Arts & Entert ainment Auto show vrooms into Philadelphia

PAUL NASELLA STAFFWRITER

PJN722@CABRINI EDU

Large crowds of eager car enthusiasts filled the Philadelphia Convention Center for the 2005 Philadelphia International Auto Show which took place from Feb. 5-13.

At the show were over 700 vehicles from more than 40 different manufacturers. This included the latest makes and models of both domestic and foreign vehicles. Also featured at the auto show were futuristic concept cars as well as a few favorites of yesteryear.

This year’s auto show was produced by the Automotive Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia (ADAGP).

At this year’s auto show were many vehicles making their East Coast debut. Vehicles such as the

Aston Martin DB9, Audi A4/S4, Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06, Dodge Charger, Ferrari Modena F430, Ford Mustang Convertible, Infiniti M45, Honda Ridgeline, Lamborghini Murcielago, Lexus GS, Mercedes ML350, Pontiac Torrent, Saturn Sky Roadster and the Subaru B9 Tribeca just to name a few.

One of the good things that came from this year’s auto show was that the ADAGPdonated a dollar for every auto show attendee to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) through the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation.

Abig display at this year’s auto show that surely pleased show-goers were the concept cars presented by many of the show’s various manufacturers. On display at the Convention Center were the Buick Velite, Chevrolet Nomad, Chrysler Airflite, Dodge Slingshot and Ford Shelby GR1.

Aspecial feature of this year’s auto show was the Tuner Salon located in the Grand Hall of the Convention center. Once inside, show-goers could see many customized cars from such manufacturers as Scion, Honda, Pontiac and Daimler Chrysler.

Another specialty of this

“salon” was the DUB Magazine Celebrity Car Showcase. In this showcase, the onlookers could see vehicles owned by Shaquille O’Neal, Rap artists Ludacris and Twista as well as the DUB Magazine 2005 DUB Edition Dodge Magnum.

Also on hand at the auto show were tuner specialty vehicles that could be found inside just about each manufacturer’s displays. These vehicles include the SEMAChevrolet Corvette, SEMAPontiac GTO, Nissan NISMO Frontier, Lincoln Navigator K and Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart.

One of the more interesting displays by auto manufacturers was the display of hybrid vehicles. According to a press release by the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia, a hybrid vehicle is one that, “has both a gasoline engine and an electric motor to conserve fuel mileage.”

Honda displayed the Accord, Civic and Insight while Toyota exhibited the Prius. Other manufacturers showcasing their hybrid vehicles included Lexus, Ford, and GMC.

For all the car lovers on hand during the auto show, there was a vintage display from the Eastern US Concours D’Elegance and the Buckingham Concours D’Elegance. Both displays featured cars dating from the turn of the 20th century all the way up to the 70s. Included in both displays were vehicles from Mercedes Benz, Chevrolet, and even a mini-scooter.

Abig crowd pleaser this year was Chevrolet’s redesigned Corvette. Looking sweeter than ever, it features a 6.0 liter V8 engine that produces 400 horsepower and ft/lbs of torque. Its eight cylinders are mated up either a 4 speed automatic or 6 speed manual transmission that connected to the rear for rearwheel drive. However, you’re going to have to hold those horses because this beauty carries a base price of just under $44, 000.

Another car that drew quite a lot of attention was Ford’s all- new vintagely designed Mustang. This mean stallion features the vintage fastback look coupled with old-school muscle. Featured in both the GTand V8 models, the buyer has a large array of options at their disposal to make this pony truly one-of-akind.

First off, the new Mustang offers an, “industry-first, colorconfigurable instrument panel,” that offers the ultimate in personalization according to the 2005 Philadelphia International Auto Show Buyer’s Guide.

This sweet ride is available in V6 deluxe and Premium and GT Deluxe and Premium models.

Other options include sideseat mounted air bags, an interior upgrade package with satin aluminum trim, 5-speed manual and automatic transmissions, wheel locks, and 17-inch machine cast aluminum wheels (GT only) according to the 2005 Philadelphia International Auto Show Buyer’s Guide. Nonetheless, this retro-pony is going to cost you a little over 19 thousand big ones.

Another crowd pleaser was the Ford Thunderbird whose 2005 model marks its 50th anniversary. This classic beauty features a V8 engine with automatic transmission that churns out 280 horsepower and 286 ft/lbs of torque. However, this wonder of automotive past doesn’t carry the same price tag it did on its birthday; this baby comes at a base price of $38,000.

One last big feature of the car show, and I do mean BIG, is the latest model of the Hummer H2 and H2 SUT. Even though these behemoths resemble buildings on wheels more than automobiles, both feature a 6.0 liter V8 engine producing 325 horsepower and 365 ft/lbs of torque. Both feature 4 wheel-drive as well as a wheelbase of 122.8 inches. Also, these baby-hughies weigh in at a staggering 6400 hundred pounds. It is also safe to say that your wallet is going to be feeling more than just the strain of being sat on all day. Both vehicles carry a base price of a little over $50,000.

Alter Bridge wows the Electric Factory

had been waiting for. Alterbridge had finally come to life.

The coldest night of the weekend, thirty-seven degrees outside with the wind chill factor. People were bouncing up and down, around the block, impatiently anticipating being let into the Electric Factory.

On the play list for Saturday, Feb. 12, were opening acts Submersed and Philadelphia’s very own Silvertide, along with the head lining act, Alterbridge.

Submersed hit the stage at approximately 8:25 p.m. The lead singer, Don Carpenter, knew exactly how to get the crowd all fired up. It is easy to get the crowd psyched when a band member praises them and salute their hometown.

“The Electric Factory is one of our favorite venues to play,” Carpenter said. “It is so great to be so close to your fans especially when you make it possible for us to do what we love every day.”

At the end of their set, Carpenter proposed to his girlfriend in front of the entire audience. Needless to say, his future wife was balling her eyes out as she answered “yes” once she spotted the ring.

After popping the big question, Silvertide pounced on stage to announce that it was their bass player, Mark’s, birthday. “Everyone should “raise up their glass and join in the celebration,” said a Silvertide member. The lead singer then distributed a six-pack of Yuengling amongst the group.

Riling up the crowd, Silvertide played an intense set, including the lead singer hanging from the bar- level of the Electric Factory. After 45 minutes, it was the moment everyone in the audience

At 10:28 p.m., Myles Kennedy, Mark Tremonti, Scott Phillips and Brian Marshall hit the stage to “wow” the audience with an unforgettable performance.

Playing an hour-long set, Alterbridge played eight songs including their latest single, “Open Your Eyes.” Kennedy, lead singer, had the crowd swaying from side to side and praising the lead guitarist, Tremonti. Every time Tremonti performed a solo, the crowd went absolutely insane.

Members of the audience were banging their heads to the beat of the drum and every time a string was picked on the bass. During slow and acoustic songs such as “In Loving Memory,” fans whipped out lighters while moving side to side as if it were a pop concert.

At the end of the show, all three groups came onto the stage an threw their drumsticks and guitar picks into the audience so that fans could take home some form of memorabilia with them.

One 12 year-old boy caught a drum stick from the middle of the crowd and said, “This is the best show they have ever put on.” The boy had been to three other Alterbridge concerts to compare to.

People filed out directly to the booths that were set up. In each booth were the artists from Submersed, Silvertide, and Alterbridge signing CDs and posters as well as talking to die-hard fans.

Many fans couldn’t have much more: a proposal, a hometown success, and a killer performance for one of today’s hottest rock bands. Doesn’t get much better than that.