In response to overwhelming requests for my take on the cars on display in Detroit’s Cobo Hall, a few thought based on available photos.
Overall impression: less than meets the eye. A year of transition; 2010 is already history.
High Intrigue Factor:
Volkswagen BlueSport — clean design all round, especially the front (compare to most cars afflicted with grille statements). Best little car since original Miata.
Cadillac Converj — despite the fawning and the Lutz love, the car makes design sense, especially from the side.
Subaru Legacy — Tokeeyokee by Night! It’s goofy enough to be wonderful. Too many detail lines, big 1960s glasshouse, a Jerry Lewis buck-tooth smile. And wheels that fill up the faux-Mercedes arches.
Meh
Just about anything with a metastasizing grille, including the Fisker Karma:
Why oh why would anyone model a grille on the rictus worn by Jack Nicholson as the Joker?
Lincoln MKT — fire designer immediately.
Lincoln C — not to pick on the car named for my favorite president, but what makes them think that the Renault Vel Satis will do any better on this side of the herring pond?
Volvo S60 Concept — 70s color; at least the designer thinks that Volvo will be sold to Peugeot.
Also-ran meh — Audi Sportback, Caddy SRX, Mercedes E-Class, Taurus, BMW Z4 (actually, the spermatoid Z4 doesn’t rank meh. Bleh is more like it).
Ford quickly showed the nice new Fiesta. Good car, good color. I still think Ford stock is a buy, even at double my original recommendation price.
Ford Fiesta
Hyde Park Blvd 
Yes!
Subee Legacy Concept: I’m with Bert here. The headlights don’t work, but I love the shape and the overall chunky simplicity. Plus, the stainless steel paint is awesome.
Ford Taurus: Bert, you are wrong here. I don’t love every aspect of the design (what’s with the Sebring taillights?), but you can’t deny that this car is sexy (for its class). It will change the way people see Ford in the US.
VW BlueSport: Agree with Bert here. The design is elegant, precise and German. Memo to Peich: Instead of another special edition Veyron, how about a sportscar for us regular Volks?
Chrysler 200C: A stunner. Very mature and resolved. Wears the Bangle-Butt better than a bimmer. Let’s hope the star survives long enough to make it (doubtful).
Lambo Satin paints: Hotness.
Lincoln C: Ok Ok Ok — I know. It’s ugly. I know. BUT! It’s an important concept. It shows that Ford is serious about making an American luxury car using the C1 (Euro Focus) platform. This is very good. The Volvo C30 has already shown that the platform can support a premium car. If Ford is serious about revitalizing Lincoln, they need a car in this space to capture the trendsetter Yuppies who are snapping up Audi A3s, BMW 1-series and Volvo C30s.
NO!
Buick LaCrosse: Why? Why? Who thought it was a good idea to take a 5-Series and mix it with the body lines of a Corolla? No, this is awful.
Lexus HS250h: Lexus!! What is the matter with you? The IS looks so nice and this looks a melted Camry. Was this even designed? It doesn’t look finished. Bah. Put it back in.
Chevy Spark: This is not how you do it! Just when I thought GM had finally abandoned the “we just need one hit” mentality and realized the way to build cars is to make a solid foundation and make incremental improvements, they do a POS nonsense fad car like this.