Fast Meets Fabulous at the Miami Auto Show

Scotty Reiss |

Updated: Nov 10, 2014

Cars Meet Art Miami Auto Show — BMW 4 series skinned by work by artist Jay West

Miami’s don’t-miss collection of art, exotic cars and the best new cars.

It’s that time of year: the new car models are starting to roll into dealer showrooms, ads for these lovelies fill Sunday afternoon football broadcasts and looking at them seems to make our current cars start to seem dated and drab.

I want a new car.

If you’re lucky enough to be anywhere near South Florida this week, all sorts of cars, from fabulous to exotic to fuel efficient are on display. You can shop, dream and compare, all under one roof.

Here’s what you’ll want to see at the Miami Auto Show.

Cars Meet Art

So simple, and so brilliant: The Miami Auto Show brought together a group of local artists and had them turn a new model car into art on wheels. Artists ‘skinned’ the cars with their work, for the first ever Car Meets Art at the Miami Auto Show. The cars will also be part of the 2014 Art Basel fair in early December, where a total of 180 art cars will be seen. The display includes an interactive touch screen display that allows show guests to create virtual art on a car, and also, attendees can see a VW Beetle that was painted during the show.

: Infiniti by BK the Artist

: BMW 4 Series, by Jay West

: Mazda 3 by SonniStudios

: Lamborghini Aventador Roadster by Gene Duaiv

: Fiat by Daniel Fila

: Jeep Wrangler by Claudio Picasso

: Jessy Nite at work creating a new look for the VW bug

: Mini Cooper by Bisco Smith

: Honda Fit by Don Rimix

Exotic cars

Super fancy super cars are at home in Miami, long known as the place where the rich go to be fabulous. And anyone in the market for a super fabulous car will find it here. Here’s what we saw:

Maserati GranTurismo Convertible MC Centennial Edition

Since I don’t get to sit in a Maserati every day, I took the opportunity to explore the Grand Tourismo Cabrio convertible. Noted for the attention to detail and the Ferrari engine under the hood, this car is designed to make long drives delightful ones, with a roomier passenger compartment (well, the front seat at least) and lots of amenities. Here’s a look at the car’s details:

: The Maserati Gran Turismo drivers seat

: The passenger compartment is filled with carbon fiber trim; the tone on tone checkered look lends a professional feel to the cabin and is also very light weight

: Missoni meets Maserati; you should always dress for the occasion of being in a Maserati

: The convertible top is controlled with this switch next to the gear shift

: The steering wheel is designed for driving with imprints for the drivers’ thumbs, paddle shifters and basic phone and radio controls

: The Maserati’s metal pedals give a sure, confident feel under foot

: Carbon fiber is even used for the door handles

: The back seat provides suitable legroom, seating for two; between the seats is a center console and arm rest

: Even on first glance the leather seats with blue trim are striking and inviting

: The roof of the Gran Turismo tucks into the space behind the rear seats; this leaves little room for luggage or other cargo

: The view from the back; the seat backs are also covered in carbon fiber

More cars for millionaires

A nice array of super cars is on display at the Miami Auto Show’s Million Dollar alley, including a car that actually costs $1 million.

And then, there’s the million dollar baby: the Pagani

Since I never get to sit in a million dollar car, I took the opportunity to get comfy in the Pagani and snap a few shots. This very limited production car is hand crafted and its exterior is completely constructed of carbon fiber. Buyers can customize the interior to match a favorite handbag, shade of lipstick or shoes. This is a true race track roadster and built for speed, the brain child of Horatio Pagani who started his career sweeping floors in a Ferrari factory. After learning about the craft, believed he could to it better, so he designed his own car. Each piece and part is carefully designed, forged and built and features an AMG engine, the only car to feature an AMG other than Mercedes Benz.

: The Pagani Huayra

: The Huayra with all its doors open–passenger and engine

: The Pagani Huayra’s rear view and quad exhaust

: The forged steel steering wheel

: Every component is custom made

: The view from the drivers seat

: The Pagani’s sound system, behind the seats

: Like a cockpit: toggles control lights

: The gear shift reveals its mechanics

: Signed by the artist, Horatio Pagani

: The Pagani’s engine

: The luggage compartment, complete with luggage

: The chance to sit in a million dollar car: priceless

By Scotty Reiss

Journalist, entrepreneur and mom. Expertise includes new cars, family cars, 3-row SUVs, child passenger car seats and automotive careers... More about Scotty Reiss