The Auto Show in Detroit, the city nicknamed Motor City, is an opportunity to see the latest in the American automotive industry in its cradle. We have detailed each model on site for you.
This year, Joe Biden himself came to cheer up the troops of the “big 3”, the 3 automotive giants based in Detroit: “I believe we can own the future of the automotive market”, he swears. And for that, a single leitmotif: electric! Joe Biden’s speech at the Detroit Motor Show is a good picture of the state of play of the electric car in the world and more particularly in the United States by way of introduction.
For most of the last century, we ruled the (automotive) world. And something went wrong. We risk losing the edge as a nation, and China and the rest of the world are catching up with us. Today, if you want an electric vehicle with a long range, you can buy one made in America. The companies announced new investments of more than $36 billion in electric vehicles and $48 billion in battery manufacturing in the United States. And we’re just getting started. Under the Infrastructure Act, we are investing $7.5 billion to build a network of 500,000 charging stations. The great trip to America will be fully electrified
After our file on the 8 American cars to watch closely, here is a visit to the Detroit show, with all the American electric cars presented there. It must be said that with Joe Biden’s anti-inflation plan, American manufacturers are encouraged to go electric.
Ford’s electric cars
On the strength of this observation, the manufacturers are lining up the 100% electric novelties in Detroit, even if the first star of the show is, it, is well thermal with its large traditional V8: the new Ford Mustang of the seventh generation. However, it shares the stage with the Mustang Mach-E, and above all the 100% electric F-150 Lightning pickup (pictured on the front page), a real phenomenon in the USA with its some 200,000 orders and a year of waiting before be able to ride with truck quiet.
For a price starting around $40,000, Ford’s already bestseller offers excellent performance with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in around 4 seconds thanks to its generous 580 hp and its “truck-like” torque. ” of 1,050 Nm. Enough to easily carry more than 900 kg of payload and tow a trailer up to 4.5 t. On the autonomy side, it announces 515 km. Its wise look of a traditional pick-up just allows itself the fancy of a band of LEDs on its entire front face, while inside, the premium versions are entitled to digital instrumentation and a large vertical screen taken from the Mustang Mach-E.
The reign of pickups
While waiting for the Tesla Cybertruck, joining the Rivian R1T, several competitors are placing themselves in the starting blocks, starting with the General Motors group and its Ultium platform, designed for different types of vehicles.
Chevrolet Silverado EV
Chevrolet Silverado EV
Chevrolet Silverado EV
Chevrolet Silverado EV
So is it for the pick-up Chevrolet Silverado EV which will be launched in 2023 at a price close to that of the F-150. A strong monster with 660 hp and more than 1,000 Nm of torque to carry heavy loads effortlessly, with a remarkable range rated at 640 km on the EPA combined cycle. Always important in the USA, acceleration must stick to the seats: mission accomplished for the big truck Chevrolet, with 4.5s from 0 to 100 km/h. True sports sedan performance.
GMC Hummer EV
Rather original in its lines, ultra massive, it will be able to cut a good figure against another monster built on the same platform, the GMC Hummer pick-up (5.50 m long), also in Detroit, also in SUV version reminiscent of the famous military 4×4.
But a Hummer has to be one-upman and with 1,000 hp combined via 3 motors in its most powerful version, it is capable of going from 0 to 100 in 3 seconds! It embeds batteries under 800 V capable of cashing a fast recharge of 350 kW, offering up to 560 km of autonomy. An originality: it is able to roll like a crab thanks to its 4-wheel steering!
GMC Hummer EV
GMC Hummer EV pickup
Lordstown Endurance
Finally, among the electric pick-ups, a discreet newcomer was also present unofficially at the Detroit Motor Show, it is the Lordstown start-up with its model called Endurance, with a frankly more basic design.
Lordstown Endurance
Crossovers galore
The Ultium platform is also used in a more modest version, intended for crossovers on a human scale. For example, the Cadillac Lyriq plays elegant with its chrome and its sophisticated, even complicated front end. Premium obliges, the prices are high (from 63,000 dollars) for this model given for 500 km of autonomy and equipped with a beautiful interior all in XXL screens.
Chevrolet Equinox and Blazer EV
It shares its technical base with two Chevrolet models, the Equinox and the Blazer EV. The first is more family-friendly and affordable and the second, more sporty, especially in its red livery both outside and inside. The Equinox will be launched next year in several versions, with 1 or 2 motors (290 hp max and 6 s from 0 to 100) and 480 km of range, starting at just $30,000.
A nice 17.7-inch screen displays a nice infotainment package with neat graphics. Semi-autonomous driving is on the program for this car that we would also easily see on our streets – but it is not relevant for the moment even if the manufacturer is asking the question.
Chevrolet Equinox EV
As for the Blazer EV, it therefore plays the sporty card and, at its launch next year, it is planned with a meaner engine at the top of the range, strong of 557 hp, for prices between 45,000 and 66,000 dollars. .
Chevrolet Blazer EV
Finally, disappointment when approaching the Jeep stand, which has just announced no less than three 100% electric models: neither the Avenger (which is reserved for the Paris Motor Show), nor the Recon and Wagooner S were not present.
No shows without concept cars
Along the aisles of the Huntington Center in Detroit, which hosts what is called here the NAIAS (North American International Auto Show), despite the absence of impressive stands like a few years ago and in an atmosphere a little cheapwe were however able to unearth some show cars, these futuristic concepts made to dream. The most successful is certainly that of Buick, the Wildcat EV Concept, a story of waiting for the arrival in 2023 of the first electric Buicks under the label… Electra.
Even more whimsical, the Lincoln L100 is yet another concept that presents the interior of an autonomous vehicle like a rolling living room, here with doors that run the length of the car to better clear the view inside.
More realistic and attractive, the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT concept subtly plays electric sports cars (for a muscle car…). No technical data is revealed for this two-door sports coupe which announces a very powerful sound treatment – as much as a V8! – named Fraztonic Chamber Exhaust…
Electric to save the American auto industry
Definitely, the American automobile is a world apart, and the manufacturers will work to preserve these specificities with the transition to electric. If the culture of large engines remains impressive in the US, especially inland, the strong torque immediately available from the electric motors and its thrust allowing acceleration and sensations will be able to seduce, as long as a good soundtrack accompanies it.
Long ranges, essential in many states pending the extension of charging networks, go hand in hand with large batteries and therefore large vehicles. Here too, the tradition is preserved. Time will tell how quickly US motorists will convert, certainly not all states will follow California’s pace.
And maybe even a few models will cross the Atlantic since electric cars make it possible to standardize the rules and constraints on a global level. There is indeed a sacred precedent, responding to the name of Tesla. And as the Chinese manufacturers also prove, who are setting out to conquer Europe.
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