A brand desperately in search of a clear direction, Acura will soon deliver a hybrid model says Honda CEO Takanobu Ito.

The announcement was made by Ito just prior to introducing the latest hybrid in the Honda lineup, the CR-Z. Ito did not comment on if an Acura hybrid would use Honda’s IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) hybrid technology, which by all accounts is outdated compared to full-hybrid systems currently on the market from company’s like Toyota and Ford.

Acura has struggled to find itself in the luxury marketplace since it moved away from entry-level models like the RSX and decided not to offer competitive top-tier products to compete with vehicles like the Lexus LS. Plans to build a successor to the NSX have all but fallen apart, even though the company recently debuted what appears to be a very capable replacement (the HSV-010). Honda has said that model is only for racing.

In the past Ito has commented that Honda has no plans to deliver a V8 engine, meaning that Acura won’t be competing with Lexus in the premium flagship segment any time soon. Meanwhile, the Acura brand has launched the ZDX, a coupe-styled crossover, aimed at a very small segment of the market.

It’s likely the first hybrid from Acura will be based on the ucoming relacement for the RL, however, an entry-level hybrid model is also a possibility.

With no official presence at the Detroit Auto Show, Nissan couldn’t resist showcasing its new Leaf electric car. On display alongside several other electric models in an area of the show dubbed Electric Avenue, Nissan claims that the Leaf is no concept, but an actual production model. It certainly looks the part, with a production quality exterior and interior, high-tech features and plenty of functionality.

The Leaf is powered by lithium-ion battery packs and is rated at 80kW/280Nm, (107-hp and 207 ft-lbs of torque), which should make this sub-compact a sporty little car.

Nissan says it will be able to drive 100 miles on a single charge. The batteries will be able to be charged up to 80 percent in less than 30 minutes with a special quick charger, or in roughly eight hours through a standard 200V outlet. Nissan says that through extensive research the 100 mile range will be suitable for 70 percent of car buyers

Next year 5,000 vehicles will be available in five U.S. markets: the Phoenix-Tucson region of Arizona, Oregon, San Diego, Seattle and Tennessee. Fleet sales will also be offered in 2010, while full retails sales are planned for 2012.

GALLERY: Nissan Leaf

Hyundai’s Hope on Wheels program donated $50,000 to the Detroit Medical Center Children’s Hopsital of Michigan. The Hyundai Hope on Wheels Tour traveled across the nation and raised more than $1.3 million for pediatric cancer research, and the DMC Children’s Hospital as the final stop.

The $50,000 donation will fund research by the hospital’s pediactric neuro-oncologist Dr. Maxim Y. Yankelevich in developing new immunotherapy programs for children with brain tumors.

“Hyundai and its dealers have been committed to supporting the children, families and doctors battling childhood cancer for more than ten years,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. “Even in the face of tough economic times for our industry, we will not waver in our commitment to supporting the medical research and training that will produce better treatments, therapies, and one day, a cure.”

Cancer patients from the Children’s Hospital of Michigan had their handprints added to the Hyundai Hope on Wheels Santa Fe, joining the colorful handprints of children from across the country. Once the handprints were added, the car was moved to Hyundai’s display at the North American International Auto Show.

For more information on the Hyundai Hope on Wheels program, visit: www.hyundaihopeonwheels.org.

Gallery: Hyundai Hope on Wheels Santa Fe

Official release after the jump:

Originally unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show as the GranCabrio, Maserati has decided to give its convertible GranTurismo model a more self-explanatory name for North America: the GranTurismo Convertible.

This new drop-top expands the Maserati lineup to three models, including the Quattroporte sedan and the GranTurismo coupe.

The GranTurismo Convertible is powered by the company’s top-level 4.7-liter V8, making 433-hp. This seems to indicate that unlike Maserati’s other models, the 405-hp  4.2-liter V8 will not be offered. What this also may indicate is that a possible GranCabrio S model could make even more power. After all, with the added weight of the necessary chassis stiffening required in a drop-top, the 433-hp will deliver performance on par with the base-engine coupe.

On display at the Detroit Auto Show, the Maserati GranTurismo Convertible was part of a larger display by parent company Fiat’s in the Chrysler booth – yes, that is a Dodge Grand Caravan in the background. The display of high tech and exotic hardware from Fiat also included Ferrari’s 599XX development car, plus a Fiat 500 and Abarth 500 model.

GALLERY: Maserati GranTurismo Convertible

Shown previously during the Design Week festivities in Miami, Audi’s new 2011 A8 flagship luxury sedan has now made its auto show debut in Detroit. Now you might not have believed that Audi’s massive front grille could get any more…. well… massive, but it has.

