Special auto show report

Motor, Mar 2000 by Nash, Tom

The 2000 North American International Auto Show opened in Detroit without the threatened intrusion of the so-called Y2K bug or the foot-deep snow that engulfed the city last year. The only thunder and lightning encountered was the fanfare that accompanied the unveiling of more than 60 new and concept vehicles.

With strobes flashing and sequins sparkling, automotive writers from all corners of the globe were shown cutting-edge examples of technology, design, safety and environmental awareness. While most of the concept vehicles will not appear on the streets in the forms displayed at the show, many do offer a glimpse into the future.

On the following pages are some of the ideas from the best and brightest minds in the automotive industry...and some of the vehicles you'll see only a year down the road-the 2001s.

Concept Vehicles

Chrysler. The Jeep Varsity, designed to show how Jeep might evolve into a brand that includes more carlike vehicles, is a four-door hatchback in SUV form. It's unlike any Jeep today, but still recognizable, thanks to its vertical grille and abbreviated rear end. It's substantially shorter than the current Grand Cherokee, but with a longer wheelbase and 9 inches of ground clearance for off roading. A 300-hp, highperformance 3.5-liter SOHC V6 provides the oomph!

The Dodge MAXXcab shows how Chrysler could apply the cab-forward styling of its cars to pickup trucks. Billed as a "Passenger Priority Truck," the four-door design combines sportiness and luxury with practicalityhead restraints for all five passengers and integrated rear-seat child seats. The bed holds a plastic table that can be removed for picnic duty or used as a worktable. With an interior full of integrated electronics for entertainment, navigation and Internet access, the MAXXcab could conceivably be a destination rather than a way to get to one.

A crowd favorite at the show was a sleek Chrysler 300 Hemi C convertible, which may eventually make its way onto America's streets. Designed to evoke the memory of the famed 1957 300 C, the reardrive design has a prototype 353-hp, 5.7-liter all-aluminum V8 that propels it to 60 mph in 5.9 ticks, with a top end of 160 mph.

Last, and loudest, was the Viper GTS/R concept, inspired by the GT 2 championship racer. This street-legal, high-performance vehicle harnesses 500 horses and a whopping 500 ft-lb of torque from its ultra-tuned 8.0-liter V10. Power is distributed to the wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. The body is a one-piece carbon fiber shell with an intake air scoop on the roof. Pure testosterone!

Ford. At the show, Ford announced plans to team up with Internet giant Yahoo! to develop personalized services to be made available to consumers through both Yahoo! Autos and Ford's Owner Connection. The goal is to seamlessly intertwine a car with your personal life.

Ford's voice-activated "Telematics" system (on all 2001 Lincolns) has advanced security features and information access that will inelude the option of Internet access. The system will be rolled out to all Ford vehicles worldwide over the next several years. After that will come vehicles that incorporate all your personal preferences, from communications and audio programming to Internet access and voice-activated e-mail, keeping you in touch 24 hours a day; seven days a week.

Hence the name of Ford's new concept vehicles, "247," J. Mays, Ford's Vice President of Design, unveiled three 24-7 concept vehicles, in wagon, hatchback and pickup forms. He was quick to point out that the styling of these vehicles was not important, that they were simply "designer cases for the concept." The vehicle becomes "your connection to the world," according to Mays.

General Motors. Last year, GM and AM General joined together to develop and market future Hummer products. Their first offering is a slantback called the Hi, which is based on the current four-door Hummer.

Next up is the H2, a concept that "shows how the brand could evolve." The smaller H2 is based on GM's full-size truck platform and has more modern side styling, larger windows and brushed chrome trim.

GM then showcased the Buick LaCrosse concept vehicle. A five-passenger sedan, the LaCrosse has a unique back window and trunk lid that slide forward to reveal a cargo area similar to that of a pickup bed. The body styling recalls the design of Buicks from the early years, including fender portholes, vertical bar grille and a sideopening hood.

GMC's macho Terradyne pickup truck concept is designed to make all other pickups look puny. The brutish four-door truck incorporates every techno-gadget and hydraulically operated function imaginable. From the door sill that lowers to become a step to the center-opening sliding doors, NASA technology exudes. The pickup bed is 6 feet long, but can extend another 2 feet. The engine is a new 6.6-liter turbodiesel VS Duramax 6600. To help make driving the truck easier, the Terradyne includes four-wheel steering. Bv the way, the 300-hp Duramax 6600 will be available as an option on 2001 GMC Sierra heavy-duty trucks.