Oh, such an assortment of automotive marvels parked inside the Colorado Convention Center.
It’s the Denver Auto Show, for which two days remain.
A pleasantly disposed woman, I noted, seemed content to wander among the Ford display area at the Charity Preview Party Tuesday night, as other members of her family scurried about the huge hall. Was the attraction the 2015 Mustang, or maybe the small coffee bar? I would inquire.
Do you drive a Ford, I asked.
“No.” A Toyota, or a Lexus?
“No.”
“Six months ago, I bought the first 2014 Quattroporte sold by Sill-TerHar Maserati in Broomfield,” said Jan Scheimer, of Colorado Springs. “It is a wonderful car.” She could be an apt judge of that, for she also owns a Mercedes-Benz S550.
Those luxury vehicles are far to the back of the big show spread, and to walk from Ford, at the front door, all the way through, is to peruse the best and the shiniest of 550 new cars and trucks.
Among them are the Jeep Cherokee, selected SUV of the Year by members of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press; the Chevrolet Silverado, chosen Truck of the Year, and the Lexus IS250/350, named Car of the Year.
The auto show will open its doors at 10 a.m. this morning and again at 10 on Sunday morning.
“This year’s show is high on energy, high on impact and high on technology. From clean to green, to mean and lean, there’s something for everybody,” said Tim Jackson, president of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association.
Truck news is always well received in this part of the country and Chevrolet drew interest by unveiling the High Country edition of its Heavy Duty 2500/3500 series to compete with the Ford King Ranch and Ram Longhorn. A new Power Wagon and an innovative 1500 light-duty EcoDiesel pickup are being shown by Ram. Ford, along with its 50th anniversary Mustang, is focusing on the 2015 F-150 with aluminum-alloy body, bed and cab parts that will shed 700 pounds in overall weight.
The new Corvette Stingray, revealed a year ago in Detroit, rivaled the Mustang for most immediate attraction among showgoers.
Among highlights:
Indoor offroading – Camp Jeep’s traction tests of climbs, descents and obstacles aboard one of the tough 4-by-4s.
Deceptive – What can compare with the big 550-horsepower launch from the small stature of the Nissan GT-R.
Storyteller – Jack TerHar, who last year talked of Jaguar stylist Ian Collum in showing the Jaguar F-Type convertible, this week discussed his meeting with Jaguar owner Ratan Tata and his statement that “I listen with my ears, and hear with my heart, ” in unveiling the F-Type Coupe.
Good catch – The halibut, shared with General Motors executives, at the Oceanaire Seafood Room two blocks from the convention center.
Grilled – The most prominent nose is that of the Audi A8L TDI, or is it the spindle look of the Lexus GX460?
Light touch – The park lights for the 2015 Chrysler 200 have been placed along the forward edge of the front fender wells.
Wheels – How about those titanium-finished beauties on the Audi R8.
A natural – Mention of $1.69 per gallon natural-gas prices at the CNG display.
Great pumpkin – The new Dodge Dart GT finished in header orange clear coat.
Standout models – Jenna, who said at the Ford display, “I’m for sure a Mustang girl,” and Candlelynn, who said the only thing she likes better than promoting Subarus is hiking with her two young sons.
WHAT: The 2014 Denver Auto Show
WHERE: Colorado Convention Center
WHEN: Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, April 13, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
HOW MUCH: $10 for adults; $5 for kids ages 6 through 12 (and free for those younger)
Saturday Drive can also be viewed online at DenverPost.com/budwells. Bud Wells can be reached via e-mail at bwells@denverpost.com.
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