The Air is Cold but the Cars are Hot Every January in Detroit

By Steve Siler

The 2006 Auto Show season officially began with the Los Angeles Auto Show (covered in issue 8.24), and on the heels of our show was Detroit's pullin'-out-the-stops North American International Auto Show. Between the two, we saw a bevy of tempting new production cars as well as a scintillating array of concept cars that offer a glimpse into the future of four-wheeled transportation.

Yes, by all accounts, Detroit has the better show, in large part because the two shows overlap. Incidentally, the Los Angeles Auto Show will move to November to solve that problem, so you can count on next year being a little different.

Production Cars

2007 Toyota Camry

Not that many of us drive Camrys now, but with the decidedly sexier look of this one, it wouldn't surprise me to see more of these in gay driveways in the future. Not much different in size compared with the 2006 model, this new one boasts a bunch more cool stuff inside, like a 440-watt sound system, Bluetooth connectivity and reclining rear seats (ahem). And it will be offered as a hybrid that will add electric power to a miserly four-cylinder engine to deliver V-6 performance with outstanding fuel economy.

2007 Jeep Wrangler

Hey now, Jeep! That's one of our favorite cars you're messing around with this year! But what is this? Have you actually made it better? Is this an improvement? Sure looks that way. Indeed, the iconic Wrangler has been completely redesigned with new innards, crisply ironed clothes and a new, more comfortable interior, yet survived with all its Jeep-ness intact. Can't wait to get dirty in it.

2007 Lincoln MKX

Ever heard of the Lincoln Aviator? Probably not. Well, no matter, because the fetching new MKX will be replacing the Aviator -- which was essentially a

rebodied Explorer made to look and feel like the portly Navigator -- come fall. In addition to a new, alphanumeric name (a theme that most new Lincolns will adhere to in coming years), the Aviator will be much, much more comfortable and really nice to look at. Performance will also be significantly sportier, more like an Infiniti FX than a Navigator. Options like swiveling headlamps and an all-glass roof are expected.

2007 Lexus LS460

Like the Toyota Camry, the Lexus LS hasn't registered much of a blip on our gay radar screens in all of its 16 years on the market. But that may change come fall, when this gorgeous new version hits the street. Once again, Lexus is competing with the biggest of the big boys, but this time (for the first time?), the LS is arguably the best looking of anything in its competitive set, prompting more than one of us to say that this is what the Mercedes-Benz S-Class or BMW 7-Series should look like. As for how it drives, well, I'll tell you as soon as I know myself. In the meantime, savor its clean lines and hope that the Germans are watching.

2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

Here's one for the extroverts (like me). By summer of this year, Santa Monica Boulevard should be burgeoning with new, convertible Mitsubishi Eclipses. Boasting a cloth top, awesome stereos and what could be the best butt of any car anywhere, the new Eclipse is a feast for the eyes and ears.

2007 Dodge Caliber

Within a couple of months, Dodge will have replaced its dimming Neon subcompact sedan with this funky, modern five-door. Available only with this cool hatchback body style, at least for now, the newly christened Caliber will serve as Dodge's entry-level vehicle, yet boast many niceties that you might not expect in a compact car. I will be driving this car very soon, so watch these pages for a thorough review in an upcoming issue.

Concept Cars

Dodge Challenger Concept

Chances of production: quite good

Flashback to 1970, when the muscle car wave was cresting and the cars were loud, fast, and hairy-chested. Now, if you can imagine the Duke brothers sliding across the hood of the new Challenger concept, you're not alone (although you hardcore Dukes fans will surely remember that the Challenger was actually Daisy's car, while Bo and Luke drove the Charger). As for the car itself, it's built on the same platform as the Bentley-esque Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger sedans, which dramatically increases its likelihood of being produced. We also love the carbon fiber hood stripes, neon taillights and hyper-cool retro interior.

Chevrolet Camaro Concept

Chances of production: so-so

Unlike the Challenger, which is based on a production car, the Camaro concept would require a significant investment in new car-chitecture if it's gonna make it to production. That said, with its sexy styling gaining a wildly enthusiastic reception at the Detroit show, GM would be remiss not to make that investment in order to present a worthy rival to the Ford Mustang, especially if they could keep the concept's Corvette-based V-8 (with fuel-saving cylinder deactivation), modern suspension and bad-boy curves. Can't you just see the convertible version?

Volvo C30 Design Concept

Chances of production: You'll see this here as the new C30 by fall.

One of the coolest and sexiest new cars coming our way was shown officially as a "Design Concept" this year in Detroit: the Volvo C30. Combining the best of Volvo's current (S40) and past (P1800) design themes, the C30 Design Concept is a small, three-door coupe that shows just how cool a hatchback can look if the design is done well enough. I am assured that this car will be produced sooner than later. Whether it will be offered in this car's white-and-bronze, two-tone color scheme remains to be seen, but trust me, in person this car looked spectacular. I can't wait.

Nissan Urge Concept

Chances of production: pretty slim

Like to show off? Consider this slick concept from Nissan that bares all in a combination of motorcycle-like minimalism with car-like stability. Two passengers sit up front, while a third can sit in the middle behind them. The engine is exposed, as is much of the aluminum structural componentry. Perhaps the coolest thing, however (besides the leg-baring see-through doors), is the drop-down Xbox360 gaming screen that allows you to play Project Gotham Racing 3 using the car's own steering wheel and pedals as controls.

Hyundai HCD-9 Talus

Chances of production: not bad

Interesting concept, this little Hyundai. It's luxurious, it's sporty and it could very well portend a future, high-end Hyundai -- a concept that no longer seems like the oxymoron we'd have laughed off five years ago. The four-door coupe rides higher than most cars, is powered by a V-8 and features "optional" four-wheel drive to get over those big curbs. Four seats face a blue-LED illuminated dashboard with center stack controls designed (and I'm quoting from the Hyundai press kit here) "to look like a jeweled pendant hanging from a necklace." Sounds like a gay shoe-in to me. Fabulous.

Kia Soul

Chances of production: pretty good

Figuring, we suppose, that what worked for Toyota's kiddie division, Scion, may work for it too, Kia launched the Soul (not to be confused with Seoul) crossover. The Soul is a funky box on wheels that contains tons of useful space and nifty interior styling that includes nighttime illumination consisting of light-ringed sunroofs instead of traditional dome lights. Many more cool ideas abound, such as center-opening "freestyle" doors and a multimedia/gaming station, but most interesting to me is that instead of being powered by some zany, futuristic engine, the Soul is motivated by a rather workaday four-cylinder engine, which, to me anyway, means that it's about ready for production.