Spying at the Auto Show

The 1999 North American International Auto Show is the perfect place to find out what the competition is up to. Here's what they're showing.

Think of yourself as James Bond, secret agent 007, and the 1999 North American International Auto Show as your personal spy playground. Every one of the 700 vehicles on display there holds the key to something untried, something the other guys have spent millions of dollars perfecting and countless hours keeping secret. Your mission is to unlock those secrets.

So pull your trench coat tightly around you. Flip up the collar. Get out the notebook and camera. Stow away the gizmos Q has created for emergencies. Let's take a spin down the aisles and check out the glittering cars and trucks at the 1999 Detroit show. If you play your cards right, you'll come away with data that will boost your company's market share, add to the bottom line and find lucrative new niches.

Pay close attention to the latest fashions from designers worldwide and consider how the designs ultimately impact the way a vehicle is engineered and manufactured. Then check out those crossbreed vehicles - the ones that aren't quite cars, trucks or sports utility vehicles. That's where the experts say the next moneymakers lie.

Remember, an engineer who works this show right can be tomorrow's hero.

Design Concepts

This is where the big secrets are kept.

Strip away the cladding and far-out designs in these concept vehicles and you'll get a pretty good idea where the competition is heading.

Here are some of the highlights.

Cadillac will unveil a car that suggests its future design and technology direction. The Evoq (pronounced evoke), a luxury Northstar V-powered, rear-drive roadster with a three-piece retractable hardtop, is envisioned as a flagship model that defines the soul of Cadillac. It also demonstrates the GM division's newly defined vision of art and science. It's a strong example of the popular sharpedged design that's a revolt against the smooth jellybean shapes of the aerodynamic 1980s and 1990s.

As the name suggests, Cadillac officials hope the Evoq will evoke the power, emotion and innovation that had long been a Cadillac signature.

On the opposite end of the design spectrum is Mitsubishi's "Mad Max," a concept hybrid that combines the 3000GT VR4 grand touring sports car and the Montero luxury SUV. Built at Mitsubishi Motors' design center in Cypress, Calif., this all-wheel-drive vehicle has flexible seating, a twin-turbo 300 hp VB and a console-mounted computer that incorporates the audio system and climate control. There's also a lockable safe in the tailgate and a small drawer in the rear bumper for storage. The fourpassenger Mad Max is 188 inches long, 80 inches wide and has a 111.4-inch wheelbase.

The Jaguar XK180 is a new vision of the classic roadster that's reminiscent of the XK120 of the late '40s. It's based on Jag's XKR convertible, and is powered by a 450-hp AJ-V8.

Shades of the Past

Retro continues to be another popular style, and while debate rages about what exactly is retro and what is not, show-goers can expect to see more of the same. Nissan's Z concept, which bears a striking resemblance to the shape of the original 240Z, promises to be one of the biggest hits of the show.

Ford also promises to present a nostalgic concept - and reprise a great nameplate - which should attract a huge audience.

Perhaps not retro in design, the Chevrolet Impala is another nostalgic nameplate, which will be reintroduced on a 2000 model. The production vehicle debuts at the show. The original Impala was introduced in 1958. Chevy mothballed the name in 1996 after selling 13 million copies that ranged from roomy four-door sedans, station wagon and even large SS coupes and convertibles that packed big-block V-8s and four-on-the-floor.

Hybrids

A certain theme for the 1999 North American International Auto Show will be "category busters" - hybrid vehicles that don't fit nicely into one specific market. Among them will be Nissan's concept SUT - shorthand for sport-utility truck.

The SUT mates the cab of a traditional sport-utility vehicle with a bed of a pickup truck. The back of the cab opens to extend the pickup bed's cargo capacity even further. Though still a concept, Nissan appears to be serious about building it.

BMW's much-anticipated Sports Activity Vehicle makes its world debut at the Detroit show. Based on the 5Series wagon, it has unibody construction, independent suspension and new all-wheel-drive technology. Ever secretive, Toyota will show off a new concept in "affordable transportation." It comes in both two- and four-doors and will be priced below the $14,000 Corolla, but with nearly as much interior space.

High Rollers

There are some cars you can just picture James Bond driving. They're the new luxury cars from Europe, which make their North American debut in Detroit. They undoubtedly will garner much interest from enginees, especially those working on luxury vehicles. Among the newest, hottest models are the Jaguar S-Type, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the Audi TT.

Jag's S-Type, which debuted at England's Birmingham Auto Show, goes on sale here in the spring as a 2000 model. It's the third model in Jaguar's line and marks the first expansion of the company's product range that will continue over the next four years. The S-Type, which draws its heritage from Jaguar's high-performance 3.8 S saloon of the 1960s, will be available with either the new Ford-based 3.0L AJ-V6 or Jag's own 4.0L V8.

