So, here is my view on the Detroit AutoShow (now that it is over)...(BWW!!!)
01-20-2003, 04:50 PM
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So, here is my view on the Detroit AutoShow (now that it is over)...(BWW!!!)
Fool-*** me and my lovely wife flew all the way to freaking cold-*** (single digits) Detroit just for this freaking show...ok...
We went to the show Saturday...and yeah, it was freaking crowded...the first hour (10-11 am) and the last hour (9-10 pm) were great...the rest was a challenge...but fun nonetheless...
First Detroit show for us, we have done the Chicago show once (which is nearly as impressive).
Overall the show is awesome...here are a few sample pics...although I have many more, I could not ask LMGotts to waste any more of his day hosting them for me
First, the Fords...some really good concepts...the Mustang concept is really good looking, not hokey like some retros...
<img src="http://www.digitalfields.com/detroit/mustang.jpg">
The wife really liked this one...the "GT" which is supposed to be produced in the next year!
<img src="http://www.digitalfields.com/detroit/gt40.jpg">
Next for Volkswagon...
First of all, VW really pissed me off...no Phaeton at all, no Magellen at all, and they had 4 or 5 Touaregs there but you couldn't get in or touch any of them! Even Porsche let the masses into a Cayenne!!!
One VW that was very impressive despite its underwhelming looks was the R32...that will be very cool when it shows
<img src="http://www.digitalfields.com/detroit/r32.jpg">
VW had Beetles everywhere along with a few Passats and Jettas...nothing very exciting...I'm still pissed about the Toureg...although loaded up a 4.2 liter version will just barely crack $50k!
Next is my favorite...Cadillac...damn, they had some sweet rides...I have pics of the new SLR and of course, the SRX! But, for the sake of Larry's livelihood and everyone's bandwidth, I'll just give you a couple pics of the Maybach contender, the "Sixteen"...this thing was a beast...freaking sick...but I realize it won't happen...no one is gonna drop $250k on a Caddy, nor should they!
<img src="http://www.digitalfields.com/detroit/c16front.jpg">
<img src="http://www.digitalfields.com/detroit/c16engine.jpg">
Ok, now on to the Audis...I won't bore you with tons of pics of the RS 6...it was freaking sweet...but the only bitch was the wheels...damn they are really nice wheels, but they are the exact same ones as on the 4.2 allroad that was sitting 12 feet away! A bizarre choice for the U.S.!!! I have lots of pics of the RS 6, but here is just one...
<img src="http://www.digitalfields.com/detroit/rs6front.jpg">
Other notes about the RS 6...regarding the brakes...they are definitely 2-piece drilled rotors...and another thing...the mesh grille (upper and lower) look awesome...but the fake mesh under the rear bumper looks ok from a distance, but it's fake...so it seems a bit odd. Obviously, the lack of Recaros is lame and bizarre...especially given the inclusion of them in the new S4 (I didn't bother with pics as you've all seen it a million times)...but they looked sweet in the S4.
Next, is of course, the Pikes Peak...damn this thing is awesome looking...except the awful color...I could see past the ugliness...the wife could not...she hated the razor-wire looking grille and thought the whole thing was massive...I loved it...and would buy it today...especially if it had the 500 HP twin-turbo V8!
<img src="http://www.digitalfields.com/detroit/pikespeakfront.jpg">
<img src="http://www.digitalfields.com/detroit/pikespeakrear.jpg">
Next, and last is the A8...it was beautiful...better than in pics...but one thing I found strange was that I think it spent too much time in LA or something before going to the show...because that sucker is SLAMMED!!! Very odd...it is way too freaking low...both the A8L and the A8 they had there were virtually rubbing tires in the wheel wells...weird...
<img src="http://www.digitalfields.com/detroit/a8side.jpg">
<img src="http://www.digitalfields.com/detroit/a8frontright.jpg">
<img src="http://www.digitalfields.com/detroit/a8frontleft.jpg">
There were lots of cool concepts and new cars there...even from the American car makers...at least I know they CAN do make good stuff...but will they when it comes to production? Uhh...
A big surprise to me...didn't know it was there or existed is the Infiniti F45...an SUV-like thing related to the Nissan Murano. It was really nice and looked awesome with the STANDARD 20 inch wheels!!! 345 horsepower and such for right at $50k! Pretty good.
Lexus is coming out with a hybrid RX...which looks really good for its type of SUV...it is due in 2004 as a 2005...right about the time Ford puts out its very overdue hybrid Escape...which would you buy?
