Denver Auto Show 2011

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Over the past few decades, the Denver Auto Show has attracted Mile High attendees to see the different makes and models of almost every manufacturer.  Back in 1991, 300,0000 square feet of carpet was covered with over 500 production vehicles worth ten million dollars filled the Denver convention center.

Fast forward to 2011 and the Denver Auto Show has held its own as one of the best Auto Shows west of Detroit, expanding to over 500,000 square feet of space needed to house the full show. Thirty-seven different Automakers, exhibiting a wide range of their vehicles, showed up to the Auto Show, some shining in the spotlight above others. Out of the 37 automakers, 15 were European brands, ranging from Lotus and Fiat to Mercedes Benz and BMW, with a few really stealing the crowd’s attention.

The first car to shine and gather a crowd of onlookers was the new BMW 1M, not to be confused with the BMW M1 built in the late 1970s. The highly anticipated 1M unveiled itself with its extreme body styling to the Denver public this past week.  The M engineers claimed to almost perfectly balance the car with the weight distribution of 51.7 in the front and 48.3 in the rear.

The 1M has been designed for the enthusiast and track days. The 335 hp and 332 lb-ft torque twin-turbo power plant has been mated with a 6-speed manual transmission. The M engineers had another trick up their sleeve, giving the enhanced engine management system an electronically controlled over- boost function, or as Jeremy Clarkson, from BBC’s Top Gear, would say, “a POWER button”, which increases torque briefly to 369 lb-ft.

The 1M will complete the 0-60 mph in a flat 4.7 seconds and finish the quarter mile in 13.2 seconds. The M engineers did not stop with engine upgrades, also giving this car an exterior makeover. Using the 135i as the base platform, designers increased the width and length by a couple inches. The 1M starts with an aggressive front fascia stretching back to exceptionally wide rear fenders and ending with the signature quad tailpipes of the M cars.

Another big highlight of the show was the introduction of the Fiat 500 alongside the new Fiat of Denver Dealership. The Fiat 500, designed and built in Europe originally to fit the need of compact and fuel-efficient transportation, has been modified to meet U.S. automotive requirements, with a new suspension system, revamped ABS and braking system, increased fuel tank and advanced heating and cooling systems have all been added to. The Fiat 500 packs a fuel-efficient 1.4 liter 101 horsepower engine that will keep you far away from the pump, but still able to tackle the mountain roads. All these features make this small yet sporty coupe a great car for Denver.

The new Fiat Dealership in Aurora will be called “Fiat Studios” and will fashion a different buying experience with a relaxed, youthful atmosphere. The Fiat 500 and the new dealership gathered a substantial crowd, making it tough to even get a good look at the strikingly sporty compact. The “Fiat Studio” and Fiat 500 stole the limelight at the auto show.

With new cars and new dealerships being displayed, another section of the huge convention center attracted a mammoth crowd. Ferrari of Denver brought out the big guns to the show, with the Ferrari 458, Bentley Fexl-Fuel Supersport, Lotus Evora, Ferrari California and Ferrari 599 being presented to the biggest crowd at any of the past Denver Auto Shows. Red velvet rope surrounded what was probably the most viewed car at the show, the Ferrari 458.

With as jaw dropping as the Ferrari 458 was, what really stood out was the yellow Lotus Evora, even with Ferraris and Bentleys surrounding it. After sitting inside, the interior was quite spacious, which gives the impression of being in a clown car when compared to older Lotus models.

Thousands of Coloradoans passed through the convention center doors over the five days, comparing interiors, horsepower and mpg, gathering information to make their next car purchase, while also being able to see in person cars that otherwise might be outside of their price range.  With such a huge variety of vehicles to check out, this event has become one that should not be missed from year to year.

Photos by Mike Selander and Alex Martinez