I may not be a Blackhawks fan, but how awesome is this thing? Ditch the vaguely offensive Native American motif with 5,000 Maple Leafs and this just might be something I'd stuff in the corner of my 18-car hypothetical garage as a laugh. Would I drive it? Well, no, it's a little embarassing (and a Camaro convertible). It would be like going to the grocery store wearing a jersey ... and a hat, shorts, sneakers, foam finger, ear ring and tattoo.
But yes, totally awesome. I mean, how cool is that grille? You could put that on your car alone and nobody would really know what the holes were until you got up close. Ditto the Chevy badge. The clear hockey puck shifter is also just brilliant and only slightly less ergonomic than the Camaro's actual shifter.
In total, however, this is still less ridiculous than this.
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Categories: Chevrolet,Chicago Auto Show
To be frank, the Chicago auto show has limited importance as a venue for introducing new cars to the world through its press days. However, for regular folks visiting the show, it's probably the best in North America. For one, almost everything introduced at Los Angeles and Detroit is shown here in Chicago (not the NSX Concept, though). Then there's the sheer enormity of McCormick Place's two exhibit halls. This allows for a huge number of cars on the floor, with manufacturers capable of showcasing different trims of the same car.
There's also enough space inside for indoor ride-along events. Jeep usually puts one outside and Detroit is home to an environmentally friendly car ride-and-drive in the basement, but there are at least four opportunities for folks to experience what certain cars are like when actually moving. Toyota had a large area dubbed Toyota Monopoly Hybrid Ride Experience (I'm not sure why), while Chrysler alone had three different exhibits. The Jeep and Ram ones included a number of off-road impediments, while Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat had a stretch of road used to showcase an initial burst of acceleration, then braking. The latter actually looks as if you're going to be part of a crash test.
It all seems like good fun and adds something to the auto show experience. Journalists may be cold on Chicago, but car fans shouldn't be.
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Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Chrysler,Dodge,Fiat,Jeep,Ram,Toyota
There aren't a lot of new cars at this year's Chicago auto show. Sure, we've got the Acadia and the production ILX, but beyond that, everything here is something you've seen before. Or, in the case of this 1993 Ford SVT Cobra R, WAY before. 1992 before.
Ford debuted the SVT Mustang at Chicago in '92 and brought this museum-quality, 4,100-mile beauty back to coincide with the anniversary. It's one of 107 Cobra Rs produced. The Cobra R differentiated itself from the regular Cobra by a factory rear-seat delete, radio delete, sound-dampening material delete, adjustable Koni shocks, external oil cooler, an aluminum radiator and these neat 17-by-8-inch three-spoke wheels. It was powered by the same 5.0-liter V8 making 235 horsepower -- that was a big number in '93.
The only thing Ford could have done to make this a more special reveal would have been to bring out the F-150 Lightning, which also debuted at Chicago in '92.
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Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Classic Cars,Coupes,Ford,Sports Cars
Chrysler is all about limited-edition models. From the Jeep Wrangler Islander to the Dodge Challenger Yellow Jacket, these low-volume specials add a touch of customization to your car. The Ram 1500 Outdoorsman Mossy Oak Edition is, without question, customized. Mossy Oak is a brand of camouflage, and suitably it has inspired a Ram covered in leafy autumnal camo. I'm pretty sure the pictures speak for themselves here -- especially the interior.
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Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Ram
It may be tough to tell by these pictures, but Toyota has freshened the Land Cruiser for 2013. The front and rear have been given a subtle update, along with the cabin. The big V8 also carries over unchanged.
So what's the big deal, then? The 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser now comes in only one fully loaded trim level. There are no options for Toyota's flagship SUV, which should cost more than $70,000. Standard items now include adaptive cruise control, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, a center console cooler box, navigation, JBL premium audio and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. Should you want more, the Lexus LX 570 has also been tweaked for 2013.
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Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Toyota
In just its second public coming-out after an unveiling at last month’s Detroit auto show, the 2013 Cadillac ATS still was under scrutiny at the Chicago auto show this week – that’s Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik sneaking a peek in this underexposed snap – and we picked up a few interesting new details from global Vehicle Line Executive Dave Leone.
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Categories: Cadillac,Chicago Auto Show,Sedans
Nissan's contribution to the 2012 Chicago Auto Show was the slightly refreshed 2013 Nissan 370Z. If you've got good eyes and are familiar with the 370Z, you'll notice that this new car -- on sale in June -- has a new front fascia with LED DRLs, new 19s on models with the Sport Pack (new 18s on the rest), red-finished brake calipers, Euro-tuned shocks and a red reflector on the rear fascia where there was previously a black cover. The Z is also now available in Midnight Blue. Apart from the minor appearance differences, this new Z gets two additional speakers with two subwoofers for the Bose Premium pack.
There are no changes to the Z's 332-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 or the 6MT/7AT.
The Nismo Z doesn't get Midnight blue, the new front/rear fascias or the new shocks.