The car features an optional in-dash global positioning satellite navigation system enhanced by Jaguar Assist, an emergency messaging system that provides automated response in the event of an airbag deployment. It also comes with an electronic obstacle detection system called Reverse Park Control, rain-sensitive windshield wipers, active suspension technology that automatically adjusts to firm or soft settings, and voice-activated telephone, sound and climate controls.

Built on a new platform it shares with Lincoln's LS sedans, the S-Type competes against stiff opposition on the $40,000 luxury battlefield, including the BMW 5-Series, Mercedes-Benz EClass and Lexus GS. With production capacity of approximately 50,000 cars per year at its Castle Bromwich plant in England, the S-Type offers Jaguar the potential to double global sales.

Mercedes-Benz's latest S-Class makes its first North American appearance after being unveiled at the Paris Auto Show. The new super-sedan kicked off European sales in October, and will arrive in the U.S. this spring, as a 2000 model.

The V-powered S430 and S500 use much aluminum and lightweight steels to shed roughly 600 pounds, compared with the previous model. They're loaded with electronic conveniences, including distance-monitoring cruise control, keyless operation and a console with a fiber-optic data connection that incorporates navigation, radio, TV, compact disc player and telephone functions on a color screen. The SClass also has new versions of existing technology including an air suspension and engine cylinder cut-off for improved fuel economy.

Two-Seater

The Audi TT Coupe debuts on the heels of other German two-seaters, including the successful BMW Z3 and the Mercedes-Benz SLK The front-drive TT, which arrives in the U.S. in the spring as a 2000 model, is powered by VW/Audi's 1.8L turbocharged, 20-valve 4-cylinder engine with a five-speed manual transmission.

In the second quarter of 2000, a 225hp engine will be available for all models coming to North America An automatic transmission that simulates manual shifting at the driver's command debuts simultaneously. A six-speed manual could also appear soon. Check out the new quattro system - an electro-hydraulically-controlled torque distribution system that makes the car respond more easily to road changes.

Almost Ready

Ford has bet its future small-to-midsize car programs on the Focus. Replacing the Escort, it will spawn 10 to 12 variants. When it bowed in Europe last fall, Focus was initially offered as a four-door, three-door, fivedoor and wagon. It will be available as a two-door, four-door and wagon when it reaches North America as a 2000 model, when a multi-activity vehicle (MAV) version will also appear. The platform can be stretched and may someday be used for the Mondeo/Mystique/Contour, and perhaps a pickup version for South America

The Focus has an interior that's as large as many midsized cars, and its rigid, lightweight platform is claimed to be 50% stiffer and 110 pounds lighter than the Escort's. The models are powered by a range of all-aluminum, 4cylinder engines producing up to 130 hp. Ford's latest iteration of the Mustang, with a number of changes for '99, will also be on display.

Chrysler's '2000 Dodge/Plymouth Neon is the automaker's next step in building affordable small cars. The platform will also spawn a hybrid sport-utility vehicle in 2000. A midsize version is also possible.

Other Show-Stoppers

Volkswagen hopes to sell a half million vehicles in the U.S. by 2003, so it's got a lot riding on the new Golf and Jetta. Both cars are based on VW Group's ubiquitous A4 platform. While the Jetta went on sale in November, the Golf debuts at the show. Now in its fourth generation, the Golf is now aimed at a more upscale audience. It's slightly larger, has a more rigid unibody and boasts a 0.31 drag coefcient. There are more standard features including a four-disc ABS with electronic distribution, front-seatmounted side airbags and an anti-theft alarm.

Pay close attention to the Golf's twin halogen headlights tucked behind a clear, polycarbonate lens and incorporating the turn signals.

Power comes from a newly-designed 115 hp 2.0L 4-cylinder gasoline engine and an optional 1.9L direct-injection turbodiesel.

The new four-door Jetta also moves slightly upscale. Standard features include front side airbags, premium eight-speaker cassette player, ABS brakes and heated remote mirrors. Inside, there's an adjustable center armrest with storage space, and the cupholders are stored in the console.

Finally, the VW Cabrio gets styling and functional updates for 1999. Its fixed, integrated roll bar also anchors the car's supplemental restraint system. The power-operated convertible top comes in cloth or vinyl.

Beginning a major product rebound, Nissan shows its 2000 Xterra - a back-to-basics SUV that's worth a close look. It's the first vehicle Nissan has development program.

Toyota is aiming its new U.S.-built Tundra pickup straight at the full-sized domestics, while Chevrolet is already planning niche-versions of its new Silverado pickup, including a hot-rod SS.

And make sure you examine the interesting concepts on display from major suppliers.

Those are just some of the clues you'll need to check out as you walk the auto show. Once you're done, take a break. Remember to order a martini shaken, not stirred.