Any new car is worthy of press, but let’s face it: we here at BangShift are a picky lot. Just because a car is new doesn’t mean it is worthy of being placed here, right? Well…yes and no. The 2015 North American International Auto Show had quite a bit of things going on, and while Ford basked in the blue-glow of victory (that sounded roughly like 20,000 jaws dropping at once when the GT rolled out) other manufacturers had their own unveilings. Here’s a quick look at what else was going on at the show:
1. Chevrolet Volt and Bolt
Ford’s display was big and brash. GM, who has had probably the worst year due to recall after recall, did what was probably the smart thing and played it conservative. The big news from their camp was the unveiling of the second-generation Volt hybrid and the Bolt EV concept, which takes aim at the upcoming Tesla Model 3. The Volt, while not a huge seller, does carry and extremely high satisfaction rating with owners, and the updated looks removes some of the “eco-dork” look out of the car, which might help with sales. The Bolt, on the other hand, is GM’s stab at a sub-$40,000 EV with a 200 mile range.
2. Alfa Romeo 4C
Alfa Romeo’s return to the U.S. truly begins with the 4C, a 2-seat four-cylinder that looks to take aim somewhere around the Lotus Elise/Mazda Miata market. It comes as a coupe or roadster, and is powered by a 238-hp 1.7L four with a turbo. That engine, hooked to a 6-speed DCT and shoved into the 2650-lb car, is a brazen little beast and becomes apparent once the car is started…mainly because there’s no muffler. The sound is, and I’m quoting Car and Driver here, “like Tarzan on top of Jane.” Thanks for that visual, guys.
3. 2016 Toyota Tacoma
Toyota has pretty much had the mid-size truck market to themselves for about ten years, but that’s quickly ending with new entries from GM. The 2016 Tacoma gets a visual update that brings it more in-line with the Tundra, and adds a direct/port injection Atkinson-cycle 3.5L V6 to the engine options, as well as retaining the 2.7L four. What isn’t known is if it will be enough, since the Colorado/Canyon twins have been racking up favorable reviews since appearing.
4. Porsche 911 Targa 4
There may be a move away from retro, but Porsche didn’t get the memo. Instead, they broke out the Targa 4 edition of the 911, and it is simply gooood.
5. Acura/Honda NSX
Ten years, three engines and one well-roasted prototype later, we finally have the new NSX. Initially projected to be the show-stopper this year, the NSX was soundly upstaged by Ford’s GT. Not that Honda’s new hybrid super car is anything to ignore, but after knowing it was coming for so long, the rollout was almost anti-climatic. And they are still hiding power figures on the car.
I love the old NSX, but the when I heard that the new one was a hybrid back in ’12, I immediately lost interest. Honda’s hybrid-performance car image hasn’t worked so well before. The CR-Z is neither sporty nor particularly fuel-efficient and it wasn’t long before people were yanking the L15/hybrid setup and dropping in screaming K20s and K24s. In fact, when Honda gave out CR-Zs to companies for SEMA, the shops had to agree to leave the hybrid drivetrain intact because they knew everyone wanted to engine swap them
My buddy had an old NSX and he said it could not get out of its own way. I’m sure the new one will be quicker.
The last few months I’ve been on the fence about bringing my truck back to life or just dropping everything for a new Taco. If this new one still offers a manual transmission, it might sway me toward it.
If, like all the other Fun Police manufacturers Toyota decides that all truck owners are lazy slushbox lovers then these lands are forsaken.
So lets see now . The ‘ best ‘ eh ?
A Ford GT that at this point still isn’t . Real that is ( what showed up at NAIAS was a visual prototype and even Fords propaganda clearly states they haven’t even got the carbon fiber issue down , never mind a running prototype
An NSX with more techno weenie crap than a La Ferrari and destined to be an over priced , over complicated failure [ unless the rumors of a V8 minus the hybrid crap version are true ]
A rebadged KTM X-Bow posing as an over priced under performing Alfa Romeo with all the inherit problems contained in the KTM which has been an abject sales failure t
Yet another 911 variation to separate one from ones bank account . zzzZZZz
A ‘ new ‘ Toyota Tacoma that in fact is just a visual update , with a dash of rouge here and a slathering of foundation there
A Chevy BOLT pretending to be a BMW i3 [ minus all of BMW’s technological advances ] and a new VOLT . Both guaranteed to be the abject sales failures their predecessors were . Not to mention burning your house down , breaking down , and when in doubt trying to kill you . All bets are the recalls will begin the minute they both hit the showroom floor
So in conclusion . As in the last five years of the NAIAS , Using the phrase ‘ Best Of ‘ in relationship to the show is once again an oxymoron as well as a study in hyperbole and contradictions
In other words . Same old ____ – From the same old players – Different Year – Big Deal . All in the quest to gain the dollars of a severely uninformed not to mention under financed buying public .
Yeah ! 2015 is shaping up to be a great year . In some delusion or another 😉
Putting a space between your punctuation points is unnecessary. In fact, it kind of ruins the cadence of your lambasting.
Just thought you should know.
He’s trolling. Don’t give him the time of day. I’ve given him too much of mine by reading the first line and responding. Damn, he got me.
I read that exchange, he hooked you in good.
What’s the old saying: “Never argue with an idiot, they bring you down to their level and beat you with years of experience.”
Yup. Every time that I do take the bait I realize shortly after posting that ‘its’ happened again. Got to catch more of those just a tad bit quicker.
That is a picture of the Current Tacoma not the 2016, glad they will still be offering a Manual Transmission in it.