It’s Detroit Auto Show time. Monday morning, journalists from all over the world will file into Cobo Center in downtown Motown to see the latest hardware from the automakers. Here’s an advance peek at what they expect to find there.
Of course, the big story at NAIAS this year is the launch of the seventh-gen, 2014 Corvette (camo rendering above). The unveiling will actually take place on Sunday evening, the night before the show opens, in a historic factory building in Detroit’s old manufacturing district.
And naturally, Mac’s Motor City Garage.com will be there for the reveal. We’ll have photos and info posted at MCG just as soon as we can make them available. Stay tuned.
Here are some of the other stories MCG will be unpacking for you at Cobo this coming week:
Fiat will show two Fiat 500 concepts, the Cattiva (shown here) and the Tenebra. The Cattiva is inspired by the Fiat 500 Turbo, according to the automaker, while the Tenebra, which reportedly carries major Abarth signage on the roof, “emphasizes the unique personality of the Fiat 500 Abarth,” Fiat says.
The Volkswagen Passat Performance Concept sports a 1.8-liter turbocharged engine with 250 hp and six-speed automatic transmission. Other features include EPAS (electronic power-assist steering) and lowered and recalibrated suspension.
Mopar, the Chrysler performance, parts, and accessories brand, will present this nifty garage-themed display on the Cobo floor this year.
The Nissan Resonance crossover concept vehicle, teased in the image above, is expected to make a full public appearance in Detroit. This could be the next-gen Murano crossover that will be manufactured in the USA, as recently reported by MCG here.
BMW will be showing off its latest, the the 2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe, which is powered by a 560-horsepower, 4.4L twin-turbo V8. The oddly-labeled sport sedan goes on sale next summer.
At $21,790, the new GT becomes the top trim model in the 2013 Dodge Dart lineup. Chrysler’s 184 hp, 2.4L Tigershark four is standard, along with 18-inch aluminum wheels, special front fascia, dual exhaust, and a unique interior treatment with heated steering wheel.
On Tuesday at Cobo Center, Cadillac will formally introduce the production ELR (shown here in camo), the luxury coupe that shares much of its extended-range hybrid hardware with the Chevy Volt.
As previously reported here at Mac’s Motor City Garage, Toyota will unveil the New Furia concept sedan. The Furia may foreshadow the next production Corolla, sources indicate.
In an attempt to steal some thunder from GM’s freshly redesigned Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups, Ford reportedly will display a new concept truck at NAIAS that accurately depicts the styling of the 2015 F-150 line.
That’s it for now. Be sure to check back with Mac’s Motor City Garage throughout the coming week as we bring you these and more stories from the 2013 North American International Auto Show.
I don’t care how many goofy show cars they do. The Fiat 500 will never sell in the USA.
We bought a Prima Edizione. It was very cute but no one in the family really liked driving it. Kind of a gutless wonder with a bouncy ride and average handling. No one cried when it went away.
On the other hand, I had the opportunity to drive a friend’s new Abarth in the fall. Still cute but the nature of the car was totally different. Power where you needed it and handling normally reserved for much more expensive sports cars. The cool exhaust note and great seats were icing on the cake.