Auto Show moves Across America

Watch as the Motor Trend Auto Show moves across the United States. Keep an eye on your local newspapers, radio and TV for announcements of dates. And don't fail to catch one of these shows. Not only the concept cars are great, but I think you will find that many of the current models are going to turn your head. And I don't mean the girl models! They always turn the head!!


J Mays said in our November 2011 issue that the production 2013 Ford Fusion unveiled at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit would borrow heavily from the Evos concept revealed at Frankfurt last fall. As on the Evos, the large, expressive six-point lower fascia from the Focus and Fiesta has been moved up the nose to become the Fusion/Mondeo's grille, the headlamps are narrow slits that avoid the bug-eye (not to be confused with the Austin-Healey Sprite's) lamps infesting the rest of the midsize segment lately and the fast roofline gives the car an almost four-door coupe' look.

"You're the first to hear this," Samantha Hoyt, Fusion's marketing manager tells Motor Trend. "We will be the first to offer a gas, a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle." The Fusion Energi goes on sale roughly five months after the Fusion and Fusion Hybrid.

Ford says the on-sale date will be late summer, with serious stock getting into dealerships by early fall. The new '13 Honda Accord and Nissan Altima both launch within a few months of the Ford. Chevrolet will have the eAssist '13 Malibu Eco on sale for several months, though you'll have to wait until autumn if you want a non-Eco Malibu with the new 2.5-liter four. By then, we'll know whether Volkswagen's strategy of designing a bigger, specific Passat for North America (and China and South Korea) is successful in the marketplace.

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1201_2013_ford_fusion_first_look/viewall.html#ixzz1k6voikET

Mike's Show-N-Shine gives complete thank you to the Motor Trend writers and photographers for these amazing articles and pictures, respectively. Thanks, Motor Trend!

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Thanks! Mustang Mike

Motor Trend, 2012 Auto Show

Wow! Its that time again! Time for the best Auto Show in the U.S.A.!

Look here, my friends! Motor Trend's Auto Show! Take a quick trip to Detroit and see some amazing cars. Remember back a few years ago? Remember when there was nothing new, nothing exciting about the show? I sure do. Back then, I wouldn't cross the street to take in the show. I could see more by visiting my local dealerships! Now, I can give up shopping for used car parts and just dream about the new car I am buying. That really doesn't make sense, since Big Red can always use some more car parts!

So take a look at the site (connect link following) and see what car you will buy next time!



Here are some excerpts from Motor Trend, telling us some of the features of the new Dodge Dart. Follow the link below to see more on what is featured on Motor Trend's Detroit Car Show.

Dual-tip exhaust pipes and 18-inch "hyper-black" wheels will be available. The Dart's interior features 10 standard airbags and a lot of soft-touch surfaces. Options will include blind-spot and cross-path detection, Nappa leather, a heated steering wheel, a reconfigurable 7-inch gauge cluster, and an 8.4-inch Uconnect touch screen in the center stack. Six-foot-four interior designer Klaus Busse demonstrated he fits comfortably in the rear seat and claims it has more legroom than a Hyundai Sonata.

The standout interior feature is optional "racetrack" lighting surrounding the instrument panel bezel. It has red LEDs, so that's the color you'll get no matter what interior trim you choose. Dodge showed a gray interior buck with Citrus Peel (neon yellow) piping and IP bezel surround.

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/auto_shows/detroit/2012/1112_2012_detroit_auto_show_2013_dodge_dart/#ixzz1jNSk47cH

Motor Trend is our friend. Find out more. Subscribe today! Get a link to M/T so you can see what is the latest on cars!

Mike's Show-N-Shine loves comments. Please leave one if you want to comment. Make sure you take a minute and join me as I begin the 2012 season. See more articles about classic cars, new cars, collectable cars...maybe even some about model car building. Good idea? Let me know!

Mustang Mike

Vauxhall Vectra, the Flagship of Vauxhall's Fleet

The practicality and comfort of Vauxhall Vectra
For a long time the Vauxhall Vectra was a flagship in Vauxhall’s fleet. It was a family saloon on the one hand, and a motorway workhorse on the next. It became synonymous with the company car, and was a staple part of British motoring for the last ten years after its introduction by Opel in 1988, and surviving in its various forms until 2008.
The Vectra was a solid and comfortable car, built for practicality. For the motorist that isn’t obsessed with performance, but rather values the finer things like ride comfort, a second hand Vauxhall Vectra is an ideal second hand purchase, and you can find a great number of this particular car at the buy and sell website motors.co.uk.
In 2008 the Vectra was replaced by the highly acclaimed Insignia: a large vehicle in the executive cruiser, competing in the Mondeo end of the market.
The Insignia took the market by storm in 2008, winning a host of awards including Top Gear’s ‘executive car of the year’. The number of variants is typical of Vauxhall’s extensive range catalogues. Prices start at around £16,450 and peak at £35,825. There’s a model to fit many needs and budgets but the most popular choices may be the 2.0 CDTi options, which delivers around 48.7mpg and harbours enough power to satisfy the car’s big frame. The buyer can choose from Exclusiv, S, SE, SRi, and Elite models.
All Insignias are well equipped and the standard of the interior finish stamps Vauxhall’s intentions on tackling the executive market; worthy opponents to rivals such as the highly acclaimed Mondeo and the BMW 3 Series.
The Insignia’s look is one of an executive car that puts an emphasis on style as much as practicality. The sharply sloping windscreen has become a standard feature across Vauxhall’s fleet, and the wide sturdy bonnet gives a muscular edge. The ‘Eagle Eye’ headlights taper beautifully up the bonnet, giving a sporty edge.
The Insignia is a worthy successor to the Vauxhall Vectra and will do well to secure the same kinds of success. It has the presence and prowess to match any executive cruiser and the interior quality mean it may be looking to a higher end of the market than the previous Vauxhall Vectra.
http://www.motors.co.uk/used/cars/vauxhall/vectra