KIA TELLURIDE

A highlight of the 2019 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan was Kia showcasing their brand new Telluride SUV. This will be the largest vehicle ever built by Kia with seating for up to eight people powered by a  291-hp 3.8-liter V6 to provide its owners with a go-anywhere, do-anything attitude when it comes to driving the Telluride. Designed at the Kia Design Center in Irvine, California, the SUV will be assembled in West Point, Georgia. During Detroit's auto show, Kia promoted Telluride as a durable sport utility vehicle built so that passengers will be as comfortable off-roading through rugged terrain as they are cruising along a freeway.

Not only could auto show attendees get a close up look at the Telluride but they could also jump inside one to do some off-roading inside the Cobo Center exhibition hall.  Kia had drivers take passengers around a dirt covered path in a Telluride that had bumps, curves, hills and ruts to demonstrate the rugged appeal of this brand new vehicle.

Join me for a ride in a Kia Telluride:

 VEHICLE DRIVING FEATURES

• Atkinson Cycle LAMBDA II 3.8L V6 GDI engine producing 291 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 262 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,200 rpm 
• 8-speed automatic transmission 
• Four-wheel independent suspension
• Strong, stiff, and torsionally rigid body structure due to the monocoque shell that is composed of 59.4 percent advanced high-strength steel
• Self-leveling rear suspension
• Ride height is automatically calibrated depending on vehicle load to optimize control and stability  
• Choice of four drive modes – Smart, Eco, Sport and Comfort – each using different settings for powertrain, drivetrain, and steering effort mapping to provide the desired driving experience. In addition to the four regular drive modes, drivers can select from two different settings, Snow and AWD Lock, for specific driving conditions 
• Available active on-demand all-wheel drive helps provide enhanced driving performance by actively distributing torque between front and rear wheels depending on road conditions and driver input. The system utilizes electro-hydraulic AWD coupling to precisely activate the multi-plate clutch plate, constantly redistributing the amount of power transferred to the front and rear wheels. During normal driving, power is distributed according to the drive mode selected. “Eco” and “Smart” modes deliver 100 percent power to the front wheels. “Comfort” and “Snow” modes deliver 80 percent power to the front wheels and 20 percent to rear. Sport mode splits the power 65-35 percent between front and back. “Lock” mode delivers power evenly to all four wheels 
• Standard towing rated up to 5,000 pounds 
• Downhill Brake Control (DBC) maintains a controlled descent on steep roads 

VEHICLE SAFETY FEATURES

• 7 airbags (dual front advanced air bags, dual front seat-mounted side air bags, side curtain air bags with rollover sensor, driver's side knee air bag) Antilock braking 
• Vehicle stability management 
• Downhill brake control 
•  Hill-start assist control 
• Tire pressure monitoring system
•  “Kia Drive Wise” Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS)
•  Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
•  Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian detection (FCA) 
• High Beam Assist (HBA) 
•  Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
•  Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) 
• Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist-Rear (BCA-R) 
• Blind Spot View Monitor (BVM) 
•  Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
•  Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) 
• Parking Distance Warning – Forward  and Reverse Surround View Monitor (SVM)

• Highway Driving Assist (HDA): Uses radar systems to interpret lane markings so the vehicle can control steering, acceleration and braking to automatically adjust distance from the vehicle detected ahead. HDA is also designed to recognize speed limits on federal highways and adjust speed accordingly  
• Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist Rear (BCA-R): A camera is designed to track vehicle lane changes and, if it detects an object in the intended path, the BCA-R system applies brake pressure to the front wheel of the opposite side to help maintain the previous course 
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist (RCCA): An extension of Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning (RCCW), RCCA may apply brakes if an impending impact is detected 
• Lane Following Assist (LFA): When Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go is activated, LFA is designed to monitor lane markings to help keep the Telluride centered in its lane Safe Exit Assist (SEA): In certain situations, if the system detects an object approaching from the rear, SEA will override attempts to deactivate Electronic Child Safety Lock until the detected object has passed
•  Head-Up Display: Added information makes this system especially useful. Provides turn-by-turn navigation, speed and local speed limits, smart cruise control and blind-spot warnings  
• Driver Talk: Uses a microphone to enhance communication with second- and third-row passengers  
• Quiet Mode: Cuts audio output in second and third row so the audio choices of the front occupants are only heard in that row  
• Rear Occupant Alert: Uses ultrasonic sensors designed to detect child or pet movement in the second and third row after the car’s doors have been locked and then can issue audible alerts to the driver

