Minneapolis --- The 45th Annual Twin Cities Auto Show presented by SuperAmerica will roll into the Minneapolis Convention Center March 10 – 18, 2018. The event, which is the largest consumer show in the upper Midwest, is produced by the Greater Metropolitan Automobile Dealers Association of Minnesota, Inc. (GMADA).

The Twin Cities Auto Show is your chance to compare more than 600 vehicles from 36 domestic and imported brands side by side - without driving all over town. This year’s display of vehicles will be the largest in years featuring an estimated $21 million in new vehicles and exhibits. Instead of just dreaming about it, the Twin Cities Auto Show is where you can actually sit behind the wheel in a compact, family sedan, SUV, truck, or luxury car.

The “Car of the Show” is the 2019 INFINITI QX50. The all-new 2019 QX50 is a luxury mid-size crossover with world-first technologies, standout design and enhanced interior space, on an entirely new platform. The aerodynamically efficient exterior remains true to that of the QX50 Concept and QX Sport Inspiration, bringing a fresh interpretation of INFINITI's distinctive Powerful Elegance design language to the crossover segment.

Here are NEW attractions to the 2018 Twin Cities Auto Show:

· The world premiere of the Mitsubishi Mile, an indoor test track based on our two fabled seasons: winter and road construction. Experience a Mitsubishi on potholes, icy roads, and through a maze of cones.

Acceleration Alley: Featuring the fastest vehicles offered by the luxury sports car industry --- all vehicles are $75K+ --- Acceleration Alley is built upon the principals of speed and style. In addition to the line-up of standard manufacturer vehicles, Acceleration Alley will be debuting two rare Hurst Heritage performance vehicles custom built by GSS Supercars: 2018 Hurst Heritage Dodge Challenger and 2018 Hurst Heritage Ford Mustang. These street-legal hot rods are two of only 50 Hurst Heritage vehicles in production for 2018!

After Dark presented by Minnesota Monthly: On the evening of Friday, March 16, specialty lighting will illuminate the Twin Cities Auto Show to produce a brilliant nighttime experience. This bright new idea will allow guests to check out the Show vehicles as if the sun had set and view an extravagant display of headlights, high beams, monitors, and doors lights.

Check out the hottest new movie star on four wheels – the Lexus LC 500 Black Panther one of two vehicles used during the filming of “Black Panther” in Luxury Lane, thanks to our local Lexus dealers.

Crime-Fighting Cars exhibit presented by Floyd Total Security: Immerse yourself in the world of solving crimes (and pop culture) with some world-renowned and popular character vehicles including Scooby Doo’s Mystery Machine; the Caped Crusader’s Batmobile; Knight Industries Two Thousand (a.k.a. KITT) from “Knight Rider;” and Black Beauty, driven by the Green Hornet’s chauffeur, Kato. Check the website for character appearances.

You have the perfect vehicle; now make it your own. At Custom Garagepresented by Automotive Concepts, you'll be able to explore a wide range of opportunities to personalize your vehicle.

King Robota: Let this 10-foot-tall, fully-electronic robot entertain you and your family. Watch and listen to its stories and favorite songs. Plus, he loves taking selfies!

Star Wars: Nissan Rogue Sport A-wing: Built to represent the legendary A-wing used by the Alliance and Resistance, the Nissan Rogue Sport is equipped with dual rear thrusters, mounted fins, wide-stanced tires, laser cannons, and a matching paint job to complete its transformation!

Popular returning highlights attendees will include:

· Check out the latest in electric and hybrid vehicles in the Electric Room. Drive Electric Minnesota and electric vehicle owners will also be on hand to answer questions and discuss “Plug in Minnesota,” a service that provides information on charging stations along 1-35 and Highway 61.

· “Ride & Drive” – Just like the phrase suggests - guests can head outside, get behind the wheel and drive their choice of a new Chevrolet, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mazda, Toyota or Volkswagen.

· One of the Twin Cities Auto Show’s most popular areas is Luxury Lane now located in the Luxury Ballroom. The 2018 display will feature more than $2 million worth of vehicles! Browse the assortment of high-end posh rides from Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, Cadillac, INFINITI, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Lotus, Maserati, and Mercedes.

· The fun and interactive Camp Jeep takes guests on an obstacle course ride that covers over 30,000 square feet on the show floor. Take a 4-wheel drive and experience a Trail Rated off-road adrenaline rush.

· Relax and recharge while listening to your favorite stations in the iHeart Radio Listening Lounge. Meet personalities from Cities 97, KDWB, ALT93.3, K102, KFAN, KOOL 108 and News Talk AM1130.

