It never fails: car show day brings weird weather. We got up early today, fought off the ice storm, and were among the first throngs of people who surged through the doors of COBO and into the North American International Auto Show. Unfortunately I think ice-caked trees might be our lasting memory of the day, as not too many cars really piqued our interest. A general review:
1 Audi: Once the premium fit, finish, and feel automobile, we really felt that the entire lineup - but especially the S and RS trim levels - has regressed in terms of interior refinement. The exteriors are still taught and delicious, but the multitude of buttons and surfaces indoors were too much.
2 Infiniti: Nissan's luxury spin-off may have taken the interior cake, but the once-edgy G35 now seems somewhat bland. Pity, because the seats are grippy and supportive, the consoles intuitive and tactile, and the dual-axis-brushed aluminum trim second to none.
3 Cadillac: It's no secret that Cadillac's angular Art & Science design language makes this my favorite marquee; for 2008 the CTS is looking better than ever. Thin seats with a between-the-shoulder-blades metal decal will have to be tested, but overall I think this was my favorite car.
4 Subaru: The triumphant repeat winner of Corey & Jenelle's Car Show Visitors Award of Virtually No Importance 2005 & 2006 figured prominently on our list of booths to visit. What we found, though, was that in the past few years their complete dominance in virtually every buying criteria has waned. The domestics have caught up in terms of interiors. Everyone has a competent AWD offering. Chrome grille wings are a figurative dime a dozen. Other shops get more power from a smaller engine without premium petrol. But, if a person finds themselves in the market for a reasonable, capable, upscale wagon Subaru is the only way to fly.
5 Cars of Significance: It's the year of the small, smaller, and smallest car. GM's Aura/Malibu and DCX's Avenger/Sebring twin twins seem squared off in the 'important to demonstrate sedan competence' category. Both were quality, though the Malibu has taken the interior a level ahead - the caveat here is that the other vehicles in the category can already be purchased. Smart brought its fortwo, which garnered odd stares, silly questions, and some very scared looks from mothers of small children.
6 The China Connection: China was back at the show as a car-exporting nation with Cheng Feng Motors' basement display. Their cars were not ready for the trip upstairs - loose wires under seats, exposed machinery in the wheelwells, etc, but I think a quote on Cheng Feng's website summarizes their trajectory (this is real, not made up, at all): "Cheng Feng Liebao Grow speedily."

posted at 5:44 PM - comments