Detroit Auto Show Preview: Flying Cars, 6 Reveals From America's Big 3, And A Special EV Experience

The dust has barely settled after Monterey Car Week, and we now turn our attention to the 2023 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), also known as the Detroit Auto Show. One of the motoring calendar's annual highlights, the Detroit Auto Show is set to take place from September 13-24 (the public portion of the show starts on the 16th), and it will be held at Huntington Place in Detroit, Michigan.

In June, it was announced that organizers expect twice the number of brands at this year's show. The 2022 edition followed a hiatus after the pandemic, but several high-profile brands weren't in attendance. This year, Stellantis, General Motors, Ford, BMW, Volkswagen, and many others will be participating. And, while only a handful of reveals have actually been confirmed, we know what cars we'd love to see again at the event. Here's a round-up of what Detroit has in store for enthusiasts this year.

In recent years, EVs have had a gradually more prominent role at major motor shows. This year in Detroit, the Powering Michigan EV Experience will allow visitors to experience the latest EVs on a serpentine track with a 300-foot acceleration lane - enough space for most modern EVs to get to fairly high speeds. Seven brands will participate in this experience, including BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Ford, Tesla, and Volkswagen. While specific models weren't mentioned, we'd love to see the likes of the BMW i5/i7 and the Chevrolet Blazer EV appear. Perhaps Ford will use the opportunity to showcase the performance of its Mustang Mach-E GT.

Ford and Tesla will entertain fans with street course ride-and-drives, while indoor tracks from Jeep, Ram, and Ford will be returning. Certain models can also be enjoyed over sections of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix downtown race circuit.

"This year's show is focused on increased experiences," said Detroit Auto Show Chairman Thad Szott. "Manufacturers continue to want to demonstrate their products, not simply display them. And consumers are looking for experiences to engage with these products, especially as we enter into this era of new mobility."

As reported in July, this will be a busy show for Stellantis, Ford, and General Motors. For Stellantis, that will include new Ram and Jeep models, potentially including the Ram 1500 REV and the range-extender version of this pickup, the electric Jeep Wagoneer S concept, and possibly the facelifted Jeep Gladiator. The Ram 1500 TRX Final Edition due to be available in the fourth quarter could also appear at the show.

Ford confirmed it will unveil the facelifted F-150, and this may even include new variants. We could also set eyes on the F-150 Lightning's new Platinum Black Package, but these pickups won't intrigue onlookers as much as the Mustang GTD we expect to see in Detroit; already revealed, it'll be a treat for anyone who didn't get to see the 800-horsepower coupe in Monterey. The Mustang Mach-E Rally could also show its face.

As for GM, we may see the new Buick Electra range in Detroit, while the 2024 GMC Acadia is another possibility.

"We are thrilled by the tremendous support of our hometown Detroit Three in bringing these exciting reveals and their products and vehicle activations to the show," said Szott back in July.

Not every reveal or debut at the Detroit Auto Show will have four wheels. Two electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle (eVTOL) companies, AIR and Alef, will be present. The AIR ONE two-seater eVTOL will be available to give visitors the chance to experience what it's like to fly in its cockpit via a virtual reality simulator. Also on display will be the Alef Model A, a vehicle that can drive like a normal car on the street but also take off vertically.

"Building upon the laser focus on electrification in vehicles and aircraft, it's a natural progression for shows like ours to take a look at the expanding mobility ecosystem," said Szott.

Overall, the 2023 Detroit Auto Show doesn't sound as thrilling as organizers would have us believe, especially after a week of spectacular reveals in Monterey, but there is always the chance that a few surprises will pop up at the last moment.