Portland International Auto Show 2006

The Portland International Auto Show was held January 26-29, 2006 at the Oregon Convention Center in downtown Portland, Oregon. I attended on the evening of Saturday the 28th. Admission was a somewhat steep $10 for adults. This was the first major event where I used my digital camera with its rechargeable batteries.

The Portland International Auto Show is sponsored by the Metro Portland New Car Dealers Association, which was founded in 1914 and represents nearly 100 area car dealers. The 2006 show features cars from 35 manufacturers, as well as some special features.

Unfortunately, as Portland is a smaller city, the automakers rarely bring their exciting concept cars to Portland, and this year was no exception. However, the Association makes up for it by bringing in exotic sports cars, race cars & motorcycles that are rarely seen at other shows.

Oregon Convention Center

Funds for the construction of the Oregon Convention Center were secured in November 1986 when voters approved a bond measure for its construction. The Oregon Convention Center opened in 1990. It was built by, and is operated by, Metro, a directly-elected metropolitan planning organization (the only such organization in the United States) serving the 25 cities in three counties that make up the the Portland metropolitan area, through its subsidiary, the Metropolitan Exposition Recreation Commission. As originally built, the center featured 490,000 square feet of space. An expansion was completed in April 2003, bringing the center's total space to over 1 million square feet, making it the largest convention center in the Pacific Northwest.

The Oregon Convention Center features award-winning architecture, dominated by two 350-foot glass spires designed by Portland architect Robert Frasca of the Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership over the main lobby spaces. Hanging in the east tower is a 40-foot Chinese Dragon Boat, custom-built in Taiwan, commemorating the annual Dragon Boat Races held in the Willamette River during the Rose Festival. Hanging in the north tower is the world's largest Foucault Pendulum.

Foucault Pendulum

Known as Principia, this Foucault Pendulum swings over a suspended 40-foot halo. The inner rays of the halo go from vertical to horizontal as the halo rotates around the pendulum with the building and the earth itself. The bronze pendulum bob is 36 inches in diameter and hangs from a 70-foot cable. It makes a 15-foot swing every 15 seconds. The top of the cable is 90 feet above the floor, so the pendulum swings 20 feet above the lobby. Beneath the pendulum, a terrazzo floor 30 feet in diameter depicts a fictional solar system. This is an original installation of the center, created by New York City artists Kristin Jones and Andrew Ginzel and installed in September 1990 by Lathe Tool Works, now known as LTW Automation, manufacturer of most of the world's Foucault pendulums.

A plaque was added later on a nearby wall to describe the pendulum's history and how it works. The text of the plaque is as follows:

Foucault Pendulum

In 1851, French physicist Jean Bernard Leon Foucault (pronounced "foo-koh") discovered that a pendulum's swing plane would change according to the Earth's rotation. The pendulum appears to rotate, but actually the Earth rotates under it. To keep the 750 pound ball from stopping due to friction, an electromagnetic ring around the top of the cable is turned on each time the ball swings at its lowest point.

The full 360 degree rotation varies depending at which latitude the pendulum is located. At the North Pole on full rotation is accomplished in 24 hours, 33.5 hours in Portland, and no rotation at the Equator.

This Foucault Pendulum was designed by two artisans, Kristin Jones and Andrew Ginzel, and constructed by the Lathe Toolworks of San Francisco. The terrazzo floor was designed and built by Fabrication Specialties of Seattle.

 

National Association of Watch

And Clock Collectors

Pacific Northwest Chapter 31

In Memory of J. Bryson Moore

February 1999

Note that the plaque states that the weight of the pendulum bob is 750 pounds. The builder's website gives the weight as 900 pounds, and the artists' website gives the weight as 950 pounds. I'm curious if anyone out there has proof of the pendulum's weight.

Exotics Gallery

Ferrari

This is a 2003 Ferrari Enzo Ferrari. Named after the company's founder, Enzo Ferrari, the limited-edition Ferrari Enzo Ferrari originally listed for $500,000.00, but can be found for sale today for twice that. Only 400 were built. Like all Enzo Ferrari's, this one is powered by a naturally-aspirated 6.0 liter V12 engine producing 650 horsepower with a 6-speed paddle-shift manual transmission, allowing it to accelerate to 60 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds with a top speed of about 220 miles per hour. It was displayed at the show by Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo.

