The Detroit Auto Show is historically a good place to gauge how the U.S. auto industry is doing. Are sales climbing or falling? Are the car companies seeing economic progress, or is it going the other way? Are the crowds big or small?

That’s not to say it’s all about the economy, or simply a way for local dealers to move metal during the long, cold, winter months: There will be plenty of exciting cars and trucks on hand at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show at Cobo Hall. Here are some highlights:

Cadillac

Cadillac will give us a first look at the CTS-V coupe it will campaign in the SCCA’s World Challenge GT series this year. Andy Pilgrim and Johnny O’Connell have been hired to drive the CTS-Vs in the series.

Porsche

Porsche is showing the 918 coupe concept, a racing version of the 918 Spyder Porsche showed at the Geneva Motor Show last year. Word is the Porsche has a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a V8 and three electric motors. (more…)

As consumers start to shift their attention to cars that are more economically friendly as well as stylish, automobile makers are coming up with unique and interesting designs. The 2011 Geneva Motor show revealed a number of new vehicles that will be hitting the streets in the coming months, and there are several promising models.

While fuel efficiency may have been a common factor a few years ago, the vehicles that were out for view at the show ranged from sports cars to range rovers and even luxury cars. It is apparent that the body of the car is no longer the limitation; and with some cars getting 150 mpg, there is no telling what the coming models will be capable of. (more…)