Show. How can you not be totally besotted with something so far out there in terms of its overt personality and performance? It will not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it suited me to the proverbial tee!
Also read: Sexy performance cars steal the show in Detroit
Ford GT
Derek McNaughton, Driving
John LeBlanc: Buick Avenir Concept
Sure, the new Ford GT may have been the sexy favourite of the 2015 Detroit auto show. And if Chevrolet can manage to sell its 300-kilometre range Bolt EV for anything close to its projected US$30,000 price, it may actually be the first practical electric car for the family. But for me, the most significant world premiere from here in Motown was the Buick Avenir Concept.
As General Motors’ Cadillac brand talks about a rear-wheel-drive flagship sedan, the Buick Avenir is closer to reality. French for “future”— from its aggressive front end to its rear that harks back to the iconic 1970’s “boat tail” Buick Riviera — the Avenir is the tip of the brand’s design arrow for all forthcoming models.
Money talks in the automotive world, so while Cadillac sales slump, Buick’s growing success in China (about 800,000 out of 1 million Buicks sold around the world go to Chinese buyers) means we may see the Avenir in a showroom sooner than its proposed Cadillac CT6 counterpart.
2015 Buick Avenir Concept
Derek McNaughton, Driving
Lesley Wimbush: Vintage Ford truck
This appeared to be the year for high-performance exotics, as there was enough curvaceous sheetmetal unveiled here in Detroit to satiate even the most hungry lover of horsepower.
Judging from the seething throngs surrounding the luscious, candy-apple red Acura NSX finally making its production debut here after several years of being teased with almost-maybe concepts – Acura’s supercar will certainly be the favourite of many.
And the spectacular rebirth of Ford’s GT generated the biggest buzz of the show.
So I’m going to be a square peg in a round hole when choosing my own personal favourite.
Ford’s stand at the show was packed denser than a streetcar at rush hour with folks admiring the GT and new Shelby GT350, while the Baja trophy truck display went almost completely unnoticed. While the contemporary Baja F-150 truck was a pretty cool buggy, it was the vintage stepside Ford that caught my eye.
This vintage Ford truck was an unexpected favourite.
Lesley Wimbush, Driving
Unfortunately, there wasn’t a representative anywhere at the Ford stand that could tell me anything other than, “It’s called a trophy truck, I think.”
Well, yeah. The truck belonged to Abatti Racing, a farming family out of Holtview, Calif., who are now on their third generation of competing in off-road truck races. Son Ben Jr., 20, currently competes in the Trophylite Race Series, but the vintage stepside, which appears to be either a 1964 or ’65, wears his mom Judy’s name on the window.
“NORRA” stickers fore and aft indicate that Judy competed this truck the National Off-Road Racing Association’s Mexican 1000 Rally.
Click here for full coverage of the 2015 Detroit auto show
Derek McNaughton: Ford GT
Ford seems to delight in stealing the show in Detroit. Last year, it was the 2015 F-150. This year, Ford presented what can only be considered the coolest car we’ll see all year.
Of course, not many people will be able to buy it, as its $300,000-plus price tag puts it into the supercar leagues. The car could almost be considered an investment, though, considering that the last-generation GT, built in 2005 and 2006, now sells for anywhere between $300,000 and $900,000.
But this car isn’t about price or the ability to afford one. It is about making dreams real. This is the type of car that children will dream about for years, inspiring them, making them want to drive, build, design or engineer automobiles. In short, the GT and its more than 600 horsepower — from a V6 — is what makes us fall in love with the automobile all over again.
Ford GT
Derek McNaughton, Driving
David Booth: BAC WitStar
What was my favourite car of the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit? That’s easy; the WitStar. Ostensibly an extended-range concept car from China’s GAC Group, the company makes all manner of outrageous claims for the futuristic-looking crossover: a top speed of 160 km/h despite a minuscule 60 horsepower, 1.0-litre gasoline engine, a 100-kilometre range despite a rear battery area that looked suspiciously like one of my grandpa’s back woodshed experiments, and a claimed 2.1 L/100 km fuel economy from something as aerodynamic as a brick.
But these whimsical, fraudulent, or overly optimistic claims are not why I picked the GAC. Nope. I love the WitStar because it has a fishtank in the back seat. Yup, an aquarium with real bubbles and the whole bit. Oh, the fish aren’t real, but still, with a little work, it could be nature’s perfect ECO gauge. Put real fish in the tank, a card-carrying PETA member in the back seat, and I dare you to jack-rabbit start. One splash of water threatening little Guppie’s habitat and the rath of animal lovers everywhere would be upon you. You’d never tromp an accelerator again.
