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Detroit 2009: BYD F3DM is the poor man's plug-in Toyota Corolla

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Economy, Sedans/Saloons, China

Click above for high-res gallery of the BYD F3DM

With the departure of a number of automakers from this year's North American International Auto Show, the Chinese found themselves in an unfamiliar location: smack in the middle of the Detroit Auto Show. 2009 is the first time that China's automakers have been able to find space to rent on the main show floor -- in years past, they were confined to Michigan Hall, nicknamed "The Basement" by journalists. Taking full advantage of the larger forum, BYD unveiled what it is billing as the world's first production plug-in hybrid, the F3DM Dual Mode. Thankfully, BYD thoughtfully left their cars uncovered earlier in the show, and we were able to get the shots you see here without wading through the crowds.

Powered by a 1.0-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor, BYD says their Toyota Corolla lookalike boasts 168-horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. So equipped, the car can reach 60 miles-per-hour in 10.5 seconds, although it tops out at just 93 mph. More importantly, officials claim that the F3DM will run purely on battery power for 62 miles(!). BYD says the car's Fe battery packs reach a 50% charge in just ten minutes, and a full charge can be obtained in just seven hours from a standard power outlet. Oddly, the very same press release notes that the Fe battery in the company's E6 crossover can be fully recharged in 60 minutes.

We look forward to getting hold of one of these vehicles to verify some of these remarkable claims, but in the meantime we'll have to amuse ourselves with the notion that BYD calls this car a "dual mode hybrid" because it can run on electricity alone or on a combination of battery power and internal combustion. Hmmm...

Gallery: Detroit 2009: BYF F3DM

Gallery: 2009 BYD F3DM

Continue reading Detroit 2009: BYD F3DM is the poor man's plug-in Toyota Corolla

Detroit 2009: BYD F3DM is the poor man's plug-in Toyota Corolla originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2009: The 2010 Chevy Equinox [w/VIDEO]

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Chevrolet

Click above to live shots of the 2010 Chevy Equinox from Detroit

The 2010 Chevy Equinox showed its new face alongside the 2010 Cadillac SRX in Detroit today, and it was a tossup as to which looked better. Regardless of where you stand on the Equinox' appearance, the new CUV is a far more sophisticated vehicle than the crossover it replaces. Power will be provided by a choice of two direct injection engines, with the four-cylinder model able returning 30 mpg on the highway and the new 3.0L V6 packing 255 horsepower. It also features a gorgeous interior that should look familiar to anyone who's looked inside a Malibu or Traverse.

While this is an evolution of the Theta architecture, the dimensions are almost identical to the old one and shared with the Saturn Vue. It still manages to look tidier than the outgoing model. The 2010 Equinox is still a unibody crossover with either front- or all-wheel drive and the same basic suspension layout as before. The styling is more contemporary, with prominent wheel arches and the obligatory Chevy twin-port grille. As expected of any new model these days, the full array of USB audio, Bluetooth and DVD entertainment systems are also now available. The full details are in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox

Gallery: LIVE: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox

Gallery: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox

Continue reading Detroit 2009: The 2010 Chevy Equinox [w/VIDEO]

Detroit 2009: The 2010 Chevy Equinox [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2009: Audi Sportback concept, coming soon as the A7 [w/VIDEO]

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Coupes, Audi

click the Sportback concept for a high res gallery of what to expect from the A7

Audi continues to underscore the importance of the US market to its future fortunes with two world debuts at the Detroit Auto Show. In addition to the R8 V10 that we saw last month, we got our first look at the Sportback concept. The Sportback is a preview of the A7 sedan due to arrive in the next year or so. As expected, this is Audi's take on the four door coupe/sedan idiom. Compared to the Porsche Panamera, this is one actually works. It takes the look we've come to expect from Audi and updates it with slightly sharper lines and a reshaped grille, along with even more LED lighting.

The Sportback name refers to the fastback roofline and Audi boss Rupert Stadler made it clear that the new look will become a common trait in the Audi lineup, beginning with a new A5 Sportback coming later this year. Under the hood, the Sportback gets a 3.0-liter TDI diesel V6 with 225 hp/406 lb-ft paired up with a seven-speed S-Tronic dual clutch gea box. The whole thing is topped off with automatic start stop to give a combined 39 mpg (US). Based on these specs we can't wait for the A7 to arrive.

Hit the jump for the press release and a 20-second video walk-around of the Audi Sportback concept.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Audi Sportback Concept