ALL NEW 2020 Kia Telluride

The Telluride looks like a great vehicle to get around in! For more information about it and other vehicles manufactured by Kia CLICK HERE. Specifically designed for the American drivers, the all-new 2020 Kia Telluride made a great debut at the 2019 North American International Auto Show. Look for it arriving at Kia dealerships later this year.

For more information about Detroit's annual auto show, go to naias.com

Batmobile in the Spotlight at Detroit Auto Show

Startled Detroiters were abuzz as the night sky over the city glowed with an iconic symbol.  Emblazoned against the top of the city's towering Renaissance Center landmark was the Bat Signal.  Was the Joker on the prowl and would the Caped Crusader be on his way to save the day?!  Actually the signal displayed against the backdrop of GM's corporate headquarters was to alert us all that the batmobile was on its way ... to the Detroit Auto Show the next day.



Holy Plastic Bricks Batman there's a life-size LEGO Batmobile at the Chevy exhibit! Yes its true! Chevrolet unveiled a life-size LEGO® Batmobile to correspond with the first day the 2017 North American International Auto Show being held at COBO Center in Detroit, Michigan was open to the public and will be on display until the conclusion of the event on January 22.

Measuring 17-feet long and featuring exclusive stud shooters, the LEGO Batmobile from Chevrolet was designed to strike fear in the heart of any villain. The vehicle was inspired by Batman’s Speedwagon featured in “The LEGO^® Batman Movie,” which hits U.S. theaters on February 10, 2017.  In this exciting new animated LEGO^® adventure, Batman, DC’s iconic Super Hero who famously prefers to work alone, must learn to cooperate and connect with others to save Gotham City from the villainous Joker.

Designed and assembled by a team of LEGO Master Builders at the LEGO Model Shop in Enfield, Connecticut this real-life plastic brick Batmobile took 222 hours to design and 1,833 hours to build.  This life-size model weights 1,695 pounds with each of its tires weighing just over 100 pounds.  While Chevrolet humorously promotes the vehicle as being available in 12 different shades of black to appeal to aspiring Dark Knights, the model actually consists of 17 different colors of LEGO plastic bricks. In total 344,187 LEGO bricks were used to construct Batman's Speedwagon.

Chevrolet has created a funny mock up of a vehicle schematics page promoting the "All-New LEGO Batmobile from Chevy" that promotes it to potential buyers as "perfect for a night out saving the town."  Filled with information about towing capacity, horsepower, and wi-fi connectivity, this website even compares the Batmobile's features to The Joker's Notorious Lowrider and The Riddler Racer.  You really need to check this out! If you aren't scared off by a $48,000,000 price tag please CLICK HERE to find out more info about LEGO Batmobile from Chevrolet.

In addition to being displayed at the Detroit Auto Show and shown on the big screen in "The LEGO Batman Movie," this Batmobile will also appearing in Chevrolet’s “Real People, Not Actors” campaign. In the new spot, real LEGO^® Minifigure^™ figurines discuss what kind of person would drive the all-new LEGO^® Batmobile from Chevrolet.



The LEGO Batmobile from Chevrolet is a partnership between General Motors, LEGO, and Warner Brothers to celebrate the upcoming release of "The Batman LEGO Movie."  For more information about the movie, please visit legobatman.com

Win Tickets to the 2017 Detroit Auto Show

[Disclosure: SheBuysCars has partnered with the Detroit Auto Show, Hyundai and DriveUsingSteel to promote the Detroit Auto Show & host this giveaway] 

A Geek Daddy had the great experience of being able to attend the Press Preview Days of this year's Detroit North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) to help She Buys Cars share news and highlights from the event.  SheBuysCars is a community of online automobile writers working collectively to provide information designed to empower women as owners and buyers of cars, help them become more thoughtful about their vehicles capabilities and functionality and to foster a closer relationship between auto manufacturers and female customers.  I really appreciate that She Buys Cars believed A Geek Daddy's perspective would be a valuable contribution to their coverage of NAIAS 2017.

