What a show!

My wife and I went to the Auto Show today. More precisely, it was the North American International Auto Show, in Detroit, Michigan. For the past week, only journalists and dignitaries were allowed to attend, and the local newspapers have been filled with pictures of the concept cars, and stories about the new models. Apparently, sixty new car models from manufacturers all over the world were unveiled this week to journalists. Today, the show opened to the public. I've been to many of these shows, but this is the first year I've gone on opening day.

In several ways, going to the show on opening day was quite different. First and foremost, the crowds are unbelievably large, and the models/spokespersons have not had the opportunity to practice their performances. We witnessed more than one flubbed line... but the funniest moment was when one of the models closed the door on a concept car, and the sideview mirror fell off! I think that by going on the first day, the spokespeople were fresh - not yet jaded by the throngs, and seemed more willing to talk about the cars, and their reactions to being in close proximity, than they are to do this after eight or nine days of working the show.

It's a given at all these shows that the most exotic cars are safely stowed behind barriers. The message is clear - look, but don't touch. This year, the Ferrari people (at least on this night), did something I've never seen before. They allowed people from the audience to enter the enclosed area, two people at a time - each escorted by a company representative - and get close enough to the car to touch it, open the doors, and take personal photographs of the vehicle and its interior. Mind you, the line to get in to the exhibit was so long, there was no way I was going to stand there. Still, the gesture was appreciated. None of the other supercar manufacturers allowed anyone to approach their cars.

While on the subject of supercars, I got the chance to see some supercar concepts from Chrysler (the ME412, my main reason for going to the show, was worth the price of admission all on its own), Mitsubishi, Mercedes, Volkswagen, and Acura. The Acura NSX was on display, but couldn't hold a candle to their concept car. There were some very exotic (non-sportcar) concept cars, including one from Volkswagen that resembled a dune buggy in its body sculpting and suspension, but with doors that pivoted up like the ones on a Lamborghini. I got a good look at the Maseratis, the Bentleys and the lone Rolls-Royce. The model/spokesperson in the Rolls Royce exhibit was asked about "optional equipment". Her reply: "There are many choices, but no options". That was my favourite line of the afternoon.

I didn't see the Ford GT today (I looked, but didn't see it, despite the fact it was there, somewhere), though I did get a very close look at the new Shelby Cobra, which reportedly has a 650bhp engine. Spokesmen from Ford indicated the GT would be released as a production car next year, at a selling price of $150K (US), and that it would be the fastest production car in the world. That may be the case, but when the ME412 gets on the road, all bets are off. Published specs on the ME412 have it pushing out an incredible 850 bhp from its Mid-Engine 4-turbo V12 engine. It is designed to do 0-60 in 2.9 seconds, with a top speed of 400kph (248mph). My understanding is the GT has a top speed somewhere around 200 mph.

I'm rambling, but only because this show was a feast for the senses. Ironically, of all the awesome production and concept cars I saw today, the one that surprised me the most was a concept from Hyundai. It looked like it was just a year or two from production - didn't look far fetched at all - but it sure didn't look like any Hyundai I've ever seen. I imagine it would be the model for the next generation Tiburon. Even though it's only been a matter of hours since seeing the Hyundai concept car, I don't recall the grille being as pronounced as in the linked picture. The front end seemed smoother to me. Then again, I guess there has to be somewhere for air to get to the engine!

If you can't be at an auto show this year, and are interested in cars, this summary from AutoWeek magazine should fill your need for speed.