The Ford Fusion Hybrid has been named North American Car of the Year, beating out the other two finalists, the Buick LaCrosse and the Volkswagen Golf.

The announcement kicked off the festivities at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Ford Fusion received the nod from a panel of 49 journalists from the United States and Canada.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid boasts an EPA-estimated 41 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, numbers which Ford says make it America’s most fuel efficient mid-sized sedan.

The victory marked just the second time Ford has won the North American Car of the Year Award. FoMoCo last won the award in 2000 with the Ford Focus.

Domestic automakers have now won North American Car of the Year nine times in 17 years. The Ford Fusion Hybrid is also the fourth hybrid to receive the award, and the second Ford hybrid, following the Ford Escape Hybrid in 2005.

The Ford Transit Connect also won North American Truck of the Year, marking the third time a manufacturer swept both awards in a single year.

“Winning both of these prestigious awards is confirmation that the ONE Ford plan is working, delivering industry-leading products for our customers,” said Mark Fields, president of The Americas.

The Hyundai Genesis Sedan received the honor at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

Gallery: Ford Fusion Hybrid, North American Car of the Year

The Ford Transit Connect has been named North American Truck of the Year, beating out the other two finalists, the Chevrolet Equinox and the Subaru Outback.

The announcement kicked off the festivities at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Ford Transit Connect was selected by a panel of 49 journalists from the United States and Canada.

Designed to fill the needs of small businesses owners and entrepreneurs, the Ford Transit Connect is powered by a 2.0L inline-four engine with four-speed automatic transmission. Ford claims the Transit Connect gets double the fuel economy of full-sized vans with 22 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.

The Ford Transit Connect has a cargo payload of 1,600 lb. and features an in-dash computer with high-speed Internet, Tool Link radio-frequency identification tracking and Crew Chief fleet tracking and diagnostic system.

Ford trucks have now won the award six times, most recently in 2009 with the Ford F-150. The Ford Fusion Hybrid also won North American Car of the Year, marking the third time a manufacturer swept both awards in a single year.

“Winning both of these prestigious awards is confirmation that the ONE Ford plan is working, delivering industry-leading products for our customers,” said Mark Fields, president of The Americas.

Domestic automakers have now won North American Truck of the Year 11 times in 17 years.

Gallery: Ford Transit Connect, North American Truck of the Year

Apart from a new heavy-duty Ram, Dodge doesn’t have much new for 2010, but the Chrysler performance brand is trying to spice things up any way it can. One way is with some changes to the aggressive-looking but much-maligned Nitro model.

For 2010 Dodge has decided to shake up the Nitro lineup with three new model designations: Heat, Detonator and Shock. All models will come with a 4.0-liter V6 engine, 20-inch wheels, and a 368-watt eight speaker audio system, plus 9-inch subwoofer. That 4.0-liter V6 has also been tweaked significantly for 2010 with 23 percent more ponies on call and 12 percent more torque for a total of 260-hp and 265 ft-lbs. The V6 comes mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission.

Heat models are priced from $23,995, while Detonator models start at $25,995 and add remote start, color-matched cloth interior and rear-park assist. The top trim level Shock model gets heated leather seats and a sunroof and retails fr $26,995.

All 2010 Nitro models will be available in a new Detonator Yellow paint color (shown above).

GALLERY: 2010 Dodge Nitro Detonator

With little more than a new grille and badging, Chrysler is displaying a possible future hatchback model at the Detroit Auto Show. With little else new other than some facelifted models for 2010, the unnamed Chrysler hatch stays true to the premium outlook that the Fiat-controlled company has for the brand. The large five-door hatch is sold in Europe under Fiat’s Lancia brand as the Delta.

The European model is relatively new overseas, having launched at the Geneva Auto Show back in 2008. Several engines are offered in Europe, including a 120-hp 1.6-liter 4-cylinder, a 163-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder and a twin-turbo 1.9-liter with 190-hp.

If it does in fact launch in North America, the yet unnamed Chrysler hatch is likely to get Chrysler’s upcoming revised 2.4-liter 4-cylinder World Engine, which gets Fiat’s variable valve Multiair technology to produce 190-hp and 175 ft-lbs of torque. Compared to the old 2.4-liter, Chrysler says this new engine not only delivers improved power, but fuel economy as well.

