Breezy beginnings: automakers save some debuts for Windy City show

Oldsmobile introduced the 97 Cutlass, the replacement for the Ciera. Mitsubishi took the wraps off the Eclipse Spyder convertible, first seen in Chicago two years ago as a concept car. And Acura introduced the replacement for, the Legend sedan, the 3.5RL. The automaker has high hopes for its new flagship, declaring it to be the most refined and sophisticated sedan ever to carry the Acura badge.

Other world introductions included the Pontiac Grand Prix coupe and Ford Motor Co.'s SVT Mustang Cobra convertible. The Cobra will feature the same powertrain, chassis and appearance improvements first seen on the '96 Cobra coupe. Production begins this spring, with only 2,500 units scheduled to be built - 2,450 for sale in the U.S. and 50 for Canada.

Ford's Adrenalin concept truck, first seen at the Los Angeles show, but absent in Detroit, offers a glimpse of what the next Ranger might look like.

Trucks are expected to headline the debuts at the New York show early next month, including the all-new Ford Expedition, which replaces the Bronco, and the redesigned Pontiac Trans-Sport minivan.