Gear Up to Test Drive the Hottest Cars @ Upcoming IE Auto Show

The Inland Empire Auto Show (IEAS), one of Southern California’s premier auto shows, is heading back to the Ontario Convention Center this August 24-26, 2012. This year, the Inland Empire Auto Show is on track to be bigger and better with more automakers featured than in any of its previous years – 24 in total. Show organizers feel the event very much mirrors the current increase in sales figures for auto industry as a whole. Sales of new cars are up into the double digits and automakers are taking the opportunity to show off their new models to the general public and to the more than 30,000 people expected at the three-day Inland Empire Auto Show. The Inland Empire Auto Show will be open from 12:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. on Friday, August 24, 10:00a.m. to 8p.m. Saturday, August 25 and from 10:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. on Sunday, August 26. Tickets range in price from $5.00 for seniors and military to $10.00 for adults. Children ages 12 and under are free with an adult admission. For tickets and more information, visit www.IEAutoShow.com or call (909) 937-3000

Featured at the event will be the hottest cars, trucks and alternative vehicles showcased by Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge (including the all-new Dodge Dart and SRT models), Fiat, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Jeep, Lincoln, Mazda, Scion (including the new FR-S) Subaru (with their new BRZ), Toyota (including the new Prius C), Volkswagen and more. This is also one of the first auto shows in which the public will have a chance to get behind the wheel of the highly anticipated Dodge Dart and the new Scion FR-S, plus more cars available to drive from Volkswagen, Toyota and Chrysler in the show’s Ride & Drive going on all three days.

The 2012 The Inland Empire Auto Show features a host of fun activities for auto enthusiasts, plus their families. On Friday, August 24 from 5:00p.m. to 8:00p.m., auto show ticket holders can stroll through Great Taste Friday inside the Ontario Convention Center and enjoy gourmet samples from 20 of the Inland Empire’s best restaurants and wineries.

On Saturday, August 25 from 3:00p.m. to 8:00p.m., show goers can take a break and work on their swing at the Get Out & Golf component of the auto show. Golf professionals with the Southern California PGA will be on hand with putting greens, virtual driving ranges, golf clubs and balls, and for course, expert tips to take to out to the links. The Get Out & Golf experience is free with auto show admission.

On Sunday, August 26, lace up those walking shoes and get out to the Ontario Convention Center at 8:30a.m. to participate in the Walk for Wishes and show support for the Make-A-Wish® Foundation Orange County Inland Empire Chapter. Hundreds of people will depart from the convention center on a spirited short walk and wind up back at the Festival of Wishes in the parking lot, filled with festivities for the whole family. Entry into the Walk for Wishes is $35 from August 18 to August 24. Sign up at www.IEAutoShow.com/features.

Food trucks from across the Inland Empire, Los Angeles and San Diego, including The Grilled Cheese Truck, Thai 1 On, My Delight Cupcakery, BACONMANia, RockIn Ice, Slammin’ Sliders, Dogtown Dogs and the Red Robin Yummm Mobile will be on site serving up the best on-the-go fare all three days of the Inland Empire Auto Show. Those who test drive a car in the Ride & Drive will receive a free food truck voucher while supplies last.

Follow the show on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/InlandEmpireAutoShow or on Twitter @IEAutoShow to get insider news and announcements from the Inland Empire Auto Show.

Go Behind the Wheel of Today's Hottest Cars & Trucks at the Ride & Drive!

Attendees Check Out New Dodge at Last Year's IE Auto Show

The Inland Empire Auto Show heads back to the Ontario Convention Center August 24-26, 2012. Back by popular demand at this year’s Inland Empire Auto Show is the Ride & Drive event. Spanning all three days of the show, attendees can get behind the wheel of top auto manufacturers’ cars and trucks and take them for a spin through a monitored course at the Ride & Drive. Attendees can test drive vehicles for free with their auto show admission and have their choice of many different makes and models, without the pressure of an auto dealership environment. Auto makers to be featured at the Inland Empire Auto Show’s Ride & Drive include Chrysler, Fiat, Jeep, Ram, Subaru, Toyota and Volkswagen. For more information or tickets to the Inland Empire Auto Show, log onto www.IEAutoShow.com.

Toyota Prius C

The Inland Empire Auto Show Ride & Drive is a great way to evaluate the latest model vehicles in a no hassle, no pressure atmosphere. Show goers will have the chance to drive their favorite and perhaps dream cars on a designated route adjacent to the Ontario Convention Center. Those interested in testing Ride & Drive vehicles are encouraged to sign up early in the day as the Inland Empire Auto Show Ride & Drive organizers anticipate more than 4,500 people getting in the driver’s seat during the three-day event. Just less than 3,000 show attendees test drove new cars at the show’s 2011 Ride & Drive.

Scion FRS

Volkswagen Jetta

Volkswagen GTI

Autos available for the public to test drive include:

Chrysler 200

Chrysler 300 

Chrysler Town & Country

Dodge Challenger

Dodge Charger

Dodge Dart

Dodge Durango

FIAT 500

Jeep® Compass

Jeep® Grand Cherokee

Jeep® Wrangler

Ram 1500

Subaru (models TBA)

Scion FRS

Toyota Prius C

Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen Beetle

Volkswagen CC

To purchase tickets and for more information, visit the official IEAS website at www.IEAutoShow.com. Tickets are also available at the door each day. Like the show on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/InlandEmpireAutoShow and follow them on Twitter @IEAutoShow to get insider news and announcements from the Inland Empire Auto Show.