In addition to being able to get a close-up look at cars and trucks from a large selection of domestic and international automotive brands on the show floor and attend press conferences unveiling  new vehicles, A Geek Daddy also had the chance to participate in some unique opportunities.  Hyundai and Genesis gave us access to top executives and provided guided tours of their exhibits.  Hyundai is focusing on electric and flex fueled cars with its new IONIQ and also has an autonomous version on display (self-driving cars are the hot topic at this year's NAIAS).  Genesis' G90 and G80 cars demonstrated they can provide a luxurious ride at a more affordable price than some of the other premium brands in the automotive marketplace.

The folks from the Steel Market Development Institute also took some time to educate the She Buys Cars contingent at the auto show about the importance of steel to the automotive industry.  Just as vehicles have become more technologically advanced so has the steel that helps build the cars and trucks we drive in evolved.  Did you know there are now more than 200 grades of steel available to provide manufactures the flexibility and dependability in materials they need to meet today's fuel efficiency and safety standards?  Plus steel is one of the most recyclable components in vehicles which provides a number of positive environmental benefits.

After having checked out the 2017 Detroit Auto Show for myself, I want to help some of you have the chance to enjoy attending the show as well.  As part of A Geek Daddy's involvement with She Buys Cars, we're co-hosting a Detroit Auto Show ticket giveaway. If you’d like to attend NAIAS, enter below for your chance to win a pair of tickets compliments of Hyundai, DriveUsingSteel and the Detroit Auto Show (see contest rules below too). 10 lucky winners will receive a pair of tickets to the show and one lucky winner will also win a $150 gift card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest rules: Entries must be completed by 12:45PM ET, January 13, 2017. Contest open only to US and Canada residents; no purchase necessary; winners will be notified by email by January 14, 2017. Winners MUST pick up tickets in person at the Detroit Auto Show, Cobo Center, 1 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226, between January 14, 2017 and January 22, 2017. Winners may be asked to provide identification to receive their prize. Prize value $26 per prize, not exchangeable or cash or other prizes. Grand prize value is $176; grand prize MUST be picked up at Cobo Center and winner will be asked to provide identification. A total of 10 pairs of tickets will be awarded and a total of 1 grand prize will be awarded.  

One of my favorite aspects of the Detroit Auto Show is the variety of race cars on display.  Racing vehicles on display included the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans sports car race and Red Bull Global Rallycross winners, an NHRA dragster, a Toyota NASCAR race car and Verizon indycars.  Of course there are also plenty of other vehicles on display as well including concept models, luxury brands, and cars, trucks and minivans that are designed for the average family to drive around in.  What would you most be interested in seeing if you won some tickets to go to the Detroit Auto Show?

Lightning McQueen rolls into the Detroit Auto Show

Lightning McQueen from Disney PIXAR's popular animated CARS movie franchise will be displayed on Cobo Center's exhibit floor throughout the length of the 2017 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.  This year's event is open for the public to attend from January 14 - 22nd.  Visit naias.com for more information about show hours and purchasing tickets for Detroit's annual auto show that in addition to showcasing a real life Lightning McQueen car will also feature 750 vehicles ranging from autonomous and electric cars to tricked out full-size trucks on display.

To kick-off Lightning McQueen's visit to the Motor City, Disney PIXAR held a special press conference during the NAIAS Media Preview days that A Geek Daddy was able to attend.  John Lasseter, Chief Creative Officer at PIXAR, noted that this appearance was the roll out of promotional efforts for the new CARS 3 movie that is scheduled to arrive at movie theaters across the US on June 16, 2017.  He explained that CARS was born at the Detroit Auto Show because when the concept for the original movie was being considered the first thing Pixar did was attend NAIAS to do some research for developing the film.  So to begin promoting the new movie, CARS 3, Pixar wanted to return where it all began.  Lasseter then introduced the Creative Director, Jay Ward, and Production Designer, Jay Shuster, for CARS 3 to provide some insight on the development of some of the movie's key characters.