 

Ferrari introduced a new car in 2005, the F430, represented here by a 2005 F430 Spyder. The F430 is powered by a 483 horsepower 4.3 liter V8. It was displayed by Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo.

 

Here is the current 2006 Ferrari F430 Coupe, virtually unchanged from the 2005 model. It was displayed courtesy of Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo.

 

 

Lamborghini

 

This is a 1999 Lamborghini Diablo GT. It is powered by a 575 horsepower 6.0 liter V12. Only 80 Diablo GTs were produced. The model was officially sold in Europe, though some have been imported to the United States. It was displayed at the show by Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo.

 

 

 

Lotus

These cars are Lotus Elise roadsters. The Elise is powered by a Toyota-based 190 horsepower 1.8 liter DOHC four-cylinder engine with a 6-speed close-ratio transmission. The  Elise can accelerate to 60 miles per hour in 4.9 seconds with a top speed of 150 miles per hour, while still delivering fuel economy of 24 city/29 highway. The British-built Elise was introduced in 1995, and this new version was released in 2000, but it was first made available in the United States in 2005. Base price in the U.S. is $42,990.00 from dealers such as Lotus of Portland, who had these two examples of the Elise on display. The black example displays the optional insulated removable hardtop, which adds $1,475.00 to the base price.

This is a racing version of the Lotus Exige, the coupe version of the Elise, with the same powertrain. The base Exige was launched in 2000, but wasn't unveiled in the United States until the Los Angeles Auto Show earlier in January, 2006. That means this Exige, displayed by Lotus of Portland may have been among the first displayed in the U.S.

 

 

 

Maserati

Here is the 2006 Maserati Gran Sport Coupe. It is powered by a 400 horsepower 4.2 liter V8 with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It is available in Portland from Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo, starting at around $100,000.00.

 

The 2006 Maserati Gran Sport is also available in a convertible form known as the Gran Sport Spyder. It is also available from Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo in Portland. The Gran Sport Spyder costs about $1,000.00 more than a similarly equipped Gran Sport Coupe.

The only sedan in the Exotic Gallery is the 2006 Maserati Quattroporte. "Quattroporte" literally means "four-door" in Italian. It is powered by a 395 horsepower 4.2 liter V8 with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Available in Portland from Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo; prices start at over $100,000.00.

 

 

 

 

Saleen

This is a 2004 Saleen S7. The Saleen S7 is currently the ultimate American supercar. This S7 is powered by 550 horsepower normally-aspirated 7.0 liter V8. Since 2005, Saleen S7s have been twin-turbos, producing 750hp. As a used car, Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo priced the 2004 Saleen S7 at about $440,000.00.

 

 

 

Vector

 

This is a rare Vector W8. Built in 1992 and 1993, only 17 consumer models were built. The W8 is powered by an aluminum-alloy 6.0 liter twin-turbocharged V8 producing over 600hp. This is apparently the only W8 painted purple. It was displayed at the show by Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo. When new, the W8 retailed for around $455,000.00.

 

 

Lobby

On display in the lobby was this preview of NASCAR driver Dale Jarrett's next #88 car: a Ford Fusion, replacing the Taurus.

 

 

This pair of Chevrolet Camaros were representing the Portland Police Bureau. The unmarked one in the background even has standard-issue Oregon license plates for extra stealth.

 

This customized Willys Jeep was in the lobby and may be the oldest vehicle in the show (it may be as old as the oldest cars in the Racing Gallery, see below). Its exact year is hard to determine, both due to the customizing and the fact that Jeeps do not change much from year to year, but it appears to be a CJ-3B. This model of Jeep was introduced in 1953, and was built into the late 1960s.

 

 

 

This Lotus Elise was representing Dream Cars Northwest, Inc., a Portland company that rents luxury and exotic cars.

 

 

Racing Gallery

Carrera Panamericana Ford

This 1953 Ford spent much of its life as a show car. About five years ago Car & Driver magazine converted it to run in the modern version of the Carrera Panamericana Mexican Road Race. The race restoration was performed with an eye to keeping the car period correct, using parts that were available when the Ford was factory fresh.

Owner: Frank McKinnon

Saab 96 Rally Car

This car ran the rugged Acropolis Rally in Greece in 1970 and the next year ran the Shell 4000 Trans-Canada Rally. Known as the "Hog of Steel" and driven by driver/writer Satch Carlson, it was eventually retired to a field in Clackamas, where it was later found up to its belly pan in mud. A complete restoration was undertaken and now the car is used on vintage rallies in the US and Canada.