GALLERY: Chrysler Premium Hatchback based on Lancia Delta

As expected, Chrysler is displaying many refreshed models at the Detroit Auto Show including the brand’s flagship car, the 300. There isn’t actually a lot new with the car, but under new Fiat ownership the company is eager to rebrand itself in any way possible as it waits for all new models to go into development and/or production.

For starters, Chrysler has done away with some of its more complex naming system in favor of two simple (and European sounding) designations: S6 and S8. The S6 model is powered by the company’s 250-hp, 3.5-liter V6, while the S8 gets the 360-hp 5.7-liter HEMI V8.

Most noticeable on the outside of the new 2010 models is the lack of chrome on the front grille. Instead the imposing wall of chrome has been traded in for a blacked-out one. Chrome is, however, still used for the door handles, window surrounds and inside the vehicle. Also on the inside the 300 has received a makeover with a carbon-weave steering wheel with red stitching and silver spokes, as well as carbon-weave door handles with red stitching. In addition, highly-bolstered dark gray leather seats feature suede accents with “300 S” logos.

Both the 2010 Chrysler 300 S6 and S8 go on sale in the Spring of this year.

GALLERY: Chrysler 300 S6 and S8

Starkly contrasted with the rest of the Chrysler corporate display at the Detroit Auto Show are the booths of Ferrari, Maserati and Fiat. The small Fiat dislay showcased two models set to arrive in North American in the near future: the much talked about Fiat 500 and the relatively unknown Abarth 500.

The Abarth model won’t be unknown for long, however, as it is hard-core version of the 500 from Fiat’s performance-oriented Abarth division. While the 500 features Fiat’s 1.4-liter Multiair engine with 100-hp at 6500 rpm and 95 ft-lbs of torque at 4250 rpm, the Abarth model sports a turbocharged version of the same powerplant and boasts 170-hp at 6750 rpm and 170 ft-lbs of torque at 3000 rpm. On top of all this, it features highly bolstered seats (with racing harnesses on the display car), light-weight wheels and a tiny set of Brembos.

In many ways, if the 500 is supposed to compete with the MINI Cooper, then the Abarth 500 is equivalent to a John Cooper Works. Sure it doesn’t make near the power, but it also looks significantly lighter.

Fiat is set to launch the 500 in North America in the near future, with the Abarth model expected to follow. Other Chrysler models (likely rebadged Fiat models) are expected to feature these engines as well.

GALLERY: Fiat 500 and Abarth 500

The latest in a string of limited edition Mercedes-Benz SL models, the SL550 Nigh Edition is clearly distinguished by it’s sinister matte-black “designo magno black ” paint scheme. Additional exterior highlights include two-tone 19-inch AMG wheels as well as darkened headlights and taillights. Inside, the cockpit of the SL Night Edition gets dark black leather contrasted with plenty of chrome. Newly designed seats are also a art of the package and feature arrow-shaped seams with silver contrasted features.

Just 100 SL550 Night Edition models will be offered in the U.S. starting in early 2010.

Mercedes is expected to launch the SL550 Night Edition at the Detroit Auto Show today and we’ll be sure to bring you plenty of live photos of the sinister new SL.

GALLERY: 2011 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Night Edition

Official release after the jump:

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***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

Hyundai continues to deliver significantly improved vehicles, the latest being the 2010 Santa Fe mid-sized crossover, which is set to launch at the Detroit Auto Show. Mid-cycle refreshes rarely get the sort of overhaul that the 2010 Santa Fe has received, with minor interior and exterior updates being joined by two new engines, both of which are more fuel efficient than the engines they replace.

For 2010 the entry level 2.7-liter 4-cylinder has been replaced with Hyundai’s new Theta II 2.4-liter, which delivers 175-hp and 169 ft-lbs of torque - the same as in the new 2011 Tucson. This is less power than the old V6, but a new six-speed automatic transmission and the lighter weight of the 4-cylinder should put the crossover’s acceleration at about the same range. Fuel economy is up significantly (aided by the new six-speed transmission) from 18/24 mpg (city/highway) to 20/28 mpg, for front drive automatic models.

