Picture me rollin'

  • Published
  • By Airman R. Michael Longoria
  • 11th Wing Public Affairs
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit in a $380,000 Italian sports car?

I had the amazing opportunity to sit in a Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster Jan. 24 at the 2007 Washington Auto Show. This hand-made machine does zero to 60 in 3.4 seconds, goes more than 200 miles per hour and felt like it was made just for me.

As I entered the auto show, the first thing that caught my eye was a sparkling orange Chevrolet Corvette. Aside from the leather interior and powerful V-8 engine, the Corvette incorporated new technology which to save gas by shutting off four cylinders when they are not needed.

Once I was able to pull myself away from the Corvettes, I notice the Chevy Volt. The Volt was unique to say the least. This electric car drives 40 miles before using any gasoline. Although a concept car for 2007, the Volt may not be ready until 2011.

As I continued to trek through the exhibit I ran into a beast, the Camaro. This had to rank as one of my favorite vehicles in the show. The bright silver Camaro looked very powerful.

The General Motors, Mazda, Pontiac and Jaguar exhibits had some very nice cars and trucks, but it wasn't until I reached the Ford section that my jaw dropped. The Ford Interceptor impressed me the most. The Interceptor combines qualities of the two things Ford does best, the Mustang and trucks, in one tidy, mass-marketable, rear-wheel drive package. The Interceptor comes equipped with a manual six-speed gearbox mated to a Ford Racing 5.0-liter V-8 Cammer engine that delivers 400 horsepower and runs on E-85 ethanol. After drooling over this vehicle, I made my way downstairs.

Before I hit the escalator, I got an aerial view of the lower exhibits. What stood out to me most was the Jeep Camp, the indoor off-road track. However, I wasn't able to take a ride on it. The line was long and my supervisor had only allowed me so much time to visit the show.

I got to check out a few older model cars as I walked toward the Porsche exhibits. If I had $80,000 I would definitely buy a Porsche. Every bit of the interior of the Porsche 911 was leather, even the seat belt.

Then there was my ultimate dream car. A Lamborghini ... enough said.

Parked not too far for my Lambo, was a 2005 Rolls Royce Phantom. The luxurious and big-bodied machine is the type of car you should have a driver for so you can lounge in the back, which is almost as big as my dorm room.

After checking out the 4-wheeled vehicles, I sat on a black Harley-Davidson. I don't know what to say except I felt like Dennis Hopper in "Easy Rider."

The show ran Jan. 24 through 28. The six-day showcase had more than 700 new vehicle makes and models, plus entertainment, celebrity guests and new car giveaways requiring nine acres of exhibit space.

For more information, logon to www.washingtonautoshow.com.