Owner: Fred Ankeny

 

 

Oregon Plating Special

The Oregon Plating Special was one of a small number of new cars built by grant King Racing for the 1974 season. The car was built from two previously crashed chassis and its handling was a problem from the beginning, causing it to end the night in the wall as often as not. It was stored for more years than it was raced, and was changes a number of times by a host of owners. At one time it was a successful USAC Super Modified, and it qualified for the 1986 Phoenix Copper World Classic. The current owners bought the car - again in storage - in 2000 and it took about 2.5 years to restore it to racing condition.

Owners: Tom Hanna and Marvin Price

USAC Champ Car

Local chassis builder Don "Duck" Collins built this stock-block, DeSoto-powered Champ Car in 1957 and it was raced by Indy car standout Art Pollard for McLure Plastics of Portland. It was campaigned through the 1968 season, when it qualified for every race. When the car was no longer competitive, Collins locked it away in a shed, where it stayed until he died. Del McLure got the car and restored it to its 1957 specifications, including the original fuel-injected DeSoto Hemi engine.

Owner: Del McLure

Thorgiersen Special

Like many vintage race cars, this 1960s era H-modified ended up gutted, neglected, rusted and in need of total restoration. The chassis, thin-wall steel tube, was hand-built by the owner/driver, who worked as a welder in the Navy shipyard on Vancouver Island. He used a Lotus 23 as the inspiration for the car. The body is aluminum and fiberglass; the engine is from a Fiat 850. It has an extensive racing history in Canada and the Pacific Northwest.

Restoration is expected to be complete later this year.

Owner: Jerry F. Boone

Kennedy Special

The Kennedy Special was built in 1960 by Don Collins in Portland, Oregon for Bud Kennedy. It was restored in 1996 by Scott and Sandy Perrott.

The Kennedy Roadster represents the state-of-the-art of street/drag racing from the 1960s. It was featured in both Hot Rod and Car & Driver magazines as typical of the quality of the work done by craftsmen of the era. It recently turned heads in England, when it was among the American cars invited to compete at the prestigious Festival of Speed at Goodwood.

Owner: Scott Perrott

 '57 Chevy Drag Car

Looks can be deceiving. Although it appears stock from the outside, this 1957 Chevrolet is powered by a 540 cubic inch Merlin engine, coupled to a high performance transmission and a Ford rear end. It is a combination show-and-go car. It took first place at the 2005 Portland Roadster Show, but also covers the quarter mile in 11.10 seconds.

Owner: Pete Hodges

 

 

Austin Healey Sprite

This classic British roadster spent most of its life as a street car. The current owner purchased it - rusty, dirty and barely running - out of storage in 1999 and began the task of converting it to a race car. Today the Sprite is vintage correct, with 1275 cc engine, close ratio gearbox and Weber carb. It is raced regularly in the Oregon Region SCCA Vintage Class at Portland International Raceway.

Owner: Dave Franks

Datsun 2000 Roadster

This Datsun 2000 was one of about 10 lightweight race cars produced by the Japanese manufacturer for road courses. This car won the 1970 Canadian National Championship.

 

Its 850-pound chassis is made of this steel and aluminum to save weight. The engine is built to 1960s era specifications and is coupled to an extra-close ratio gearbox. The paint scheme on the roadster is the scheme used by the Datsun factory team.

Owner: Tim Scott

#42 Havoline Simulator

This NASCAR simulator of Jamie McMurray's #42 Dodge Charger is hooked of to a video game to offer the "experience" of driving a race car. Spectators could watch the "action" on the television in the background. The simulator was at the show courtesy of Chevron/Texaco and Tarr Oil Company.

 

Motorcycle Gallery

This custom chopper is called Pirate's Booty, and was built by Terri-Lynn Link of Siren Custom Cycles, a builder of custom motorcycles especially for women based in Sandy, Oregon. It was inspired by the Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

 

This patriotically-painted custom Harley-Davidson was customized by Team Latus Motors, a Harley-Davidson dealer in Portland, Oregon.

 

 

This award-winning custom cruiser is a customized Honda Valkyrie Rune, powered by a six-cylinder engine.

 

 

Here are some samples of the Harley-Davidson line, displayed by Team Latus Motors.

 

 

This group of Honda motorcycles was brought by Bob Lamphere's Beaverton Honda-Yamaha-Suzuki.

