The Demo Site

Chrysler booth tour

Yesterday, we gave you a guided tour of GM's first post-bailout NAIAS display. Today, we head across the hall to Chrysler, where the floundering automaker's dire financial straits are reflected on the show floor. Chrysler, once renowned for its lavish press conferences and known for its fancy display stands, has throttled back... big time. All three brands now share an open floorplan. No waterfall at Jeep, no giant Ram horns. Just cars and carpet. Taxpayer dollars now in the bank, the Pentastar is obviously trying to stretch them as far as it can while looking responsible in the process. The financial Grim Reaper has been shooed away for the moment, but don't worry about him; he'll definitely be back. The larger question after this year is, will Chrysler? Jump into the gallery below to begin the tour.

Each year, the Detroit Auto Show plays host to the Eyes on Design Awards, where a group of judges descend into the bowels of Cobo Hall to pick their favorite vehicles from the show. The nominees are predictably divided into two categories: Design Excellence for a Concept Vehicle and Design Excellence for a Production Vehicle.

This year's ceremony was MC'd by our very own John McElroy from Autoline Detroit, with judging duties handled by BMW design head Chris Bangle, Harley-Davidson chief styling officer Willy G. Davidson, and transportation design chair at the College for Creative Studies Larry Erickson. The two winners for production vehicle were the Audi R8 5.2 FSI and the 2010 BMW Z4, while Audi Sportback and Cadillac Converj took home the best concept awards. Check out all four vehicles in the galleries below and let the judges know your own picks in the comments.

Dodge Challenger R/T Classic

For the most part, the lineup at the Chrysler stand here in Detroit is like an advertisement for Zoloft. There are a few exceptions, however. The blue Ram R/T is one, and here's another: the Dodge Challenger R/T Classic. As appearance packages go, this one's a winner. 20-inch Torq-Thrust replicas fill the wheel wells, old-school R/T stripes run down the flanks, and best of all, the classic script Challenger badge adorns each fender. Hey Chrysler -- they should all get this treatment. As you can see, the one parked on the Detroit floor is painted HEMI Orange. We'd order the B5 Blue. Ultimately, it's cool either way.

The Ford Taurus has gained a reputation of being a very large, very safe, very sedate sedan. Ford wanted to add some adjectives, including attractive, modern, and contemporary, so the Blue Oval design team went back to the drawing board. The result? The 2010 Ford Taurus ditches the bulbous, boring sheetmetal for a thoroughly refreshing set of duds, and with the long awaited 3.5-liter, 355 hp Ecoboost engine finally coming... ladies and gentlemen... it's SHO time!

With our cameras rolling, we had the chance to talk with some of the people responsible for the all-new Taurus. Hit play above to see it for yourself, and if you want more details about Ford's new flagship sedan, hit our extensive preview by clicking here.

Dodge Ram R/T

Stuck among the largely forgettable production vehicles at the Chrysler, LLC display is this Mopar-enhanced Ram R/T. Originally shown at SEMA, B5 Blue (we think) covers its bodywork, which is very close to the ground thanks to a new set of springs and shocks. Kumho-shod, 22-inch forged wheels are stuffed into the cutouts. In front, the Challenger-style hood rocks a set of SRT stripes, the headlamp housings are blacked out, and a new front bumper with chin spoiler threatens to scrape against any obstacle taller than a praying mantis. Out back, a body-colored bed cover thwarts prying eyes, and a pair of fat polished exhaust tips pokes under the rear bumper. Inside, you'll find color-keyed inserts and R/T embroidery on the seats. Overall, this thing looks pretty mean, especially when its surrounded with your garden variety Dakotas and Durangos.

Bertone B.A.T. 11 from Detroit

We were saddened when we couldn't track down this Bertone B.A.T. 11 in Geneva last year and even sadder when we missed it in Los Angeles in November. Don't blame us. They stuck it in the basement for crying out loud. The B.A.T. 11 is an updated take on the B.A.T. 5, B.A.T. 7 and B.A.T. 9 concepts built by Nuccio Bertone in the '50s. BAT stands for Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnica (Aerodynamic Technical Coupe) and as you can see, this concept lives up to its name. While the original B.A.T. concepts have become some of the most coveted collector cars in the world, this new one is designed with a slightly different slant.

Based on a Maserati GT chassis, it is more of a sportscar for the new millennium. It has a Maserati V8 for propulsion and features Pirelli shod 21" wheels slowed by Brembo brakes. Although the mechanicals are Maserati, the badge is Alfa Romeo because of the exterior detailing -- specifically the traditional Alfa triangular shield and circulor crest. It also carries many of the same design cues as its predecessors, including the fared-in wheels and wrap-around tail fins. While the original BATs were designed to look aerodynamic, this one was actually wind-tunnel-tested in the Department of Aeronautics and Space Engineering at the Polytechnic institute of Torino.

It's such a striking car in person at over 16 feet in length, six feet wide and under four feet tall. The classic styling elements are joined by some 21st century tech, including electronically adjustable cooling foils and wheel coverings that automatically adjust to the optimal position for cooling, steering or drag-reduction. It's a fun concept, a treat to see in person and a great homage to Nuccio, especially painted up in his favorite green-gray color. Check out the press release after the jump and our high-res gallery below.

VW Touareg Lux Limited Edition

The VW Touareg Lux Limited Edition is a 'ute that's been on a shopping spree to J. Crew and High Street, or at least a mainstream, aftermarket shop. Available on either the gasoline- or diesel-engined SUVs - and only in America - the Lux Limited gets side skirts and slightly tweaked front and rear aprons to differentiate it from the run-o-the-mill Touareg. The wheel selection is called Ayer's Rock (not "Uluru"?) and only available in the 20-inch variety.

VW took the color wheel out one night and got it drunk. Exterior hues for the Lux Limited are Biscay Blue, Campanella White, Galapagos Gray, and Black Magic Pearl Effect. The interior cricket leather is done up in one of two duo-tone color choices with complementary accents - like Latte Macchiato and St. Tropez white with poplar grain decor. And if anyone can tell us what "Engine Spin dark" decor looks like, we are all... eyes. So put on the Hootie, order some chablis and brie, have a look at the press release after the jump, and check out the gallery of high-res photos below.