1000 River Place Drive • Detroit, MI • 48207 (313) 259-9500 • www.omnihotels.com

 

The Production Models are Hot at the 2008 NAIAS

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

The Lexus IS-F sedan is on display at the 2008 NAIAS.

 

by Dana Bonner

aq5318@wayne.edu

 

 

DETROIT -- It's that time again! The special event that the people of greater Detroit area and the rest of the global community can enjoy. It's the 2008 North American International Auto Show held at Cobo Convention Center in Detroit, Michigan, home of the Big Three: Ford, Chrysler and General Motors. The Show was started in 1907 at the Beller's Beer Gardens at Riverside Park and it was held every year except 1943 through 1952.

The show begins with the press preview, industry preview and a charity event. So far, the charity preview has attracted over 17,000 people at $400 per ticket and has raised over $7 million dollars. During the industry preview, over 35,700 tickets were sold to people from 24 countries and 7,000 international press from 63 countries were invited. The exhibits have the most glamorous concept and futuristic cars. Some of them will be available to at the dealership near you. Here are some production models that you're going to like:

I stopped at the MINI exhibit where I met Mr. Andrew Cutler, the product specialist.

"The car beside me is called the 2008 MINI Clubman. It would be for sale in the U.S. market on February 16th starting at $20,600," Cutler said. "So this is an opportunity for people in Detroit to come out and take a closer look at this unique car. It offers a little bit more space than the MINI hardtop that we're currently sell for customers who want more space, but they like the driving dynamic of MINI and the style."

"The MINI Clubman is configured with a very unique five doors, two doors in the back and split barn
doors in the back. On the right side of the car, there's called the MINI Clubdoor. It's a 2-door that swings open in opposing directions to give a lot of accessibility to the back passenger area for your friends or cargo."

The MINI Clubman comes with a 1.6-liter fuel efficient 4-cylinder engine. It goes up to 37 miles per gallon on the highway. The Clubman has already been on sale in the European market since November of 2007 and recently sold a few. In the U.S., fewer American customers have put their names on the waiting list for the Clubman. It will be great success for the MINI corporation.

At the Lexus exhibit I walked to this product specialist named Craig Yeguchi with a very nice production car.

"This is a Lexus IS-F," said Yeguchi, "It's the latest high performance addition on the Lexus family. Basically the car has a 5-liter V8 and it's pulling out 416 horsepower with 371 pound feet of torque. It does a zero to 60 in about 4.6 seconds. Its features a 8 speed sequential automatic transmission and a top speed of 170 mph. It contains 6 piston, front brakes made by Lexus designers."

"It also features 19-inch wheels that are forged by bbs. The seats had been modified slightly more and it has boosters for higher performance driving. The leather seats are offered either black or Alpine white. The inside console features aluminized composite, its look a carbon fiber with a metallic finish to it. It's has built it navigation with a rear back up camera and at the back of the vehicle you noticed that quad staff exhaust for better acceleration. The price of car will be starting at $56,000 and the company is looking forward to sell about 300 of them a month."

The North American International Auto Show will be opened to the public on Saturday January 19th through the 27th. The tickets are $12.00 for adults, $6.00 for kids and seniors and kids under 6 get in free. Over 800,000 people will be expected to attend. The show would provide over $500 to 700 million dollars to the local economy. There will refreshments served at the Cobo Arena and great games and prizes. So come on down and see your favorite cars.

AmericaJR.com's coverage of the 2008 NAIAS is sponsored by The Omni Detroit Hotel at River Place, The Dow Event Center in Saginaw and by RazorGator.com.

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

The MINI Clubman was unveiled at the 2008 NAIAS.

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

A look at the rear of the MINI Clubman.

 

:: Return to Our Coverage of the 2008 NAIAS ::

		"THE SHRINE CIRCUS" January 17 - 20, 2008 The Dow Arena www.doweventcenter.com

Once again, AmericaJR.com will Broadcast LIVE from the 2008 North American International Auto Show Press Preview Days and Industry Preview Days. Read our Press Release.

We will bring you the most comprehensive coverage ever with interviews, reviews and the best pictures around. It's all from AmericaJR.com -- Detroit's #1 Website with The BEST Coverage. Period.

This page was last updated on Tue, January 22, 2008 0:10 AM

 

>> Bookmark This Site Now! <<