Auto show rolls into Pennsylvania Convention Center
By Brian Bingaman, Montgomery Media
According to the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia, 253,191 people attended the 2017 Philadelphia Auto Show, the biggest turnout since 2004.
Also, a new attendance record was also set on opening Sunday of the show, with 39,630 guests present that day.
How do you follow that up?
The auto dealers association is sure going to try to repeat that success Jan. 27-Feb. 4 at the Philadelphia Convention Center, 1101 Arch St., Philadelphia. The Hollywood Rides are back, featuring the “Scooby-Doo” Mystery Machine, a life-size version of Mater from the “Cars” movies, “The A-Team” van, K.I.T.T. from “Knight Rider,” Vin Diesel’s screen-used 1967 Pontiac GTO from “XXX” and Vin Diesel’s “Furious 7” 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner.
This year’s touted featured vehicles are the 2019 Ford Ranger, 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt, 2019 Ram 1500, 2019 Volvo XC40, 2018 Ford Ecosport, 2019 Subaru Ascent, 2018 Aston Martin Vanquish S Coupe, 2018 Aston Martin DB11, 2018 Bentley Bentayga, 2018 Genesis G90, 2018 Genesis G80 Sport, 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid, the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0T, 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2018 Jaguar E-Pace, 2018 Lamborghini Aventador S, 2018 Range Rover Velar, 2018 Maserati Levante Gransport, 2018 Maserati Granturismo Convertible Sport, 2018 McLaren 570S Spider, 2018 McLaren 720S, 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, 2018 Porsche GT2 RS, 2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan, the SSC Ultimate Aero, the Mosler Raptor GTR, the Saleen S7 Twin Turbo Competition, the Ford GT, the Bugatti Chiron, the Bugatti Veyron, the Ferrari GTC4 Lusso, and Ferrari California T.
Wow, there are some super-exotic makes in that list.
We got a hot tip that you should take some time to look at the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus and 2018 Jeep Wrangler.
Stay tuned for last-minute additions at www.phillyautoshow.com, which also lists all the participating manufacturers. There will be more than 700 pre-production, production, exotic, classic and concept vehicles on display across 700,000 square feet.
If you planned to go to the show to do some pressure-free comparison shopping for your next vehicle, don’t worry, that’s still a thing. Almost every manufacturer’s display welcomes show-goers to sit inside, pop the hood and kick the tires on the latest and greatest models (No one’s allowed to sit in the concept or exotic vehicles). Although there can be no selling on the show floor, some manufacturers will have rebate offers and information. On the street level of the convention center, between 11th and 12th streets, there’s Ride & Drive Zone where you can sign up to test drive new Kia, Mazda, Toyota, Volkswagen or BMW models through the streets of Philadelphia.
What else is there to do?
This year’s scheduled celebrity appearances, all in the Honda display, include Philly hip-hop artist Chill Moody 4 to 8 p.m. Jan. 27, Philadelphia Eagles safety Rodney McLeod from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 28 (There will also be a football obstacle course and a touchdown celebration contest), and USA women’s soccer star Heather Mitts from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 3.
Camp Jeep attracts a lot of attention. It’s an opportunity to climb inside a Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, Wrangler Unlimited, Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, Renegade Trailhawk or Compass, as they tackle an obstacle course right on the show floor. Also, children can test drive mini Jeep vehicles on a kids’ course. All participants will be entered into the 2018 FCA U.S. National Sweepstakes for a chance to win $45,000 towards a vehicle from the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Truck and Fiat brands. A winner will be drawn in early 2019.
The auto show’s Classic Car Collection will have four displays — the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, Antique Automobile Club of America, Vintage Automobile Museum of New Jersey and Classic Auto Mall. And don’t forget the creative, custom, after-market excitement with the “Dub Show Tour” on the street level of the convention center in Hall F.
Meet local car club members and student teams from Methacton High School Electric Car Club, Rutgers Formula Racing, Temple Formula Racing, Villanova University Formula SAE and more.
The Auto Show Marketplace offers everything from chamois to ride-sharing, and everything in between.
What are the hours of the 2018 show?
Noon to 10 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 28 and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 4.
How much are tickets?
$14 for ages 13-62, $11 for military personnel, $7 for seniors 62+ and children 7-12. Group tickets are available for $11 each in packs of 25.
What’s the best way to get to the convention center?
There’s driving directions and parking information on the auto show website, but the auto show people actually recommend taking SEPTA. The regional rail Jefferson Station is conveniently close to the convention center. You can also purchase an Independence Pass for unlimited one-day travel on SEPTA services. SEPTA is even selling discount auto show adult tickets for $11.
What’s the refreshments situation?
Outside alcohol, food or beverages are prohibited. You may purchase food and drinks at food stands inside the convention center, or you can get your hand stamped and visit the many restaurants and shops outside the convention center (See the links at www.phillyautoshow.com/getting-here/highlights). Have at least some cash on hand because not all vendors accept credit/debit cards.
I think I’m going to get hot doing all that walking over a 700,000-square-foot area. Can I hang my coat somewhere?
Coat and bag check is available for a fee.