Nissan GT-R 2009

Revealed in late 2007, the 2009 GT-R marks the revival of an iconic nameplate for Nissan. The car is powered by a 3.8L twin-turbo V6, good for 480 horsepower and 434 ft-lb of torque.

All 2009 Nissan GT-Rs are equipped with a standard 3.8-liter twin turbo V6 producing 480 horsepower and 434 lb-ft of torque, backed by an all-new, paddle-shifted, dual clutch rear transmission and a world's first independent rear transaxle ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system.

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010, whose key priorities are reducing CO2 emissions, cutting other emissions and increasing recycling.

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Toyota FT-EV Concept 2009

Toyota announced its intention to debut an all-new electric-vehicle concept at January’s Detroit auto show. The vehicle will be called the FT-EV, and the single image released shows only the badge, affixed to a translucent, amber­-colored surface. As to the vehicle’s actual identity, FT is simply Toyota shorthand for ‘future,’ so the FT-EV could be anything, really.

To wit, Toyota showed the FT-HS sports-car concept—HS for Hybrid Sports—at the 2007 Detroit auto show. The FT prefix was also applied to the FT-SX concept, which eventually morphed into the production Venza crossover, as well as the FTX concept, which became the current Tundra pickup.

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Subaru Legacy Concept 2009

Subaru has released full details for its concept vehicle previewing the next-generation legacy (Liberty) sedan due late next year. Appropriately named the Legacy Concept, the vehicle has made its world debut at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

The concept features a 3.6L horizontally-opposed six-cylinder engine and the company’s trademark symmetrical AWD system. Key characteristics include the distinctive front face and flared wheel arches.

It sits on a larger 108.3in wheelbase than the current Legacy, which was implemented to maximize interior space and provide comfortable accommodations for four adults. Wedge-shaped Side Rear Vision Cameras are featured and provide a sense of flow from the momentum of the A-pillar lines. A character line runs from just before the A-pillar and sweeps up to the tail just above the taillamps.

The interior design features a four-seat layout, and includes a mix of touch-screens, cameras and modern surface coverings. The center console features a large touch-panel display that concentrates various functions for simplified use. In-car entertainment is featured through monitors with multiple functions that are located in the center console, as well as in the rear of the front seat headrests.

The unveiling of the concept leads up to Subaru’s recognition of 20 years of the Legacy sedan, which the company will be celebrating next year. The Legacy series was first introduced into the world in 1989, and since then factories in Gunma, Japan, and Indiana, USA, have built more than 3.6 million units.

Subaru is renowned for its love-or-loathe approach to designing cars, as seen in the frequent revisions to its Impreza line over the years, but the styling of the next Legacy isn’t expected to be as controversial. The new car will build upon the lines of the current model but will feature a more prominent grille, sharper and more angular headlights, flared fenders and a more chiseled overall appearance.

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Saab 9-5 2009

The Saab 9-5 Sedan and SportCombi bring Scandinavian-inspired performance and luxury to the competitive midsize sport sedan segment. Available in both 2.3T and Aero models, they feature distinctive, aircraft-inspired design inside and out, in keeping with Saab's roots in aviation.

The Saab 9-5 range includes the well-equipped 2.3T Sport Sedan and SportCombi models, as well as the uplevel and sportier Aero Sport Sedan and SportCombi models. All are powered by a 2.3L I-4 Turbo with 260 horsepower (194 kW) and 258 lb.-ft. of torque (350 Nm), mated to a five-speed automatic Sentronic transmission or available five-speed manual transmission.

All Saab 9-5 models are designed for sure-footed driving, thanks to a standard electronic stability program, traction control and anti-lock brakes. For 2009, the 9-5 range gets revised power window switches in the center console and new exterior colors, Carbon Grey Metallic and Glass Grey Metallic. Nocturne Blue Metallic is being reintroduced.

Aero models receive a high-gloss black metallic interior finish and new 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels that complement the sportier look.

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Mercedes-Benz BlueZERO 2009

Mercedes-Benz will present two BlueZERO variants at the 2009 NAIAS show in Detroit: the BlueZERO E-CELL as a purely battery-powered vehicle and the fuel-cell version, the BlueZERO F-CELL – both of which are emission-free in local operation. Mercedes-Benz development engineers are also working on a third version with a range extender, the BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS. This is additionally equipped with a compact internal combustion engine as a generator that produces power during a journey.

The main idea of the five-door Concept Blue Zero is a double floor that can accommodate all of the key powertrain components. The one on the show floor has a lithium-ion battery pack under the passengers and an electric motor that powers the front wheels. The battery pack could be easily substituted for a fuel cell and hydrogen storage.

This type of flexibility will probably be critically important in the future and Mercedes envisions offering the car in three versions. The E-Cell is purely electric and can travel 124 miles on a charge, the E-Cell Plus adds a range-extending gas engine but can still travel 60 miles on electric power, and finally the F-Cell employs a fuel cell to achieve a 248-mile hydrogen-powered range.

Mercedes says that all of the cars would be capable of accelerating to 60 mph in under 11 seconds

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