It's right around the corner (Jan 9th)...

Anyone have anything particular they are looking foward to seeing... besides the R-DX concept and Ridgeline.

I'm looking foward to seeing...

Hyundai Sonata... let's see how much improved it really is.
Dodge Charger... four door Charger?! Let the booing start now.
Chrysler Firepower... another Crossfire in the works, and probably coming in 2007.
Ford Fusion... let's see how much Ford can screw up this new sedan.
Infiniti M35/45... hmm, I wanna see how much this thing is going to be.
BMW M Class... I wanna see the interior on this thing

I'm sure there's surprises in store from all the makers...

Junkster, who wonders if some of the Detroit members can get some pics for us

 

Production version of GS.
New VW offerings.

Biker, who's looking forward to the Geneva show to see the new E90, IS and others.

 

BMW makes an M Class/ MB's sport marquee is M ?

F'n PW, your letting all that get to your head .

 

Edmunds has a little tab on the forum page for "Coming 1/9"

The Internet sometimes takes the surprise out of these things - virtually everything leaks out before the thing ever starts.

 

I want to see the BMW and VW changes to see how much they have actually improved.

A four door Dodge Charger? I hope this is not going to be a disappointment like the Chevy Impala and the Pontiac GTO.

 

Worldwide production intros


BMW 5-Series AWD - an all-wheel-drive version of BMW's midlevel 5- Series sedan.

Cadillac STS-V - a performance version of Cadillac's flagship STS sedan, redesigned for 2005.

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 - 500-horsepower performance version of the sixth-generation Corvette, redesigned for 2005.

Dodge Charger - the return of a legendary name from the muscle-car era on a Hemi-equipped rear-drive, five-passenger sedan.

Ferrari Superamerica - a 12-cylinder convertible version of the 575M Maranello coupe that was designed by legendary Italian design house and perennial Ferrari partner, Pininfarina.

Ford Fusion - Ford's new midsize car.

Ford F-150 Harley - a Harley-Davidson version of the F-150 pickup truck.

Honda Ridgeline - Honda's first-ever pickup truck.

Infiniti M45/M35 - two new luxury/performance sedans to slot just beneath the flagship Q45.

Kia Rio - a completely redesigned entry-level sedan that's bigger and more powerful than the current model.

Land Rover Range Rover Sport - a completely new sport utility vehicle and a fifth nameplate for the brand, slotting between the LR3 and Range Rover.

Lexus GX 470 - a luxury utility with more performance and technology.

Lincoln Zephyr - a new entry-level luxury sedan for Ford's luxury division.

Lincoln Mark LT - a luxury vehicle that combines a sport utility vehicle cabin with a pickup bed.

Mercedes-Benz M-Class - a redesign of the Alabama-built M-Class sport utility vehicle introduced eight years ago.

Mitsubishi Eclipse - all-new, more powerful fourth generation of this popular sporty coupe.

Mitsubishi Raider - Mitsubishi created unique styling inside and out for this midsize truck based on the Dakota.

Saturn Sky - a new two-seat, rear-drive sports roadster.

Subaru B9 Tribeca - the first Subaru 7-passenger vehicle

Toyota Avalon - a completely restyled full-size sedan with more performance and luxury.

Porsche 911 Carrera, Carrera S Cabriolet - convertible versions of the redesigned 911.
Worldwide concepts


Chrysler Firepower - an elegant grand tourer riding on the Viper chassis and powered by a 6.1-liter version of the Hemi V8.

Ford Explorer Sport Trac - a concept that signals the next-generation version of the sport-utility vehicle with a pickup bed.

Infiniti Kuraza - an exploratory look at future sport utility vehicle interior design.

Jeep Gladiator - a Jeep pickup.

KCD II - the second concept vehicle from Kia's California design center is a rugged sport utility with three rows of seats.

Lexus LF-A - exotic sports car concept vehicle.

Mercury Meta One - a rolling showcase of promising active safety technologies.

Nissan AZEAL Coupe - a fresh interpretation of the "pocket rocket" - an affordable, high-performance, entry-level coupe with an emphasis on personality and aggressive styling.

Saturn midsize sedan - a new entry into the midsize sedan segment for the GM division.

Suzuki Concept X - Suzuki's first-ever midsize sport-utility vehicle concept.

Volvo 3CC - an innovative and stylish environmentally friendly car with three seats and powered by lithium-ion batteries.



North American production

Aston Martin Vanquish S V12 - the fastest-ever Aston Martin.

Audi A6 Avant - the station wagon version of the redesigned A6.

