One-Tank Trip for
Jan. 13/18
(c) By Jim Fox
Sun Media/Postmedia News
All roads lead to
Detroit as that “new car smell” permeates downtown Cobo Center.
Some 800,000 people
will make the trek to the “Motor City” for the 30th annual North American
International Auto Show from Jan. 20 to 28.
It launches with the
“party of the year” for auto aficionados and the industry putting on the glitz at
the lavish Charity Preview on Jan. 19.
 |
| Mugging for the camera beside a Bentley Continental GT worth $260,000 US. (Jim Fox photo) |
That’s when thousands
of formally clad, would-be auto barons admire the latest models in a high-society
event.
For this sneak
preview, some 15,000 people pay $400 US each to attend the three-hour,
black-tie affair in support of children’s charities.
They sip champagne,
munch on hors d’oeuvres and will be entertained by the iconic Detroit Motown
group, the Four Tops.
While strutting
their stuff, attendees slip behind the wheel of some of the world’s most exotic
vehicles and pose for photos.
Showcasing 750 cars
and trucks, this is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world.
“It provides
unparalleled access to the automotive products, technologies, people and ideas
that matter most – up close and in one place,” said show executive director Rod
Alberts.
The automotive
world comes together here, providing the public “an opportunity to see the
vehicles and technologies that will shape the future automotive landscape,” he
added.
 |
| Putting on the glitz at the auto show’s Charity Preview. (Jim Fox photo) |
From muscle and
electric cars, to high-performance supercars and full-size trucks, they’re all
here.
Among the
bright-and-shiny offerings, there will be about 45 cars, trucks, crossovers and
concept vehicles making their global or North American debuts.
Trucks are in the
spotlight with a Ford 150 pickup offering a first-time diesel engine and
bringing back the Ranger midsize while Chevrolet has made over Silverado and
Dodge Ram has a renewed 1500 series.
There will be the
next-generation Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini’s Urus, Nissan’s Rogue, three new
models each from BMW and Mercedes-Benz, and Toyota’s full-size Avalon.
Lexus shows its luxury
crossover concept, LF1 Limitless, Volkswagen has a renewed Jetta, Honda has its
hybrid Insight and Infiniti has a fastback concept, Q Inspiration.
 |
| Writer Jim Fox trying to squeeze into Daimler’s Smart Fortwo (maybe for one) at the show. (Barbara Fox photo) |
Longer-range and
less-expensive battery cars are in the Chevrolet Bolt and Nissan Leaf while
show-goers can learn about semi-autonomous, hands-free and driverless vehicles.
Cars on Parade
happens daily at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. from the Parade Company.
It features a
procession on the main show floor of luxury and performance automobiles, local
TV, radio and sports celebrities, clowns and special props.
If you go:
Cobo Center is at 1 Washington Blvd., Detroit. Show hours are
9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Jan. 20-27, and closing at 7 p.m. on Jan. 28.
Tickets are $14 US; $7,
seniors/children, seven to 12; free, six and younger. Details: naias.com; (248) 643-0250. To
plan a getaway: visitdetroit.com;
1-800-DETROIT.
The shows keep on coming
This is the place
for major cruises, races and auto shows throughout the year as the DMCVB and
MotorCities National Heritage Area (motorcities.org) support auto heritage events throughout
southeast Michigan.
The lineup includes
the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, June 1-3, at Belle Isle
Park; Motor Muster, June 16 and 17, highlighting 1933 to 1976 at Greenfield
Village in Dearborn; and the Sloan Museum Auto Fair, June 23 and 24, with 600
vehicles.
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| Watching the passing parade of vintage autos at Concours. (Barbara Fox photo) |
Concours d’Elegance
of America, July 27-29, at The Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth showcases invited
world-class vehicles.
The Woodward Dream
Cruise, Aug. 18, is the “world’s largest one-day celebration of classic car
culture,” and the Old Car Festival rolls through Greenfield Village, Sept. 8
and 9.
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Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca
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