THE ORANGE COUNTY AUTO SHOW
This article is from our archives and has not been updated and integrated with our "new" site yet... Even so, it's still awesome - so keep reading!
Published on Thu, Oct 4, 2007
By: The LACar Editorial Staff
The OC Auto Show raises the green banner
IT ALL BEGAN IN THE OC
Chrysler Imperial
concept car
One might assume that the decision to move the Los Angeles Auto Show from
January to November would deal a serious blow to the OC Auto Show. To some
degree, it did take some of the wind out of The OC's sails. Press events are
down from previous years. The SUV of the Year ceremonies are no longer held
here. And the outstanding international design competition is now a fond memory.
The good news is, it doesn't seem to make any difference from the standpoint of
the participating show-goer. For car enthusiasts in the region, or people simply
interested in getting up close to the model year 2008 vehicles, the OC Auto Show
is the biggest show in town. - Roy Nakano
Not that the OC Show is without other attributes. the list of features and
attractions is pretty staggering:
FEATURES AND ATTRACTIONS
· MORE THAN 40 DOMESTIC AND IMPORT MANUFACTURERS - Hundreds of new-model cars,
trucks, crossovers and sport/utility vehicles were on display under one
roof in a non-selling environment. Plus, futuristic concept cars, fuel-efficient
hybrids and more.
· TOYOTA TRUCKS OFF ROAD ON SITE ADVENTURE - The Convention Center filled
the loading docks with dirt so attendees could test out
Toyota's off road vehicles over rocks, logs, dirt mounds and more.
Boss Hoss bikes in Al &
Ed's underground show
· AL & ED's AUTOSOUND AUTO SHOW UNDERGROUND (ASU) - An area of the show that
blends the automotive customizing scene with club-style entertainment - everything from customized image vehicles and celebrity rides, to vendors
selling the hottest aftermarket parts.
· LIVE DJ ENTERTAINMENT - DJs from the local club scene performed on Al &
Ed's Xtreme Sound Stage in ASU, throughout the show. Performances by DJ Double J, DJ Serafin, DJ Nachey, DJ Agent A,
plus Sequence Event DJs
Chevrolet Volt concept
electric car
· 15,000 WATT EXPERIENCE - A custom Cadillac Escalade with 15,000 watts of power pounding through eight 15" subwoofers, courtesy
of Al & Ed's Autosound.
· CUSTOMIZED SPORT COMPACTS & HOT RODS - Courtesy of local car and truck clubs.
· DUB® MAGAZINE CELEBRITY CAR SHOWCASE - Featuring the DUB big rig and several
tricked-out rides owned by music and sports celebrities.
· SEMA VEHICLES - A collection of highly modified image vehicles, courtesy of
Dragon Aftermarket Consulting.
· EXOTIC CAR DISPLAYS - Featuring models from Aston Martin, Ferrari, Maserati,
and Lamborghini - plus a collection of ultra high-end vehicles from duPont
REGISTRYâ„¢.
Dodge Viper SRT
· IGX VIDEO GAME ARENA - Driving and sports video games from
Microsoft Xbox 360â„¢, Sony PLAYSTATION®3 and Nintendo Wiiâ„¢.
· RC CAR DISPLAY - An interactive driving course featuring
the latest radio-controlled models, courtesy of Team Associated.
· AUTOMOTIVE EDUCATION AREA - A special exhibit focusing on technology,
education and career opportunities in the automotive industry.
· MISS OC AUTO SHOW PAGEANT - Models
competed to qualify for the Miss Hawaiian Tropic Orange County Pageant. The
winner and first runner-up both advanced to the Miss Hawaiian Tropic Pageant
on Saturday.
· MISS HAWAIIAN TROPIC PAGEANT - Finalists
competed for the title of Miss Hawaiian Tropic Orange County.
· KIDS ZONE - Entertainment and
interactive activities for children including a giant inflatable obstacle
course, coloring and more.
