Our time in Detroit is coming to a close. Yesterday we reported from day one. After another long day at the COBO Center, the second of two press preview days at the North American International Auto Show is almost over. Today was totally different than yesterday, we only attending one press conference and instead decided to pound the pavement heavily padded carpet to find you the best enthusiast stories we could find. To that, we went old school, we interviewed people. Ideally people you would find interesting. Here’s a sampling.
BMW M2 Design Lead – Hussein Al-attar
BMW M2 Design Lead: Hussein Al-attar
We’re at the 2016 North American International Auto Show with Michael Thompson as he interviews Hussein Al-attar, the lead designer of the 2016 BMW M3. Hussein gives us an inside look at the design philosophy and aerodynamic bits that make the BMW M2 and M2. It’s straight from the man behind the creation!
Dodge and SRT Design Lead – Mark Trostle
Interview: Dodge and SRT Design Lead, Mark Trostle
We got to talk Hellcats with Mark Trostle, lead designer for Dodge and SRT. Find out how a family sedan can travel at 204mph and what went into designing one of the craziest, most powerful cars in the world. From air intakes, to aerodynamics, to cooling, this was a huge challenge. Find out secrets behind the Hellcats!
Mazda Design Group Lead – Ken Saward
Interview: Mazda Speedster Designer, Ken Saward
Mazda is the prototypical enthusiast company. People like Mazda Design Group Manager Ken Saward are part of the reason why. Ken helped design the NB Miata and was responsible for the leading the MX-5 Miata Speedster and Spyder concepts that debuted at the last SEMA. Mazda brought the Ether Blue Speedster to the North American International Auto Show here in Detroit. We got to sit down with him and talk sports cars, design, and found out he races his own ND Miata in SCCA and NASA events. Of course he does, Mazda rocks.
Day Two Favorites
Today’s big news was certainly the Lincoln Continental. Everyone knew it was coming, the images of the new luxury sedan leaked prior to this morning’s debut. But as we sat in the posh Lincoln booth and listened to a 3-piece band play Sinatra, sung by a sultry brunette, it didn’t really matter.
Lincoln Continental
Sporting a 3.0L twin turbo V6, not a current Ford offering, this is Lincoln specific, the AWD 400hp/400 ft. lbs sedan looks the part. RFD staff in attendance were in agreement that it the lack of suicide rear doors is a gross oversight, but overall it’s a great survival move by Lincoln and should do well.
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
We (OK, “I”) loved the new 505hp bi-turbo Alfa sedan so much, I fawned over it on a quick-look video.
Best of the Rest
