2008 SEATTLE AUTO SHOW // HIGHLIGHTS

The ColdTrackDays staff headed down to the Qwest Events Center this weekend to check out the latest and greatest for 2009. A typical showing, with a slew of compacts, sedans, mid-size and full-size pickup truck's and luxury autos were on hand. But what we came to see, hasn't been noted for its abundance of cup holders, or its dual climate controls and in-dash navigation, what we came to see was horsepower. And there was plenty.

Nissan showcased their Godzilla, appropriately placed atop a bamboo stage, cordoned off so that onlookers wouldn't be tempted to, well, steal the shift knob (a known problem). Around the bend, we found another piece of automotive desire, the Spyker C8. Hand built by skilled Dutch craftsman, the C8 is a one of a kind thing, in a market filled with too much of the same. Beautiful. Further along, we came across Ferrari of Seattle's booth, where they were showcasing both a Scuderia F430 and a 599 GTB. Park Place Ltd brought out a handful of supercars, including two of the above mentioned Spyker C8's, an Aston Martin DBS and an assortment of Lotus' and Superformance Cobra's. But the real treat for us, came not from far away European automakers or Asian imports, but from right here in the US. The Corvette ZR1. An otherwise simple looking Corvette (as simple as that can be), the ZR1 was everything we expected. Carbon-ceramic brakes, 20in wheels and that massive 6.2-liter, supercharged LS9 resting between the fenders. For all it's hype, with the blogosphere full of comments, editorial pieces, spy shots and heads up battles, we were expecting a bit of a spectacle when we came across Chevrolet's booth. But to our surprise, there is sat, right next to its Corvette brethren. The ZR1 was as accessible as the HHR sitting across from it. What does this say about the super 'Vette? Is it really just a piece of overpriced American muscle, or does it fulfill all of our automotive desires, so much so, that it has nothing to hide, sitting patiently on the show floor, waiting for us to test it's capabilites... I suppose a test drive is in order, what do you say?

For more shots from the 2008 Seattle Auto Show, click through to our photo gallery // 11.10.2008