Show Auto Expo Shows bows Off Latest Models Jessica Harrison Arts Editor As college students most of f us are happy appy if our cars ars just start in m the morning Getting from point A to point B is all we care about Making it all ail the way to school without it dying or running out of gas is a bonus But Jut we all ail dream ream of driving the ultimate car carsome carsome carsome some day in the near future Last weekend students from Salt Lake Community College along with Wasatch Front residents were able to get an up-close up and personal look at all ail the latest and greatest vehicles on the market mat The Utah International Auto Expo held at the South Towne Exposition Center is an annual event marking the beginning of the model year and showcasing showcasing showcasing show show- casing the latest designs and technological advancements advancements advancements advance advance- ments in the automotive industry It also highlights production pre-production models and concept cars The main attraction for c i rf a e k This years year's Concept Car was featured at the Auto Expo in white though other colors can be purchased attendees is the ability to sit in the cars look under uner the hood play with all the little gizmos and not be bothered bothered bothered both both- ered by bya a salesman trying to tomake tomake tomake make his weekly goal I like to go to the show to see what is new and exciting in the automotive industry says student student student stu stu- stu- stu dent Joshua Harrison Hanison Basically I just like cars trucks or anything that has wheels on it Everyone who attends the show leaves with a few favorites While Harrisons Harrison's favorites include the BMW Audi AAL and the Range Rover by Land Rover those weren't the only vehicles that drew attention The Toyota Scion which will be introduced in 2005 drew large crowds A cross between a Mini Cooper and anda a Honda Element the Scion looks more like a happy meal toy than something you'd load your family and friends into But with innovative innovative innovative inno inno- features including an player Bazooka sub- sub I woofer and illuminated cup holders the Scion looks to be a hit with the younger crowd The Chevy provides provides pro pro- provides vides an updated look lookS g S to the classic roadster p It features a power- power J retractable hardtop that 3 opens and closes in 30 N 5 seconds The has a 8 horsepower engine and suspension o 0 similar to that of a jf c Trailblazer a The Smart Car which will hit the US market in 2006 is somewhat of ofa a curiosity to Americans who are becoming ever more attached to the This small car began as the brainchild of Mercedes- Mercedes Benz and Swatch Group Ltd in 1994 with the goal of creating a small fuel efficient safe car Its US U.S. debut at the New York Marathon in 2003 and its subsequent showings at auto sows shows throughout the States is helping to build anticipation for its upcoming upcoming release ing mg release Always popular with attendees the concept cars this year were not pointing But while the me Dodge Power Wagon Concept a tribute to the old Power Wagon of the and impressed it is the GM AUTOnomy that really stole the show This futuristic car is what GM hopes will be bc the ultimate ultimate ultimate ulti mate solution to making real progress in cleaning the environment It uses powered hydrogen-powered fuel cells that are clean and dispense dispense dispense dis dis- dis- dis pense distilled water vapor as the only exhaust emis emis- sion GM plans to have fuel cell vehicles ready for the market within the next 10 years The new cells will offer more flexibility in automotive design and dri dri- ver position With its clean lines and environmental appeal GM is on target with their vision for the future Like GM most students are looking to the future Students who went to this years year's Utah International Auto Expo had help planning planning planning plan plan- ning that future by examining examining examining ing and comparing hundreds hundreds hundreds hun hun- of vehicles vehicles The Auto Expo will be back next year with even better toys to show off For those of you who cant can't wait until then men visit their at for more information a ar r 4 x 1 y 44 2 4 l' l b t 0 s People 1 at the Auto Ant Expo look inside of the Smart Car Carto to I see future of the automotive world |