In addition to this new design cue, which is sure to make its way down through the rest of the Audi brand as new models roll out, the flagship A8 also takes some design elements from car’s like the A4 and A5 – including the sporty rear end.

Sporty is exactly where Audi wants to take the new A8. To aid in making the car a more nimble handler, it gets Audi’s light weight aluminum space frame. The car is both longer and wider than its competitors and yet has a lower overall height for a better center of gravity. Compared to the previous A8, Audi says it is 3-inches longer and 2-inches wider. Audi hasn’t released any specific info on the curb weight of the vehicle but says it will be 50 lbs less than an S-Class and 200-lbs less than a 7 Series. Those numbers jump to 200 and 400 lbs respectively, if you put the AWD Audi up against AWD versions from Mercedes and BMW.

Under the hood there’s an updated version of Audi’s 4.2-liter V8 engine with 372-hp and 328 ft-lbs of torque, for a 0-62 mph time of just 5.7 seconds. Thanks in part to a new eight-speed tiptronic gearbox, Audi claims an improvement in fuel-efficiency by 15 percent.

Technological highlights on the car include a new version of Audi’s Multi Media Interface (MMI) called MMI Touch, that can recognize handwriting for entering navigation instructions. There’s also adaptive cruise control, night vision assist, Audi lane assist and Audi side assist, Audi braking guard to notify a driver of an impact and automatic emergency braking to actually stop the car if the driver doesn’t react. Finally there are some stunning full-LED headlights, that will actually point into a corner in accordance with the navigation system. And as for the A8’s new body, it is incredibly aerodynamic, with a drag coefficient of just 0.26 cd – just one tick off the Prius’s.

The all-new 2011 Audi A8 will go on sale late in 2010, with an extended wheelbase model offered at the same time.

Audi CEO Rupert Stadler confirmed during Audi’s press conference in Detroit, that a hybrid version of the A8 is on its way and will debut at the Geneva Auto Show in march.

GALLERY: 2011 Audi A8

On display at the Detroit Auto Show, Lotus showed its new flagship sports car, the Evora, alongside another rare British auto, the Morgan AeroMax. The AeroMax sports a BMW sourced 4.8-liter V8 engine and can accelerate to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. It retails for a whopping $180,000.

As for the Evora, it’s Lotus’ all-new 2+2 sports car, aimed at delivering the same Lotus driving experience with added functionality. Powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 276-hp, it can hit 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and gets over 30 miles per gallon on the highway.

Options include items like a $1,990 Premium Package that includes a more extensive leather interior and lets the owner choose the leather color. There’s also a Sport Package for $1,275 that includes a new diffuser, titanium exhaust tips, black brake calipers and cross-drilled rotors as well as a Sports Mode with more aggressive throttle response, a higher RPM limit and a more limited level of interference by the traction and stability control programs. For $2,995, there’s a technology package with an upgraded audio system, a 7-inch LCD screen with navigation, all the iPod and USB connectivity you could want, as well as reverse parking sensors and steering wheel mounted cruise control.  And for $1,500 owners can opt for a close ratio six-speed manual transmission.

Currently on-sale in Europe, the Evora is set to hit dealerships later this year in the U.S., with a base price of $73,500.

In addition to the new Evora, Lotus had on display a new Exige S 260 model in a stunning red paint scheme, as well as an Elise with an equally impressive red Alcantara interior. The Exige S 260 is pwered by a supercharged 1.8-liter engine and makes 257-hp and 174 ft-lbs of torque. It weighs just 2,020 lbs. thanks to a carbon fiber front splitter, rear spoiler, roof, engine cover, side air intake ducts, sill covers and even the top of the dash. The weight savings is also due to the use of several other lighter parts including a lightweight “motorsports” battery, lighter 12-spoke forged alloy wheels, a revised rear engine subframe, a lightweight flywheel, alloy piping for the supercharger and intercooler and a composite panel that replaces the rear window. Exige 260 models retail for $74,995.

GALLERY: Lotus Evora, Exige S 260, Elise and Morgan AeroMax

With plenty of rumors and a few decision changes by the folks at GM, Chevy confirmed at the Detroit Auto Show that the tiny Spark model will be offered in the United States in 2011. Originally shown as the Beat concept at the New York Auto Show back in 2007, the car has evolved slowly and last year launched in Europe.

It’s not known what engine will power the Spark, but in Europe the largest engine offered is a 1.2-liter 4-cylinder with 81-hp and 82 ft-lbs of torque, which likely won’t be enough to satisfy North American consumers. Neither will the car’s 12.1 second 0-62 mph time. That engine does, however, get 46 mpg.

The Spark will join Chevy’s new small car offerings, the compact Cruze and sub-compact Aveo (due in 2011). The Spark itself is also expected to launch in the U.S. in 2011.