Last year’s optional 3.3-liter V6 engine has also been replaced with a new 3.5-liter V6, making an impressive 276-hp, a total of 34-hp more. As for fuel economy, this engine is rated at 20/26 mpg (city/highway) up from the previous engine’s 17/24 mpg rating.

According to Cars.com, base GLS models with the 4-cylinder and in front-wheel drive trim start at $21,695, with a range-topping V6 Limited AWD costing $30,295.

One important note is the Hyundai has reportedly axed the optional third row seat.

NOTE: All information regarding the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe was covered under an embargo set for January 11th. According to Cars.com, they received approval from Hyundai to run the story ahead of the embargo, so AutoGuide has deemed the embargo lifted.

GALLERY: 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe

[Source: Cars.com]

***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

With the debut of the all-new 2012 Ford Focus set for next Monday at the Detroit Auto Show, Ford has let a few (very few) details about the car slip. A press release highlighting the nine new engines Ford plans to launch in North America in 2012, exposes the fact that the new 2012 Focus will get a naturally-aspirated direct-injection 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a PowerShift 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

While Ford does already offer direct-injection technology in the high-dollar EcoBoost-equipped models like the Taurus SHO and Lincoln MKT, the 2012 Focus will be the first Ford in North America to feature the technology in a low-dollar, non-turbocharged model.

We don’t have any details on horsepower or fuel economy, but expect at least 140-hp and over 35 mpg.

“Ford is delivering on our commitment to lower emissions, improve fuel economy and deliver the highest quality powertrains in the industry,” said Barb Samardzich, Ford vice president, Powertrain Engineering. “We are making this happen with one of the most ambitious powertrain upgrades ever undertaken by Ford. By the end of 2010, nearly all of Ford’s North American engines will have been upgraded or replaced since 2008.”

As for the rest of the new lineup of engines, some highlights include the 2011 Fiesta’s Ti-VCT 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine with 119-hp and 40 mpg on the highway; the Mustang’s new Ti-VCT 305-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6 with 30 mpg on the highway; the 2011 Mustang GT’s 412-hp 5.0-liter V8 and the 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 coming in the 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty. Then, near the end of the year, Ford will debut a new EcoBoost 2.0-liter 4-cylinder in the C-Max MPV, with 200-hp and 221 ft-lbs of torque.

We’ll bring you more on the all-new 2012 Ford Focus with live coverage of the Detroit Auto Show starting Monday, January 11th.

Official release after the jump:

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***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

Ferrari will have no official presence at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, but it will showcase the ultra-rare 599XX model in Chrysler’s booth to help celebrate Fiat’s partnership with Chrysler.

Only 20 599xx models will be made for special track-only use by a select few lucky enough, and rich enough, to own one. The car’s 6.0-liter V12 engine has been reworked to produce 700-hp at 9000 rpm, while new aerodynamics help to deliver 612 lbs of downforce at 124 mph and almost 1,400 lbs of downforce at 186 mph!

One particularly important innovation on the 599XX is Ferrari’s new “Actiflow” technology, that adjusts downforce and drag depending upon how the car is operating. This is achieved through the use of a porous material in the diffuser and two fans in the trunk lid that work to channel air from under the car out through two grilles next to the tail lights. Rather noticeable winglets have also been added to the the are just behind the winds, where the buttresses are located.

The 599XX also uses what Ferrari terms a, “Virtual Race Engineer” that essentially uses all the onboard computers to calculate what the maximum level of performance the car can achieve on a race track. To do this it takes every bit of data available, including tire temperature, tire pressure, engine and coolant temperature (as well as many other variables) and determines what the maximum level of performance capable by the car under those conditions is.

Unfortunately, if you’re not Michael Schumacher, getting the car to go that fast is impossible… but here’s where the fun part comes in. The 599XX’s computer can then rate you (the driver) on your performance and tell you how close you are coming to the car’s maximum potential – a humbling experience no doubt.

The car will make its official track debut at Homestead in Florida in March. Ferrari is rumored to be working on a street legal version of the 599XX called the 599 GTO.

GALLERY: Ferrari 599XX

Official release after the jump:

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