by Keith Cornett 

All kinds of new cars and trucks will be on display at the North American International Auto Show in the coming days, but we know there will be one star that will shine brighter than all of them put together: the much-awaited 2014 C7 Corvette.

After unveiling its seventh-generation sports car to a select group of media and guests on Sunday, Jan. 13, the 2014 Corvette will make its official debut as a show car when its shown off to general automotive press on Monday morning, Jan. 14th.

The Detroit News reports that nearly 50 other concept and new production vehicles will make their debut at Cobo Center during the show, open to the public from Jan. 19-27. But you can bet the longest lines will be forming around the 2014 Corvette.

GM will be hoping for much love to be poured onto its new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks, too, since those are some of the most profitable vehicles in the company’s lineup. Of course, those vehicles have already been unmasked in mid-December, so the excitement level won’t be near that for the Corvette.

While there has been heavy speculation on the Internet for months now claiming to show what the Corvette will look like, until the cover is whisked off Sunday night, no one in the general public really knows for sure what the designers have come up with. We’ll find out soon if those Jalopnik renderings are accurate, won’t we?

We do know a few things for sure. The Corvette will pack a 6.2-liter engine, capable of at least 450-hp and better fuel efficiency, with its direct injection technology and variable valve timing, and the interior figures to be a much nicer place to play. Buyers will also be able to choose between an eight-speed automatic or seven-speed manual transmission, and there will be a group of four tailpipes scrunched together in the middle of the rear.

Based on the past outstanding work from Corvette engineers and designers, we have no doubt the new car will be well worth the wait. We’ll know for sure, come Sunday, though.

About the Detroit auto show:

What: The 2013 North American International Auto Show
When: Press preview Jan. 14-15; industry preview Jan. 16-17; public show Jan. 19-27
Where: Cobo Center, Detroit
Hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily except Jan. 27, which has a 7 p.m. close
Tickets: $12 adults, $6 seniors 65 and older, $6 children 7-12; children 6 and younger free. Available at www.naias.com or at the door.
Charity Preview: Jan. 18. Tickets $300, $290 of which is tax deductible. Call (888) 838-7500 or order online

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