2009 Detroit Auto Show – Honda Mazda

While Nissan and its Infiniti brand were noticeably absent from the 2009 NAIAS both Honda and Mazda introduced significant production vehicles at this years show.

Mazda

2010 Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback

For the Detroit Show, Mazda unveiled the new hatchback design as well as bringing along the more conventional (for Mazda) sedan unveiled at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show.

The first generation Mazda3 has always been a favorite vehicle of ours here at LotPro.com. Its combination of good looks, high quality, great fuel economy and class-leading handling have made this smallest of Mazda’s sedans a favorite not only here in the U.S., but worldwide as well – accounting for almost 2 million sales and one out of every 3 Mazda’s sold since its inception.

According to Program Manager Yoshiyuki Maeda, “We had no intention of merely protecting the position we held. Instead, our task was to keep the target moving for our competitors by further exceeding customer expectations.  Our goal was to create a sport compact capable of advancing driving pleasure to new heights.  This is the essence of Mazda’s Sustainable Zoom-Zoom credo and what separates our company and our products from other cars and brands.”

Yoskiyuki, you did good. Based on the same architecture as the first-generation 3, the second generation boasts two completely-new body styles as well as a new interior design. Unmistakably Mazdas, the new sedan and hatchback receive styling cues from the RX-8 as well as the 2009 Mazda6 as the company moves toward a “unified family face.” A subtle wedge shape as well as sculpted hood, fender and side surfaces give both new 3’s a sophisticated, sporty flavor.

Honda

2010 Honda Insight Hybrid

Making its world debut at the Detroit Show, the 2010 Insight Hybrid is, in our opinion, one of the top 3 production vehicles unveiled at NAIAS – the other 2 being the 2010 Ford Taurus and the 2010 Toyota Prius.

Setting its sights on the Prius, the Insight promises to be the lowest-priced hybrid sold in America, undercutting Toyota’s best-seller as well as its sibling, the Civic Hybrid when it becomes available sometime in April of this year.

Powered by a 1.3 liter SOHC all-aluminum i-VTEC (variable valve timing and electronic lift control) engine mated to a continuously-variable transmission, the Insight uses Honda’s IMA (integrated motor assist) hybrid system that incorporates a 13 hp electric motor and Intelligent Power Unit. This system stores kinetic energy recaptured during braking and deceleration. It also supplies additional electric power – as needed – for acceleration. Total horsepower is 98 and fuel economy figures are 40 mpg city/43 mpg highway.

Outside, the five-door sedan receives styling cues first employed on the FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell vehicle currently in use in California. Inside, Honda’s newest friend of the tree-huggers features what the company calls its “Ecological Drive Assist System.” Using multiple plant-leaf graphics, it encourages drivers to “turn over a new leaf”, as it were, by growing leaves as a reward for frugal driving behavior. In addition, the background of the upper-dash-mounted digital speedometer changes from lime green (the best) through a series of hues to deep indigo blue(the worst), depending on your driving habits.

Tags: 2009 detroit auto show, civic hybrid, detroit auto show, ford taurus, los angeles auto show, mazda, mazda3, mazda6, NAIAS, Toyota Prius