 

 

These Honda Metropolitan motor scooters are decorated for Oregon State University and the University of Oregon, respectively.

 

This motor scooter is a Suzuki Burgman 400.

 

 

The white cycle in the foreground is a Yamaha Star Road Star Tour Deluxe.

 

 

Here's a pair of Yamaha Star motorcycles. On the left is a Roadliner and I think the one on the right is a Virago.

 

 

This motor scooter is a Yamaha Morphous.

 

 

2006 Model-Year Highlights

Acura

The Acura RL is powered by Acura's 3.5 liter 290 horsepower Aluminum-alloy 24-valve SOHC V-6 engine, currently Acura's most powerful. It features Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™, a five-speed sequential SportShift automatic transmission with paddle shifters, keyless access with driver recognition and a voice-activiated navigation system with access to real-time traffic information and even restaurant ratings.

The slightly smaller TL is powered by a 3.2 liter 258 horsepower Aluminum-alloy 24-valve SOHC V-6 engine and the choice of a 5-speed SportShift or a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission with a limited-slip differential. Features include the new Acura/ELS DVD-Audio System, the first true discreet multichannel surround sound system in a production vehicle, Bluetooth wireless telephone interface and optional voice-activated navigation system.

Audi

Though smaller than Audi's flagship A8, the A6 has won several awards, including World Car of the Year and Motorweek's Driver's Choice Award for Best Luxury Sedan. The A6 is offered with either a 335 horsepower 4.2 liter V8 with a 6-speed Tiptronic^® automatic transmission and quattro^® all-wheel drive or a 255 horsepower 3.2 liter V6 with FSI^® Direct Injection and either the 6-speed Tiptronic^® with all-wheel drive or a Multitronic™ Continuously Variable Transmission and FrontTrack^® front-wheel drive. The A6 can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 6 seconds with the V8 or 7.1 seconds with the V6. Top speed is limited to 130 miles per hour. A station wagon version called the A6 Avant is also available with only the V6 and 6-speed automatic, giving the Avant a 0-60 time of 7.3 seconds.

Audi calls the new 2007 Q7 a "performance utility vehicle." The Q7 offers the choice of a 350 horsepower 4.2 liter V8 or a 280 horsepower 3.6 liter V6, both with FSI^® Direct Injection. The Q7 features a 6-speed Tiptronic^® automatic transmission and the newest asymmetric/dynamic version of quattro^® all-wheel drive.

 

 

 

The Safety Car is a preview of the 2007 RS4. The RS4 will be Audi's high-performance sport-sedan. With a 420 horsepower 4.2 liter V8 with FSI^® Direct Injection, a 6-speed manual transmission and the new asymmetric/dynamic quattro^® all-wheel drive, the RS4 will have a 0-60 time of 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 155 miles per hour.

Bentley

The Continental Flying Spur is Bentley's flagship sedan. It is powered by a 552 horsepower 6.0 liter turbocharged W12 with a 6-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Despite a curb weight of over 5,000 pounds, this powertrain can accelerate the Continental Flying Spur to 60 miles per hour in 4.9 seconds, and reach a top speed of 195 miles per hour.

 

 

The Continental GT is the coupe version of the Continental Flying Spur sedan. It has the same powertrain as the sedan: a 552 horsepower 6.0 liter turbocharged W12 with a 6-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Continental GT is a little lighter and sleeker than the Continental Flying Spur, so it can go from 0-60 in 4.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 198 miles per hour.

BMW

The "base" model of BMW is the 3-series. Shown here is the new 3-series sedan, Automobile Magazine's 2006 Automobile of the Year. The 3-series is powered by a 3.0 liter DOHC in-line six-cylinder engine rated at either 215 horsepower in the 325i or 255 horsepower in the 330i; both are capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 in less than 7 seconds. The 3-series features a standard 6-speed manual transmission or an optional 6-speed StepTronic automatic transmission, standard run-flat tires, and available all-wheel drive.

The Z4 roadster offers the engines and transmissions of the 3-series in a 2-seat convertible with a DVD navigation system and a top that lowers in 10 seconds, starting at under $35,000.

 

The 5-series is the mid-range entry of the BMW line. The 525i and 530i offer the same engine choices as the smaller 3-series, but the 550i features a 360 horsepower 4.8 liter DOHC 32-valve V8. In addition to the transmissions choices of the 3-series, the 530i and 550i also offer a 6-speed manual sequential gearbox.

