[MOPAR74]

As most of you know, I attended the 2012 NAIAS on behalf of CarFanatics. I have been asked do a basic article or story about what I think the hits and misses from the show were.

THE HITS

2013 Dodge Dart

The undeniable biggest hit of the show, was this car. The 2013 Dodge Dart is an amazing looking compact car, inside and out. It looks to be the first legitimate, competitive compact car Chrysler has produced since the Neon. The Dart has a tall order to fill considering its competition, but it has already made quite an impression upon the public and seems to have every base covered in order to be competitive.

2013 Ford Fusion

This is a car I was very interested in seeing, I wasnt really sure what to expect. Now that Ive seen it in the flesh.... I tell you right now, every midsized car has been put on notice. The 2013 Fusion has nothing to fear from its competition, it is a very impressive vehicle. Easily the best looking car in the segment.

2013 Acura NSX Concept

The 2013 Acura NSX concept is stunning, and regardless of what some Douchebags think about hybrids, this car looks to be a homerun for Acura. Its still a few years out from production, but it is to be developed and built right here in the USA. The Acura NSX Concept is rumored to be a 400+hp AWD hybrid supercar, now whether the Hybrid version of this car ends up in production, remains to be seen, but any TRUE CarFanatic wouldnt care, because this car is awesome.

2013 Cadillac ATS

The 2013 Cadillac ATS doesnt represent GM's first attempt at a compact luxury car, but it is BY FAR the best attempt hands down. How it will stack up in real life against the competition, that is proven in the segment, is anyone's guess at this point. BUT the ATS has alot going for it. Powerful and fuel efficient engine options, Mark Reuss said the 2.0T should have no problem getting into the 30mpg range on the highway. The ATS is the lightest in the class and has what is widely regarded as arguably the best handling front suspension on the market: the multi-link double-pivot MacPherson-strut front suspension with direct-acting stabilizer bar found on DocCarter's beloved Zeta.

Honorable mention, the 2013 Lexus LF-LC concept

The 2013 Lexus LF-LC is a great looking car, and was named the Top Design Concept of the 2012 NAIAS, but in my opinion, didnt create the kind of buzz the first 4 cars I mentioned

The Misses

2013 Smart For-us Pickup Concept

Its not hard to believe, but this thing didnt draw much attention, and seems worthless in about everything you can imagine.

2013 Chevrolet Tru140S Concept

I was not crazy about this car, and thankfully it is only a concept. My first initial reaction was "dude it looks like an Eclipse with a Chevy grille" Ask ZG Photography... I said it.

2013 Lincoln MKZ Concept

Lincoln, in my opinion... is trying too fucking hard. I dont know what they think is wrong with the MKR concept from a few years ago, but this is the wrong direction the MKZ seems to be taking. While it has some great design elements to the car, most of it is not good. The Interior is amazing, but that isnt something that Lincoln needed to address as much as the exterior on the existing model.... Why, oh why cant we just have the MKR

[Copyright 2012 Zack Genereaux / Car Fanatics Forum]

[MOPAR74]

wow thats weird... all the cars in the pics... even my sig... are facing the same basic direction

[ncguy]

For me I'm liking the Tru140S Concept....

I could see this being a great lil 2 door sport compact with the handling capabilities of the Cobalt SS (or better) with hi-per strut front suspension, 2.0L DI Turbo and a 6-speed tranny. Although not in the latter years I always had a soft spot for the Eclipse.

The rest - I think you're spot on!

[?]

To americans, the Fusion is a major step in the right direction for Ford. For europeans, it's just a slightly rehashed Mondeo...

[MOPAR74]

I liked the early versions of the eclipse also, and the Tru140S, I really want to like it.... but im just not crazy about it, and not many others seemed to be either.

The Code130R is kind of the same story, it looks similar to a BMW 1 series.

Not real crazy about either, but I like the Code130R better

[MOPAR74]

?;167015 Wrote:To americans, the Fusion is a major step in the right direction for Ford. For europeans, it's just a slightly rehashed Mondeo...

Thats because we have been getting the shit designs for years over here.... I mean the Focus is a perfect example of that, we JUST finally got a good looking one

[supremor]

Personally, I like both the MKZ and Tru140S. :2thumbsup:

[MOPAR74]

ahem..... refer to the last sentence from my intro::

[supremor]

[zeep]

I can definitely agree with what you've said on the MKZ, in my opinion it still isn't different from the Fusion, it needs to have a whole different look (i still see sooooooooo much Fusion in the basic body shape) but the interior might be in a step in the right direction.

Now the Tru140s should've have not been on the list (I'll try to argue but your response will be GO FUCK YOURSELF! ) since it actually looks nice and it makes perfect sense to produce (it's more production ready imo, all they have to do is make a Cruze coupe).
The Code130R is more fun, but it just looks like shit, so that should be on the list.

[McLovin]

I love the tru140s, and you make no sense to replace the mid sized MKZ sedan....SEDAN.....with a coupe concept from years ago. Lincoln's new look has evolved from back then. Why the FUCK would they go BACK to it...LOL?

[MOPAR74]

McLovin;167052 Wrote:I love the tru140s, and you make no sense to replace the mid sized MKZ sedan....SEDAN.....with a coupe concept from years ago. Lincoln's new look has evolved from back then. Why the FUCK would they go BACK to it...LOL?

Because Lincoln never should have gone away from it, not only that... Im pretty sure the MKR has 4 doors and 4 doors = sedan no matter what

[bojangles beast]

I like your list and agree with your points. Nice Job mopes.

[MOPAR74]

Thank You BJ

[McLovin]

MOPAR74;167174 Wrote:

McLovin;167052 Wrote:I love the tru140s, and you make no sense to replace the mid sized MKZ sedan....SEDAN.....with a coupe concept from years ago. Lincoln's new look has evolved from back then. Why the FUCK would they go BACK to it...LOL?

Because Lincoln never should have gone away from it, not only that... Im pretty sure the MKR has 4 doors and 4 doors = sedan no matter what

So those who have trashed Lincoln's styling in every possible thread, yourself included, were wrong, and you now say keep the old style?




Whatever dood, and you are soooo wrong on the definition of a sedan.