Detroit, MI
Weird and wonderful cars we saw at this year’s Detroit Auto Show
DETROIT – The Detroit Auto Show is back, and with it comes a carnival of new, unique, wacky rides that are bound to interest gearheads and the general public alike.
MLive journalists were on hand at Huntington Place in Downtown Detroit for Media Day on Friday, Jan. 10 to get an early look at the show. From concept cars to custom classics, take a look at some of the most interesting vehicles we saw below:
The Cadillac Opulent Velocity concept on display during Media Day at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place in Detroit on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
Cadillac’s Opulent Velocity Concept Car
The Detroit Auto Show has long been known for showcasing forward-thinking concept cars from established automakers, and this year’s event was no exception. Cadillac highlighted their luxurious electric vehicle concept, aptly named the Opulent Velocity.
Touted as a “pure expression of innovative design and prestigious performance,” the all-electric, scissor-door coupe featured smooth lines, an interior upholstered entirely with blue fabric and low-profile tires partially integrated into its futuristic-looking wheels.
The Ford F-150 Lightning Supertruck electric vehicle demonstrator on display during Media Day at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place in Detroit on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
Ford’s Race-Winning F-150 Lightning Supertruck EV
Ford showcased its hot-rodded F-150 Lightning Supertruck electric vehicle demonstrator, which they proudly deemed “King of the Mountain” after its victory at the 102nd Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado. Romain Dumas piloted the 1,600-horsepower electric truck up the winding, 156-turn course in a 12.42-mile road race with a finish time of 8:53.553, the fastest of all 61 competitors.
Inside the Chevrolet Grounded G2 electric RV on display during Media Day at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place in Detroit on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
Grounded’s G2 all-electric camper van
Chevrolet subsidiary Grounded showed off a fully built-out G2 electric vehicle equipped as for emission-free van life. The kitted-out camper, based on GM’s Brightdrop Zevo 400 platform, features 270 miles of range, 1 kW solar power, a fully customizable interior and integrated StarLink internet for around $195,000.
A Robinson R44 II helicopter advertising the MyFlight aerial tour service on display during Media Day at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place in Detroit on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
MyFlight’s Detroit Helicopter Tour Flights
In keeping with a long tradition of hosting at least one flying vehicle, the auto show featured a Robinson R44 from Detroit-based MyFlight Tours, which offers aerial tours of the Detroit area by helicopter for as little as $55 per person. MyFlight also offers sightseeing flights over Milwaukee, Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains, Ocean City, Md. and the Straits of Mackinac.
A Ford Crown Victoria station wagon inspired by the 1983 film National Lampoon’s Vacation on display as part of a collection of film-used and film-inspired cars during Media Day at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place in Detroit on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
National Lampoon’s Vacation Wagon and other Movie Cars by Hagerty
Automotive lifestyle company Hagerty has a booth highlighting a collection of seen-on-the-big-screen vehicles including a tribute to the prototypical road trip vehicle: the “Wagon Queen Family Truckster” from National Lampoon’s Vacation.
Other cars in the Hagerty booth include one of the used-on-screen Modena replica Ferrari 250GT Spyder Californias seen in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” a Pontiac Trans-Am K.I.T.T. from “Knight Rider,” the Volkswagen Beetle “Swinger 2″ from “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me” and a rare Ferrari 308 GTSi like the one used in “Magnum P.I.”
A Reliant Robin three-wheeled car on display during Media Day at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place in Detroit on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
A Reliant Robin and other Rare, Modified and Custom Vehicles
The lower River Level at Huntington Place features a collection of rare, custom and enthusiast vehicles owned by community members, including the Reliant Robin three-wheeler above. Famously used by Top Gear hosts James May and Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, the Robin was tricycle-style compact car mass-produced in Britain from the 1970s until 2000.
A Ferrari Monza SP1 welcomes guests to the Gallery – a collection of dealer- and privately-owned exotic vehicles – during Media Day at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place in Detroit on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
The Gallery, a Luxury and Exotic Vehicle Showcase
Modded Detroit also helped arrange the return of a display of 50 prestigious automobiles from 12 luxury brands, including the Ferrari Monza SP1 above. Brands featured include Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Lotus, Maserati, McLaren, Morgan, Porsche and Rolls-Royce.
Check out some more of our favorite concept cars and oddities below.
The Chrysler Halcyon concept car on display during Media Day at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place in Detroit on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
The Buick Wildcat EV concept on display during Media Day at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place in Detroit on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
A Buick Wildcat EV concept on display during Media Day at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place in Detroit on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
The Cadillac Project GTP Hypercar on display during Media Day at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place in Detroit on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
The Ford Mustang RTR on display during Media Day at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place in Detroit on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
The Cadillac Escalade IQ electric vehicle on display during Media Day at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place in Detroit on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
Rare and exotic cars on display in The Gallery during Media Day at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place in Detroit on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
The Volkswagen Beetle “Swinger 2” that appeared in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me on display during Media Day at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place in Detroit on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
A customized Chevrolet Impala lowrider on display during Media Day at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place in Detroit on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
The Chrysler Halcyon concept car on display during Media Day at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place in Detroit on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
READ MORE AUTO SHOW COVERAGE:
Why is the Detroit Auto Show moving back to January?
