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The Koreans starred, the Japanese mounted a comeback, and One Ford hit the headlines with an extended family of Focus-based newcomers that it is certain to make a big hit in Australia. But it was one car and the commitment of its company chief that made the most impact as America fought back on the opening day of the 2011 North American International Motor Show.
After 60 years of super lightweight (SL) sports cars, the latest SL is made almost entirely of aluminum and weighs 140kg less than before. The weight saving shows up in better fuel economy, lower emissions and claimed improved agility.
It will arrive in Australia before the end of the first half of this year with a 4.6-lite biturbo, direct-injection V8 engine with 320kW of power and 699Nm of torque.
There will also be a V6, plus AMG V8 and V12 models, all with biturbo power. Benz boss Dieter Zetsche says it will continue the 60-year audition of being a "benchmark" for the brand.
The new SL is also a tour de force of technology with a system that detects weary drivers, a chassis that acts as a boom box bass enhancer for the audio system, a folding hard top that turns from clear to opaque and a wiper system that won't wet the driver and passenger.
There is even an option that heats the rubber blades and water to remove ice from the windscreen. Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman David McCarthy confirms that despite the extra expense of the aluminium body and chassis, plus the extra technology, there will be "little or no change" (in price).
Mercedes-Benz also showed two BlueTEC hybrid E Class models. The E300 diesel is claimed to achieve economy of 4.2l/100km and will be released mid year in Europe. McCarthy says we are likely to get the car, but not this year.
The other is the E400 petrol model with 6L/100km. It will be released in US first in mid year, but is unlikely to come down under, says McCarthy.
