The Detroit auto show has come and gone, and has left the automotive industry with a little more to chew over. As a final wrap-up to quite possibly the most important auto show in America, we chose 10 cars that summed up the best of the show. We chose based on significance and looks, which is why you will see Honda’s Insight on the same list as the Fisker Karma. After much deliberating, here are the 10 we think are the best.

10) Volkwagen BlueSport Concept

Starting at the No. 10 spot, the BlueSport made this list because it is an honest effort to make a sporty car by a company whose most engaging vehicle to date is the Golf GT1 (no, the Bugatti Veyron does not count). It’s not the sexiest roadster available, as the Saturn Sky debatably holds that spot (key word: debatably. Check out the comments at the link above, and add your own opinion). While not terribly exciting to the eyes, it does feature that solid, reliable look that has come to define VW’s “German Engineering”. 57 miles to each gallon of diesel just adds to the charm.

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Now who says hybrids have to be boring?

The hybrid in question, the production version of the Fisker Karma, was revealed in Detroit a few days ago, and man, we like it. A lot.

Let’s forget about the engine, mileage, and similar rubbish and just focus on the car. Observe that wide stance, those sculpted fenders. Drink in the flowing lines, the 22 inch wheels, the oooh-ness of it all. Is that not the sexiest thing you have ever seen? Is that not gorgeous? Like, dare we say it, Aston Martin gorgeous? Or maybe even, and we can’t believe we’re saying this, better looking than an Aston Martin (after all, Henrik Fisker, CEO of Fisker Automotive, designed the DB9)? This article is becoming rather difficult to write because my jaw keeps hitting the keys. It’s just an impossibly pretty car.

Says Big Boss Man Henrik Fisker himself “Extreme proportions, beautiful sculpture and earth-friendly materials are key elements that set the Karma apart”. He also states that their “hope is that the Fisker Karma will create a new segment of eco-friendly transportation and will become the most desirable plug-in hybrid sports sedan available”. Continue Reading…

In the midst of automotive hell, it’s good to know that manufacturers around the world know how to put on a good show. The North American International Auto Show (c’mon, it’s the Detroit show and you know it) is one of the most important auto shows in the world, if not THE most important show held annually. I wish we were there, but since we’re not, we’ll just settle with providing you updates on all that is new.

Maserati has introduced another sportier variation on their universally adored sedan, making the car sound even cooler than it actually is. Don’t get me wrong, I think the Q’Porte is great, I’m just not caught up in the crowd who think it’s the most beautiful thing ever.

The engine has been retuned, maximum horsepower has been cranked to 433, a slight improvement over the normal 425. Suspension has been recalibrated, being lower, stiffer, and all-around more tuned for performance. The twin pipes emit a more “throaty, and captivating sound” due to new pneumatic valves.

Visually, not much has changed. We guess Maserati wanted to play it safe, which is fine by us. The trident badge in the grille stands out a bit more due to red accents, and “sportiness” is expressed through concave vertical fins surrounding the new black grille. Headlights have a metallic titanium finish, and the handles are body color. Continue Reading…