The last car has emerged through a haze of fake fog. The blaring techno music has finally stopped. And no more auto executives are parading across stages tossing out clichés about how their new models look like they’re racing while standing still.
What did we learn from last week’s media preview for the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, now opening to the public? A few fascinating trends emerged that point to the future of an auto industry that’s in the midst of huge changes.
Once again, the show revealed more fuel efficiency and more technology, but that’s not all. Here are five takeaways from the big show in Detroit:
1. Don’t count out the good ol’ gasoline engine. Despite endless talk about electric cars and hybrids, this show was dominated by introductions of cars with the same piston-powered motors that have moved cars for a century.
They’re not going away. They’re only getting better.
With turbocharging and direct injection and increasingly sophisticated computer engine management, automakers are getting previously unattainable levels of power and fuel efficiency at the same time. Subaru, for instance, coaxes 305 horsepower from its 2.5-liter, four-cylinder boxer engine for the new cult performance hit WRX STI. Even the more grown-up Cadillac ATS Coupe introduced at the show, a version of the new Caddy entry sedan, boasts nearly 10% more torque from its turbocharged 2.0-liter four, for a V6-like total of 295.
2. Gas mileage rules. Government fuel-economy mandates are bearing down on automakers, forcing tough, costly choices to get more mileage. They have pretty much worked through the easy approaches, such as putting smaller engines into bigger cars.
Ford’s decision to switch to all-aluminum bodies for its best-selling vehicle, the F-150, reflects a costly gamble. The switch from steel has taken up to 700 pounds out of the vehicle, making fuel-economy numbers sure to go up. But the trucks cost more to make and more to repair if damaged. It’s yet to be seen whether truck buyers will see that as worth it.