Detroit Auto Show: Ford Airstream, Chevrolet Volt and Mazda Ryuga

I could feel the excitement upon entering the North American International Auto Show, which was located in the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan. Saturday, January 19, 2008 was the first day of the Detroit Auto Show open to the public and while the Cobo Center has the largest exhibit floor space in North America, there were still enough people to fill it! People gathered around cars, pushing forward trying to steal a peak at the futuristic wonders! The exhibit offered a unique view into the future of cars and it was really interesting to see the vehicles that will be on the roads in upcoming years. There were so many cars, it would be impossible to cover all the different types so I'll just cover a few of my personal favorites.

The Ford Airstream

The Ford Airsteam was possibly the most futuristic looking vehicle in the entire exhibition center (due in part to its incredibly shiny exterior). Instead of conventional small doors on either side of the vehicle, has one humongous door that lifts up so fitting the whole family inside would take less time than ever! The coolest feature about this car is the fact that it's both hydrogen and lithium-battery powered. The car also has other interesting features such as a 360-degree monitor and rotating seats. Chuckles could be heard throughout the crowd when the speaker announced that the interior of the car was inspired by Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey movie.

The Chevrolet Volt

The Chevrolet Volt differs from the Ford Airstream because instead of alternating between only two types of power, it can use four. The Chevrolet can use biodiesel, gasoline, electricity, or E85 ethanol. Because of the ability to run off of electricity, this car can drive up to 40 miles on nothing but battery power. Don't be duped by all the new technology, though- the Chevrolet Volt sacrifices nothing in sleek design or safety. The design should be available for the public by 2010 and with factors like its ability to drive over 600 miles, chances are that it'll be selling fast.

The Mazda Ryuga

The Ryuga means, "gracious flow" and was by far the nicest looking sports car at the entire convention. This car is the ultimate in design containing features such as a u-shaped steering wheel, exterior cameras, and chrome detailed interior. This car can also run off of either E85 ethanol or gasoline. Words cannot do this car justice, it looks like a cramped sports car but four people can actually fit inside! Sadly, since the Ryuga mass no production plans and the car is more or less a shell, more in-depth features have not yet been created.

My first trip to an auto show turned out to be a very fun and exciting experience. Once you get past the overwhelming crowds, an upclose looks shows how interesting this cars can really be. With admissions only costing $12, I would highly recommend going to everyone who is interested in what the future cars of America will look like. January 25th will be the North American International Auto Show Racing Day, so if you're in the area- check it out!