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Coming Next Issue
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Chip Foose |
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VW Phaeton W12 |
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Long Term Storage |
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Ultimate Ears |
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2005 Detroit Auto Show:
Moderation at NAIAS (continued) |
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All eyes were on Toyota as it unveiled its "reimagined" 2005 Avalon. The new Avalon is larger than its predecessor, and that extra space is put to good use in the back seat area, where passengers can enjoy a mid-sized sedan first: reclining rear seats. Passengers will also enjoy the Avalon's upscale interior, one that drew high praise from nearly everyone in attendance. Under the hood you'll find more all new bits and pieces, including an all-aluminum 3.5L V6 that delivers 280 horsepower to the front wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission.
Handling fanatics will probably opt for the Touring trim package that features upgraded 17-inch wheels and firmer suspension, while gadget lovers will enjoy the Limited package that includes such nifty features as a Smart Key system that allows the vehicle to be started without a key and opens the trunk merely by waving the key fob near the rear bumper. All Avalons feature improved safety components including a driver's knee airbag and a brake assist function.
Lexus announced some key information about the all new GS 300 - expect to see it in dealer show rooms in March of 2005, and expect it to give some serious competition to the European and domestic luxury sports car markets.
Honda shocked the crowd with the 2006 Honda Ridgeline pickup truck. The first ever truck from Honda bears an uncanny resemblance to the Chevrolet Avalanche, and will be offered with a 255-horsepower 3.5L V6. If the engine choice seems a bit anemic, consider this: the Honda Ridgeline weighs 4500 pounds, while its competitors like the Toyota Tundra, Ford F150 and Chevrolet C1500 tip the scales at nearly 1000 pounds more. The Ridgeline's bed features a built-in trunk that can double as a cooler. Other innovative features include a tailgate that can swing out as well as open flat, and independent rear suspension.
Other notable events from the show included the Hummer H3, a mid-sized version of the popular H2 that should carry a base price from the low thirties, the unusual Ford SynUS (that's "sin-U-S," not "sinus"), the mondo-cool Jeep Hurricane with its two Hemi engines and zero-radius turn capability, and the presence of the boys from American Chopper, the Teutuls.
Lincoln commissioned Orange County Choppers to build a Lincoln show bike, and it was delivered by America's most entertaining chopper building family. Paul Teutul Senior drove the candy red chopper the length of the show floor, while flanked by his sons Paul Jr and Mike. A humongous crowd quickly enveloped them as "Big Paul" cracked the throttle of the big V-Twin, delighting everyone who was furiously snapping pictures of the bike and its rider. The group posed quickly for a few pictures, then ran out of the show, surrounded by security guards and television cameras.
Attracting a similarly ravenous crowd was the King himself, Richard Petty. Petty was on hand for the debut of the 2006 Dodge Charger, which was unveiled during a press conference complete with a NASCAR-like pit stop.
So while the 2005 Detroit NAIAS was interesting and exciting, the offerings were definitely more subdued than last year. But with showroom stoppers like the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, the 2005 BMW M5, the 2005 Ford Mustang, the 2006 Dodge Viper, and so on, we may not need to rely so heavily on hyper concepts to get our adrenal glands pumping. 
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