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Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Coupes,Nissan,Sports Cars
Since Kia launched the Soul, the company has enjoyed a 78 percent increase in sales volume. Is the funky compact hatch the reason for that increase? No, but it did signal a massive shift in Kia's brand philosophy. Besides its sharp new styling, a major marketing makeover sees the brand going for a hip, more youthful demographic.
Now, '80s hair bands hardly typify a youthful demographic, but today's unveil of the Kia Track'ster Concept was certainly the hippest press conference thus far at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. (However, if they were going to honor Kia's Super Bowl ad, I would've preferred an Adriana Lima lookalike on hand than a cover band's take on Motley Crue.)
As for the car, the Track'ster takes the Soul, chops off the rear doors, lowers it, widens it, lengthens the wheelbase and stuffs it with a 250-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder feeding an all-wheel-drive system.
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Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Kia
Not much to differentiate the diesel-engine Beetle from the rest of the lineup. It's pretty much down to the thin chrome strip on the top of the door panels and TDI-specific 17-inch alloys.
The DFPs (diesel fan people) already register disappointment with the 2013 Beetle TDI’s kinda mediocre Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy ratings of 29 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. There are plenty of gasoline-engine small cars fielding similar numbers, after all. But the latest EPA test procedure seems to hamper diesels, and many DFPs expect on-the-road economy to be better than the window sticker ratings.
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Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Diesels,Hatchbacks,Volkswagen
"Now why would anyone buy a Honda Civic Coupe instead of that?" a voice over my shoulder said after the 2013 Hyundai Elantra Coupe was unveiled here in Chicago. When it comes to styling, I'm inclined to agree, as this two-door version of Hyundai's popular compact sedan looks excellent. Maybe it's a tad bulky in the rear quarter, but that's normal for coupes (see Mercedes-Benz C-Class) and the Elantra's many creases and character lines hide it reasonably well.
Inside, the dash design is the same as that of the Elantra sedan. However, you'll note that it features an automatic climate control system available for 2013. You would probably expect that the coupe loses backseat room compared to the sedan and you'd be absolutely correct. However, it's not as bad as you think. I set the driver seat for myself (6-foot-3) and there was still usable legroom behind me. Surprisingly, there was even a decent amount of headroom back there as well for a tall guy such as I. Getting the added style of a coupe while still maintaining some functionality is a huge plus.
The sedan's 148-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder is the only engine presently available, but don't be surprised if a turbocharged mill ends up there eventually.
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Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Hyundai
What would a Chicago auto show be without a good old midcycle refresh to talk about? Well, GM's Lambda crossovers have been kicking around for awhile now, so it was high time for a nip here and a tuck there. The first to go under the knife is the 2013 GMC Acadia.
Besides an improved six-speed transmission, the Acadia is mechanically unchanged. The 3.6-liter V6 still produces 288 horsepower and its enormous crossover body can still seat as many as eight people. The styling has been updated, however, with a more upright grille that evokes the GMC Granite Concept from last year's Detroit auto show. I think it works, especially in comparison to the Terrain. And what new design would be complete without the ubiquitous LED running lamps? They're even standard on the base model.
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Categories: Chicago Auto Show,GMC
As promised, Ford officially rolled out the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible at the Chicago auto show today. And nothing from yesterday has changed.
The car still has 650 horsepower, still has a lower-than-the-coupe top speed, still is 3 seconds faster than the old coupe around Sebring, still is only available with a manual transmission.
More pictures and a surprise from Ford after the jump.
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Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Convertibles,Ford,Sports Cars
Last night during a pre-auto show dinner hosted by Hyundai, the company's CEO for North America John Krafcik hinted that they would be showing a surprise new model today at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. He continued that it would be borrowing a name from its past.
"Oh please be the Scoupe, oh please be the Scoupe," I thought to myself. Before I had a chance to ponder "Excel" and "Pony," Krafcik continued that it was last used for 2006. That's right, Hyundai devotees. The Hyundai Elantra GT is back.
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Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Hyundai
Let's get this out of the way: The six-speed manual transmission is only available with the 201-horsepower 2.4-liter inline-4, and the 2.4-liter is only available with the six-speed manual. The good news here is that Acura is hoping to price the ILX with the real transmission very close to the base model car, which comes with a 150-hp 2.0-liter I4 and six-speed automatic. Acura says potential ILX buyers want a mix of fuel economy and performance, and the way they've gone about performance is to keep the weight to about 3,000 pounds and make the car nimble and responsive, "the way all Acuras will be again."
The ILX is Acura's new entry-level car to lure Gen-Y buyers into luxury cars. "They like luxury and feel they deserve luxury," Acura said. But "they're beginning to realize that they may not be as affluent as their parents. They're living the recession." In that vein, Acura is hoping to pack a lot of content and a luxury ride into a car that starts "well under $30,000."