The M5 is a high-performance version of the 5-series, and is BMW's fastest and most powerful offering. Powered by a 500 horsepower 5.0 liter DOHC 40-valve V10 with a 7-speed sequential manual gearbox, the M5 can accelerate from 0 to 60 in 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 miles per hour.

 

The BMW 650i is available as a coupe or convertible, with the same engine and 6-speed transmissions available in the 550i, only in a sleek sports-car body.

 

At the top of the BMW ladder is the 7-series, available as either the 750i, with the same V8 used in the 550i and 650i, or the flagship 760i, with a 438 horsepower 6.0 liter DOHC 48-valve V12, both with the 6-speed StepTronic automatic transmission.

The BMW display also featured some display cases with BMW accessories and memorabilia, and models of past and present BMW cars. Here a a couple of the more interesting models.

The BMW 503 was produced as a coupe and convertible from 1955 to 1960. Only 412 were built: 273 coupes and 129 convertibles. The 503 was powered by Germany's first postwar V8, a 3.2 liter 140 horsepower engine capable of accelerating the 507 to 118 miles per hour. The 507 body was made entirely of aluminum, and the convertibles were the first German cars to feature electrically-operated power tops.

The BMW 507 roadster was produced from 1956 to 1959. Only 252 of the V8-powered sports cars were built, as BMW lost money on every one sold. One of them was owned by Elvis Presley.

 

Buick

The brand-new Buick Lucerne CXL, the car named after a brand of milk! How exciting! Yeah, I'm not crazy about the name. The CXL is the mid-level trim. The standard engine is a 197 horsepower 3.8 liter V6. A 275 horsepower 4.6 liter Northstar DOHC V8 is optional in the CXL and standard on the CXS. This Lucerne has four portholes on its flanks, indicating it is equipped with the V8.

 

 

I have a soft spot for the Buick Rainier, as it shares the name of my hometown: Rainier, Oregon. Alas, in a couple years the Rainier, and its companion, the slightly smaller Rendezvous, will both be replaced by the Enclave, currently a concept car that apparently Portland was not worthy of. For now, the Rainier soldiers on, powered by a 195 horsepower 3.5 liter V6 or an optional 242 horsepower 3.6 liter DOHC V6 offering not only more power but also better gas mileage than the smaller engine. Front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is optional.

 

Cadillac

Cadillac's big news is, of course, the XLR roadster, powered by a 320 horsepower 4.6 liter Northstar V8 with a 5-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. It may not be brand new on the market, but its still pretty cool. The XLR features a retractable hardtop, pushbutton start, GPS-guided DVD navigation, adaptive cruise control and voice recognition. But this wasn't quite Cadillac's most impressive car.

 

 

The even bigger news is Cadillac's new high-performance version of the XLR: the XLR-V. Still a few months from being available to the public, the XLR-V is powered by a 443 horsepower supercharged 4.4 liter Northstar V8 with a 6-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, mounted in the rear to keep the car balanced, and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in 4.6 seconds.

 

 

 

Chevrolet

The Chevrolet Aveo replaces the Chevrolet Metro (formerly the Geo Metro) as the small car in the Chevrolet lineup, starting at under $10,000 and available as either a 5-door hatchback as shown, or as a 4-door sedan.

 

Chevrolet expands the Cobalt's line with the Cobalt SS. All Cobalts are powered by DOHC I4s, but the SS sedan (shown) and coupe are powered by a 171 horsepower 2.4L, an upgrade over the standard 140 horsepower 2.2L. The SS coupe is also available with a supercharged 205 horsepower 2.0L.

 

Now the fastest and most powerful production vehicle ever produced by General Motors, the new Corvette Z06 challenges the exotic sports cars of the world with the 505 horsepower LS7 7.0 liter V8, a 0-60 time of less than 4 seconds and a top speed of nearly 200 miles per hour, all at a bargain price: starting at $65,000. For those on a tighter budget, the standard Corvette, with only a 400 horsepower 6.0 liter V8, starts at about $20,000 less.

 

 

Apparently Chevrolet couldn't let Chrysler's PT Cruiser go unchallenged forever. Enter the Heritage High Roof, or HHR. The HHR's styling is based on a 1940's Chevrolet Suburban crossed with the limited production SSR (shown below), though it is actually based on the Cobalt, with the same engine choices as the Cobalt sedan with slight boosts in horsepower.