· Visit The Neighborhood powered by Millz House located just outside hall E. It's a comfy resting space for you and a fun spot for kids featuring play spaces by Millz house. Features include a a full-length basketball court, Original Fort, Deluxe Fort, and Original Playcenter Triple Jackpot.

Here is the schedule for a variety of demonstrations and attractions that will be offered on designated days throughout the 2018 Twin Cities Auto Show:

Military Appreciation Night is Tuesday, March 13. Active military and veterans will receive free admission with valid military credentials courtesy of Toyota. Family and friends will receive $2 off at the gate.

A ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. to showcase our respect for all branches of the military. Participants in this ceremony include the American Legion Department of Minnesota Color Guard, the Veterans of Foreign War Color Guard, the National Guard, the United Heroes League, and Toyota.

In addition, a Rappel Master from the National Guard will join the ceremony via a 65-foot drop from the Minneapolis Convention Center ceiling!

At the ceremony, the Greater Metropolitan Automobile Dealers Association will be presenting the United Heroes League with a monetary donation funded by a percentage of proceeds from oil changes performed during the month of February at participating new car and truck dealerships. Last year's efforts resulted in a $34,560 donation.

The United Heroes League, a 501.c.3 and formerly known as Defending the Blue Line, will receive a contribution from GMADA. The United Heroes League has provided over $3 million dollars’ worth of free sports equipment, game tickets, cash grants, and summer camps to military families across the United States and Canada.

The Toyota Tundra "Hiring our Heroes Monster Truck" will be on display throughout the Twin Cities Auto Show. This monstrous vehicle helps create awareness to the veteran unemployment epidemic. Learn more about the issue of veteran unemployment and how Toyota is helping to alleviate it.

Meet members of the Minnesota State Patrol in the Ride & Drive section of the Show. Troopers will be on hand to answer your questions and conduct a variety of programs throughout the week.

Throughout the Show, a demolished minivan will be on display. The van was broadsided by a texting driver. The accident took the lives of two Minnesotans. The display, presented by the Minnesota Auto Dealers Association Service Parts and Collision Council in cooperation with the Minnesota State Patrol, will serve as a graphic reminder: Don’t Text and Drive!

Minnesota Timberwolves players Taj Gibson and Jamal Crawford will be meeting fans in the Lexus Display from 3 – 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 10.

The first 10,000 people on Sunday, March 11 will receive a coupon for a FREE ICEE at SuperAmerica

The U of M Solar Vehicle Project is an ongoing project at the University of Minnesota’s College of Science & Engineering. Each car is designed and built by students.

The student-fueled "Eos II" took more than 50,000 hours to build and is fresh off its completion of the 2017 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia where it raced over 1860 miles to become one of five cruiser class teams to finish. This vehicle will be on display March 10 and March 11 in the Ride & Drive area. Interested in learning more? Check out http://umnsvp.org/.

Sunday, March 11 is Saint Paul Saints Day. The Saints will be giving away a smorgasbord of FUN promotional giveaways to Twin Cities Auto Show Guests. Plus, the lovable mascot Mudonna will make an appearance.

The first 10,000 people on Sunday, March 18 will receive a coupon for a FREE COFFEE at SuperAmerica.

Zeus McClurkin, a member of the world famous Harlem Globetrotters will meet and greet Auto Show guests in The Neighborhood on Sunday, March 18 at 2 p.m.

INFO: TwinCitiesAutoShow.com

HOURS:

Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Sundays: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 4 – 10 p.m.

Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Friday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

TICKETS: $12 for adults ($10 if purchased online in advance)

$6 for youth ages 11 – 15. Children 10 and under are FREE.

All tickets are discounted to $6 on Wednesday, March 14.

Discount coupons are available at participating SuperAmerica stores and GMADA metro member auto dealerships.

SOCIAL: Find us on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/TwinCitiesAutoShow)

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @TCAutoShow. Tag us - #TCAutoShow

MORE: The Twin Cities Auto Show is produced by the Greater Metropolitan Automobile Dealers Association of Minnesota, Inc. (GMADA). The GMADA is an organization of

130 new car and truck franchised dealers in the Greater Minneapolis and St. Paul area. The 2018 GMADA Chair is Jeff Lupient, the GMADA President is Scott Lambert

and the Auto Show Director is Mary Velline.

SPONSORS: SuperAmerica, Automotive Concepts, Great River Energy, Millz House, Minnesota Propane Association, Floyd Total Security, Twin City Jacuzzi, iHeart Radio, Polaris,

Toyota, T-Mobile, Infinite Beauty, Artful Living, Minnesota Monthly, and DirectTV.

Contact: Molly Steinke, Nemer Fieger, molly@nemerfieger.com, 612-309-1677