In the original CARS movie, Lightning McQueen was the arrogant hot-shot rookie taking on veteran racers for a chance to be the Piston Cup champion.  The tables have turned in CARS 3 as McQueen is now the experienced racer on the track fending off challenges from rookie challengers who are full of attitude.  When Lightning McQueen is involved in a racing accident does he have what it takes to come back and compete to be the Piston Cup champion again?

Lightning McQueens new antagonist and lead adversary in CARS 3 is named JACKSON STORM who is challenging him as top car on racetrack.  Jackson Storm is fast, sleek and ready to race. A front-runner in the next generation of racers, Storm’s quiet confidence and cocky demeanor are off-putting—but his unmatched speed threatens to redefine the sport. Trained on high-tech simulators that are programmed to perfect technique and maximize velocity, Jackson Storm is literally built to be unbeatable—and he knows it.

When creating Jackson Storm, PIXAR wanted the character to clearly be distinct from Lighting McQueen. So Storm's profile is more angular than Lighting McQueen’s rounded shape. He also has a darker palate.

 Jackson Storm's 'S' logo design is inspired by international symbol for hurricane. A cool Pixar detail about them playing off the Storm in the characters name in designing the race car's layout!

Shuster and Ward then introduced CRUZ RAMIREZ, the new girl on the racetrack  in CARS 3 who helps Lightning McQueen get his groove back.  Ramirez is a sunny-but-fierce unconventional trainer at the Rust-eze Racing Center. She expertly arms the team’s talented rookies with cutting-edge tools to tear up the track—but she nearly stalls when her longtime idol Lightning McQueen shows up. While she’d love to help him find his way back to the top, she knows the competition is faster than ever, and victory is all about speed—or is it?

The creative team shared that while the movie is digitally animated there is still a lot of old fashioned hands-on effort put into designing its characters.  To make sure each character is portraying just the right vibe each one is hand sketched out numerous times to get it just right before the digital process starts. Shuster and Ward wanted Cruz Ramirez to be a blend between an American Muscle Car and a European Sports Car. The resulting style is something between Lightning McQueen and Jackson Storm, which is symbolic of her role in training Lighting McQueen is some new racing techniques but having equipped Jackson Storm to be top gun of the race track.

Inspired by how real life automotive industry designers utilize clay to model new vehicles, PIXAR did the same to craft the layout for its CARS 3  characters before digitally animating them.

 After hand drawing and clay modeling the CARS 3 characters, PiIXAR utilizes computer programming to digitize them and create the environment they interact in.   The final digital design for Cruz Ramirez in CARS 3:

Lightning McQueen may now be an aged veteran taking on hot shot rookie cars trying to win the Piston Cup away from him but he has a fresh, new modernized NASCAR inspired paint job in CARS 3.  He is world champion—a modern-day racing legend who’s riding high with five Piston-Cup wins under his hood; but suddenly, Lightning McQueen finds himself faced with a new generation of racers who threaten not only his dominance in the sport—but the confidence that got him there. Determined to get back to the pole position, the #95 must decide if his love for racing is enough to fuel the comeback of his life.

Lightning McQueen rolls into the Detroit Auto Show!



After the press conference, I had a chance to meet one-on-one with Jay Ward and  Jay Shuster.


In addition to working on steering the creative direction of all three Cars films for PIXAR, Jay Ward was also instrumental in the development of the Cars Land attraction at Disney California Adventure.  I have to give him some well deserved kudos on Cars Land because that was one of the highlights of our family's Disneyland vacation.  Of course the CARS movies are some of my kids favorite films to watch as well!

Shuster is a Metro Detroit native and the automotive industry is in his blood as his father worked as a car designer during Jay's childhood growing up in Birmingham, Michigan. As a boy, Jay Shuster's room was filled with automobile sketches, blueprints, and models.  This diehard Star Wars fan was impressed that he got his start in the film industry at Lucasfilm working on Star Wars Episodes 1 & 2 (Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones) designing vehicles and environments for the movies. Moving over to PIXAR, his sci-fi focus continued as he designed the character Wall-E before focusing on the CARS movies.

