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Hot cars at the Detroit auto show

 
The new Ford GT is unveiled at the North American International Auto Show, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) MICO108
The new Ford GT is unveiled at the North American International Auto Show, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) MICO108
Published Jan. 22, 2015

New cars and experimental concept vehicles were introduced at the North American International Auto Show, which will continue through Sunday. Here are some notables:

Ford GT: The lightweight, carbon-fiber GT has a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine that produces more than 600 horsepower. The two-seater has deep, dramatic scoops in the hood and the sides and advanced aerodynamics, including a deployable rear spoiler. It's Ford's first GT in more than a decade and one of 12 new Ford performance vehicles coming to market by 2020. Pricing will be announced later, but executive chairman Bill Ford says it will be in the range of other exotic supercars like the $200,000 Lamborghini Gallardo.

Acura NSX: The production version of Acura's NSX got a boost from Jerry Seinfeld, who was in Detroit promoting the supercar. Featuring a twin-turbocharged V-6 engine and a three-electric motor hybrid system, it promises total power output of more than 550 horsepower. The NSX can run in four modes that offer different performances, as well as variations in the engine's sound level. A team of 100 workers will build the car in Marysville, Ohio. Acura plans to start accepting orders starting this summer. The starting price is expected to be in the mid-$150,000 range.

Hyundai Santa Cruz concept: It's a crossover in front and a pickup truck in back. Hyundai surprised the auto show with the Santa Cruz. The Korean automaker thinks the Santa Cruz will appeal to "urban adventurers" and women who occasionally haul stuff but don't need the capability of a pickup truck. The four-door concept seats five; the bed can expand to the size of a midsize pickup if needed. Under the hood is a 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel with 190 horsepower.

Alfa Romeo 4C Spider: It's a convertible version of the 4C coupe with a removable carbon-fiber hardtop. It has a 1.75-liter turbocharged engine that puts out 237 horsepower mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Spider and the 4C will be difficult to get. FiatChrysler says only 3,000 will be built by hand in Italy, and fewer than half of those will be convertibles. Pricing hasn't been announced, but expect the Spider to run between $60,000 and $85,000.

Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE concept: Volkswagen says the five-passenger plug-in hybrid Cross Coupe GTE, with its upscale, muscular design, gives the clearest idea yet of the SUV's styling. Among its most prominent features is a wide, aluminum-framed air inlet below a narrow, two-bar grille. The goal is to start producing it in the United States at the end of 2016.

Infiniti Q60 concept: Infiniti previewed the design of its upcoming Q60 coupe with a concept car. It has sharper, more precise styling than the current Q60, along with a more aggressive grille and narrowed headlights. Infiniti says the Q60 that will go on sale next year will be strongly influenced by the Q60 concept. With sales lagging, Nissan's luxury brand could use the boost.