 

Chevrolet revised their large sedan this year, and added the performance version, the Impala SS. The SS is powered by a 303 horsepower 5.3 liter aluminum V8 with displacement-on-demand, instead of the 2 more conventional V6s available in the lower models.

 

Before there was the HHR, there was the SSR, Chevrolet's pickup-truck based answer to the Plymouth Prowler. The limited-production SSR is powered by the Corvette-based LS2 6.0 liter aluminum V8 and features a power retractable hardtop.

 

Chrysler

This is the high performance version of Chrysler's sports car, the Crossfire SRT6 roadster (also available as a coupe) with 330 horsepower 3.2 liter supercharged V6.

 

Here is a customized version of Chrysler's Hemi-powered, rear-wheel drive sedan, the 300, made to resemble a Bentley. It was even placed with the Bentleys out in the lobby. Pretty convincing.

 

Dodge

Here is another customized Daimler-Chrysler product from the lobby, a Dodge Magnum.

 

 

And now, a Dodge that doesn't need to be customized: the Viper SRT10 coupe, powered by a 500 horsepower 8.3 liter V10, and once again is available as a hardtop coupe, after being only a roadster for 2005.

 

Eco-Fueler

Probably the most unusual product at the auto show, the American Roadster^TM by Eco-Fueler is a three-wheeled roadster that runs on compressed natural gas (CNG) and is built in Eugene, Oregon. It is fueled at home using a home fueling appliance that connects to the natural gas utility. Running on 130-octane CNG, which costs between 25 and 98 cents per gallon, the American Roadster has a 0-60 time of 4.9 seconds and gets 70 mpg. It is designed with an estimated life expectancy of 300,000 miles, and is essentially non-polluting as the emissions from CNG are carbon dioxide and water. All this technology is great, but you might expect it to come at a high cost: not so. The American Roadster retails for $18,500, including the home fueling appliance and a removable hardtop, and is also eligible for a $4,000 Federal Tax Credit.

Ford

Ford enters the supercar market in 2006 with the GT, inspired by Ford's GT-40 Le Mans race cars from the 1960s. The GT is powered by a 550 horsepower 5.4 liter supercharged V8, and can go from 0 to 60 in 3.6 seconds.

 

The release of the all-new Mustang was big news when it came out, but even bigger is the Shelby Cobra GT500, which will be the most powerful Mustang ever released from the factory. The new GT500 will be powered by a 450 horsepower supercharged 5.4 liter V8.

 

Honda

An all-new Honda Civic means an all-new Civic Si, once again in sleek coupe form instead of hatchback, and with a 197 horsepower 2.0 liter 16-valve DOHC four-cylinder engine and a 6-speed manual transmission, its probably the best Si yet. I don't really get excited about Hondas, but I'll admit that the Civic's tiered instrument panels look pretty cool.

 

 

 

Hummer

Behold the latest vehicle that dilutes the reputation of the Hummer name: the H3, with less size, less power and less off-road ability than the existing H2, which already had very little to do with the massive military-based trucks these SUV's try to live up to. Conspicuously, no real Hummers (now called the H1) were present.

Hyundai

I never thought I'd find myself admiring a Hyundai, but the all-new Azera is an impressive automobile that looks like it could pass for a Lexus. powered by a 263 horsepower 3.8 liter 24-valve V6, the Azera has the power to compete with the rest of the Japanese luxury brands, and the way the strip of woodgrain trim sweeps through the interior shows a high level of fit and finish. This is a whole new direction for Hyundai.

 

 

The sporty Tiburon is one of several oddly-named coupes on the market. This metallic orange paint just jumped out to me though. The base Tiburon GS is powered by a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine with a 5-speed manual transmission. The Tiburon GT upgrades to a 2.7 liter V6, and the Tiburon SE GT adds a 6-speed manual transmission.

Infiniti

The all-wheel-drive Infiniti FX45 is powered by a 4.5 liter 320 horsepower V8 and comes standard with a tinted power sunroof, a Bluetooth hands-free phone system, and automatic headlights & taillights. There is also an FX35, which is powered by a 280 horsepower 3.5 liter V6, and offers most of the FX45's luxurious standard features as options. Both have attractive styling that is sleek for an SUV.

Infiniti's sleek rear-wheel-drive coupe, the G35, is powered by 3.5 liter V6, producing 298 horsepower with the 6-speed manual transmission or 280 horsepower with the automatic transmission.

 

Jaguar

Unlike the other brands, the Jaguar display was in the lobby, under the Foucault Pendulum, and was visible from the mezzanine level. Here you can see the entire Jaguar line: the S-Type, X-Type, XK and XJ.

 

The S-Type 3.0 comes standard with a 3.0 liter 235 horsepower V6 as shown. Also available is a 4.2 liter V8, with 294 horsepower in the S-Type 4.2, or supercharged to 390 horsepower in the S-Type R. The S-Type is apparently Jaguar's focus, as it had a large brochure dedicated to it, thicker and with far more information than the standard Jaguar brochure.

The XJ8 shown here is the base model Jaguar's traditional large aluminum-bodied sedan. All XJ sedans are powered by a 4.2 liter aluminum-alloy DOHC V8, rated at 300 horsepower in the XJ8 and the long-wheelbase XJ8L and Vanden Plas. The V8 is supercharged to 400 horsepower for the Super V8 and high-performance XJR. All XJ sedans come standard with such luxury features as a 6-speed automatic transmission, self-leveling air suspension, automatic, xenon, power-wash headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and self-dimming, heated, power door mirrors.

 

The sporty XK is available as a coupe, or as the convertible shown here. Both are powered by the 300 horsepower 4.2 liter V8 and come standard with a 6-speed automatic, paddle-shift transmission, keyless entry & start, radar-based adaptive cruise control, a 7-inch touchscreen to control features like the dual-zone automatic climate control, DVD-based navigation system, and 160-watt Alpine audio system with AM/FM stereo, 6-disk in-dash CD player, mp3 and Windows Media Player capability.

 

 

Jeep

Jeep decided to stretch the classic Wrangler by adding 10 inches to the wheelbase and an additional 5 inches behind the rear wheels to create the Wrangler Unlimited. Like most regular-size Wranglers, the Unlimited is powered by Jeep's 190 horsepower 4.0 liter inline 6-cylinder engine, with a choice of either a 6-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.

Land Rover

In addition to the temporary disappearance of the entry-level Freelander, the Land Rover line has also been changed by the replacement of the Discovery with a new model...

Introduced last year, the LR3 replaces the classic Discovery in the Land Rover line. The LR3 is powered by either a 216 horsepower 4.0 liter SOHC V6 or a 300 horsepower 4.4 liter DOHC V8, and with either engine features such as a 6-speed automatic transmission, permanent four-wheel drive with 4-wheel electronic traction control and seating for seven.

This LR3 is equipped with numerous Land Rover accessories, including Body Side Moldings, an A-Frame Protection Bar and, most significantly, the Day Tent, which assembles in 10 minutes and can stand alone or fit the LR3's tailgate open or closed.

 

Land Rover's traditional flagship is the V8-powered Range Rover, with a 305 horsepower 4.4 liter or a supercharged 400 horsepower 4.2 liter and with either engine features a 6-speed automatic transmission, permanent four-wheel drive with 4-wheel electronic traction control, and a color, touch-screen for the DVD-based navigation system.

New for 2006 is the Range Rover Sport. Though it's body panels make it resemble the Range Rover, the Range Rover Sport is actually based off the LR3 chassis with the Range Rover's engine options.

 

Lexus

The GS450h is being billed by Lexus as the "World's First Luxury Hybrid Performance Sedan." The hybrid powertrain pairs a 3.5 liter aluminum V6 gasoline engine with a high-output electric motor to produce 350hp. Performance is good: 0-60 in 5.2 seconds with a top speed of 131 miles per hour. Fuel economy however (25 city, 28 highway) doesn't seem to be much of an improvement over a standard Lexus GS350. It seems Lexus decided to use the hybrid to boost performance, instead of fuel economy.

More interesting from Lexus is the new IS350. Designed to take on the BMW 3-Series, the DOHC V6-powered Lexus IS Series is available as the IS250, with a 204 horsepower 2.5L, or as the IS350 shown here, with a 306 horsepower 3.5L. They are available as rear or all wheel drive, and of course feature all the options one would expect from a Lexus.

