2008 Detroit Auto Show

Appel, Tom, Jennifer Geiger and Ed Piotrowski. "2008 Detroit Auto Show." 19 November 2007. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2008-detroit-auto-show-main-cga.htm> 13 May 2008.

by Tom Appel, Jennifer Geiger and Ed Piotrowski

Cadillac's CTS Coupe Concept made a surprise appearance at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show.

While Detroit may seem down, especially in light of Toyota's sales eclipse of former Big Three second placeholder Ford, Motor City is far from out during January's North American International Auto Show. Despite its struggles during the past year, excitement and anticipation reign as the city once again played host to the newest, hottest production vehicles and outrageous, what-if concept cars. All told, approximately 50 concept and production vehicles made their debut.

As with years past, more and more alternative fuel vehicles were beneath the show's curtains and on its stands. From concepts like Chrysler's lithium-ion battery and fuel-cell-powered ecoVoyager to Saturn's production-ready Vue Green Line 2-Mode Hybrid, automakers are proving that the focus is continually shifting from horsepower to hybrids.

Not all the news was green this year. GM roared into Detroit with two of its highly-anticipated, horsepower-boosted models. Cadillac's 2009 supercharged 550-horsepower CTS-V and Chevrolet's supercharged 620-plus horsepower Corvette ZR1 both made a splash in Detroit. Kia and parent Hyundai also made powertrain news, with first-ever V8-powered models taking the stage.

Utility vehicles also got quite a bit of time in the limelight at this year's show. New SUV entries from Kia and BMW were unveiled as well as Honda's redesigned Pilot (in thinly-disguised concept guise) and Subaru's restyled Forester.

Check out what else turned heads at this year's 2008 Detroit Auto Show.

Detroit Auto Show Day 1

Detroit Auto Show Day 2