The 2015 Chevy Corvette Z06 is among the top debuts at the Detroit Auto Show.
The automotive New Year is truly starting off with a bang at the Detroit Auto Show (formally known as the North American International Auto Show). We here at E3 Spark Plugs are honed in on all the media coverage and a few of the major debuts have really piqued our attention. Here are three of our favorites thus far:
- 2015 Chevy Corvette Z06: This sleek street race-capable roadster boasts a minimum 625 horsepower and 635 foot-pounds of torque, and was GM’s fastest car ever when engineers tested it at the Milford Proving Grounds. That’s thanks in large part to the aluminum frame and a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 with a custom-made 8-speed automatic transmission. The Z06‘s looks are supercharged as well with a deeply vented hood, a large rear spoiler and an aggressive front splitter plus cooling vents in the fender, rear quarter and hind haunches. The new Z06 also will be offered with a removable roof panel for open-air driving.
- 2014 Porsche 911 Targa: Porsche aficionados are treated to two new 911 models this year, the Targa 4 and the Targa 4S. Visually, both are similar to prior models but there are a few new features. Most notable is the push-button mechanism formed with a soft top and glass rear window. When a driver pushes the button, the window flips open and tilts, allowing the soft top to slide past, fold itself into a Z shape, then disappear into a compartment behind the rear seats, at which point the window closes once again. Porsche Traction Management on both the 350 horsepower, 3.4-liter Targa 4 engine and the 400 horsepower, 3.8-liter 4S engine aids in allowing for acceleration capabilities of 175 mph (0-60 in 4.6 seconds), and 183 mph (0-60 in 4.2 seconds), respectively.
- 2014 Mercedes Benz C-Class: This year’s model is a noticeably larger and far better appointed version of its predecessor. Its makeover shifts this ride from starter status to the mid-range luxury market. New to the C-Class are a partly-autonomous driver assistance program and Airmatic suspension technology heretofore offered only on the pricier E-and S-Class models. A switch to lighter weight materials has shaved 220 pounds off its weight, allowing for faster speeds and acceleration.
Which are your favorite Detroit Auto Show debuts thus far? Post your picks on the E3 Spark Plugs Facebook Fan Page.
