Detroit Auto Show 2005 - Photo Highlights

By Vince Bodiford,
Automotive Editor

You either love it or hate it - that's the nature of new product at auto shows - where brands like Audi reveal their design language and product direction.
Ford Motor Company continues to raise the bar with showstoppers like this Cobra concept.	Ford's new Mustang went topless for the Detroit Auto Show, with convertibles now available.	Ford GT continues to capture attention.
A line of customized New Ford Mustangs.	General Motors stand entrance showcases the newest product from The General.	Buick concept manifests Bob Lutz's vision for a revitalized Buick brand.
General Motors engines	Porsche Carrera GT.	Vintage Porsche Spyder.
BMW Concept Clean Energy Hydrogen Power	Wall Mounted Mini Cooper coupe.	The new Mini Cooper Convertible.
Smart Car concept.	Bob Lutz and Gary Cowger reveal the new 500-hp Corvette Z06 as Ron Fellows prepares to exit the Corvette Z06-R in the background.	An unusual sighting of the new Opel fastback, not sold in the USA.
Ford reveals its King Ranch Edition F-150. F-150 sold nearly a million copies in 2004.	Ford's Vault concept won't likely be built but the idea is sound.	Ford's Fusion concept will likely lead to a production variant.
Chrysler Hemi-powered Firepower concept.	Chrysler Hemi-powered Firepower concept.	Absorbing the Saturn Sky is Nissan savior Carlos Ghosn and entourage.
Volkswagen Ragster concept is based on the Volkswagen New Beetle. Auto Shows of yesteryear featured models at each stand. That's not the case today - dressed to match the car and each other, these young ladies are Product Specialists from Volkswagens North American headquarters.	General Motors revealed its much-anticipated Hummer H3 production prototype. Expect to see these by Fall 2005. Built on the Chevrolet Colorado pickup architecture, they are about the size of a Jeep Grand Cherokee, but much sexier.	Bob Lutz may have saved Saturn from the same fate as Oldsmobile by approving for production the new Saturn Sky roadster, and another new sedan based on GM's Epsilon platform - the underpinnings of Saab's 9-3 and the Chevrolet Impala.
Bob Lutz toured the show with a small group of automotive media to hear his opinions on the new models.	Vince Bodiford (left) visits with longtime friend Carl Sheffer, SEMA's Vice President of OEM Relations and former GM public relations heavyweight.	The Weekend Drive's Vince Bodiford is about to drive the Porsche Carrera GT off the stand and out of Cobo Hall. Lack of keys made this venture impossible.

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