Ford Shelby Cobra Concept
By Tom Strongman

DETROIT — Power flowed through the North American International Auto Show this week as freely as latte at a coffee shop as the automotive press previewed the show, which opens to the public today and runs through Jan. 19. But the kind of power was distinctly different.

American muscle was evident as manufacturers rolled out the 2005 Corvette, the 2005 Mustang, a super-car from Chrysler and a Shelby Cobra concept from Ford. The Shelby Cobra has a 6.4-liter, V-10 engine with 605 horsepower, and Chrysler debuted a super coupe concept with 850 horsepower.

But gas/electric hybrid power was also on display as Toyota and Lexus unveiled two gas/electric SUVs that will go on sale later this year. Toyota’s second-generation gas/electric Prius was voted North American Car of the Year.

Shelby Cobra concept

Known as Project Daisy, the Shelby Cobra is a modern rendition of the legendary sports car developed by Carroll Shelby in the 1960s. The original Cobra was created when Shelby shoehorned a Ford V-8 into an English AC sports car.

Ford engineers said the vehicle’s shape, which is plain but muscular, was dictated by the architecture and mechanical components of the chassis. The 100-inch wheelbase is longer than a Dodge Viper, but it is 20 inches shorter overall. Legroom is greater than a Crown Victoria. Overhangs are short, and the car has a stubby, purposeful look that recalls the original without being cartoonish.

An aluminum instrument panel spans the cockpit. Bright blue racing seats made of carbon fiber provide a colorful contrast as well as holding occupants for high-performance driving.

So, will Ford build the Cobra? The company is noncommittal at this point, but at a time when they’re trying to recapture the glory of its 1960s performance icons, a new Cobra would look right at home alongside the Ford GT and the 2005 Mustang. The trilogy would be complete.

Gas/electric hybrids

Toyota introduced a pair of hybrid SUVs, the Toyota Highlander and the Lexus RX 400h. These are the largest SUVs to have a gas/electric hybrid powerplant. Lexus is the American luxury division of Toyota.

Both the Highlander and the RX 400h combine a 3.3-liter gasoline V-6 with an electric motor to achieve fuel economy that Toyota said is ?significantly better than 27 miles per gallon.? The hybrid powertrain produces the equivalent of 270 horsepower, so the vehicles are capable of accelerating to 60 miles per hour in less than eight seconds. The cruising range on one tank of fuel is greater than 600 miles. Plus, exhaust emissions are minuscule.

The Highlander, left, and the RX 400h share the same chassis platform. They will be offered with front-wheel or all-wheel drive. In all-wheel-drive models, the rear wheels will be propelled by electric motors. Both SUVs will also showcase an advanced vehicle stability system to enhance traction, braking and control in slippery conditions.

Toyota also hinted that its next-generation Tundra pickup would be available with a hybrid powertrain.


Chrysler ME Four-Twelve

Chrysler joined the performance bandwagon with a mid-engined super-car concept called the ME Four-Twelve. The heart of this vehicle is an all-aluminum, twin-turbo V-12 developed by AMG, a performance subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz and a part of the DaimlerChrysler family. This engine boasts a staggering 850 horsepower, enough to power it to 60 miles per hour in 2.9 seconds and a theoretical top speed of 248 mph, according to computer models.

The ME Four-Twelve was spawned from last year’s Detroit auto show when Wolfgang Bernhard wheeled out the Dodge Tomahawk, a Viper-engined motorcycle.

The mid-engined coupe has an aluminum and carbon-fiber chassis. The body, made from carbon fiber, was designed to look as if it was ready to pounce. Extensive under-body aerodynamics contributes to its stability at the extremely high speeds of which it is capable.

?ME Four-Twelve adds a new aura of performance to the Chrysler brand,? said Trevor Creed, senior vice president of design. ?It is aerodynamically honed, and it balances elegance and power. It exudes strength, performance and prestige. The ME Four-Twelve is Chrysler’s own creative interpretation of the classic mid-engine super car architecture.?