Your Detroit Auto Show guide: Parking, tickets, where to eat and more
When is the Detroit Auto Show? Here’s the list of dates and times
Detroit, MI
The first Detroit Lions OC candidate has emerged
Blough is only two years into his coaching career after retiring from playing after the 2023 season. He has spent the last two seasons as the Washington Commanders’ assistant quarterbacks coach, helping young quarterback Jayden Daniels emerge as a strong franchise player for Washington. Late in the 2025 season, Commanders quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard took the Stanford head coaching job, leaving Blough to serve as the interim quarterbacks coach for the rest of the season.
While backing up Jared Goff in Detroit, Blough was often described by the coaching staff as an excellent backup and strong offensive mind.
“I love the kid, if I’m being totally honest with you,” Campbell said back in 2021. “He’s just a little football player. And when I say that, I mean that in the highest regard. Look, he’s smart. He’s extremely smart. He knows where to go with the football, I love his timing. He knows how to command the huddle, he communicates well and on top of that, he’s a hell of a dude, by the way. He just is. So, he has not disappointed. He’s doing a good job. He’s out there competing with the rest of those guys.”
As of now, this is the only known candidate for the Lions’ offensive coordinator position, but it’s still early in the process. When more candidates emerge, we’ll have a tracker so you can see all of the names in one place.
Detroit, MI
Popular Detroit sports columnist announces stage 4 cancer diagnosis
Longtime Detroit sports radio host and columnist Pat Caputo has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, he announced Monday.
Caputo, a host on Detroit’s 97.1 The Ticket, last published a column on Nov. 7. On Monday, he explained the reason behind his absence.
“For those wondering where I’ve been: I have been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, commonly referred to as a “death sentence” and had two other serious ailments which put me in ICU for several days,” Caputo wrote in a post to X. “It was sudden. I’ve literally been on my back for weeks. Bless you all.”
Caputo, 66, became a well-known personality in Detroit sports media during his time as an award-winning columnist for The Oakland Press from 1983-2020, according to the Detroit Free Press. He also was previously part of WXYT’s “Evening Sports” broadcast, and is an official voter for the Baseball Hall of Fame and college football’s Heisman Trophy award, according to his X bio.
Caputo is nicknamed “The Book” for his impressive memory retaining sports stats and information, according to FOX 2 in Detroit, where he has been a regular guest on its “Sports Works” broadcast.
Caputo’s social media announcement regarding his health drew support from fellow sports media professionals, including Brad Galli, sports director at WXYZ Detroit, and ESPN’s Dan Wetzel and Dave Pasch.
“Pat, we’re praying for [you],” Galli wrote. “Awful awful awful to read this, man. God bless you.”
“Legend. Stay strong my friend. So much support out here for you,” Wetzel posted.
“Book, praying for you my friend. So sorry to hear this,” Pasch wrote.
Detroit, MI
Murder trial starts this week in death of Detroit neurosurgeon Devon Hoover
DETROIT (WXYZ) — Desmond Burks’ murder trial starts this week. On Monday, he attended his pre-trial hearing. Burks faces first-degree murder, felony murder and larceny charges in the death of Dr. Devon Hoover.
The prominent Detroit neurosurgeon was found dead in his attic in April 2023 after Detroit police performed a wellness check. Investigators said he had been shot twice in the head and his body was wrapped in a blood-soaked carpet.
Watch Darren Cunningham’s video report below:
Trial set to begin in Dr. Devon Hoover murder case
At the pre-trial, Judge Paul Cusick set the tone for how he expects the trial to go. It could last several weeks, according to court administration.
“Obviously, there’s always been respect shown to this court by the defendant and attorneys in this case, and all of the witnesses need to show the respect that is going to be required. There will be no outburst from any witnesses or anyone else during the proceedings,” the judge said.
Cusick discussed scheduling for the trial, starting with jury selection Wednesday and outlined restrictions for news media.
“Media is prohibited from showing and/or publishing the faces of any civilian witnesses not employed by the government,” he read.
WXYZ
Those same restrictions were in place during the preliminary hearing.
At the prelim, a number of people testified that they were former lovers of Desmond Burks.
Those men and women described Burks as a hustler and said he would send them money from an unknown Cash App and then have them send the money back to his Cash App.
Watch our coverage of the third day of the preliminary hearing below:
Day 3 concludes in Desmond Burks’ preliminary hearing in murder of Dr. Devon Hoover
Burks is accused of stealing more than $30,000 from Hoover via credit card and fraudulent bank transactions, and Burks allegedly used other people to execute his plan.
Investigators said text messages revealed Burks had an intimate relationship with Hoover and was sometimes paid for sexual services.
Watch our coverage of the second day of the preliminary hearing below:
Mystery backpack focus of testimony during day 2 of Hoover preliminary hearing
Testimony from the prelim also revealed that authorities zeroed in on Burks, in part, through cellphone records and surveillance footage involving Hoover’s stolen truck.
During the trial, we may hear from a close relative of Burks who identified him in surveillance footage during the prelim. The footage allegedly shows Burks walking away from Hoover’s stolen vehicle.
Watch our coverage of the first day of the preliminary hearing below:
Preliminary hearing begins for man charged with killing Dr. Devon Hoover
The jury selection process is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.
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