(January 14, 2012) DETROIT — The Automotive News has picked the hits and misses from the Detroit auto show. And the industry trade publication found that design, not recovery from the economic downturn, was the hot topic.

The Detroit auto show was not the kind of gloom-fest that has marked several international auto shows in the past three years. Cobo Center was crammed with introductions — including the ogle-worthy Acura NSX and the Aston-like Ford Fusion — that brought fun and fantasy back into the old building.

Automakers oozed confidence. And as with any real auto show, there were some swings-and-misses to go with the hits. Here's one reporter's assessment.

    Acura NSX — The star of the show. This two-seat hybrid sports car, pictured at left, blew folks away. Journalists aren't supposed to applaud, but there were whoops and hollers when the wraps came off. And it will be made in America. Lottery ticket sales soared immediately.

    Acura ILX — Acura has used the Honda Civic platform before, but the Integra and RSX never looked cheap. This looks like a warmed-over Hyundai Elantra, which certainly isn't luxury.

    Ford Fusion — The fascia lightly borrows from Aston Martin. The narrow greenhouse is sleek, and faux-aluminum interior details highlight the cleaned-up center console. The sweeping roofline makes for a narrow trunk opening, though.

    Honda Accord Coupe — Take a current Accord, mash it with the Mitsubishi Galant, add over-blown fog-light cutouts. Honda should know better.

    Lexus LF-LC— Gorgeously sculpted air intakes are everywhere, yet the coupe concept doesn't look cartoonish. The LED headlight accents hint at the Nike swoosh. Just Do It.

    Mercedes-Benz SL — Mercedes calls it "athletic." It has to be, to store the massive folding hardtop in its huge trunk. But the muscular proportions work. Sexy with the top up or down.

    Cadillac ATS — The sharp creases of the larger Caddys do not scale down to the compact segment. The proportions of the car's width, hood, wheel arches, greenhouse and trunk simply do not agree. Pictured at right.

    Lincoln MKZ — The ghastly baleen whale grille has been transformed into an eagle spreading its wings. The trellised center console is the finishing touch on an elegant new interior design.

    Dodge Dart — How do you mess up the lovely Alfa Romeo Giulietta? Let Dodge designers make a Neon out of it. The C-pillar sweep into the trunk is wrong. The steering wheel is oddly chunky. The wheel arches are too small.

    Toyota NS4 — To be positioned above the Prius, this hybrid flattens the Prius' triangular silhouette. The intuitive, "learning" telematics system and myriad glass technologies make this a technology showcase.

    Audi Q3 Vail — There's not enough wheelbase and length for its height and thick sheet metal panels. It looks like a beach ball.

    Chevrolet Code/Tru concepts — The Code 130R is blocky, almost like it's going the wrong direction, but it works. The Tru 140S would make a perfect entry-level sporty coupe.

    Nissan Pathfinder — The scalloping of the body panels is a rip-off of Hyundai's previous-generation SUVs. Those subtle lines contradict the hulking front fascia. Just confusing. Pictured at left.

    Chrysler 700C — This train wreck got worse as it rotated on the stand. From the snout-like hood, to the bizarre window cuts, to the goofy proportions, this minivan had no good angle.

    VW E-Bugster — If this is what it takes to make electric vehicles cool, so be it. The EV's limited range makes it perfect for high school girls with overprotective parents. I can just hear it: "It is soooo cute, Daddy, pleeeeease?"

    Buick Encore — Take Audi Q3, add in plasticky knobs and switches, and overly busy hood and fascia styling. Decent cargo room, though.