'NextCruise' To Add Green To Woodward Dream Cruise
Nine automakers and the city of Pleasant Ridge will sponsor an inaugural NextCruise during the Woodward Dream Cruise Aug. 15 and 16.
The event will feature next-generation, environmentally friendly transportation that is still a great deal of fun to drive. Included will be hybrids, clean diesels and other high-mileage and low-emission designs.
It's the brain child of longtime automotive journalist Paul Eisenstein and George Lenko, a Pleasant Ridge city commissioners.
The event will offer the public a chance to drive the vehicles, not just look at them.
"NextCruise marks a number of important firsts," Eisenstein said. "It's the first-ever public event that brings together such a large array of leading automakers, specifically to display environmental vehicles and technologies; the first-ever event where the public has the chance to drive such a wide assortment of clean, high-economy cars, trucks and crossovers; and it's the first-ever official Woodward Dream Cruise event that is specifically future-focused. NextCruise helps expand the relevance of the Woodward Dream Cruise from what is primarily a retrospective into a celebration of the automobile, past, present and future."
NextCruise will also feature displays of even more advanced green concepts and technologies, such as fuel cells and hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines, together with experts to provide insight into how those developments can reach production in the not-too-distant future.
Eisenstein said the event will stress that green can still mean big fun to drive.
"Today's and tomorrow's Green Machines challenge the stereotype that environmentally friendly automobiles require customers to make significant sacrifices: in size, features, comfort and, especially, performance," Eisenstein said. "NextCruise provides a venue for manufacturers to display current and future Green technologies and engage the public in understanding that the newest Green Machines are roomy, well-equipped and, in keeping with the spirit of the Dream Cruise, able to deliver surprising performance and fun."
NextCruise will be held in Pleasant Ridge's Memorial Park along the west side of Woodward Avenue between Nine Mile Road and I-696.
There will be a public preview on the evening of Aug. 15. NextCruise itself takes place concurrent with the Woodward Dream Cruise on Aug. 16. Major auto manufacturers supporting include General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Volkswagen. Other sponsors and exhibitors include Bridgestone, Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, IndyCar Series, American Le Mans Series, PR Newswire, G-2 Communications and ESI. For information go to www.nextcruise2008.com.
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