Detroit show - what are you missing?
08 January 2007
- Weird, wacky and utterly American show
- New cars from Chrysler, Mercedes and Audi
- Full coverage here on whatcar.com
More Information
Related stories
It's January and that can only mean one thing. Yes, Celebrity Big Brother is back on our screens. Oh, and across the pond, the motoring A-listers show their latest wares at the Detroit motor show.
Detroit is motor city - the home of car giants Ford, Chrysler and GM, the home of motown music and the home of the drive-by-shooting.
Of course, it wouldn't be America without some spendidly over-the-top launches and head-scratchingly bizarre concept cars.
Minivans, massive launches
Chrysler kicked the show off with the launch of its new 'minivans' - the Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country.
Being Chrysler, they couldn't just show us the cars, they had to treat us to American celebrity chef Bobby Flay helping Chrysler's Tom LaSorda cover a six-layer chocolate cake with sauce and spread it out with all the finesse of a brick layer applying cement to a breeze block.
Waiting journalists were left to salivate while 'Barb' and 'Tarm' went through their routine. Eventually they even got around to showing us the cars.
GM held their launch bash a night early, flying in a host of Hollywood C-listers including Carman Electra and Christian Slater to walk down a catwalk with their cars.
Launched on a bed of ice
Mercedes' stand was turned into an ice rink to demonstrate the stability of the four-wheel-drive vehicles at walking pace. They rolled out an ice hockey team and a contestant in America's celebrity ice dancing TV show, too.
Across the way, Audi launched their increasingly large Q7 V12 TDi with the help of pop star Seal - we suspect VW group bosses had asked for Seat be at the US show, but someone hit the wrong key.
Instead of relying on celebs to woo the crowds, Italian marques Ferrari and Lamborghini relied on the tried and tested formula to woo hacks - women.
Suzuki tried to tempt journos with popcorn, cinema seats and a car that had been turned into a cinema screen for the show.
Back on the Chrysler stand, the food theme continued as the press throng gathered to grab as many ice creams as they could handle.
Bonkers Bevel
Bonkers concept of the show award doesn't go to the unashamedly retro Holden Efijy - we almost expected to see John Travolta racing for 'pinks' in it - instead it goes to the wonderfully barmy Nissan Bevel.
Nissan won't mind us calling it a shed on wheels - it's aimed squarely at men with time on their hands and has useful features including a workbench and somewhere to plug in your orbital sander. You can even get a built-in dog hutch.
Looks-wise, it's a bit like a futuristic version of Del Boy's van, but it's proof that some people in Detroit haven't forgotten to add a bit of humour to the motor show.
Fancy a trip to Detroit? It's a mere eight and a half hours away by plane, and the show runs until January 21. If you can't wait until then, see our show coverage here on whatcar.com.
What Car?
is brought to you by
Haymarket Consumer MediaWhat Car? is part of Haymarket Motoring
© Haymarket Media Group 2013
