Its been said that the sizzle sells the steak, well this year at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show the sizzle and the steak were one in the same as auto manufacturers rolled out some tasty new sedans.
Now I don’t know about you, but I still like sports cars and hot sporty coupes like the new Dodge Challenger (more on this car soon) and the Nissan GT-R are high on my list. The issue used to be that coupes delivered performance and handling that sedans could not touch. This is no longer the case.
The latest crop of “cars with more doors” has really closed the gap as they deliver a high level of performance while offering more luxury and comfort features. Here are some of the hot new sedans you might want to consider checking out at the show.
Acura brings in new RL
The redesigned 2009 Acura RL luxury sedan made its world debut here at the show. The new RL features fresh exterior styling, an enhanced interior, more technology and a new powerful engine. The RL’s technology level gets a boost via new features like AcuraLink weather, AcuraLink Traffic Rerouting, XM Note, Active Sound Control, and Bluetooth Audio.
The handling prowess is upgraded with the addition of the cartoonish sounding Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, a revised steering system, upgraded coil springs, beefier shock absorbers, a larger rear stabilizer bar, and aggressive 18-inch tires and 7-spoke aluminum wheels.
Performance improves courtesy of a new, larger 3.7-liter V-6 with 300 horsepower that incorporates the first ever SOHC use of VTEC valvetrain actuation for both the intake and exhaust valves. A Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission channels the power. Acura did shape up the body with an athletic cut that has a dart look. The 2009 RL will go on-sale in a couple of months.
CTS-V for varoom
As a total package the CTS-V is a sedan with a great looking exterior, much improved interior and gobs of power. When it launches in the fourth quarter of this year, the 2009 CTS-V will be the fastest production sedan ever offered by GM and will rub elbows with some of fastest sedans in the world.
The high-performance CTS-V packs a new 6.2-liter LSA supercharged V-8 engine generating an incredible 550 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque. Transmission choices include six speeds in manual or automatic form. The steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters are a huge change for Cadillac.
The CTS-V is more than just power, this Caddy comes with hi-tech suspension enhancements, including Magnetic Ride Control, an industry-first Performance Traction Management program and sophisticated braking and big 19-inch tires courtesy of Brembo and Michelin respectively at all four corners. The CTS-V is expected to live in the $60K neighborhood.
Hyundai Genesis
Auto Show visitors will get their first look at Hyundai’s new game changer luxury sedan. Don’t snicker; this car appears to be the real deal. The 2009 Genesis is built on an all-new rear-wheel-drive architecture, its first application in a U.S. Hyundai model.
The Genesis sedan has the styling and luxury amenities of a Lexus LS and a Mercedes-Benz E-Class yet costs only slightly more than a fully loaded Camry. Some of the luxury items include soft-touch instrument panel with woodgrain accents, Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone interface, and USB/iPod auxiliary inputs. A state-of-the-art navigation system with an 8-inch display is available.
A leather-wrapped dash, door panels, and console lid are standard, while a heated and cooled driver’s seat is a nice luxurious touch. Genesis also offers the conveniences of a power rear sunshade, automatic electronic parking brake, proximity key and push button starter. I was pleasantly surprised by the details, amenities and fit and finish this car has. Genesis will be available this summer and it will be interesting to see how this luxury Hyundai fares. Didn’t Lexus start this way?
Pontiac G8 - beginning of new excitement
The 2008 G8 is Pontiac’s brand new entry into the performance sedan wars and there are GT versions parked in the Pontiac booth. The G8 is courtesy of GM’s Australian division Holden. The “thunder from down under” GT packs a 6.0L small-block V-8, rated at a healthy 362 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode and rear wheel drive complete the G8 performance package. While the interior is down on “flash” it will hold five in comfort. The “grabber” elements include tasteful hood scoops and front fender vents, as well as fenders that flare over the wheels and are closely cropped over the wide tires to bring back that Pontiac “wide track” look.
I included the G8 for its performance potential as it could turn out to be a performance sedan bargain. Just waiting to drive it.
Toyota Venza ushers in new segment
Not exactly sure what to call this vehicle: a crossdan, a sedanover or SUVdan. Officially Toyota calls it a crossover vehicle, but it really looks like the fusion of a SUV and a five-passenger sedan. Toyota indicates that they wanted to create a new style vehicle that shifted away from traditional SUV/crossover styling that tends to be a “two box” design.
Designers basically created a chunky sedan/wagonish vehicle with a wide stance and athletic exterior lines. They also made sure that the interior was trimmed with premium materials and had comfortable seating for five. The flow of the instrumentation panel (IP) creates a quirky design that gives both driver and front passenger the look and feeling that 60 percent of the IP is accessible from their seating position. A Panoramic roof tops Venza and it rolls on big 20-inch wheels. The
Venza does offer the cargo space of an SUV, decent towing capability and of course all-wheel-drive. The top engine will be a 3.5-liter V-6 producing 268 horsepower. The 2009 Venza is expected to go on sale in late summer.
As I said at onset, these new sedans really combine the best of all worlds with the potential to deliver outstanding performance, carry five passengers and their belongings in comfort and luxury and look good while doing it.
