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2004 North American International Auto Show
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| The luckiest three vehicles in the world -- and their makers |
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| Updated |
Jun 10, 2004 22:35:19 |
| Rating |
 20 ( -6 -30% ) | | Author | Brian Chee |
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Description:
Lucky is as lucky does.
Or, when it comes to cars, what people do when they see the hottest new cars and trucks to hit the road. You're lucky if you own one -- and if you're selling 'em. Lucky, while relatively subjective -- someone with 12 kids may consider himself lucky -- is defined in this case by using a balance of sex appeal, market appeal and consumer desire.
Ford Mustang -- "It is a new generation of pure American muscle," described Mays, while CEO Bill Ford offered, "if I only had one car to drive, it would be a Mustang."
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Features
Debuts
Vehicles introduced
Day One
Initial debuts
Day Two
Show overview
2004 North American Car
and Truck
Ford F-150
Toyota Prius
The Lucky Three
Our Best Bets for Success
Vehicle Debuts
Aston Martin
DB9 Coupe and DB9 Volante
BMW
645ci convertible
Chrysler
Slingshot and ME
300C
PT Cruiser & Crossfire convertibles
Dodge
Magnum
Ford
Here come the cars
General Motors
Vette, Solstice and Kappa
Pontiac G6
Honda
Cool dads and the SUT
Infiniti
QX56 and a special G35
Jaguar
S-Type
Jeep
Wrangler Unlimited
Land Rover
Range Stormer
Lexus
A new GS and the RX400h
Mercedes
SLR McLaren, Grand Sports Tourer II
Nissan
A new Pathfinder, Frontier and a concept crossover
Scion
A new tC
Toyota
Hybrid Highlander and the FTX Super Truck
Suzuki
Reno
Volkswagen
Concept T and a pocket rocket Golf R32
Volvo
S40
Many people will agree, after seeing this beauty for the second time - first as a concept last year. The 4-liter V6 makes 202-hp and is mated to either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic, while the GT version gets a 4.6-liter V8 producing 300-hp and backed by the same trannies. A departure from the current 'Stang is the return of a solid rear axle, rather than an independent setup. Are you ready for a throwback that will throw you forward?
Pontiac Solstice -- This, for around $20,000? Roadsters everywhere beware…the Solstice, due out in 2006 is a sexy two-seater that churns 170 horsepower to start, but surely followed by a more powerful engine. Either way, Bob Lutz, GM vice chairman and Father of Solstice feels strongly that the Solstice will offer enough power and pop. Watch for this one to hit the road sometime early in 2006 - and pay special attention to the interior - it may actually be the best interior build by GM in many years. This is a Pontiac?
Toyota Hybrid Highlander - okay, so it's not the sexy choice. But here's the thing - the Hybrid Highlander may have the most significant impact of all the vehicles debuted in Detroit this year because they may change how and why utility vehicles are sold. Available in the top trims, and on Highlanders that seat seven, with a third row. Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive will generate compact fuel economy numbers for one of the most popular small-to-mid sized SUVs on the road. Maybe not so sexy - unless you think getting utility, reliability and - gasp - fuel economy is sexy.
2004 Auto Show Gallery
More Show Photos...
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