Auto News 5

When it comes to building cars, there will always be debate over the proper ranking of form and function relative to one another. In the case of electric cars, function is winning, or at least it was. Ford's newly electrified Focus is poised to bring some style to the Kilowatt Wars.

Just as cool and funky as it can be!! Nissan's nutty design team really comes into its own with the Juke. Outside, it looks the automotive equivalent of Dora the Explorer with its chunky body, bulging eyes, and sharp detail creases. The view from inside is dominated at night by the odd yellow marker light slivers atop the front lights jutting from the fenders. Kind of cool actually. Also, the cowl is extremely low. Honda Civic broke that ground in the early '80s and it remains a very compelling feature.

No, the Hyundai Veloster at the 2011 Detroit auto show is not the second coming of the Saturn SC. Think of it more as a svelte Mini Cooper Clubman, and the intent of the all-new 2012 Veloster becomes clearer. It uses Hyundai's Fluidic Sculpture design language that we've seen in the new Sonata sedan and is further inspired by runners and sport bikes, with its determined stance that makes it look like it's ready to pounce. The best execution yet of Hyundai's trademark trapezoidal grille helps bestow attitude to the sporty Hyundai. We especially like the black inner grille and optional chrome surround, complemented by hood scoops and LED lighting within the bulging, wraparound headlamps. The headlights extend back over the front wheel arches and flow gracefully into a swooping character line that ends where the C-pillar meets the roof panel. On the passenger side, this character line hides the handle for the coupe's third door.

Make no mistake, the Ford Vertrek might be labeled a concept at the 2011 Detroit auto show, but it is most definitely the next-generation Ford Escape, and it's coming late this year. And what a different Escape it is. Styled at Ford's design studio in Germany, the Vertrek portends a production model that will replace both the Escape here in America and the popular Ford Kuga in Europe. Ford insiders hint that both names will be retained in their respective markets, as each has very high name recognition with consumers.