NAIAS 2014: Power Isn’t the Only Thing Celebrated in Detroit
There are plenty of reasons to visit the Electric North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in 2014. First of all, this event is the place to see high-horsepower sports cars you desperately want in your garage. Moreover, you can shop for a new truck by comparing multiple models at once. However, that’s not the only attraction at NAIAS 2014. Automakers are also focusing on efficiency in their fleets. Therefore, they are making sure these advanced models are well represented at the show.
Acura RLX Sport Hybrid
Acura unveiled the RLX Sport Hybrid, finally bringing its big luxury sedan into the 21st century. Instead of a front-wheel-drive layout, it uses Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system. Moreover, the powertrain is hybrid with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Talk about a serious upgrade.
Audi A3 e-tron
Audi showcased the compact A3 e-tron right near the front entrance. Therefore, plenty of visitors noticed this America-ready plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The charging port hides behind the iconic four rings on the front grille. However, you’d hardly guess it was even partially electric at a glance. After talking with their PR firm, though, don’t count on seeing this one on U.S. roads anytime soon.
BMW i3 and i8
BMW brought its electrified heavy hitters: the i3 city car and the i8 sports car. These models look straight out of the future. Moreover, it seems like they arrived in Detroit through a giant Stargate on Jefferson Avenue.
Cadillac ELR
Cadillac revealed the ELR, its luxury extended-range electric coupe based on the Volt platform. Like the Volt, it runs on batteries recharged by a gasoline engine. Moreover, ELR is a much better name than its original concept title. Back then, you’d have Microsoft Word flagging “Converj” as a typo every time.
Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive
Mercedes also brought an electric vehicle based on a platform new to the U.S. market. In Europe, Mercedes offers many practical people-haulers and work vans. Now, Americans get an electrified version. The B-Class Electric Drive delivers 174 horsepower and about a 110-mile range. Therefore, if you’ve always wanted a Euro-spec Benz, this might be the time to stroll down Electric Avenue.
Porsche 918 Spyder
Funnily enough, Porsche has the most fuel-efficient gas-electric hybrid at the entire show. Moreover, it’s the fastest car they’ve ever built. The 918 Spyder combines electric motors with a 4.6-liter V-8 engine for 887 horsepower total. Fuel consumption is just under 80 MPG. Yes, these numbers are real. However, when you pay $800,000, you expect the best of everything.
Porsche Panamera 4S e-Hybrid and 911 Turbo S
Porsche also brought the Panamera plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Hopefully, it will make people forget the exterior’s divisive styling and ask why a Porsche is plugged into a wall. Meanwhile, the 911 Turbo S pumps out 560 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque from its flat-six engine through all-wheel drive. How is it economical, you ask? Well, it has turbos. That’s the ticket.
Tesla Model S
Tesla didn’t unveil anything new at the show. Instead, they skipped any fresh concepts at their press conference. They focused on addressing fire safety concerns with a Q&A session for the press. Still, the Model S remains the coolest EV on the market, and so it deserves a snap or two. We’ll most certainly wait with bated breath for the Model X sport-ute to come out later.
Electric NAIAS 2014 : Toyota, as you might expect, brought along some Prii. Yep. Neat.
Volkswagen also showed off the all-electric eGolf at the NAIAS 2014. For it’s an electric vehicle all out production model. Also, it debuted at the L.A. show. It will get between 70 and 90 miles, similar to the Leaf, with a blistering top speed of 82 miles per hour. So, it will top out at the standard pace of I-94 traffic driving from Illinois to Wisconsin.
Conclusion: Electric NAIAS 2014 Highlights Innovation and Efficiency
NAIAS 2014 isn’t just about raw power or flashy sports cars. Moreover, it showcases the automotive industry’s commitment to innovation and efficiency. Automakers displayed cutting-edge hybrids, fully electric vehicles, and advanced drivetrains to prove they’re ready for a cleaner, smarter future. Therefore, for anyone attending NAIAS 2014, it’s clear the road ahead includes both thrilling performance and sustainable technology.