Mazda Kabura concept car
CONCEPTS CONVERGE
As in prior years, the
Show featured a number of manufacturer concept vehicles. These vehicles provide
a glimpse of what is (or may be) around the corner in automotive design and
technology. Cars on display this year included the following: Ford Reflex
(futuristic-looking hybrid sports car with turbo-diesel engine that can get 65
mpg; features headlights & taillights with solar panels that recharge the hybrid
batter cell), Ford Shelby GR1 (605 HP V10 engine inside a beautifully-designed
polished aluminum body with butterfly doors), Mazda Kabura (hot-looking 2-seat
sports car), Hyundai Genesis (full-size upscale flagship sports sedan with over
300HP V8), Saab Aero-X (futuristic-looking 2-seater with 180 degree wrap around
windshield and doorless design, carbon-fiber body; 400 hp V6 engine that runs on
bioethanol), Chevrolet Camaro (everyone's favorite upcoming retro-style sports
car), Chevrolet Volt (a plug-in hybrid that runs only on electric power but with
a back-up engine that can go 640 miles on a full fuel tank without recharging
the battery), Lincoln MKR (sporty sedan with clean body design), Chrysler
Imperial (huge, spacious sedan with unique split-opening side doors), Jeep
Hurricane (hot 4x4 2-seater with 37-inch tires, no doors, a carbon fiber body,
and two 5.7L Hemi engines - one for front axle, one for rear), and Suzuki Flix
(a family-mover with clamshell roof that opens to reveal a moonroof which also
serves as a 60-inch movie screen with high-def DVD player, and 4 passenger seats
that can swivel around so "guests" can enjoy the show!). These were all amazing
vehicles and sure to be crowd-pleasers. - Jeff Mathews
CAFCP's fuel cell ride
and drive
Ride and Drive
There were two Ride-n-Drive activities at this year's OC Auto Show. Between VW
and Mercedes in the rear of the convention Center, Toyota had its Toyota Trucks
Off Road Adventure (www.toyotaoffroadonsite.com)
and at the front of the convention center you can drive fuel cell cars. Toyota
gave you a chance to see how well their Tacoma, Tundra and FJ-Cruiser
operate in many extreme off-road situations. From their 45 degree climb and drop
to the 32 degree side slide you will experience what real 4x4 vehicles can
accomplish. You have the choice of driving yourself or having one of their
experienced drivers show you how it is done. I was lucky and was accompanied by
the lovely Melissa while Carl put each vehicle through its paces. What a rush!
California Fuel Cell Partnership (www.fuelcellpartnership.org)
is based in Sacramento and is a collaboration of 32 organizations from
California Air Resources Board and US DOE to eight manufacturers. The rare
chance to not only see a fuel cell vehicle but drive one is an extraordinary
opportunity. You not only got to drive the vehicles but every participating
organization has people there to answer any question and help you learn about
the technology. The vehicle teams from the respective manufactures from engineer
to senior level management are all there to help get the word out about the
opportunity and challenges ahead. Fuel cell vehicles from Honda, Toyota, General
Motors, Hyundai and Nissan showed up. Remember, the exhaust from your drive is nothing but
water vapor. That's right. If every car in Southern California operated on fuel
cells, about the only automotive environmental issue we'd have is the increase
in humidity and the decrease in noise. - Gordon Bleam
THE VENUE
Finally, the newly enhanced Anaheim Convention Center is a wonderful venue.
Orange County is home to many of the automotive design studios, so it wasn't
surprising to see some of the top designers, like Ford's Freeman Thomas hanging
out at the show (Thomas, by the way, designed the Audi TT, co-designed the New
Beetle, and was the inspiration behind the latest Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger
designs).
Lincoln MKR concept car
AUTO SHOW INFORMATION
· Official Web Site:
www.OrangeCountyAutoShow.com
Ford Reflex concept car
VEHICLE HIGHLIGHTS
New or Redesigned 2008 Models
Audi R8
Audi S5
BMW 3 Series Convertible
Buick Enclave
Cadillac CTS
Chevrolet Malibu
Dodge Charger Super Bee
Dodge Viper
Ford Focus
Ford Shelby GT500
Honda Accord Coupe
Hyundai Veracruz
Infiniti G37 Coupe
Jaguar XJ
Jeep Liberty
Lamborghini Superleggera
Lexus IS-F
Lexus LS600h L
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Mitsubishi Lancer
Nissan Rogue
Pontiac G8
Saturn VUE
Scion xB
Subaru Impreza
Suzuki SX4
Toyota Highlander
Volvo C30
Infiniti EX
Hybrid/Flex-Fuel Manufacturers
Chevrolet
Ford
GMC
Honda
Lexus
Mazda
Mercury
Nissan Saturn
Toyota
Pre-Production Vehicles
Ford Flex
Infiniti EX
Lexus IS-F
Concept Vehicles
Chevrolet Camaro Convertible
Chevrolet Volt
Chrysler Imperial
Ford Reflex
Ford Shelby GR-1
Hyundai Genesis
Jeep Hurricane
Lincoln MKR
Mazda Kabura
Saab Aero X
Suzuki Flix
WHAT: More than 500 of the latest cars, trucks, crossovers and sport/utility
vehicles cruised into the Anaheim Convention Center for the 2008-model OC
Auto Show. The automotive extravaganza allowed attendees to check
out all the newest vehicles in a non-selling environment and learn more about
the increasingly popular "green" auto movement, including hybrids and
alternative fuel vehicles. Also on display were concept cars,
exotics, tricked-out aftermarket vehicles, and celebrity rides. Back
this year due to popular demand, the Auto Show Underground blended the West
Coast automotive customizing scene with the hottest entertainment and the latest
vehicle accessories.
The show featured a
speed dating, match-making event
WHO: Representatives from more than 30 leading manufacturers were on-site. The Orange
County Auto Show is owned and presented by the Orange County Automobile Dealers
Association and the Southland Motor Car Dealers Association and produced by
Motor Trend Auto Shows, Inc.