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The Chevy Corvette, in orange or any other color, is always an attraction at the car show. The Denver International Auto Show, as in Detroit and Chicago earlier this year, will feature modern and conceptual hybrid offerings among almost every makers' display. Diesel power, “high in economy, low in emissions,” will be shown, too, along with plug-in electrics and fine-tuned versions of the faithful internal combustion engine. Interestingly, Denver was staging an annual car show 100 years ago, and newspapers reported that the 1908 showgoers strolled past models with internal combustion engines and compared them with several cars energized by electric motors, and a couple by steam-power. The Fritchle electric, built in Denver by entrepreneur Oliver Parker Fritchle, was an attraction. In driving through the East Colfax/Clarkson Street intersection today, notice the red brick building on the northeast corner. This building, the Fillmore Auditorium, in 1908 was known as the Mammoth Skating Rink and housed the showing of 107 new cars. This week's event, Wednesday through Sunday at the 400,000-square-foot Colorado Convention Center, is the biggest car show ever seen in the Rocky Mountain region. Featured will be everything from gas/electric hybrids to ethanol-capable vehicles to stylish crossovers to two new pickup trucks - the 2009 Ford F-150 and the Dodge Ram. A green side to tradition, you might say. Plug-in electric hybrids, planned by Toyota for its Prius and Chevrolet for its Volt concept, are the next step in the evolution of the powerplants, and permit overnight charging of the electric motor to extend the range of that power source with less dependence on the more costly internal combustion engine. Toyota and General Motors say the plug-in hybrids could be available by 2010. Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and BMW are bringing their high-tech clean diesel technology, developed over the years for the European market, to the U.S. Others also are promoting diesels. Mitsubishi uses a high-output, low-emissions 2.2-liter diesel engine in its shark-nosed Concept RA. Jeep uses a 3-cylinder diesel and twin electric motors in its Renegade concept. |
The competition is fierce, yet fun, when placed in an auto show setting. The 2009 Dodge Challenger, retro-styled to the early-1970s muscle car, will entertain boomers and others. BMW will show off its new X6, which will have a 407-horsepower, twin-turbocharged V-8, and, a little later, will become BMW's first hybrid vehicle.
The Mercedes-Benz Vision GLK Bluetec diesel concept appeared at the Detroit show. This year's Denver show, for the first time, is under direction of the Paragon Group, which produces the New England International Auto Show in Boston and the Portland, Ore., Auto Show. Plans for Denver began in late August, when Garry Edgar, president of the Paragon Group, met with members of the Metro Denver Automobile Dealers Association (MDADA).
Garry Edgar (right), president of the Paragon Group, discusses the upcoming Denver International Auto Show with Michael Cotsworth of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Bill Maffeo, of Medved Colorado, who headed up last year's car show for the sponsoring Metro Denver Dealers, is serving as chairman of the 2008 Denver Auto Show Committee. Other members are Carol Scott of Gateway Mazda, Michael McDonald of McDonald VW Audi, Mark Wallace of Ralph Schomp Automotive, Pete Tynan of Tynan's Volkswagen and Don Hicks of Shortline Auto, all supported by Tim Jackson, executive vice president of MDADA and president of Colorado Automobile Dealers Association. It was the arrival of Bill Barrow, now retired, as head of the MDADA in 1977 that launched the Denver Auto Show on its way to its prominence of today. The resumption of a major car show for the Rocky Mountain area was a primary focus for Barrow and it happened with a three-day event at downtown's Currigan Hall in the spring of 1978. Expansion of the show occurred with the opening of the Colorado Convention Center. The Denver International Auto Show will include the popular aftermarket products and accessories exhibits. For information, check www.denverautoshow.com, 303-831-1691 or 1-888-704-4199. - Photos by Bud Wells |
Car Show is Green with Tradition
By Bud Wells