Report from Detroit – The 2015 North American International Auto Show

DETROIT— Just as it has in past years, the 2015 North American International Auto Show. kicked off the international car show year.. The show has been held since 1907 in Detroit, Michigan (except for the years from 1943 to 1952) and is originally known as the Detroit Auto Show.

Regardless of name, the Detroit show remains one of the industry’s most important events and is followed by other international shows in Geneva, in March, and Frankfurt in September. This year, the Detroit show, held at the Cobo Center in Detroit, will be open to the public from January 17 through January 25.

Here’s a look at key announcements and premieres from the 2015 Detroit show floor.

AUDI

Audi is celebrating the world premieres of the all-new Audi Q7 and the model update of the Q3 in Detroit. Audi promises that the petrol- and diesel-powered versions of the new Q7 will see an improvement in fuel economy of 28% and 23% respectively.

The Q7 lost 716.5 pounds (325 kilograms) of weight compared to its predecessor thanks to the extensive use of aluminum. The new Q7 is also shorter and narrower than its predecessor and weighs 4,398 pounds (1.995 kilograms). At launch, the new Q7 will be available with a V6 diesel engine, producing 272 horsepower and a six-cylinder petrol engine, producing 333 horsepower .It accelerates from a standstill to 62 mph (100 km/h) within 6.3 seconds and achieves a fuel economy of 41.3 mpg (5.7 l/100 km). With the 3.0-liter petrol engine, it accelerates in 6.1 seconds and gets 30.5 mpg (7.7 l/100km).

The greenest model in the Q7 range will make its debut later in 2015. The Q7 e-tron Quattro will be the world’s first diesel-powered plug-in hybrid SUV. The 3.0-liter TDI engine powers the car alongside a 94 kW electric motor, which is integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission. A combined power output of 373 horsepower with a torque of 516 pound-feet and a fuel economy of 138 mpg (1.7 l/100 km) sets a new fuel efficiency benchmark in the premium SUV market.

All Q7 models use an eight-speed tiptronic to transfer the engine power to the permanent Quattro all-wheel drive system. Numerous additional technology and safety features, such as LED lightning, a new MMI cockpit controller system, the Audi virtual cockpit and the radar-based adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist are being introduced as well.

Audi also unveiled the updated version of its compact SUV, the Audi Q3.The Audi Q3 features a sharper exterior design, mainly focusing on the single-frame grill and new headlights. Under the hood the Q3 is powered by six revised engines (three petrol and three diesel engines). The most environmental friendly model is the diesel powered Audi Q3 2.0 TDI clean diesel ultra with a fuel economy of 53.5 mpg (4.4 l/100 km).

BMW GROUP

BMW is presenting the updated line-up of the BMW 6 Series including the Coupe, the Convertible and the Gran Coupe. The update includes also the high-performance cars of the 6 Series, namely the BMW M6 Coupe and Convertible and the BMW M6 Gran Coupe.

The refresh focuses mainly on precise interior and exterior design updates and new engines. A new design of the BMW kidney grille is introduced alongside several new exterior colors and new interior trims.In addition a new sports exhaust system comes standard for every petrol-powered 6 Series.

In addition two petrol engines for the 640i and 650i, namely the turbocharged six- and eight cylinder engines and a turbocharged six-cylinder diesel engine for the 640d are available. The turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine provides a power output of 320 horsepower with a fuel economy of 29.7 mpg (7.9 l/100 km). The V8 engine of the BMW 650i produces 450 horsepower and BMW claims a fuel economy of 25.8 mpg (9.1 l/100 km).

The 640d becomes the greenest and most economical model in the 6 Series with a fuel economy of 40.5 mpg (5.8 l/100 km). Its diesel engine develops 313 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque. In addition, BMW has improved fuel consumption in the 6er’s other engines, while maintaining power output. Each variant of the 6 Series can be ordered with BMW’s intelligent xDrive all-wheel drive system which slightly increases the fuel consumption.

The BMW M GmbH’s contribution to the updated BMW 6 Series consists of the new M6 high-performance model, available as Coupe, Convertible and Gran Coupe. The M6 boasts a turbocharged 4.4 liter V8 engine with 560 horsepower and a fuel economy of 23.7 mpg (9.9 l/100 km). In case this power-output is not enough, the BMW Competition Package can be ordered and increases the power to 575 horsepower.

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