Thousands of people from the Detroit Auto Show were evacuated on Thursday due to an electrical fire above the Audi exhibit. No injuries were reported and the show reopened a few hours later.

The damage is minor, affecting only the stand. Audi’s cars were unharmed as they were covered quickly when the fire broke out. Audi had on display a version of its E-tron concept and its new flagship sedan, the A8. Auto show spokesman Sam Locricchio said that all that was needed was to remove the soot in the area. As of 3:15 p.m., the concourse at Detroit’s Cobo Center was peaceful and orderly. Outside, emergency vehicles were seen parked with their lights flashing, and police officers were directing traffic. Those who had to leave the show and didn’t bother coming back in the afternoon will be issued tickets for another day.

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Tags:2010 detroit auto show, 2010 naias, Audi, audi detroit show fire, car news, detroit auto show fire
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A dramatic rise in attendance was seen at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, with 21,000 more attendees on Monday than in the previous year. The show’s organizers said that in 2009, there were 39,715 attendees at the show on Monday while for this year, 61,112 attended. The attendance for Saturday and Sunday was slightly raised. In 2009, 74,613 went on Saturday and 90,608 on Sunday. But in 2010, there were 83,715 attendees on Saturday and 96,623 went on Sunday. In a statement, Doug Fox, chairman of the 2010 show, said that he couldn’t be more pleased with the public’s response. He explained that the positive vibe of preview week is “spilling into its public days.” He hopes that the momentum will continue.

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Bentley unveiled its latest flagship sedan, the 2011 Mulsanne, at this year’s Detroit Auto Show. Offering a palette of 114 paint colours, 21 carpet colours, nine wood veneers and 24 interior leather hides, the new sedan will be priced at $285,000 in the United States.

The new car will carry the impressive 6.75-liter V8 engine capable to deliver 505bhp and 752lb ft of torque and mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The new engine is lighter and features cylinder de-activation and variable cam phasing, a combination that can significantly reduce both fuel consumption and CO2emissions. Inside, we find heritage-inspired dials and new glass-effect switches lay leading edge features including iPod and mp3 connectivity, Bluetooth and a SIM card reader, as well as a 3G MMI system. The big surprise is NAIM’s premium audio system, a.k.a. world’s most powerful system fitted to a production vehicle: a 20-channel 2,200-watt experience. Photo gallery after the jump!

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Tags:2010 detroit auto show, 2010 naias, 2011 bentley mulsanne, 2011 mulsanne, Bentley, detroit auto show 2010
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On display at the Detroit Auto Show is an all-wheel-drive Cadillac plug-in concept – the XTS Platinum – that is seen to influence its upcoming flagship sedan. The concept has touch screens on the instrument panel and rear-seat entertainment connections.

In a statement, Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac’s general manager, said that this concept is envisioned as an “automotive personal headquarters, using advanced technology to enable new levels of connectivity and luxury.” Cadillac’s DTS and STS sedans are expected to be replaced with the XTS by the 2012 model year. However, it remains unsure if the name will be kept. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:2010 detroit auto show, 2010 naias, Cadillac, cadillac xts platinum concept, Detroit Auto Show, xts platinum concept
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Men aren’t particularly clamoring for small cars but if there’s one that most appeals to them, it would be the model that’s inspired by the Aveo RS Concept, according to General Motors Co. Vice Chairman Bob Lutz.

The model, which is currently showcased at the Detroit Auto Show, is a sportier version of the current Aveo budget car that hints at the next-generation car due in 2011. Lutz describes the car to be a “pocket rocket” but he said that he wants to juice it up more as he and Vice Chairman Tom Stephens are not satisfied with its 1.4-liter turbo. Lutz added that they’re currently working to give it more horsepower. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:2010 detroit auto show, 2010 naias, aveo rs concept, car news, Chevrolet, chevrolte aveo rs concept, Detroit Auto Show
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Ford Motor Co. has finally revealed the full details of the 2011 Ford Mustang GT. According to its official specifications, the car is equipped with a new 5.0 liter V8 engine that uses 4 valves per cylinder and Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT), producing 412 HP and 390 lb-ft (529 Nm) of torque.

Its old five-speed transmissions will also be replaced with either the MT82 six-speed manual transmission or the 6R80 six-speed automatic transmission. Ford should be lauded because with the automatic transmission, the 2011 GT’s fuel consumption figures will be 25 MPG (9.4 l/100 km) for the highway and 17 (13.8 l/100 km) MPG in the city. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:2010 detroit auto show, 2010 naias, 2011 ford mustang, 2011 ford mustang gt, 2011 mustang gt, car news, Detroit Auto Show, Ford
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As the 2011 Z4 sDrive35is, a new version of the Z4 roadster, will soon go on sale, details have been released. The car was given several major modifications, which include a revised straight six cylinder engine with Twin Turbo Technology, High Precision Injection and the M Sports Package, complete with M Suspension.

Unveiled at this year’s North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, the new roadster will take point in the Z4 range and comes with a twin-turbo straight-six power unit that delivers 340 hp at 5,8000 rpm and 450 Nm of torque at 1,400 rpm. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:2010 detroit auto show, 2010 naias, 2011 Z4 sDrive35is, 2011 Bmw Z4 sDrive35is, Bmw, car news, Detroit Auto Show
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One of the most talked about attendees of the “Electric Avenue” at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit was the manufacturer Green Vehicles.

It displayed the Triac pure electric vehicle and coincided that with the announcement that production for the three-wheeler will soon begin. Mike Ryan, Green Vehicles’ president said that the Triac will help reduce the number of polluting vehicles on the road but at the same, it will give drivers, “the real pleasure of experiencing well-applied technology at an affordable price.” Continued after the jump!

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Tags:2010 detroit auto show, 2010 naias, green vehicles triac, naias, triac electric vehicle
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Bentley unveiled today at the Detroit Auto Show the Series 51 Package, a new program that provides thousands of configurations available through company’s expansive colour and trim catalogue.

First of all, we have to tell you that the Series 51 Package is named after the first official styling department established in Crewe by John Blatchle, who shaped the legendary 1950s Bentley Continentals. Every Series 51 car will offer a highly-distinctive interior colour palette and unique exterior design cues. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:2010 detroit auto show, 2010 naias, bentley series 51 package, car news, continental gt series 51
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Recently unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show is the 2011 Ford Focus, which boasts a sportier look. This model was engineered with North American buyers in mind but it has European-inspired ride, handling and styling.

Very noticeably, the 2011 Focus has a new trapezoidal grille but wait until you view the interior, which Ford says is intended to evoke the feeling of an airplane cockpit. At the Detroit show, Ford Motor Co. executives were on-hand to unveil the five-door hatchback and sedan. According to Martin Smith, the automaker’s design chief for Europe, the car is intended to “demonstrate how Ford will bring European flavor to America.” Continued after the jump!

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Tags:2010 detroit auto show, 2010 naias, 2011 focus, 2011 ford focus, detroit live photos, naias photos
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