Starting this Monday, January 14th – the world’s automotive media will assemble at the Cobo Center for the first and most significant automotive show of 2013 – the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The Los Angeles Auto Show was a big hit in November, but Detroit’s show offers us a great history and tradition, the North American car and truck of the year, and takes place in the Motor City, the home of the big three auto manufacturers: Ford, General Motors and Chrysler. 

The NAIAS is also famous for the most world debuts of production and concept cars and 2013 will be no different. If you’re lucky enough to attend the two media days or be present at one of its nine public days – you’re in for a treat.

The most anticipated debut comes from one of Detroit’s local sons – Chevrolet, a division of General Motors. We will be witness to a seventh-generation Corvette (C7) that has been in the planning stage dating back to 2007. The Corvette is one of the most recognized and exciting sports cars for its price and there’s no doubt this should be one of the most visited cars in the showroom. The C7 is expected to come equipped with a technically advanced 6.2 L LT1 engine with an estimated 450 horsepower and 450 lb.-ft. of torque. Chevrolet’s new V-8 is expected to be lighter and more fuel efficient as well with further and more specific details to be found out on press day.

General Motors has another exciting debut, but this time from their Cadillac division and it’s their long-awaited ELR plug-in hybrid. The ELR is an extended-range electric car that shares a similar powertrain to the highly successful Chevrolet Volt. Considering it’s a Cadillac – we expect it to be more luxurious and therefore more expensive. There have been a few spy shots floating around with a black and white camouflage covering the ELR, but from what we can see it’s definitely got a modern coupe frame. With its assembly being handled at the Detroit Hamtramck Assembly plant – I’m sure Cadillac will want to make a huge buzz at the auto show about it.

At the end of 2012, Infiniti made some waves with a new re-branding naming for their vehicle lineup and they kick-off 2013 with their first re-named vehicle – the Q50 sedan, which was formerly the G37. The only tease released has been video and some pictures only showing an angry-Falcon type eagle eye for a headlight, but it sure looks exciting and we can’t wait to see how the new Q50 stacks up to its Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-class, and BMW 3-series rivals.

Mercedes-Benz always puts on a good show in Detroit and we should expect it again as they reveal their CLA sedan. The CLA is a four-door compact sedan that will use the same platform as the third-generation A-Class. From what it appears – the CLA will have all-wheel drive and be a smaller version of the sporty CLS.

There’ll always be many appealing concept cars making their debuts in Detroit starting with the Toyota Furia compact car. There’s been a few teaser shots sent out, but there doesn’t seem to be much information to go with it. Based on the build-up that the Furia is getting and a few glances at the photos, we feel that it will take something from Scion’s successful FR-S. 

Other concept cars making noise would be Honda’s subcompact crossover that would fit into their lineup below the CR-V, Ford’s F-150 pick-up truck scheduled for 2015, and BMW’s 4-series coupe – a new name and branding for the outgoing 3-series coupe. 

The 2013 NAIAS expects to be another exhilarating few days for us media members, but be sure to check out our upcoming stories, pictures and videos from the event at www.thedriver.ca. If there’s a chance you can make in to Detroit for its public days from January 19th to the 27th – we have no doubts that the travel will be worth it.