Concept cars, SpongeBob SquarePants, football coach Turner Gill, eco-friendly vehicles and a car-a-day giveaway are major features at the 2009 Buffalo Auto Show. Students looking to switch up their weekend from studying and partying can head over to the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.
???The Buffalo Auto Show is more than just a sneak peek at brand new vehicles. Each day attendants can check out a safe driving simulator, watch a professional team "pimp out" an '09 Chevrolet Malibu, and browse a wide variety of cars, trucks and SUVs from manufacturers around the world.
???The show will run through Sunday. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $8 on Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to the Buffalo Auto Show Web site.
???Sunday is UB Appreciation Day at the show. There will be no discount on tickets; however, students can watch as coaches Turner Gill and Reggie Witherspoon receive a special tribute from local car dealers.
???On Sunday, there will also be the UB Motorsports Team: the UB chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers Formula Design Team (Formula SAE). The Formula SAE competition is an event in which students conceive, design, fabricate and compete with small formula style racing cars from other university teams. The team is to be honored at the show for its hard work.
??? Students interested in polishing up on their driving techniques can check out the safe driving simulator, Drive Square, a new computer-controlled driving system able to simulate different environments and driving conditions.
???The Drive Square simulator enables the conversion of almost any vehicle. Sensors connected to the brake, gas pedal and steering wheel allow the driver to go forward, brake and turn on a virtual road, according to the Web site.
???A head-mounted display sensor enables 360-degree viewing, which can simulate different vehicle types-driving under the influence, and impaired driving that results from texting or using a mobile phone behind the wheel.
???For those interested in custom cars or Pimp My Ride, a team of automotive builder-designers from Grand Island who have received national recognition from General Motors for their work are showing off their skills.
???In the "Malibu Build-Up Room," attendants can look on as these designers and fabricators transform a stock Chevy Malibu into a one-of-a-kind street machine. When complete, the car will have custom rims, custom exhaust, a pumped-up stereo system, a stylish new interior and even more, according to the Web site.
???Among the many cars featured at the show, Buffalonians will be able to look at the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle from Chevrolet. The Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicle is a zero-gas, zero-emissions vehicle. It seats four, sports 32 cubic feet of cargo volume for luggage and groceries, and has a range of approximately 150 miles per hydrogen fill-up based on the 2008 EPA adjusted measurement.
???SpongeBob SquarePants will be appearing at the show with his sidekick Patrick for photo opportunities or for any fans of the show who want to see him in real life. SpongeBob and Patrick will be at the show Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 3 p.m.
???As it is tradition at the show, several vehicles will be given away. To win a vehicle, participants must match the last four digits of their New York State driver's license to the last four digits of the vehicle's VIN number.
???General Motors has four cars up for grabs: a Buick Enclave, a Cadillac CTS, a brand new Chevy Camaro and a Pontiac G8. Participants can also win a Ford Escape Hybrid, Dodge Grand Caravan, Jeep Patriot, Mini Cooper, Nissan Rogue or a Toyota Venza.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