“The decision to add the Spark to Chevrolet’s portfolio reflects the brand’s commitment to being a fuel efficiency leader in the industry,” said Troy Clarke, president of GM North America. “Chevrolet Spark will bring great style, roominess and versatility to the segment of extremely fuel-efficient small cars in the U.S.”

GALLERY: Chevrolet Spark

Official release after the jump:

Kia introduced a new special edition Soul dubbed the “Shadow Dragon” at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

From afar, the Shadow Dragon gives off a sinister impression with its black paint, but Kia kept its usual sense of fun at the car’s unveiling at the Detroit Auto Show. Kia’s press unveiling was presented like an infomercial, emcee’d by TV pitchman Anthony “Sully” Sullivan. With Sully calling the shots, models pulled the wrapping off the Shadow Dragon Soul, revealing a giant stuffed hamster sitting in the driver’s seat.

Featuring a matte black dragon design on the hood and rear, the Shadow Dragon Soul is based on the Soul+ like the other special editions the Denim and Ignation.

The black motif extends to the interior with black leather trimmed seats, the first leather seats on any Soul model.

The special edition Shadow Dragon Soul is now available in dealerships, priced at $18,195.

Gallery: 2010 Kia Shadow Dragon Soul

Official release after the jump:

The coupe variant of the high-powered Cadillac CTS-V has just launched at the Detroit Auto Show, with an incredible 556-hp at 6100 rpm and 551 ft-lbs of torque at 3800 rpm. That’s enough to propel the 2+2 seater to 60 mph in an incredible 3.9 seconds.

But the CTS-V Coupe is so much more than a straight line performer, following in the Michelin PS2 tire marks of the V sedan – the first production four-door to run a sub eight minute lap time at Germany’s famed Nürburgring. In fact, the V Coupe should lop off a few more seconds thanks to a rear track that is one-inch wider than the sedan. With the same wheelbase as the four-door, the V Coupe also gets a lower center of gravity thanks to an overall height that is roughly 2-inches (51mm to be precise) lower. The front and rear overhangs are even shortened, with an overall length that is also reduced by 51mm.

Other performance highlights include 19-inch wheels and some massive brakes with high-performance Brembo six-piston front calipers with 15-inch rotors and four-piston rear calipers with 14.7-inch rotors. And helping out in terms of delivering a performance oriented (or comfort oriented) ride are GM’s amazing Magnetic Ride Control shocks, which monitor the road every millisecond and adjust shock pressure. First used on Corvettes, this technology is now used by the likes of Ferrari. For the CTS-V Coupe, Cadillac offers the shocks with two pre-sets, Tour and Sport, so a driver can set the car for their preferred driving mode.

As for how the car looks, well, Cadillac certainly didn’t disappoint. The CTS Coupe’s sleek profile gets a very masculine V treatment including some impressive big grilles up front, as well as a massive bulge in the hood to make room for all that engine. The overall look of the car is undeniably like the CTS, however, Caddy designers only carried over the headlights, front fenders and grille from the sedan, along with the instrument panel and center console on the inside.

And speaking of the inside, this was our first chance to get a look at the V Coupe’s interior. Along with some expected items like an Alcantara coated steering wheel and shifter, some extra details were added including light colored Alcantara inserts for the highly-bolstered seats (Recaros optional), with the same color used for stitching on the dash.

The new 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe will to go on sale in early Summer.

GALLERY: Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

With the all-new Focus taking center stage for Ford at the Detroit Auto Show, the American automaker also showed its new Mustang GT model for the first time. A mid-cycle refresh of sorts, the 2011 GT model marks the return of the 5.0-liter V8 with it 412-hp at 6500 rpm and 390 ft-lbs of torque at 4250 rpm.

The new engine is an all aluminum unit with four valves per cylinder and dual overhead cams and gets Ti-VCT variable independent timing on both the intake and exhaust cams. Along with all that power, the 2011 GT model also (finally) gets a six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic. This allows for both improved performance and fuel economy with Ford claiming a four to five percent increase in that department for an estimated 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, up from 17/23 mpg rating on the current GT automatic model. Manual transmission models will get 16/24 mpg rating (city/highway).

Additional vehicle highlights include electric power steering, 11.5-inch front and 11.8-inch rear brakes, as well as a grade-assist feature that will hold the car momentarily when accelerating away from a stop on a hill. Added improvements were made to the rear lower control arms for improved stiffness and more direct handling, a stiffer rear sway bar delivers better on-center steering, while the spring and shock rates have been adjusted for optimal performance.

A Performance Package will include 14-inch Brembo front brake disks from the Shelby GT500 as well as special 19-inch wheels and high performance summer tires.

GALLERY: 2011 Ford Mustang GT