The San Francisco 55th International Auto Show delivers the goods

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LEISURE / AUTOS & MOTORCYCLES / CAR & TRUCK ENTHUSIASTS
This was my first time attending the SF Auto show, and it delivers in the tradition of the larger shows with lots of floor space and multiple
models from many of the manufacturers. If you’re curious, shopping or an enthusiast, it’s a great opportunity to compare, contrast, climb
in and out, peer under the hoods and really get an eyeful of what is for sale today. If you find you really enjoy checking out all the
varieties, allow at least 3 hours, including eating to take it all in.
See also: san francisco auto show
The San Francisco 55th International Auto Show delivers the
goods
November 22, 2012
12:39 PM MST
San Francisco Internation Auto Show
Rating:     
Various sights from the auto show.
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20 photos 
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First some facts and a couple of tips:
When: Thursday 11/22 – Monday 11/26
Hours: Thursday – Sunday, 10am – 10pm, Monday 10am – 8pm
Where: Moscone Convention Center, 747 Howard St, between 3rd and 4th, North & South Halls
Cost: $9, children 12 and younger free with an adult. Oddly, tickets can only be purchased at the door.
Driving there: From the south bay, I prefer 280N to the 6th Street Exit, turn right on either Brannan, Bryant or Folsom, left on 3rd street. A
parking garage will be on your right side, very close to Folsom St.
Parking: Preferring this garage during past trade shows, try driving all the way up if crowded and work your way down. Likely you’ll find a
spot.
Food: If the convention center food is not to your liking, there is an excellent Mediterranean restaurant that handles crowds well at the
corner of Howard & 4th Street. If you walk north on 4th Street, the Westfield Metreon is right there with a good variety as well.
San Jose Cars Examiner
San Jose Cars Examiner
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Leaving the show: Turn right out of the garage and immediately get in the left lane, then turn left on Howard Street which runs between
the two main halls. Turn left on 4th Street. Now as of last night, on 4th Street stay to your LEFT of the fork due to construction, then make
a right-hand turn onto the Freeway. If you’re on the right, it’s a sharp right-hand turn onto Harrison. Be careful here.
Parents: Please respect attendees and the vehicles by not letting your kids walk and stand on the seats while we patiently wait to sit
where their shoes have been while contemplating our $20k-$100k purchase.
All the players are here except for one very conspicuously absent award winner. The manufacturers who are really on their game
displayed their cars with the wheel center caps perfectly horizontal. Trunks are propped open to highlight storage. The trucks, due to
their utility may be the most fun to check out with interior and exterior features. Besides 2013 production cars, there are lots of other
things to see. What you won’t see is Tesla. While it would be a nice gesture, it’s probably the first time the Motor Trend Car of the Year
wasn’t on display at a major car show, especially one close to corporate. The North American Car of the Year, the 2012 Hyundai Elantra
was there and I assume with Land Rover being there, the Evoque with its Truck of the Year title.
There is a very impressive classic car collection from the Academy of Art, the now ubiquitous Alternative Fuel vehicle displays, a Ferrari
458 Spyder with the Ferrari Club, some beautiful Hot Rods from the Dominator Street Rods and Aftermarket Alley with some of the more
impressive customized cars, both foreign and domestic along with multiple race cars. There are Ride & Drives, Geico autograph
sessions as well as a Paul Jr. Designs motorcycle.
Audi has all their cars in white except for an RS5 and an R8 V10 Spyder. You tell me who has the best interior, Audi or BMW? These cars
are stunning.
BMW has their stunners with perhaps the best variety in colors on display. Many others have too many earth tones. The M6 convertible
is striking and the 650i could be show stealer.
Cadillac has the V family and an ATS among others.
Chevrolet has two Corvettes including the 427ci convertible. The new Impala looks vastly improved over the previous rental-car fodder.
A ZL1 convertible finally justifies the Camaro.
The Dodge Dart probably has the best interior in its class. Sharp little car. The Longhorn Edition Dodge Ram Dually with 800+ ftlbs of
torque is a big, bad truck.
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Ford Fusion is an impressive Jaguar/Tesla Model S looking car while the Taurus has laughable rear leg room for a giant sedan. One of
the better displays overall, by why does the $65,000 GT500 Mustang have a hood prop rod? And why is the best Mustang ever, the
Boss 302 being discontinued.
Hondas has interesting separate audio and navigation screens. The Civic and Accord are always popular. However their modified
aftermarket Accord looked horrendous. And plastic brake caliper covers are an abomination.
Hyundai and Kia continue to impress. The Optima finally getting decent wheels from this decade and their interiors must be seen by
anyone shopping for a mid-size sedan.
Infiniti’s new news is their SUVs, the JX with lots of safety features. Now having a rear back-up camera and sensors so you can identify
the hazard(s) that are getting audible warnings.
Jaguar’s display is highlighted by the sinister XK-RS convertible
Lamborghini and Lotus has a corral, no Aventador but when you see what is there, you won’t complain.
Lexus has a stunning F-sport LS with aftermarket treatment.
Mini may have the best display showing a bit of everything despite a rather narrow line-up. But $40,000 for a JCW GP model? Really?
Mitsubishi was also absent. Odd for one of the few pure electric vehicle manufacturers.
Nissan offers a big variety, not only sports, sedans, trucks, SUVs and pure electric, but now a van! A big van!
Porsche was present due to dealer participation by Livermore Porsche and the new 911 may be perfect. The Boxter however, now that it
is all grown up, needs a 50-100hp shot, and it would be perfect. Some say, it's perfect already. They may be right.
SRT – A no show. No Charger, 300, Challenger (SRT versions) and most importantly, the Viper were not to be seen. The biggest
disappointment of the show.
Subaru and Scion are right next to each other, showing their excellent, rear drive sports cars, the Subaru BRZ and the Scion FR-S, also
next to each other. As if they don’t care which one you buy, just buy one of them!
Toyota has everything there, the Camry is very nice but the new Avalon should suddenly have everyone paying attention to its
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thoroughly re-invented image.
Volkswagen – an excellent display with a fun, interactive virtual, “Paint your car” station. The CC is extremely under appreciated. The
Passat, while very vanilla seems superb with quite a few reporting 40mpg from the diesel model. The perfect sedan perhaps.
Others include Aston (no Vanquish), Bentley with a GTC, Rolls Royce and others.
The 55th San Francisco Auto Show presented by AutoTrader.com truly a worthwhile show to see, much easier than hitting the dealer lots
hoping for a model to be in stock. No matter what your target interest is, take some time this break and enjoy the show, it is highly
recommended.
_____
Have a question about cars you would like answered? Want to know about performance, racing, modifying, shopping, makes, models,
events, etc. Reach me here: askrobaboutcars@gmailcom and I'll do my best to answer your question and publish it here on
Examiner.com!
Robert Eckaus
San Jose Cars Examiner
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