BMW 530xi - the 5-Series Sport Wagon combines the performance of a car with all-weather confidence.

Hyundai Sonata - the first vehicle to be produced at the new Hyundai plant in Montgomery, Alabama.
North American concepts


Mercedes-Benz Grand Sports Tourer Vision B - first shown in Paris, a compact sports tourer with compact exterior dimensions but roominess inside.

Rolls-Royce 100EX - this experimental car from Rolls-Royce, the inspiration for a 2007 convertible, celebrates Rolls-Royce's centennial.

 

Seeing as we are on this topic, i thought i'd post here instead of starting another thread:

I'm planning to go to the show this year since i don't have school to worry about anymore, so i decided to take my gf along for a little weekend trip.

I know the location will be at the Cobo Center, but can anyone in Detroit (or have visited) recommend where to stay for the weekend?? Something affordable would be preferred. Also, should i take the bus/locomotive or should i rent a vehicle? i prefer not driving the tsx, bcoz my gf doesn't know how to drive stick.

Any feedback and information is greatly appreciated!!

 

Lets just hope the production model of this Honda truck looks better than the UGLY concept! ugh!!!

 

With the exception of very few spy shots, DCX has been able to hide the Charger the best. Virtually all the other ones have some sort of info/pics out about them.
Harley edition truck
Where's the production version of the new GS?

 

I wonder what will be at the San Diego international show, starting on the 29th of December.

 

Can't wait until spring...NY auto show!

 

i just remembered something...

remember how people thought the Pilot would be a really stupid idea and how Honda was not going to be a huge success in the SUV industry? Well, they don't have many SUV's, but those they have sell very very well and are capable of beating or at least keeping up with the competition. They're the experts, so I'm sure they know what they're doing. I think the Ridgeline will be a nice alternative to some of its competators.

 

I don't recall too many critics bashing the Pilot for not having the potential to be a success, I do recall people bashing the blase styling.


PistonFan: who will return from the land of Blase styling (ROK) in time for the NAIAS and will be sure to take pics.

 

For those of you looking for more info:


http://www.clickondetroit.com/autoshow/index.html

 

I'd recommend staying in Windsor and take the 'Tunnel Bus' over. It'll drop you off right at Cobo. After the show you just walk down to the tunnel entrance to get back on the bus (15 min walk). DO NOT try to park in Detroit during the Autoshow. Not because of the crime, but because it's traffic mayhem down there.

Accomodation choices (least expensive):
Windsor Days Inn - 3 blocks from Bus Station in Downtown Windsor
Radisson Riverfront Windsor - 4 blocks from " "
Travelodge Downtown Windsor - 3 blocks " "

You could take the train right into Windsor if you wanted.
PM me and we can discuss.

 

I think the Ridgeline will do well. I very interested in it myself. I hope it tows ok.

 

Automakers feel pressure as the big show draws near
By Brett Clanton, The Detroit News

Despite space constraints at Cobo Center in Detroit and growing competition from other U.S. auto shows, the 2005 North American International Auto Show is poised to break records and enhance its reputation as one of the world's premier automotive events, event organizers said this week.

Jeep is showing off the Jeep Gladiator concept, its first pickup in years.
Wieck

The 2005 auto show, which opens to the public Jan. 15, is expected to generate $580 million in spending in the Detroit area, up 5% from the $553 million economic windfall from last year's show. More than 800,000 visitors are expected to attend the nine-day event.

"If you're in the auto industry or you care about the auto industry, you'll be at the show in January," said Bill Cook, senior co-chairman of the 2005 show and owner of Cook Imports in Farmington Hills.

Automakers will spend about $350 million to erect elaborate multimedia displays that are feasts of flashing lights and thumping music beats.

"At the end of the day, it's all about entertainment," said Robert Albitz, senior vice president of worldwide creative services at George P. Johnson Co., the designer of most of the show's exhibits.

The 2005 show will include 65 vehicle introductions, including the Dodge Charger sedan, Ford Fusion sedan, Mercedes-Benz M-Class sport-utility vehicle, Saturn Sky roadster and Mitsubishi Raider pickup.

Mercedes-Benz' smart brand also will make its official North American debut.

A number of concept vehicles, such as the Jeep Gladiator, a midsize truck from DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group, and a Suzuki midsize SUV, also will be unveiled.

The quantity of new-vehicle unveilings will keep Detroit among the world's leading auto shows, even as other U.S. cities such as Los Angeles and New York try to make their shows more competitive, said David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor.

