By Jacob Hamilton via MLive
The Lincoln L100 concept on display as the 2022 North American International Auto Show begins with media preview day at Huntington Place in Detroit on Wednesday, Sept. 14 2022.
DETROIT – The Detroit Auto Show is back, and its new indoor-outdoor format is focused on wowing guests with unique and unforgettable experiences.
Here’s a list of 10 wacky attractions and interactive exhibits we saw during Media Preview Day:
A giant inflatable duck sponsored by Jeep outside Huntington Place during the 2022 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Wednesday, Sept. 14 2022.
1. Giant duck outside Huntington Place
A massive inflatable duck standing 61 feet tall and weighing 30,000 pounds will be on display outside the entrance to Huntington Place. The towering waterfowl travels the country and was brought to Detroit by Jeep as part of their Duck Duck Jeep social media campaign, where Jeep owners place rubber ducks on one another’s cars.
Actors carry a dinosaur costume across the floor as the 2022 North American International Auto Show begins with media preview day at Huntington Place in Detroit on Wednesday, Sept. 14 2022.
2. Dinosaurs
Expect a dinosaur theme across this year’s auto show, including true-to-life statues and actors on the show floor as well as a walk-through Dinosaur and Off-Road Vehicle Encounter experience in the Huntington Place Ballroom.
A Ford Bronco navigates an obstacle course during the 2022 North American International Auto Show at Huntington Place in Detroit on Wednesday, Sept. 14 2022.
3. Bronco Mountain, RAM Truck Territory and Jeep Camp
Each of the Big 3 auto manufacturers has brought an indoor ride-along experience to Huntington Place this year. Guests can pile into the backseat of a Jeep, Ford Bronco or Dodge RAM truck to scale 45-degree gradients, navigate obstacle courses and haul heavy loads across the show floor.
The XTURISMO flying bike is displayed outside as the 2022 North American International Auto Show begins with media preview day at Huntington Place in Detroit on Wednesday, Sept. 14 2022.
4. Flight demonstrations
The show’s new Air Mobility Experience will include daily demonstrations by Gravity Industries’ human-powered jet suit, Omni Hoverboards’ flying hoverboard and the ICON A5 light aircraft, all on the Detroit Riverfront near Hart Plaza.
The car used for the 1994 Flintstones movie on display at the 2022 North American International Auto Show begins with media preview day at Huntington Place in Detroit on Wednesday, Sept. 14 2022.
5. Pop culture cars
Guests can get an up-close look at the custom car used in the 1994 Flintstones live-action film and can pose with a crew of Ghostbusters in front of a 1980′s Cadillac hearse styled after the 2016 Ghostbusters film’s Ecto-1. Also on hand is a DMC DeLorean like the one used in Back to the Future.
Guests experience a VR “flight” in the AIR booth during the 2022 North American International Auto Show at Huntington Place in Detroit on Wednesday, Sept. 14 2022.
6. VR and video game experiences
High-tech interactive experiences include a virtual reality flight experience from AIR ONE, the Ford Performance Drag Race Simulator and an interactive driving experience from Toyota.
The Autoliv airbag display during the 2022 North American International Auto Show at Huntington Place in Detroit on Wednesday, Sept. 14 2022.
7. Airbags for scooters, motorcycles
Amongst other industry booths in the Automobili-D area, airbag manufacturer Autoliv is on hand to show off personal airbags and protective devices designed for use with motorcycles and scooters.
The Lincoln L100 concept on display as the 2022 North American International Auto Show begins with media preview day at Huntington Place in Detroit on Wednesday, Sept. 14 2022.
8. Concept cars
Electric car concepts from Lincoln, Buick and Lexus are on display to give guests a glimpse at what the future of the automotive industry might look like. Concepts include the automated electric Lincoln Model L100 above as well as the Lincoln Star SUV, Buick Wildcat EV and an electric sports car concept from Lexus inspired by the Lexus LFA.
Guests pet dogs in the Subaru booth during the 2022 North American International Auto Show at Huntington Place in Detroit on Wednesday, Sept. 14 2022.
9. Subaru puppies
Guests can stop by Subaru’s booth inside Huntington Place to meet adoptable dogs from the Michigan Humane Society.
Monster trucks are lined up for demonstrations during the North American International Auto Show at Hart Plaza in Detroit on Wednesday, Sept. 14 2022.
10. Electric monster truck
A monster truck rally featuring car-crushing giants new and old will take place outdoors between Huntingon Place and Hart Plaza. The Monster Truck Throwdown will feature classic trucks like Showtime - the “Motor City Monster” of the 1980s - and Bigfoot #1, the original monster truck, as well as Bigfoot #20, the first ever battery-powered monster truck. Admission is free with a ticket to the auto show.
