07 Auto Show

DSC00935 We start at BMW, it's 2007, and this is a 650i... (notice all curves)	autoshow-Z9-11 but the 650i looks exactly like the Z9 we saw in 2001. I can't find my pictures from the '01 NY Auto Show, but I remembered I wanted those wheels. This pic is from JonT, he's posted more pics from the show. Rumor has it that there actually is a Z9 coming out next year (announcement due April 21 at Shanghai Auto Show), with the gull wing doors that also can open as usual modern doors. On reviewing the pictures this year, a pattern for the future has developed.
DSC00936 650i interior- iDrive.	DSC00943 BMW's display was trying to make a point about it's new technologies- as if they were apologizing for taking control from the driver and giving more control to the car. This display was meant to pit a human hand against unseen technology: See how much better a machine can deliver a metal ball on rails?
DSC00940 This is nice new technology. Cruise control based on the car in front of yours' speed.	DSC00938 This familiar demonstration was changed to show that a ball would resist hitting the ball next to it with unseen technology.
DSC00939 A display of "heads up" technology. This shows a GPS and spedometer reading as seen on a windshield. Could be nice.	DSC00941 The BMW staff huddled together at the BMW Individual 5 Series car with their backs to the civilians, while obscuring the sign about the car. It was as if they were saying it was OK to ignore the people because none of us were possible customers. Prescient?
DSC00942 They just stood there together ignoring everyone, showing their backs even while I was taking pictures of them. You can see the empty balcony area- ostensibly for clients- in the background. The whole BMW area portrayed a lack of excitement about anything- especially the crowd. Attendance at the Special BMW NA morning preview is so low they will probably cancel it. ALL the other car makers you will see put in a great effort for customers at the show.	DSC00944 Interior of the 5 series Individual program car. Apparently it has the iDrive. Can't tell you much else about it as the staff ignored us and covered the signage standing around chatting to each other. Also the shades of the "Individual" colors were all sort of the same dark blue, dark grey. Not very individual. But gee, they have cupholders. Update: I see now from the autoshowny.com web site this was the debut of the 535i.
DSC00948 2007 BMW 328xi Coupe details.	DSC00950 Nice looking convertible 335i. Wonder if it has the option for all wheel drive. (again, all curves) And they managed to cover the roof without a boot or large gaps (see Z4 picture at bottom of page)- but there was no information on how the roof looks when it's up.
DSC00947 Nice trunk storage in the 335i convertible even with the top down. Looks like the back seats fold down as well. Very nice.	DSC00951 A beautiful M5. No information.
DSC00952 Gorgeous M6- again it looks like the 2001 Z9 concept car, it has no angles, nice gills- and the back window remains in place with the top down to act as a windscreen.	DSC00953 Although the front seats do go back into the back seats, and the back seats are diminuative, a normal person could sit in the front and leave enough room for back seat legs. (Although knees may be another story.)
DSC00956 Kind of cool hiding trunk release. On many cars we could not figure out where to find the trunk release, and/or the trunk release actually needed battery power to open?	DSC00954 Nice trunk space in the M6 convertible- even with the top down. Again, no idea what it looks like with the top up.
DSC00958 Whoever does these pictures for BMW really needs help. I think what it's saying is that you can put 1/4 as much stuff in the trunk with the top down as with it up.	DSC00927 For nearly half a million dollars you can get this lovely Mercedes SLR.
DSC00928 Enough leg room- and hair room- for Donald Trump, who has one.	DSC00930 I would NOT like the exhaust blowing out in front of my face from below! For half a million dollars???? This is the same on the 2004 Autoshow model.
DSC00931 The hood really makes a point. But I keep hearing the theme music to Batman.	DSC00932 The SLK makes me wonder what the Z3 would be like if BMW had continued to make it instead of dumping it after 7 years of production. Clearly the SLK has improved on the details. Mesh inside the roll hoops, a clear windscreen between.
DSC00933 SLK interior	DSC00960 Dodge Demon Concept Car. Hmmm. A roadster with flared fenders and curves, gills... a couple of subtle angles- like inside the wheel well. Metallic Orange was definitely the color of the day at the Auto Show.
DSC00961 Small side mirrors, dual exhaust- with angled exhaust detail. But the car is all curves.	DSC00962 Demon interior - nice interior and hot pedals.
DSC01069 The S2000 also hanging in there in bright red.	DSC00959 Unfortunately the boot cover on the S2000 is no better after half a decade.
DSC00963 A lot of the new hot cars seemed to opt for huge rear spoilers. The boot area with those Solstice humps is interesting but how does the roof go up and down? And let's not even mention the color...	PDRM0683 Speaking of the Solstice- this picture is the Solstice as a concept car in 2004.
DSC00964 and here is the Solstice in 2007. This was a great concept car, and it's great in 2007. A couple Z3 people have bought them and love them.	DSC00965 Solstice interior
DSC00966 Curves, hot colors, details, retro styling... a winner.	DSC00967 It's not my favorite head shot for a car, but its unmistakable, original and friendly. I always refer to Desmond Morris' evaluation of car "faces". Headlight "eyes" and grill "mouths". The expression on this face is charming. I wonder if they have the stone chip problem for that curved front end.
DSC00968 Pontiac G6 convertible. Couldn't figure out how to open the trunk.	DSC00969 G6 interior
DSC00970 Pontiac G8.	DSC00975 Chevrolet Volt Concept Car. Happily there were a lot of alternative energy use cars on display. (note the electrical plug waiting to be plugged in) Nice looking car as well. Tiny side mirrors, curves in all the right places, details with straight lines.