Live from Detroit: Day 3
1/15/08
Mother Proof Reports From the Floor
Mother Proofers Kristin and Sara are on the floor at the North American International Auto Show today. Here are their final reports, and be sure to check out the rest of our coverage. Check back over the next week for videos from our time in Detroit, too.
The Venza’s Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation
Which generation are you? X? Y? The Me Generation? A Millenial, Boomer or Sandwich?
Wait, huh? Sandwiches? Well, the Sandwich Generation consists of people who are parents of smaller kids and who have aging parents. The Toyota folks mentioned this group in discussing their new Venza. The step-in height makes it easier for kids and grandparents to get in and out, and stadium seating in the second row helps kids see out the windows and those aging parents to keep bugging their kids about how to drive. Maybe if I’d been driving around Detroit with my parents in the backseat I wouldn’t have gotten lost twice this week.
Whether you’re toting tots or picking up parents, you may want to consider the Toyota Venza. Like a sandwich, it could be all that and a bag of chips.
Lincoln MKT: Bananas, Features and Nepal, Oh My!
How many ways can you use a banana? Sounds like the opening line to a filthy joke, doesn't it? Actually, though, I’m referring to using the silk from banana trees to make carpet, as happened in the Lincoln MKT concept car. These silky-soft carpets, which are luxurious enough to have in my own home, are knitted in Nepal, where the proceeds from this renewable resource go into the community's schools (eliciting a collective, albeit slightly cheesy, “aaawwww” from the lot of us).
The interior of the MKT was designed by a team of three Gen-X women at Ford, and this is a lovely, feminine crossover. Its light, bright, airy feel was intentional; Lincoln says it was inspired by a feather. Call it a chick car if you want, but the dedication to sustainability in all its materials should appeal to both genders. The MKT concept is sexy, modern and functional. Hell yeah, I'd drive it — to Nepal and back, even.
Cadillac Provoq Concept: Saving the Truffula Trees
“I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.”
I once got the chance to drive a GM fuel-cell vehicle (a converted Chevy Equinox), and the idea of green technology in a crossover that looks cool, is functional for families and is fun to drive is almost as appealing and multi-purposeful as a thneed. (Been awhile since you read to your kids? Consult your Seuss.)
The Cadillac Provoq concept is just such a vehicle, combining “a fuel-cell system and lithium-ion battery to produce an electronically driven vehicle that uses no petroleum and has no emission other than water.”
As the Lorax’s new best friend, the Provoq is working to save the Truffula trees. Unless Cadillac doesn’t put the Provoq into production … unless.
Saab 9-4x A Winter Winner
The bright-white metallic Saab 9-4X that was unveiled yesterday is pretty. White accented with chrome and black always feels fresh and futuristic to me, and the fake snow falling from the convention center’s ceiling added to the fresh, clean lines of this small SUV.
At first look, it appears the cargo space will accommodate you and your family’s needs. Dig a little deeper (and talk with Saab design director Anthony Lo), and you’ll discover a whole new cargo system. There’s an interior ski rack that doesn’t just provide space for skis, it keeps them stowed so they don’t roll around and bonk your car. Under the tray that houses the skis are bins to not only store gear, but hose it off if it’s dirty. The bins have a drain, people. Not only that, they have heaters to dry and warm anything you’d care to put in there. In love yet?
The exterior is distinctive as well. The 9-4X maintains the standard Saab grille and gentle angles. An auto show full of small SUV offerings begs for something different, and Saab delivers.
Want to hear more? Be sure to check out the rest of the coverage from Kristin and Sara, as well as more info and pictures on Cars.com.
Comments
Wow, I really dig the look of the ski rack on the 9-4x.
Posted by: colette | Jan 16, 2008 6:36:24 PM
You will find our preview of the 2008 Malibu here: http://www.motherproof.com/2007/08/2008-chevy-mali.html
We will do a full review of the Malibu once we get it in our test fleet - so keep visiting us and/or subscribe to our RSS feed for updates.
Posted by: Emily | Jan 17, 2008 11:40:48 PM
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I am wondering why so few Chevrolet vehicles have been reviewed? With the new Malibu being announced as the car of the year are you planning on doing a review?
Posted by: Karen | Jan 16, 2008 4:41:21 PM