Take a look at a snippet from the upcoming CARS 3 movie:



Jay Ward mentioned to me that they've been working on CARS 3 for 5 years.  While the movie is scheduled to be released in just a few months, they aren't done yet. Ward said they will be fine tuning the movie until just a couple of weeks before it is released.  He said they are going over every little detail of the film to make sure everything is just right and movie goers can appreciate an exceptional experience at the theater viewing it.

Jay Schuster mentioned that like me, he and Jay Ward, both have daughters who love the CARS movies.  So he said they wanted Cruz Ramirez to be more than just a love interest for Lightning McQueen by having an integral role in the movie's racing plot as a strong female leading character.  Ward chipped in "just to make it clear there isn't a romantic relationship between Cruz and Lightning in the film -- Sally is still his girlfriend."  He noted that Sally, Mater and other cast members from previous movies are in CARS 3 but they tend to stay in Radiator Springs while Lightning, Jackson and Cruz are traveling to various locations for Piston Cup races.

I asked if there might be any cameos in the movie by any of the characters from Disney's PLANES movies in CARS 3, but was told that a cross-over would probably not be happening.  Ward noted PLANES is produced by Disney Animation Studios and while PIXAR is owned by Disney they are treated as separate entities.  It doesn't seem like CARS want PLANES flying in on their parade.

Discussing how my wife, I and our kids enjoys watching CARS movies together, Jay Ward said that he is proud that CARS 3 is a movie that is fun for families to experience together.  "Parents will have a good time, children will have a good time and teenagers will pretend they're too old for this movie yet really enjoy it too," Ward said.  "I really think Cars 3 is the strongest film of the three both emotionally and story wise.  It is also a very family-friendly movie based upon how it delves into the theme of relationships in a journey that parents and kids can enjoy together."

CARS 3 features the voices of Owen Wilson (Lightning McQueen), Armie Hammer (Jackson Storm), and Christela Alonzo (Cruz Ramirez).  It is a perfect movie for a summer family outing to the movie theater.  Learn more about CARS at disney.cars.com which includes character profiles, craft ideas, games, videos and an online store of themed merchandise.  Also don't forget to swing by the Detroit Auto Show to say hello to Lightning McQueen before he races out of town on January 22!

2017 DETROIT AUTO SHOW TICKET GIVEAWAY

[Disclosure: SheBuysCars has partnered with the Detroit Auto Show, Hyundai and DriveUsingSteel to produce this event and giveaway.] 

In the early years of my marriage, when it was time to replace the car my wife or I was driving the one of us whose vehicle was changing would independently research, test drive and buy his or her new ride.  Once we had children though that changed.  Now my wife looks into all the cars we buy to see how kid-friendly they are and how the new vehicle fits into our family's needs.  Then I take the selections she pick outs for test drives and kick the tires on them.  We mutually discuss all our thoughts on each vehicle and make the purchase together no matter who will be the principal person driving it.  From these experiences, I've gained an understanding of and respect for the importance of women as consumers when it comes to the automobile industry.

It is important for there to be resources that women can feel comfortable turning to and place trust in when it comes to learning about automobile-related topics that are important to them and their families. SheBuysCars is a community of online automobile writers working collectively to provide information designed to empower women as owners and buyers of cars, help them become more thoughtful about their vehicles capabilities and functionality and to foster a closer relationship between auto manufacturers and female customers.  A Geek Daddy is pleased to help contribute to this effort by assisting SheBuysCars with its coverage of the Media Preview Days at the North American International Auto Show (aka 2017 Detroit Auto Show).  During the week of January 8 - 14, 2017 follow the hashtag #DetroitLovesAutos on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as myself and other Detroit area influencers provide coverage of new car, suv, and truck reveals, technology updates, and automobile industry news announced at #NAIAS.  I'll also provide a bit of a dad's perspective on what I discover while there.

This year's Detroit Auto Show has a technological theme dubbed Automobili-D. Obviously there will be a big focus on the automation of America's main means of mobility -- automobiles and trucks.  NAIAS will be showcasing how technology through sensors, communications, and other high tech means are making cars safer, better fuel efficient, and more comfortable then ever before.  There is also expected to be news about fully autonomous cars hitting the market.  Plus I'll get a sneak peek at the Automobili-D Expo featuring more than 100 companies, including automakers, tier one suppliers and tech startups, which will showcase how the auto industry is driving changes in technology and will be a special section open to NAIAS attendees when the show opens to the public on January 14th until it closes on January, 22nd. Oh and of course there will be plenty of cars and trucks to check out on the show floor -- in fact more than 750 vehicles will be on display I've been told.

I always enjoy a chance to attend the NAIAS. How about you? Would you like to go to this year's Detroit Auto Show?  If you’d like to attend the show, enter below for your chance to win a pair of tickets compliments of Hyundai, DriveUsingSteel and the Detroit Auto Show (see contest rules below too). 10 lucky winners will receive a pair of tickets to the show and one lucky winner will also win a $150 gift card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest rules: Entries must be completed by 12:45PM ET, January 13, 2017. Contest open only to US and Canada residents; no purchase necessary; winners will be notified by email by January 14, 2017. Winners MUST pick up tickets in person at the Detroit Auto Show, Cobo Center, 1 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226, between January 14, 2017 and January 22, 2017. Winners may be asked to provide identification to receive their prize. Prize value $26 per prize, not exchangeable or cash or other prizes. Grand prize value is $176; grand prize MUST be picked up at Cobo Center and winner will be asked to provide identification. A total of 10 pairs of tickets will be awarded and a total of 1 grand prize will be awarded.

Chrysler debuts Pacifica Play Zone at Detroit Auto Show

As a leader in family-friendly transportation with the minivans it produces, Chrysler didn't want to see parents leaving children behind when it came to a trip to the auto show.  Understanding that a visit to these adult focused events could be a bit boring for little ones, the automobile manufacturer created a special kid-friendly area for families to enjoy at the Detroit's North American International Auto Show.  The inaugural Pacifica Play Zone ties into Chrysler debuting its sixth generation minivan, named the Pacifica, at the show.  Located on an upper level overlooking the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) booth allows visitors to engage in activities, games and immersive experiences that highlight the features of the new Pacifica minivan. A Geek Daddy was invited to a tour of the Pacifica Play Zone with Bruce Velisek, head of brand marketing for Chrysler products, on its opening day.

There are a variety of games people can participate in for a chance to win prizes.  The "Stow 'n Go Showdown" was one of the most popular. Players race against a clock trying to stow all the seats in a mock up of the interior of a Pacifica.  If participants can complete the challenge before the clock reaches zero they receive a complimentary pair of sunglasses.

After making your way pass the "Stow 'n Go Showdown", visitors pass through the side door of a Pacifica into the uconnect theater which demonstrates the minivan's enhanced entertainment system and lets kids play video games.

Chrysler has partnered with the Michigan Science Center to provide some educational activities within the Pacifica Play Zone too.  This area lets children participate in hands-on experiments like designing their own wind turbines and electronic building blocks/circuits using littleBits as they connect motors, wheels, lights and switches.  Did you know that you can generate electricity from a potato?  Learn some fun science facts while experimenting in this section of the Pacifica Play Zone.

Sit back in the seats on a green screen backed set in a unique 360-degree photo opp that shoots you to the moon in a Pacifica.  You'll witness yourself miraculously enveloped by a minivan within a video that Chrysler will email to you.  Have some fun with this memento of your trip to the auto show by acting out some funny poses for your video.

A video posted by @geekdad248 on Jan 16, 2016 at 9:47pm PST

Chrysler is proud of the commercial grade vacuum they've included as a brand new minivan feature for their 2017 Pacifica and are highlighting that feature with their RIDGID Stow 'N Vac game.  Compete against three other players to be the first to vacuum up all the balls in your section of the game table to win a prize.

The room next to that allows visitors to experience the surround sound available for a Pacifica and try out some of the vehicles front console amenities.

Some other nice aspects include an area that features a larger-than-life interactive experience across multiple 65-inch touch screens, a design center which allows adults and children to color and stylize their own image of the new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica plus share their creation via social media, and a Recharge Lounge where parents can take advantage of comfortable seating and power up their mobile devices while their children explore the Pacifica Play Zone.