But it's not just a luxury ride Gen Y wants. They want to stay connected and have the coolest features. That's where Premium and Technology packages come in. The Tech pack has Acura's ELS surround-sound system, navigation, real-time traffic and hard-disk drive. Fully loaded, the ILX will run about $30,000. It will be made in Greensburg, Indiana, and go on sale in the spring. Acura's hoping for sales of 40,000 units per year once production/marketing is fully up to speed.
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Categories: Acura,Chicago Auto Show,Sedans
Tomorrow during the first day of the 2012 Chicago Auto Show Ford, celebrating 20 years of SVT, will show off this: the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible.
As you could probably guess, this is the same basic car as the new Shelby GT500 we've been seeing for a few months now. It's got a 5.8-liter supercharged V8 cranking out an unbelievable-in-a-production-Mustang 650 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque. (Rollin' in my 5.8 with the ragtop down so my hair can...abate? So much for my 90's rap career.) The
Ford says that the new Mustang is 3.5 seconds faster around Sebring International Raceway than the outgoing car when it is equipped with the Performance Package. The Performance pack includes SVT-designed Bilstein electronically adjustable dampers. A track pack is available on top of this wit an external oil cooler, rear diff cooler and a transmission cooler.
Once we got our heads around 650 horsepower in the GT500 coupe, we were thrown for another loop when Ford said it would do over 200 mph. The convertible won't do over 200; Ford has limited it to "only" 155.
Like the coupe, the only transmission available is a six-speed manual. We'll have more from the show floor tomorrow.
Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Convertibles,Ford,Sports Cars
Can you see what's different about the 2013 Nissan 370Z? Probably not, so here's some help.
The front fascia got a few tweaks that include removal of the odd-looking "teeth" along with the addition of the all-important vertical LED marker lights. In back, there's...well, not much. What used to be a black patch of nothingness at the center of the rear fascia now has a red reflector.
On the actually noticeable front, there are new wheel designs for the 18-inchers that come on the 370Z coupe as well as the 19s that are included in the optional Sport package. That package also included red brake calipers and "Euro-tuned" shock absorbers. And lastly, the fuel gauge now features darker trim. Seriously.
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Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Convertibles,Coupes,Nissan,Sports Cars
At some point during the 2012 Chicago Auto Show ( 10:25am Wednesday) Kia will show off a Soul concept described as being "the ultimate Soul." Kia's U.S. design team will be on hand (as will Peter Schreyer) to discuss the new design language.
Unfortunately, there are no plans to ever produce this ultimate three-door Soul. Too bad, 247-horsepower, a de-cubed design and a stance like this could really help us get behind the Soul.
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Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Concept Vehicles,Hatchbacks,Kia
The Chicago Auto Show is a special place for Mazda. That is where, in 1989, they first showed off the Mazda Miata. Since then they've gone on to sell some 900,000 of the tiny two-seat roadsters.
And so it should be no surprise that Mazda has chosen Chicago to show off a new special edition Miata. The Mazda MX-5 Miata Special Edition will have a black power retractable hard top (PRHT in Mazda speak), two new exterior colors, black gunmetal alloy wheels, black exterior accents, black heated leather seats and piano black interior finishes. The Premium package and the Suspension package will be standard -- that means sport-tuned Bilsteins, Bluetooth and Sirius. They will be offered with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic.
450 of the Special Edition Miatas will be produced. Pricing was not announced.
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Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Convertibles,Mazda,Sports Cars
During the Chicago Auto Show next week, Volkswagen will be officially releasing the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI which is "the only Clean Diesel offering in the compact coupe category."
Like the Jetta TDI, the Beetle TDI uses an iron/aluminum 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injected Clean Diesel that produces 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. Putting that torque to the ground is either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed dual-clutch DSG. The Volkswagen TDI gets an EPA estimated fuel economy rating of 29 mpg city and 39 mpg highway. The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Diesel gets 30 mpg city, 42 highway and a 34 mpg combined rating.
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Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Diesels,Volkswagen
Just last week we had a 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser with KDSS in our office to tackle our new RTI ramp. Because so little has changed with the big Toyota, they haven't bothered to update the press fleet with 2011 models. That is about to change, however, as Toyota will show off the 2013 Land Cruiser at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show next week.
Just after celebrating its 60th anniversary in Japan -- it's been in the U.S. for more than 50 -- the redesigned Land Cruiser debuted in Japan first. Outside we get a new grille and HID headlamps, LED daytime running lights, chrome side molding and new tail lights. The inside was tweaked, too, with ventilated front leather seats, glossier wood trim, bright silver IP ornamentation and chrome-plated air vents. On the tech side we see a new Multi-terrain monitor with front, side or rear views, a Multi-information display, an Eco light (the 2011 model gets 13 mpg city and 18 highway), dynamic radar cruise, Multi-terrain ABS, trailer sway and CRAWL control with off-road turn assist.
The Land Cruiser is still powered by the 5.7-liter, 381-horsepower V8. Pricing wasn't announced, but the redesigned LC goes on sale later this month.
Categories: Chicago Auto Show,SUVs,Toyota
