2018 Detroit Auto Show – Media Access – Day 2
Tuesday
I had to be at work at noon so through some miracle of Red Bull and brute force I managed to wake up at 6am to catch the rest of the auto show.
Even my dog thought it was too early.
Lyft rides downtown were on the costly side so despite the falling snow, I took my BMW downtown, parked at GM headquarters, and rode the People Mover to Cobo Hall.
Mercedes Benz was front and center with a G-wagon receiving the Jeep soft top aesthetic.
I then spent a considerable time getting in and out of the BMW i8. The doors, opening in a sideways upward scissor movement, compensate for the ingress challenges posed by the massive structural hump between the seat and the pavement. If you buy one, reconsider wearing a short skirt.
Taking a cute from Mazda’s Miata display, Volkswagen brought a mint classic to draw eyes to the new Jetta.
Infiniti reminds us that it still exists. Why? Who knows. Apparently someone is buying them.
The press get a free beer. If I didn’t have to go to the office immediately after I’d indulge.
Fiat’s Sergio Marchionne! Dressed in his trademark merino wool sweater.
FCA put out a nice spread for us journalists and Youtubers.
It’s a Silverado on rocks. I would have appreciated a more realistic display with a Silverado taking up two spaces in a parking garage.
Chinese stuff we can’t buy here.
No one believes me when I say this but the Genesis G80 and G90 sedans are much, MUCH nicer than their prices suggest, on par with or in some ways superior to the Mercedes S-class. You have to order from a Hyundai dealer but services are handled by someone coming to your location and fetching your vehicle. No worries about sharing a waiting room with Accent owners.
I got stuck in the back of this Alfa Romeo and had to wave at the models to rescue me. Apparently the child locks are on and I am 6 years old.
It has a Race mode for Asian drivers. They thought of me!
Aside from the Rolls Royce Dawn I spent the most time in the Lincoln Continental and Navigator. Exquisite.
Cadillac’s CT6, even in top trim, cheaps out on a couple spots.
I didn’t want to walk around with my gloves and beanie so I found the least interesting vehicle to store them. Thank you, Honda HRV!
That concludes two brutally cold days at NAIAS. Future shows promise a summer outdoor setting along the Detroit River with food, games, and family-friendly activities to get people (and brands) to return. Aside from media access privileges — getting to see executives, product launches, media personalities, and full access to exotics — it was a spartan display catering mostly to industry insiders.
Additional photos are below.
Click for day one.
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