Nothing exciting from Honda...just that goofy box...the Element...otherwise, the already common Accord got a cousin from Acura, which is just as underwhelming...very nice, but nothing special. Acura has also made the tired, old NSX incredibly ugly for 2003...have a pic, but it's too ugly
MB was jammed with people although there was nothing really exciting. The Maybach had huge crowds...but I say "whatever"...
Porsche also had huge crowds...and I say, "damn, that Cayenne is even uglier in person"...seriously. It may be a great performer, but it is really freaking ugly.
BMW had a cool concept, the X-Activity...essentially a targa-like topped 3-series SUV...otherwise, just the usual stuff...but they may have a lot more in the next year.
The exoticars were jammed with gawkers...I ignored most of them, but really liked the new Bentley GT Coupe...and so did the wife...
Hummer was jammed...but I have never seen a stupider vehicle!
The Nissan Maxima is odd looking...but inside is much nicer than the absolutely awful Altima.
Mazda had the RX8 there...but this is probably the worst built vehicle in history...the two samples there were literally falling apart...pieces missing, controls worn out!, the black over the plastic on the dash and steering wheel was chipping off (tons of it!!!)...pieces on the exterior had fallen off or were very loose...body panels didn't meet up appropriately...these were really poorly made vehicles...unbelievable!
Anyway...all in all a great time. We rented a Jaguar X-Type...and the heated seats were well worth every cent the car cost! I really liked the X, but it has one big problem...the clunking front suspension...over every single bump, it would clunk...very bad...otherwise, it was quite solid and really nice...not crappy like some have complained.
If I think of more, I hope not, I will post in response to myself
Many thanks to LMGotts for his effort in hosting these pics...they have greatly improved the final result!
We went to the show Saturday...and yeah, it was freaking crowded...the first hour (10-11 am) and the last hour (9-10 pm) were great...the rest was a challenge...but fun nonetheless...
First Detroit show for us, we have done the Chicago show once (which is nearly as impressive).
Overall the show is awesome...here are a few sample pics...although I have many more, I could not ask LMGotts to waste any more of his day hosting them for me
First, the Fords...some really good concepts...the Mustang concept is really good looking, not hokey like some retros...
<img src="http://www.digitalfields.com/detroit/mustang.jpg">
The wife really liked this one...the "GT" which is supposed to be produced in the next year!
<img src="http://www.digitalfields.com/detroit/gt40.jpg">
Next for Volkswagon...
First of all, VW really pissed me off...no Phaeton at all, no Magellen at all, and they had 4 or 5 Touaregs there but you couldn't get in or touch any of them! Even Porsche let the masses into a Cayenne!!!
One VW that was very impressive despite its underwhelming looks was the R32...that will be very cool when it shows
<img src="http://www.digitalfields.com/detroit/r32.jpg">
VW had Beetles everywhere along with a few Passats and Jettas...nothing very exciting...I'm still pissed about the Toureg...although loaded up a 4.2 liter version will just barely crack $50k!
Next is my favorite...Cadillac...damn, they had some sweet rides...I have pics of the new SLR and of course, the SRX! But, for the sake of Larry's livelihood and everyone's bandwidth, I'll just give you a couple pics of the Maybach contender, the "Sixteen"...this thing was a beast...freaking sick...but I realize it won't happen...no one is gonna drop $250k on a Caddy, nor should they!
<img src="http://www.digitalfields.com/detroit/c16front.jpg">
<img src="http://www.digitalfields.com/detroit/c16engine.jpg">
Ok, now on to the Audis...I won't bore you with tons of pics of the RS 6...it was freaking sweet...but the only bitch was the wheels...damn they are really nice wheels, but they are the exact same ones as on the 4.2 allroad that was sitting 12 feet away! A bizarre choice for the U.S.!!! I have lots of pics of the RS 6, but here is just one...
<img src="http://www.digitalfields.com/detroit/rs6front.jpg">
Other notes about the RS 6...regarding the brakes...they are definitely 2-piece drilled rotors...and another thing...the mesh grille (upper and lower) look awesome...but the fake mesh under the rear bumper looks ok from a distance, but it's fake...so it seems a bit odd. Obviously, the lack of Recaros is lame and bizarre...especially given the inclusion of them in the new S4 (I didn't bother with pics as you've all seen it a million times)...but they looked sweet in the S4.
Next, is of course, the Pikes Peak...damn this thing is awesome looking...except the awful color...I could see past the ugliness...the wife could not...she hated the razor-wire looking grille and thought the whole thing was massive...I loved it...and would buy it today...especially if it had the 500 HP twin-turbo V8!
