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OF F I C I A L SOUV EN I R MAGA Z I NE
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2 012 POR T L AND I NT E RNAT I ONA L AUTO SHOW
9
2012 PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW
In early 2011, most of the news about the
auto industry was the kind that made front
page headlines. General Motors and Chrysler
were emerging from bankruptcy. Fiat was
returning to America through its partnership
with Chrysler. Overall sales figures were
rebounding after years of declines.
This year, the news is more about the
cars, trucks and vans themselves. Revived
American, upstart SouthKoreanand strategic-
thinking European manufacturers have
introduced new models. Innovations have
become industry standards. Experiments
have become mainstream products. And
shoppers now have more different kinds of
automobiles to choose from than ever before.
Here are the five hottest trends that
can be experienced at the 2012 Portland
International Auto Show:
1. Small cars grow up
For much of the past, small cars were
essentially bargain-basement forms of
transportation for those with limited dollars.
Today, affordable compact, subcompact
and even micro cars are worth considering
on their own merits. They are stylish, well-
built, and come with features once reserved
for upscale luxury cars, including leather
interiors, excellent standard stereos and high-
tech connectivity. And almost all get more
than 35 miles per gallon.
Impressive new and revised models
at this year’s show include: the Fiat 500
and Scion iQ micro cars; the Chevy Sonic,
Hyundai Accent, Hyundai Veloster, Kia
Rio, MINI Coupe, Nissan Versa, and Toyota
Yaris subcompacts; and the Dodge Dart,
Volkswagen Beetle and Jetta compacts. They
join such head-turners from last year as Ford
Fiesta and Mazda 2 subcompacts, and the
Chevy Cruze, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra,
and Kia Forte and Forte Koup compacts.
2. Electric power spreads
More automobiles are now powered by
electricity than ever before. They include
all-electric models that never use gas, plug-
in hybrids that go a certain distance on
electricity before switching over to gas, and
conventional hybrids that switch back and
forth between electric and gas power to
increase fossil fuel mileage.
All-electric cars at the 2012 show include
last year’s ground-breaking Nissan Leaf, the
new Ford Focus Electric, the new-to-America
Mitsubishi i, the Smart Fortwo Electric, and
such emerging competitors as the mostly
Chinese-built CODA.
Plug-in hybrids include a new version of
the Toyota Prius, the new Fisker Karma high-
performance luxury sedan, and the extended
range Chevy Volt, which was introduced last
year.
Many companies are also offering
conventional hybrids, including Toyota,
which is unveiling
the SUV-like Prius
V, the smaller
Prius C, and the
redesigned Camry
Hybrid. General
Motors is offering
its mild hybrid
eAssist system as a
no-charge optionon
the Buick LaCrosse
and Regal. Luxury hybrids include the Lexus
HS 250h and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. And
hybrid options are still available on the Ford
Fusion, Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima.
3. Faster than ever
Did you miss the Golden Age of Muscle
Cars when high-performance Chevy
Camaros, Dodge Challengers and Chargers,
and Ford Mustangs ruled the streets? If
so, don’t feel too bad. The top-of-the-line
versions of the current models are faster
than the older ones. And all of them are safer
to drive because they have better brakes,
more sophisticated suspensions, and such
standard safety systems as traction-control
and multiple air bags.
Surprisingly, many other new cars are
also faster than the original Muscle Cars,
too, including some smaller cars such as the
Subaru Impreza WRX/STI and Mitsubishi
Evo. Even luxury companies like Audi,
BMW, Cadillac and Mercedes are offering
pavement pounders.
Highlights at this year’s show include
the supercharged ZL1 Camaro, the Hemi-
equipped SRT8 versions of Challenger
and Charger, and the return of the Boss
302 Mustang. Also worth seeing are the
redesigned WRX/STI, the venerable Chevy
Corvette, the high-performance luxury cars,
and, of course, such exotics as the latest from
Ferrari and Lamborghini.
4. SUVs get more practical
Sport Utility Vehicles are getting smaller
andmore fuel-efficient without compromising
interior room and cargo space. Many are now
car-based Crossover Utility Vehicles (CUVs)
with more comfortable rides and better
handling. Some carry seven and even eight
passengers, but can still be easily driven
around town. And even a few are available as
hybrids with car-like mileage.
New and revised models at this year’s
show include: the Dodge Journey with the
optional Penastar V6 engine; the Ford Edge
and Explorer that now offer the EcoBoost
four cylinder engine; the remodeled Honda
CR-V; the Kia Sportage with the optional
The five
hottest
auto trends for 2012
By
Jim Redden, Pamplin Media Group
Ford’s 2012 Focus is indicative of two of the hottest automotive trends for 2012. It is a stylish, well-built smaller car
with the newest in connective automotive technology including Ford’s well-known SYNC technology.
The top-of-the-
line versions
of the current
models are
faster than the
older ones.