The whole area is decorated with artwork by local Detroit graffiti artist Shades who I had a chance to hang with a bit.  This endeavor took him five days to paint and a whole lot of spray cans.  Shades has gone from doing underground graffiti on the streets to making his art with an urban street flare a lucrative and legal career.  He is now commissioned by major corporations and other patrons to create graffiti projects around the world and has two pieces archived at the Detroit Institute of Arts.  This artist with a lot of Motor City street cred has played a big role in graffiti becoming recognized internationally as a legitimate art form.

Chrysler also treated visitors on the opening day of the Pacifica Play Zone with special performances by The BeatBuds.  This uptempo musical duo Jonathan Jonah and Matthew Shapiro (aka Jonny Jingles and Matty Maracas) have a focus on performing for families with young children.  There were quite a few children laughing and smiling as they sang, danced, and played along with The BeatBuds.

A Geek Daddy had a nice tour of this new kid friendly addition to the Detroit Auto Show.  This year's show is open to the public from January 16 - 24, 2016. For more information, visit NAIAS.com.

Don't live close enough to visit this year's show? Well you're not necessarily out of luck as Bruce also told us that elements of the #PacificaPlayZone will also be incorporated into FCA's displays at this year's Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York auto shows.  So if you live near one of those city's this may definitely be the year to take a family outing to the auto show.

Thank you to Bruce Velisek and FCA for their hospitality and the invite to join them at Detroit's North American International Auto Show.

LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER MICHIGAN TO UNVEIL GM RENCEN LEGO MODEL AT NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Michigan will unveil its first MINILAND LEGO® brick model, which will be of the iconic GM RENCEN, at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at 2 p.m. on Monday, January 18, 2016. Measuring approximately six feet by six feet wide and standing six feet tall, the model will be on display at NAIAS until Sunday, January 24th.  The GM RENCEN (aka Detroit Renaissance Center) was selected as the Metro Detroit area’s favorite landmark from among dozens of beloved Detroit attractions, buildings and landmarks through a public vote that LEGOLAND Discovery Center Michigan sponsored and will eventually be displayed permanently in the highly anticipated MINILAND exhibit when the attraction opens later this year at Great Lakes Crossing outlet mall in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The NAIAS is considered to be one of the most prominent automotive events in the world drawing more than 850,000 attendees and 5,000 members of the media from more than 60 countries each year.

"As an iconic symbol of Detroit's history and innovation in the automobile industry, we are honored to debut our LEGO model of t he GM RENCEN at the Motor City's preeminent event of the year," Hayley Anderson, general manager for LEGOLAND Discovery Center Michigan  told A Geek Daddy. "Being included in the North American International Auto Show is a unique and exciting opportunity that will allow us to share our model with the community and region."

The first MINILAND model for LEGOLAND Discovery Center Michigan - GM REN CEN unveiled 1/18.16

Situated along Detroit's international riverfront, the GM REN CEN is an iconic collection of seven interconnected skyscrapers that are owned by and serve as the world headquarters for General Motors.  The central tower, the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, is the tallest building in Michigan and the tallest all-hotel skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere.

“On behalf of the tenants, employees, businesses and visitors at the GMRENCEN, we’re honored to be chosen as metro Detroit’s top landmark in the future LEGOLAND Discovery Center,” Claudia Killeen, General Motors manager of Renaissance Center Development communicated to A Geek Daddy. “With its unique cylindrical design and glass exterior, we have no doubt that the GMRENCEN will make a great addition to the Detroit MINILAND.”

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Michigan will be a 32,000-square foot indoor attraction featuring millions of LEGO bricks and themed exhibits including a 4D cinema, two interactive rides, large soft play areas and much more.  One of the highlights of any LEGOLAND Discovery Center is its MINILAND which feature miniature LEGO brick landscapes inspired by the community where it is located.  LEGOLAND Discovery Center Michigan will have a MINILAND featuring Metro Detroit buildings, attractions, and other notable landmarks that will include in addition to GM REN CEN, the Spirit of Detroit statue, Belle Isle, Motown Museum, Fox Theater, Guardian Building, Comerica Park, and the giant Uniroyal Tire.

For more information about LEGOLAND Discovery Center Michigan visit their Facebook page - www.facebook.com/legolanddiscoverycentermichigan.  Follow A Geek Daddy on Facebook too to stay updated on all the new content and contests we post on our blog - www.facebook.com/ageekdaddy.