<img src="http://www.digitalfields.com/detroit/pikespeakfront.jpg">
<img src="http://www.digitalfields.com/detroit/pikespeakrear.jpg">
Next, and last is the A8...it was beautiful...better than in pics...but one thing I found strange was that I think it spent too much time in LA or something before going to the show...because that sucker is SLAMMED!!! Very odd...it is way too freaking low...both the A8L and the A8 they had there were virtually rubbing tires in the wheel wells...weird...
<img src="http://www.digitalfields.com/detroit/a8side.jpg">
<img src="http://www.digitalfields.com/detroit/a8frontright.jpg">
<img src="http://www.digitalfields.com/detroit/a8frontleft.jpg">
There were lots of cool concepts and new cars there...even from the American car makers...at least I know they CAN do make good stuff...but will they when it comes to production? Uhh...
A big surprise to me...didn't know it was there or existed is the Infiniti F45...an SUV-like thing related to the Nissan Murano. It was really nice and looked awesome with the STANDARD 20 inch wheels!!! 345 horsepower and such for right at $50k! Pretty good.
Lexus is coming out with a hybrid RX...which looks really good for its type of SUV...it is due in 2004 as a 2005...right about the time Ford puts out its very overdue hybrid Escape...which would you buy?
Nothing exciting from Honda...just that goofy box...the Element...otherwise, the already common Accord got a cousin from Acura, which is just as underwhelming...very nice, but nothing special. Acura has also made the tired, old NSX incredibly ugly for 2003...have a pic, but it's too ugly
MB was jammed with people although there was nothing really exciting. The Maybach had huge crowds...but I say "whatever"...
Porsche also had huge crowds...and I say, "damn, that Cayenne is even uglier in person"...seriously. It may be a great performer, but it is really freaking ugly.
BMW had a cool concept, the X-Activity...essentially a targa-like topped 3-series SUV...otherwise, just the usual stuff...but they may have a lot more in the next year.
The exoticars were jammed with gawkers...I ignored most of them, but really liked the new Bentley GT Coupe...and so did the wife...
Hummer was jammed...but I have never seen a stupider vehicle!
The Nissan Maxima is odd looking...but inside is much nicer than the absolutely awful Altima.
Mazda had the RX8 there...but this is probably the worst built vehicle in history...the two samples there were literally falling apart...pieces missing, controls worn out!, the black over the plastic on the dash and steering wheel was chipping off (tons of it!!!)...pieces on the exterior had fallen off or were very loose...body panels didn't meet up appropriately...these were really poorly made vehicles...unbelievable!
Anyway...all in all a great time. We rented a Jaguar X-Type...and the heated seats were well worth every cent the car cost! I really liked the X, but it has one big problem...the clunking front suspension...over every single bump, it would clunk...very bad...otherwise, it was quite solid and really nice...not crappy like some have complained.
If I think of more, I hope not, I will post in response to myself
Many thanks to LMGotts for his effort in hosting these pics...they have greatly improved the final result!
01-20-2003, 05:03 PM
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It was broken off...
I have mostly pics of certain areas of the car I find interesting...the grille, the exhaust pipe, the rear valence, the side ledge thing under the doors...and of course, one of me next to possibly my new ride There are so many awesome cars out now, and soon to come, that it is hard to pin myself down on one car...although I'd love to have an RS 6
There are so many awesome cars out now, and soon to come, that it is hard to pin myself down on one car...although I'd love to have an RS 6
01-20-2003, 05:29 PM
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Hey Finman, I think I'm one of the few that also like the Pikes Peak. Many reports have stated that
it is really large. Can you relate it's size to another car for me as it's hard to tell from photo's. I'm interested in size length wise and height wise. Thank you ahead of any responce and thank you for the report and pics. Glad to hear you enjoyed the show!
01-20-2003, 05:47 PM
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I have a huge work project I'm jamming on...please, help distract me...send more pics!!
I'll happily put 'em up there into the inter-net.
Damn, that A8....I want the next S8 <i>soooooo</i> much!
Can't tell ya how disappointed we are to have missed the show and the trip back home. :-(
Damn, that A8....I want the next S8 <i>soooooo</i> much!
Can't tell ya how disappointed we are to have missed the show and the trip back home. :-(
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01-20-2003, 06:46 PM
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I totaly agree with you, and I would say that it's the most beautiful Audi ever made
<center><img src="http://camo.flage.net/albums/albut06/naias_019.sized.jpg"></center><p>Photo copyryght of Québec
