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BMW, Charger, Sonata take center stage
DETROIT, Mich - Watch out, Baby Boomers. After a day spent talking about the future and dreaming about what could be if only they really could build and sell a Jeep with two Hemis, automakers at the 2005 North American International Auto Show debuted real live cars -- the kind you can buy - and did so with a decidedly boomer-ish feel.
Automakers are also showing that the sedan and coupe renaissance is not over, as cars dominated the show, and new SUVs were hard to find.
A rolling stone gathers no moss. Trite, but true, especially when it comes to BMW. Just two years after launching the redesigned BMW 5-Series, Germany's purveyor of ultimate driving machines debuted new inline six-cylinder engines, a new all-wheel-drive system, and a new station wagon variant of the 5-Series at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
A rolling stone gathers no moss. Trite, but true, especially when it comes to BMW. Just two years after launching the redesigned BMW 5-Series, Germany's purveyor of ultimate driving machines debuted new inline six-cylinder engines, a new all-wheel-drive system, and a new station wagon variant of the 5-Series at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
A rolling stone gathers no moss. Trite, but true, especially when it comes to BMW. Just two years after launching the redesigned BMW 5-Series, Germany's purveyor of ultimate driving machines debuted new inline six-cylinder engines, a new all-wheel-drive system, and a new station wagon variant of the 5-Series at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Like the Chrysler 300/300C, the Charger features a 250-horsepower V-6 engine or a 340-horsepower Hemi engine, connected to 18-inch rear wheels powered by the famed Chrysler rear wheel drive platform. Chrysler executives claim that it boasts a "near" 50/50 weight distribution. Technology on the Charger is also the same as the Chrysler 300/300C, with a Multiple Displacement System (MDS) that deactivates four cylinders when needed. Chrysler people claim that this system saves up to 20 percent in fuel economy, a savings sure to be gobbled up by bright-eyed Boomers and NASCAR Dads, striving hard to lay down a nice patch for the King. The 2006 Dodge Charger will be available this summer. Pricing has not yet been announced.
Like the Chrysler 300/300C, the Charger features a 250-horsepower V-6 engine or a 340-horsepower Hemi engine, connected to 18-inch rear wheels powered by the famed Chrysler rear wheel drive platform. Chrysler executives claim that it boasts a "near" 50/50 weight distribution. Technology on the Charger is also the same as the Chrysler 300/300C, with a Multiple Displacement System (MDS) that deactivates four cylinders when needed. Chrysler people claim that this system saves up to 20 percent in fuel economy, a savings sure to be gobbled up by bright-eyed Boomers and NASCAR Dads, striving hard to lay down a nice patch for the King. The 2006 Dodge Charger will be available this summer. Pricing has not yet been announced.
Like the Chrysler 300/300C, the Charger features a 250-horsepower V-6 engine or a 340-horsepower Hemi engine, connected to 18-inch rear wheels powered by the famed Chrysler rear wheel drive platform. Chrysler executives claim that it boasts a "near" 50/50 weight distribution. Technology on the Charger is also the same as the Chrysler 300/300C, with a Multiple Displacement System (MDS) that deactivates four cylinders when needed. Chrysler people claim that this system saves up to 20 percent in fuel economy, a savings sure to be gobbled up by bright-eyed Boomers and NASCAR Dads, striving hard to lay down a nice patch for the King. The 2006 Dodge Charger will be available this summer. Pricing has not yet been announced.
Debuted at the 2005 North American International Auto Show, the Ridgeline is built on a new light truck platform - the same one that will be used to produce the Acura RD-X, though Honda executive Dick Colliver claims that he Ridgeline will be 93 percent exclusive. Features of the Ridgeline include that famous trunk - located under the bed and lockable; a lift gate that also swings out as well as down, much in the manner of a door, and best in class fuel economy. The Ridgeline will be powered by Honda's 3.5-liter v-tech engine. The bed features a completely flat surface, so large, flat items like sheets of plywood can be moved easily. The bed is made from a sturdy polymer resin. The back of the four-door truck features seats that tilt up, thus creating more cargo room inside the cab.
Debuted at the 2005 North American International Auto Show, the Ridgeline is built on a new light truck platform - the same one that will be used to produce the Acura RD-X, though Honda executive Dick Colliver claims that he Ridgeline will be 93 percent exclusive. Features of the Ridgeline include that famous trunk - located under the bed and lockable; a lift gate that also swings out as well as down, much in the manner of a door, and best in class fuel economy. The Ridgeline will be powered by Honda's 3.5-liter v-tech engine. The bed features a completely flat surface, so large, flat items like sheets of plywood can be moved easily. The bed is made from a sturdy polymer resin. The back of the four-door truck features seats that tilt up, thus creating more cargo room inside the cab.
Debuted at the 2005 North American International Auto Show, the Ridgeline is built on a new light truck platform - the same one that will be used to produce the Acura RD-X, though Honda executive Dick Colliver claims that he Ridgeline will be 93 percent exclusive. Features of the Ridgeline include that famous trunk - located under the bed and lockable; a lift gate that also swings out as well as down, much in the manner of a door, and best in class fuel economy. The Ridgeline will be powered by Honda's 3.5-liter v-tech engine. The bed features a completely flat surface, so large, flat items like sheets of plywood can be moved easily. The bed is made from a sturdy polymer resin. The back of the four-door truck features seats that tilt up, thus creating more cargo room inside the cab.
Introduced at the 2005 North American International Auto Show, the Hyundai Sonata looks as if it just may be subtle enough to do battle with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Subtly is important: often the subtle difference between cars is what creates the yawning gulf between winners and losers, between what you buy and the cars you mock. To that end, the true test for the Sonata will be the drive, how the car rattles and hums around corners, and whether the interior feels rich and comfortable or fuzzy and cheap. Judging from the show stage, the Sonata may well have the grown-up style to get noticed. It seems certain to impress buyers with features such as standard side curtain airbags, a roomy interior and a price that will come in under $20,000.