Detroit 2009: What's the best of the show?
by Sebastian Blanco on Jan 12th 2009 at 8:43PM 
The reveals are done, a lot of journalists and car reps are headed home, and you've (hopefully) had time to digest the cars and information we've been introduced to. This means, naturally, that it's time to try and figure out which cars won and which ones were just too lame/crazy/unrealistic for you to take seriously. We've set up a poll for you to vote for your favorite. If you need a refresher on any of these, click past the jump for galleries and links to the posts about all of these winners (or losers). Go ahead and name your choice for worst car of the show in the comments.
Honda FT-EV
Gallery: Detroit 2009: Toyota FT-EV
Dodge Circuit
Gallery: Detroit 2009: Dodge Circuit EV
Chrysler 200C EV
Gallery: Detroit 2009: 200C EV Concept
2010 Toyota Prius
Gallery: Detroit 2009: 2010 Toyota Prius
A3 TDI
Gallery: Detroit 2009: Audi A3 TDI
BYD's plug-in hybrids
Gallery: Detroit 2009: BYD F6DM and F3DM
Cadillac Converj
Gallery: Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj
Fisker Karma S
Gallery: Detroit 2009: Fisker Karma S
Lexus HS250h
Mercedes Benz concept BlueZero
Production Fisker Karma
smart ed
Gallery: Detroit 2009: smart ed
Volkswagen Concept BlueSport
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mike 9:22PM (1/12/2009)
Winners (or at least those I personally liked) include the vw roadster concept, the new prius and the new indsight (notwithstanding the dash which is like the revenge of the 80s boombox... or as my friend put it, "it looks like buck rogers through-up on it.")
The new mercedes A type will take some time to grow on me but we'll see.
The soulster... gotta say "no".
What I want is function.. what does that do for me?
You know what I need (live in the northeast)?
I need a small, fuel efficient truck that can load some 4x8 sheets on occasion and has a power take off for a snow-blower attachment or at least a plow rig designed to last.
Losers: Any of the Lincolns with that new comic book grill of huge teeth.
Toyota electric: that paint job is hideous. The car ... OK... but let's get the petrol one over first why don't we.
Audi A3 TDI... yes!
More TDI, more of the time.
Let's see a nice diesel in the mini, too!!!!
thanks for watching,
Mike
Reply
Red 8:17AM (1/13/2009)
The VW roadster gets my pick.
Reply
John Rowell 11:28PM (1/12/2009)
Some of the vehicles in this poll - the BYD for example - were not unveiled at the Detroit auto show. So it's not fair to include them in this poll. Can't wait until next Monday to see pics of the BYD - and the other vehicles - from the NAIAS.
Reply
John Rowell 11:33PM (1/12/2009)
Sorry to double-post - but is the BYD F3DM on the floor at the Detroit Auto Show? The various news articles seem to indicate that is the case, but there are no pictures or updated info - which implies that they missed the boat and will be appearing at NAIAS instead. So what's going on here?
Reply
Evan 1:54AM (1/13/2009)
Actually the Subaru Legacy, thank you very much.
Reply
pulp1 8:33AM (1/13/2009)
Tesla Sport ?
Reply
Snowdog 6:10AM (1/13/2009)
You should have two categories. Production and concept.
Concept:
I clicked the Fisker Karma S, one of the most beautiful cars I have seen, looks good with the folding roof up or down and it is a powerful EREV. A lot to like. My second choice on concept would have been the VW Bluesport (decent looking roadster). I was surprised the Cadillac is leading among concepts. It is just a re-skinned volt, that probably will lose a lot on it's way to production.
Production. My first choice would be the new Prius. Improved in every way, better looking than I expected. My second choice would be the new Insight, I don't think it is as good as the new Prius, but price will be it's claim to fame.
It really seemed like a more interesting show than recent years.
Reply
Bizarro 3:44PM (1/13/2009)
I have a hard time believing that the Cadillac Converj is sitting on top of this poll. As much as I hear people talking negatively about the Volt and I am one of them, to see this Volt covered Cadillac makes me sick.
Reply
ambush 2:02AM (1/15/2009)
Only three announcements were really surprising to me. Chryslers new EV(well maybe not so surprising), Fords new EV, and the VW roadster. I'm surprised the Cadillac Volt has so many votes though.
Reply