Visit the 2012 NAIAS Before it is Over
by Nate Balcom
This weekend will be your last chance to make it down to Detroit for the North American International Auto Show aka NAIS aka the Detroit Auto Show. This year's show has on display not only luxury cars, exotic vehicles and impressive concept cars, but also affordable new vehicles designed with better fuel economy in mind for today's driver.
If you're going to be in town for the 2012 Detroit Auto Show here are just a few exhibits you shouldn't miss.
Ford released a carnival type ride for the 2012 Detroit Auto Show that raises attendees 20 feet into the ceiling of Cobo Center. Once raised into, "The cloud", a 360 degree presentation of how Ford envisions cloud technology working in the future. All in the Ford Connecting with the Cloud lasts about 5 minutes and is a true must see for any techie out there.
This vehicle was originally debuted at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, but was so impressive that they brought it out for the 2012 NAIS. The entire outside of the Toyota Fun Vii is a digital display that can theme and color your car, play video, display advertisements and other images from the web. The vehicle is designed to work with your smart phone or other wireless devices as a type of remote control.
Designed for densely populated areas The Chevy EN-V (Electric Networked Vehicle) is supposed to be cheap and emission free. Detroit could be the first place to receive these pods since they can be installed alongside high speed rail tracks. It's powered by Li-ion battery and can travel 25 miles on one recharge. It communicates with other vehicles and comes complete with manual and automatic driving modes.
This vehicle has had quite the journey over the years. Originally built in 1934 the speedster was part of Edsel Ford's personal collection. Over the years it's been shipped from state to state and been sold from one person to the next. It was examined extensively photographed completely dismantled and fully restored and modified. It was unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on August 19, 2011.
If you're going to be in town for the 2012 Detroit Auto Show here are just a few exhibits you shouldn't miss.
Ford's Future of Cloud Computing
Ford released a carnival type ride for the 2012 Detroit Auto Show that raises attendees 20 feet into the ceiling of Cobo Center. Once raised into, "The cloud", a 360 degree presentation of how Ford envisions cloud technology working in the future. All in the Ford Connecting with the Cloud lasts about 5 minutes and is a true must see for any techie out there.
Toyota Fun Vii
This vehicle was originally debuted at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, but was so impressive that they brought it out for the 2012 NAIS. The entire outside of the Toyota Fun Vii is a digital display that can theme and color your car, play video, display advertisements and other images from the web. The vehicle is designed to work with your smart phone or other wireless devices as a type of remote control.
Chevrolet EN-V: Autonomous Electric Pod
Designed for densely populated areas The Chevy EN-V (Electric Networked Vehicle) is supposed to be cheap and emission free. Detroit could be the first place to receive these pods since they can be installed alongside high speed rail tracks. It's powered by Li-ion battery and can travel 25 miles on one recharge. It communicates with other vehicles and comes complete with manual and automatic driving modes.
1934 Model 40 Special Speedster - a Classic Restored
This vehicle has had quite the journey over the years. Originally built in 1934 the speedster was part of Edsel Ford's personal collection. Over the years it's been shipped from state to state and been sold from one person to the next. It was examined extensively photographed completely dismantled and fully restored and modified. It was unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on August 19, 2011.
