Detroit's Feel-Good Moment

With the dust settling after a few awful years, this year's North American International Auto show was decidedly upbeat, a chance to celebrate hard work and perseverance.

Absent the dark cloud hovering over the show in 2009 and 2010, it became politically acceptable this year once again to lust over Bentleys, Ferraris and Porsches, especially since 2011 represents the return for the German auto maker to the Detroit floor after a 3-year hiatus.

Despite those luxury marques, most unveilings were aimed at bread-and-butter buyers, rather than the well-heeled, perhaps in recognition that the industry's recovery remains a work in progress.

An eagerly awaited debut was the Volkswagen midsize sedan being produced in Chattanooga, TN, going on sale in fall.

Bearing the name of the vehicle it replaces, the sedately styled Passat will be larger but have a lower entry price point — about $20,000, compared with about $28,000 for the current model.

It also will have some features not available on the European Passat, including a special Fender-branded audio system under a collaboration with the maker of electric guitars and amplifiers.

There will be a choice of three engines, including a new 2.0L turbodiesel.

General Motors rolled out its first homegrown small car, the Chevy Sonic.

Production of the '12 Sonic sedan and 5-door model, which replaces the Korean-built Aveo at the bottom of GM's portfolio, begins later this year in Orion Twp., MI.

The low price tags for compact cars previously made profitable production of the vehicles in the U.S. almost impossible. But more flexible work rules and United Auto Workers wages at nearly half their former rate gives GM a chance.

In place of the Aveo's buzzy, 108-hp 4-cyl. engine, GM will offer a choice of a 135-hp 1.8L 4-cyl. or optional 138-hp turbocharged 1.4L 4-cyl.

GM invested some $545 million in Orion to make way for the Sonic and a new small car for Buick called the Verano, also unwrapped in Detroit.

The '12 Verano is based on the same Delta II platform shouldering the Cruze and Opel Astra, and production begins later this year. A version of the car currently is sold in China as the Buick Excelle GT.

Buick officials say the Verano and Cruze share little in common beyond basic platform elements. The Verano is slightly longer, taller and wider.

Honda fits right into the smaller-is-better theme with the concept version of its perennially popular Civic; the production model goes on sale in spring.

Changes are subtle, relative to the current Civic coupe/sedan. Honda will retail gasoline-, hybrid-electric and natural-gas-powered versions. The next-gen Civic Hybrid will use a lithium-ion battery.

Japanese rival Toyota expands its family of Prius hybrids to include a larger Prius-v, smaller Prius-c concept car and a hybrid plug-in vehicle that goes on sale in 14 East and West Coast states next year.

The Prius-v offers 50% more cargo space and will be built on the same platform as the original Prius, the third generation of which was introduced in 2009.

The Prius-c, set to arrive next year, is for consumers interested in a compact hybrid at an entry-level price point.

The Prius Plug-in can be driven 13 miles (21 km) on battery power at speeds up to 60 mph (96 km/h). The lithium-ion battery can be recharged in three hours.

Ford unveiled the C-Max Energi cross/utility vehicle, its first plug-in hybrid-EV.

Based on the same underpinnings as the new global Ford Focus, the 5-passenger Energi is aimed at young families looking for flexibility, leading-edge technology and fuel economy.

The Energi goes on sale next year and is expected to have a combined gasoline/electric range of 500 miles (800 km). The Atkinson-cycle 2.0L 4-cyl. engine, paired with a permanent magnet electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery, is expected to garner Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle status, Ford says.

Ford also debuted the C-Max Hybrid, which will be built along with the C-Max Energi in Wayne, MI.

A Ford concept, the Vertrek, hints at a potential replacement for both the Escape and Kuga CUVs. The Escape is sold in North America and the Kuga in Europe, but Ford is expected to merge the two into one global offering when both are refreshed next year.

The Vertrek is based on Ford's new global C-car platform.

Other notable unveilings:

'11 BMW 1-Series M Coupe and '12 650i convertible. The newest M model will have a 3.0L twin-turbo I-6. The 650i convertible features a classic soft-top roof and is powered by BMW's 400-hp 4.4L turbocharged V-8.

Hyundai Curb concept, dubbed an urban activity vehicle, with a tall hatchback profile and aggressive look. Design cues include a face made to resemble a sport-bike helmet shield.

Hyundai Veloster B-segment 3-door sport coupe, which hits the U.S. market in June and to be priced in the $17,000 range. Built in Ulsan, South Korea, the Veloster shares components with the Accent and Elantra.

Kia KV7 concept, billed as a “celebration” of the boxy van, echoing the squared Soul CUV, Kia's third best-selling model in the U.S. in 2010. A key design feature for the KV7 is a passenger-side gullwing door.

Porsche's 918 RSR concept, a mid-engine 767-hp 1-seater. In place of a passenger seat, the vehicle features a flywheel accumulator that helps two in-wheel electric motors provide boost to a 563-hp direct-injection V-8.