 

 

 

Lincoln

Lincoln is reviving the idea of the luxury pickup once again this year. They tried this idea before in 2002 with the short-lived, limited-production Blackwood. Now they are trying again, with the non-limited-production Mark LT. There is no denying what this truck is: its a Ford F150 with all the options and Lincoln trim, powered by the F150's top engine, the 300 horsepower 5.4 liter Triton V8. Its actually not even as unique as the Blackwood, but that will just make it more accessible to the same people who, up till now, have been buying the vehicle the Mark LT is obviously intended to compete with: the Cadillac Escalade EXT.

 

Mercedes-Benz

The big news at Mercedes-Benz is the new E320 CDI, powered by a 201 horsepower 3.2 liter turbodiesel I6, with a 0-60 miles per hour time of 6.6 seconds, fuel economy of 27 mpg city or 37 mpg highway and a range of up to 780 miles. Of course, the diesel engine is nothing new to Mercedes-Benz; they introduced the first diesel-powered passenger car in 1936. But, its been absent from the US market for a number of years. Perhaps following the Volkswagen Jetta's lead, Mercedes-Benz now has the only diesel-powered luxury car available in America.

 

I wonder if the dealers were happy about Mercedes-Benz showing off the all-new 2007 S550 sedan, while they still had the 2006 models to get rid of, which look very old-fashioned by comparison. And the improvements aren't just skin deep; the 2007 S550 is powered by a 382 horsepower 5.5 liter DOHC aluminum V8, which beats the 2006 S500's 5.0 liter V8 by 80hp. Not surprisingly, the new model requires 91-octane premium gasoline, but if you can afford a car that starts at over $80,000, you probably don't have to worry about gas money.

 

The traditional SL500 is powered by a 302 horsepower 5.0 liter V8. Also available is a 493 horsepower twin-turbo V12 in the SL600, and more powerful versions of both engines in the SL55 AMG and SL65 AMG. Standard features include a Bose 6-CD changer, a DVD-based navigation system, heated seats and of course a one-touch power retractable hardtop.

 

 

 

The SLK55 AMG is the most powerful version of the SLK-Class, the smaller Mercedes-Benz coupe/roadster, powered by a 335 horsepower V8 instead of a V6 as in the SLK280 and SLK350. Other standard features include a 7-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted controls.

 

Mini

The BMW-owned Mini Cooper isn't really new, but it is still somewhat interesting. The base engine is a Brazilian-made 115 horsepower 1.6 liter SOHC I4; on the small side, but so is the car, so it works out. Standard features for this small car include ABS and front, side and side-curtain air bags.

 

The Mini Cooper is also available in convertible form, which is even more interesting, especially for a car whose base model is a hatchback. The convertible's power top includes a built in sunroof and a glass rear window, as well as a $4,500.00 premium over the standard Mini.

 

For those after more power for their Mini Cooper hatchback or convertible, there's the Mini Cooper S, powered by a supercharged version of the Mini engine producing 168 horsepower.

 

Mitsubishi

This is the new 2007 Eclipse Spyder GT, powered by a 260 horsepower 3.8 liter 24-valve V6 with traction control and 6-speed a manual transmission. A 5-speed Sportronic^® automatic transmission is also available. The Eclipse will also be available in GS trim, powered by a 162 horsepower 2.4 liter 16-valve I4 with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed Sportronic^® automatic transmission.

 

 

 

And, this is the Lancer Evolution (or "Evo") MR. The MR comes with a 286 horsepower 2.0 liter I4 with a six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive. On the rear of the roof, right above the rear window, is a series of fins that Mitsubishi refers to as a "Vortex Generator" that is intended to funnel the air off the roof to the spoiler.

 

 

Nissan

The Nissan 350Z has been around for a few years, but its still cool, with a 287 horsepower 3.5 liter DOHC V6 and a 5-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual. Nissan must know it has a good thing, as the only major change is a horsepower boost to 300 with the manual transmission.

 

 

 

Nissan showed off its full-size Titan pickup with Bayliner's 27-foot model 265 on a trailer hitched to it in the exhibit hall. The Titan is powered by an aluminum 305 horsepower 5.6 liter DOHC V8, and with a towing capacity of up to 9,500 pounds when properly equipped, the Titan is able to tow the 6,000 pound Bayliner.

 

 

Nissan also wins my award for tackiness with these fuel economy stickers on every Nissan at the show. Seeing a car with a big round sticker on the side doesn't inspire me to buy one.

 

Pontiac

Pontiac revived the great name GTO in a sleek rear-wheel drive coupe powered by a 400 horsepower 6.0 liter LS2 aluminum V8 and with either a 4-speed automatic of