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on if an Acura hybrid would use Honda’s IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) hybrid technology, which by all accounts is outdated compared to full-hybrid systems currently on the market from company’s like Toyota and Ford.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

Tesla has a significant presence at the Detroit Auto Show and shared its section of the show floor with such revered brands as Audi and Lotus. Displaying three models, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that the company’s latest project, the Model S, is expected to be on sale in two years.

This fully-electric luxury sedan has a range of up to 300 miles and can hit 60 mph in just over 6 seconds. With room for five adults and two children, Tesla has previously announced that it hopes to sell the Model S for a retail price of 49,900 after a $7,500 federal tax credit. Both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive versions are planned.

In addition to the Model S news, Tesla displayed a Roadster model (the company’s original car), that recently drove across America.

Finally, an additional Roadster model is the brand’s 1,000th vehicle produced. Musk announced that the car will be auctioned-off with the proceeds going to help several environmental groups.

GALLERY: Tesla Model S

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:

Kia displayed one of its two race-prepped Forte Koups entered in the 2010 GRAND-AM Continental Tire Challenge Series at the Detroit Auto Show.

The #10 Infinity Kia Forte Koup will compete in the Street Tuner (ST) class with drivers Nic Jonsson and Andy Lally. Kia will enter a second  car, the #12 Forte Koup, with drivers Adam Burrows and Trevor Hopwood.

Take a look at the photo gallery to see details including the carbon fiber dash, chase cam and steering wheel controls.

Gallery: Kia Forte Koup GRAND-AM Continental Tire Challenge Series Race Car

Chinese manufacturer BYD (Build Your Dreams) presented its e6 electric crossover at the Detroit Auto Show and announced plans to bring it to America later this year.

Powered by BYD’s Fe battery, the e6 boasts a range of 205 miles on a single charge in cruising mode, less than the 249 miles from previous reports but still pretty impressive. BYD says the e6 has a top speed of 87 mph and can go from 0 to 60 in under 14 seconds.

As a purely electric vehicle, the e6 produces zero emissions. BYD has also taken the extra step of making its Fe battery recyclable so there’s no worry about batteries leaking harmful chemicals in landfills.

The battery can be recharged through an ordinary household outlet or with BYD’s charging cabinets. In a video presentation, BYD showed its vision of charging stations using wind and solar power. We were a little disappointed BYD did not mention how long it would take to charge the battery to full however.

Gallery: 2010 BYD e6

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

Technically a mid-cycle refresh, Lincoln has decided to do more than just minor updates to its entry-level MKX crossover for 2011. An important model for Lincoln, the company says that more than half of MKX buyers are new to the brand and that seven in 10 of those buyers purchase another Lincoln.

Joining the rest of the Lincoln lineup, the 2011 MKX gets the new corporate (and controversially styled) oversized grille. Other major changes include a new 3.7-liter V6 engine that delivers best-in-class 305-hp and 280 ft-lbs of torque, an improvement of 15 and 12 percent respectively.

Offered exclusively with a new six-speed automatic transmission, the more powerful engine also offers improved fuel economy, with 25 mpg highway, which Lincoln claims is another best-in-class feature.

And while all this is good, the biggest innovation on the 2011 MKX is the application of MyLincoln Touch – the first use of MyLincoln Touch or MyFord Touch in a road car. Essentially the next generation of Ford’s SYNC technology, the MyLincoln Touch system is a complete user interface for all aspects of the car and can be operated via a touch screen LCD display, voice commands and a steering wheel-mounted five-way controller (much like an iPod). It includes two 4.2-inch LCD screens in the instrument cluster and an 8-way LCD screen on the center stack. Due to the three different modes of controlling the system, there are no longer any conventional knobs or switches on the center stack. Even the audio volume can be adjusted by sliding your hand across a smooth surface.

As for the screen itself, it’s separated into four areas: Entertainment, Phone, Navigation and Climate. Each section is color coded to distinguish it and to make it easy to find/remember. We’ve seen the system in action and it certainly is easy to use.

Lincoln and Ford are betting on the My Touch system and plan to offer it in 80 percent of Ford vehicles in the future, including on the new 2011 Ford Focus.

GALLERY: 2011 Lincoln MKX

GALLERY: 2011 Lincoln MKX Official Pics

Official release after the jump:

Cadillac wasn’t secretive that it was showing a concept version of it’s upcoming XTS flagship, but GM’s luxury brand certainly did hide the fact that it was a plug-in hybrid. Until now.

Set to be unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show later today, the XTS Platinum Concept certainly looks like a true flagship for the premium brand. Finally, there’s a Cadillac that wouldn’t look out-of-sorts parked next to a Mercedes S-Class. Size wise, it’s definitely large measuring 203.5-inches (3.5-inches longer than an S-Class), however, the wheelbase is considerably less at 111.7-inches (about 8-inches less than an S-Class). It is also roughly one inch wider than an S-Class.

Sadly, the XTS isn’t rear drive, however, it does feature an all-wheel drive setup. Added handling and agility are provided thanks to 20-inch wheels, and GM’s Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) shocks that measure the road every millisecond and adjust just as fast.

As for the plug-in hybrid system, it uses an electric motor, lithium-ion battery and a 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 gasoline engine to make 350-hp and 295 ft-lbs of torque. Capable of operating as a conventional hybrid, thanks to the plug-in capability, Cadillac claims it can achieve up to twice the efficiency of a conventional hybrid in city driving. The lithium-ion battery can be charged fully in just five hours using a conventional household outlet.

With an imposing look and a powerful and efficient engine, we’re possibly most impressed by the car’s interior. As a concept, it takes Caddy’s “Platinum” line philosophy to the extreme, using ultra high-grade materials and keeping with the Platinum mantra to hand cut and sew the interior leather. There’s also plenty of suede and we even have to admit the wood trim (which we typically hate) looks stunning.

The Cadillac XTS is scheduled to go into production in the near future and we’ll be sure to keep you updated on how close to the concept the production model will be.

GALLERY: Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept

Official release after the jump: