A HOT ROD Gallery of the 2016 Detroit Auto Show
We kept hearing something sort of disturbing at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show. People would look down at the HOT ROD badge and say, “I’m afraid there’s not much for you guys here. Not many hot rods.” The nerve! Firstly, our definition of a hot rod is broader than most folks realize, and secondly, even by traditional standards, we found plenty of high horsepower and souped up machinery inside Cobo Hall.
If you’re planning to visit NAIAS, here’s a quick guide to getting the most HOT ROD experience.
1. See How Things Work
The displays at the auto shows are getting more interactive, which is awesome. We’re happy with a simple cutaway, but now you can find see-through casings, moving parts, and explanatory videos. If our physics classes had been this clear, we might be astronauts by now.
2. Participate
We have to give the award for most fun booth to Ford. Its family-friendly display included coloring books, Legos, and a virtual off-road simulator, but Ford wasn’t the only company encouraging people to engage with the product. Dodge had a Viper “drive” experience in the back corner, and numerous other brands had Forza and other videogame consoles ready to offer you a safe chance to ram a new car into the wall coming off the Laguna Seca corkscrew.
3. Celebrity Spotting
Bone up on your auto industry VIP stalking skills. Detroit is home to a huge amount of designers, engineers, and executives. From Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis to Camaro’s chief engineer Al Oppenheiser, NAIAS is a great place to tell the men and women in charge what you think of the new sheetmetal.
4. Comparison Shop
Looking for a muscley two-door? Scope out the Ford GT350 Mustang, Chevy’s new Camaro, the Dodge Challenger—available in Hellcat, Scat Pack and Plum Crazy Purple, not all mutually exclusive. Stop by Cadillac and consider the more upscale muscle in the CTS-V, if you have time to wait, maybe consider the stunning concept Buick Avista. Compare the American offerings to a Nissan GT-R or the new Lexus LC 500. It’s encouraging for hot rodders that there are still so many new V8s, but it’s also interesting to see the six-cylinder engines competing with V8s. Have a look at them all. If you want something even sportier, take a seat in the Corvette Z06 or consider the Viper ACR. Why not to match up the Acura NSX with the Ford GT? It’s not often you see them all in one place.