Tech Gadgetry Steals the Stage at This Year's Detroit Auto Show

Jan. 11--DETROIT -- This year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit will be remembered as much for the wealth of technology that was showcased as it was for new cars and trucks, proving how far engineering and design had come in seemingly a short period of time. Just about every company on hand had something to brag about.

Some of the most practical and useful new technology came from Ford Motor Co. Its 2008 Focus will allow users to access a phone or digital music player -- including even information such as song title, artist and type of music -- via voice commands using a new technology called Sync, a joint venture of Ford and Microsoft.

Aimed squarely at the 57 million people born between 1981 and 1995 who grew up in a world dominated by the computer and online activities, Sync also will allow drivers to convert incoming text messages into audio and to reply using any of 20 predefined responses. It also automatically transfers names and numbers in a cell phone address book to the car. It will come with the Focus, Ford's popular compact car, and other Mercury and Lincoln products will get it as well.

Ford also offers, of all things, blogging in its new Airstream concept vehicle. The instrument panel was designed to allow the front passenger to post online blogs while on the road, using a centrally mounted Sharp dual-view screen. The effort is aimed at letting motorists all over the globe share their experiences through online journals.

The Airstream also features the latest energy-saving trend -- a plug-in hydrogen fuel cell system. Ford calls this HySeries Drive, which will enable the Airstream to get an estimated combined city/highway rating of 41 mpg.

But for all Ford's high-tech gadgetry, it was General Motors that rocked the exhibit hall with its futuristic Chevrolet Volt concept electric vehicle. GM claims the car, which uses a gas engine to extend its range, could almost eliminate trips to the gas station.

The four-passenger electric vehicle can be fully charged by plugging it into a 110-volt outlet for about six hours a day. When the lithium ion battery is fully charged, the Volt gets 340 miles of city driving. When the power has been used up, there's a three-cylinder turbocharged engine that also generates electricity to replenish the battery and thus increase the fuel economy range.

GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz told reporters that "if you lived within 30 miles from work (60 miles round trip) and charged your vehicle every night when you come home or during the day at work, you would get 150 miles per gallon."

With more than half of Americans living within 20 miles of their workplace, "you might never burn a drop of gas during the life of the car," Mr. Lutz said.

Meanwhile, Volvo's XC60 Concept, a virtual copy of a small luxury crossover due in 2009, features the City Safety system, which consists of an optical radar that monitors vehicles that are a certain distance in front of the car.

If it appears an accident is likely, the system helps the driver avoid or reduce the consequences of the collision by automatically activating the car's brakes and switching off the throttle.

But interesting technology or not, the outward appearance still matters and there were some new models sure to turn heads:

--Cadillac's 2008 CTS bowed with a vastly improved interior that answers complaints that the current model was not up to the standard of the entry-level luxury class in which it competes. There are plenty of metallic and chrome touches, including a new chrome ringed set of gauges that graces an instrument panel that rises up to meet the driver and yet sweeps away from the passengers. Interiors for the CTS use hand-cut, sewn and wrapped surfaces. At night, indirect and recessed lighting gives something of a halo effect to the interior. There also is recessed LED lighting in strategic locations highlighting important features and controls.

--Another GM product greatly improved for 2008 is the all-new Chevy Malibu, which now looks more like an expensive European model. The dramatically improved interior relies on Chevy's dual cockpit interior design tradition combined with higher quality leathers and fabrics that add status and elegance. The new Malibu is three inches longer and now can be had with a six-speed automatic in the top two levels of its model lineup. Standard equipment is generous, too, with head curtain side air bags and front-seat thorax air bags, OnStar and XM satellite radio. StabiliTrak electronic stability control is standard on the top two lines.

--At Honda, a sleek, elegant two-door Accord Coupe Concept held sway, previewing a production model that is expected to help meet a growing demand for two-door coupes. Fans of the Accord will be stunned by the coupe's expensive, athletic looks. It has a six-sided grille, projector headlamps, a long hood and short rear deck and a deeply sculpted lower body. Though Honda officials could not provide any final details of equipment just yet, they did confirm that the Accord will get a more powerful V-6 engine with lower emissions.

--Chrysler showcased its Nassau four-door luxury coupe concept, which features a low slung profile and fastback roofline reminiscent of what the English used to call a "shooting brake" -- a sport wagon with luxurious features that took sportsmen to outdoor activities. It also features an interior that was inspired by computers, cell phones, iPods and MP3 players.

--The Jeep Trailhawk, a rough and ready, yet luxurious sport utility vehicle based on the Grand Cherokee and the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, has a front end that actually is reminiscent of a hawk or falcon. Side windows and diagonal quarter windows are fully retractable, and the glass panels over the first- and second-row seats and the glass panel over the cargo compartment are removable.

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