"This is the crown jewel of the auto industry's year," he said. "And this will remain the premier show for years to come."

In a first, NBC Sports is planning to host a two-hour live broadcast from Cobo Center on the last day of the show. The network's Nascar racing commentators — Allen Bestwick, Wally Dallenbach and Bennie Parsons — will host the broadcast.

No one theme dominates the 2005 show this year, unlike the 2004 show, when Detroit automakers spotlighted new car models such as the Ford Five Hundred sedan, said Richard Genthe, a show co-chairman. But, he said, "we're certainly going to see a big play on alternative fuels."

The small size of Cobo Center is driving many automakers to add a second floor to displays. This year, space constraints led show organizers to consider using loading docks in back of Cobo for floor space. But that idea was abandoned because the partially outdoor docks would have been too hard to heat, Genthe said.

The Detroit Auto Dealers Association has advanced the city of Detroit $100,000 for a feasibility study to explore an expansion of Cobo Center. The study, to be completed next month, is weighing a plan to demolish the adjacent Cobo Arena and create an addition to the main convention hall.

"We have 700,000 square feet now," Genthe said. "We need 900,000."

But all of that is background noise to the main event. The more pressing concern for automakers is how their vehicles will play to the thousands of critics who will pass through the doors of Cobo Center next month.

Eric Ridenour, Chrysler's executive vice president of engineering, said even though he has been through many Detroit auto shows, the pressure to score a hit with consumers is always there.

"Every show," he said, "is a big one."

 

All right already - bring on the show.

 

"Saturn Sky - a new two-seat, rear-drive sports roadster."

The Saturn equivalent to the Pontiac Solstice?

"Nissan AZEAL Coupe - a fresh interpretation of the "pocket rocket" - an affordable, high-performance, entry-level coupe with an emphasis on personality and aggressive styling."

Sounds like someone wants to get in on the Scion market. They better mean it when they say "high-performance" too. Give me a 2.4 to 3.5L engine in a 2600 pound chassis.

 

The weight part is not going to happen - all new cars are getting loaded with frills (and some useful things like more airbags) that make them heavier with each generation.

 

nissan azeal

185 hp would be nice with 2700 lbs, anything that equals 15.0/90mph + performance is perfect for the under 20k market.


Saturn sky

 

I'm pretty retarded when it comes to tech gadgets and computers, but will do my best to post some pics. Most of the vehicles, except for the high end makes, allow people to sit inside. Will plan on focusing on pics of interiors since the major mags to a good job with exterior shots.

If anyone is obsessed with a certain vehicle, let me know. I'll be focused on the new Acura/Honda, Lexus and Infiniti products. The vehicle I'm most curious about is the RDX - if it looks right and they price it under $30k, I may have a lightly used CRV for sale in about 16 months.

 

Haven't you heard of the rule about staying away from a first year model?

Plus that RDX will be made in Ohio.....

 

Sounds like that azeal is meant to split the gap between the Scion Tc and RSX

 

If buying domestic, I would agree. Is there any evidence that Japanese models produced stateside are any less reliable than those identical models imported from Japan?

 

No, reliability is not the issue, regardless of where it's made a few issues (like the rattles, tranny case, wiring recall in the TSX) always crop up during the first year.

 

I thought we all agreed that the TSX is not a 'new' car. It's been sold in Japan and Europe for a full year before they imported it here as the TSX.

 

This thread is an excellent idea, too bad it is so large already.

EmuMessenger, who thinks we should have a picture/caption ONLY Detroit auto show thread, too.

 

Screw everything else....i wanna see the RDX.

 

(....but what I think I am really waiting for is the SH-AWD TL )

 

That'd be awsome...

 

Where does this myth keep coming from - the EuroAccord came out in March of 03, maybe a month before the TSX.

 

Wasn't it "a few months" like 3 or 4?

 

It came out in March 03 - I was actually at the dealer in late March and they still didn't have one. I'm not sure about Japan.

 

Will that Azeal be RWD, or is it just a hopped-up Sentra?

 

So who's going to the show?

I'll be there on the 15th.

 

I'll be there on the 15th too. Can anyone recommend another place of attraction in the downtown area so my gf won't get bored and complain. (BIG shopping mall would be great)

 

I'll be the the 15th as well.

Although I'm not really looking forward to it. There's not much too see except maybe the F430

domn, who can't wait to see Dan's Dig Reb pics.

 

I might have to get one of those. Hopefully it will be sooner rather than later.

 

I'm guessing hopped up Sentra.