2014 Detroit Auto Show: What to Expect

By Matt Schmitz

January 8, 2014

No word on dogs, but there's certainly going to be a pony show next week at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. That's when the world will get an up-close look at the 2015 Ford Mustang, unveiled last month with much fanfare.

2015 Ford Mustang: First Look

Show attendees making the acquaintance of the redesigned muscle-car icon will find a sleeker, more sculpted exterior design harking back to the 1965 fastback style and boasting new signature tri-bar taillights, as well as appropriately retro interior cues. Visitors to the Detroit show, of course, won't yet be able to experience the joys of the more than 420 horsepower that comes courtesy of the Mustang's beefiest powertrain option, a 5.0-liter V-8, nor the improvements to ride and handling promised by its new independent rear suspension. But a closer look should tide over enthusiasts until it hits dealerships later this year.

The new Mustang will join 71 vehicle debuts, 61 of which are said to be worldwide introductions, at the Detroit auto show, often touted as the "most important" exhibition of auto-show season, attracting more than 5,000 journalists from 62 countries and more than 795,000 visitors in 2013. Organizers promise "more than 500 vehicles on display, representing the most innovative designs in the world."

The 2014 NAIAS is open to the public Jan. 18-26, with press-only, industry and charity days Jan. 13-17, at Detroit's Cobo Center, 1 Washington Blvd. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, through Saturday, Jan. 25, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26; last admittance is one hour before closing on all days. Adult and online tickets are $13 each; tickets for seniors 65 or older and children ages 7-12 are $7; children ages 6 and younger are admitted for free; and discounted tickets for groups of 30 or more are available for $9 each outside the Oakland Hall entrance. For more info, go to www.naias.com.

Here are some of the models you can expect to see at the show: