Section: Chicago Auto Show
Written By: Phil Floraday
February 27th, 2008 3:00 PM
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An axiom from the world of industrial design goes like this: If something looks right, it probably is. Examples are legion, from the classic Eames chair to Raymond Loewy’s Coke bottle. This saying also rings true in the world of cars. There was nothing right about the exterior design of the Pontiac Aztek. In contrast, from any angle the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 looks right. Very right.
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Written By: Eric Moretti
February 9th, 2008 8:00 AM
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Rahal Letterman Racing and BMW announced their return to the American LeMans series GT2 class at the Chicago Auto Show. BMW brings the new V-8 powered M3 to the table, and Rahal will spend the next few months prepping the car for racing.
Beginning in 2009, Rahal will field two cars full-time. The BMW-RLR partnership hopes to resurrect some of the past success that they have had in ALMS. Both sides carry impressive motorsports achievements. Rahal Letterman co-owner Bobby Rahal is a three-time CART champion, and BMW achieved 15 victories between the the 1999 and 2001 ALMS seasons, including six consecutive wins of the Petit Le Mans title.
BMW is returning to ALMS after a 2 year lapse, but Rahal Letterman ran Porsche 911 GT3 cars in 2007. The Hilliard, Ohio-based Rahal Racing has not yet announced who will be driving the cars next season, but plans to announce the list and sponsors soon.
+Motorsport.com - BMW makes return, unites with Rahal Letterman
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Seyth Miersma
February 7th, 2008 1:30 PM
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Mitsubishi says that it’s trying to build on the excitement that has been generated by its launch of the Lancer Evolution, and create a buzz for the company’s brand new 2009 Galant sedan. The new Galant debuted today at the Chicago Auto Show, coming with the hopes that it can raise itself from the inattention suffered by its predecessors.
Mitsubishi is trying to cover its bases in the complex and super-competitive mid-size sedan segment, by offering the 2009 Gallant in four trim levels, with the choice of four or six-cylinder engines. The top of the range 3.8-liter V-6 is available in the Ralliart-tuned Gallant, and offers a healthy 258 horsepower. Also available are a 230 horse V-6, and a 2.4-liter, 160 horsepower four. All engines come with a version of Mitsubishi’s Sportonic transmission, a four-ratio edition coming with the four-cylinders, and five-speeds for the V-6’s.
Check out our live gallery of 2009 Galant images below or click through the jump to read the official Mitsubishi press release.
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Written By: William Jeanes
February 7th, 2008 1:00 PM
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If you’ve never been to a major auto show, it’s time you went. And by major shows, I mean Detroit, Chicago, New York, or Los Angeles. At any of these venues, you can see just about every interesting car that’s sold in North America and all of the boring ones.
My own favorite show is the one in Chicago, which–tragically–takes place in February, a time in the Windy City when even the strongest of men and the stoutest of women wish to hell they lived in Palm Beach. Or even St. Louis.
Weather aside, Chicago has the best facility in which to hold an auto show, McCormick Place. It is this soaring, spacious series of exhibit halls that raises walking the floor and looking at cars to a point far above the crowded, cattle-drive atmosphere that characterizes the New York and Detroit shows. And I’m just talking about press days. When the public shows up at any of the four shows, its not impossible to have a good look at that Porsche or BMW you’ve been wanting, but it’s anything but simple.
(Click through to read the rest of William’s column.)
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
February 7th, 2008 12:45 PM
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Mitsubishi showed its refreshed versions of both the Eclipse and Eclipse Sypder today at the Chicago Auto Show, highlighting both the visual and aural refinements made to the sporting coupe.
Both hard and soft-top examples of the 2009 Eclipse get a bold new version of the Mitsubishi grill, one that seems to ape the hulking maw found first on the company’s newest Lancer Evo. Mitsubishi describes the front fascia as being “road-hungry,” which seems entirely appropriate for a treatment that resembles a large voracious fish.
The new Eclipse is also equipped with a new and louder exhaust system, complemented nicely by a booming 650-watt, Rockford-Fosgate sound system.
Below you’ll find our rather large gallery of 2009 Eclipse and Eclipse Spyder images, as well as Mitsubishi’s official press releases after the jump. Be sure to share your opinion of the refreshed car in comments as well.
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
February 7th, 2008 11:45 AM
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Ford brought out its quirky-cool Transit Connect small commercial van in a couple of fanciful configurations here in Chicago, but by all accounts the wildest option presented was the manual gear lever.
Ford proved why the Transit has fared so well overseas to the Chicago crowd, presenting its van as a mobile base for catering operations (to the glee of the hungry crowd), as well as the tour vehicle for some kind of jazz fusion band. The Transit does seem to be almost infinitely malleable, and should prove to be a worthy, if slightly smaller, competitor for Dodge’s Sprinter van.
Ford is planning to bring the Transit Connect across the Atlantic late in 2009 as a 2010 model, but it seems the company plans to leave the manual versions of the car in Europe. Despite the fact that every Transit shown in Chicago featured a stick-shift, a source close to Ford confirmed that the “standard” autobox will also be the only transmission option. Sad news for a light commercial vehicle that would seem to be a perfect match for a standard cog-swapper.
Written By: Seyth Miersma
February 7th, 2008 10:45 AM
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General Motors continued with its onslaught of hybrid vehicles here at the Chicago Auto Show, pulling the wraps off of its latest flavor of dual-mode pickup, the 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid.
The Sierra shares the twin bond with its Chevrolet doppelganger, the Silverado Hybrid that was launched a few months ago in Los Angeles. Despite the fact that GMC had already released most of the relevant information for its new green truck, we thought that the least we could do was bring you some live images from the show stage. Enjoy.
Written By: Dustin P. Walsh
February 7th, 2008 9:30 AM
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GM North America President Troy Clarke said, at the Chicago Auto Show, by 2012 half of its U.S. vehicle volume will run on Ethanol. Not surprising, as GM entered into a partnership with Coskata Inc. not long ago.
Clarke said GM will have 11 ethanol-capable vehicles this year and 15 in 2009. He also announced that GM is producing its first ethanol-capable four-cylinder in 2010, the FlexFuel Chevrolet HHR.
He said, “We don’t only want to respond to the needs of the market. We want to anticipate them.”
Clarke also said that if GM, Ford, and Chrysler LLC meet the number of ethanol-capable vehicles promised by 2020, there would be a reduction of 29 billion gallons of fuel annually – or 18 percent. GM expects to have 20 million ethanol-capable vehicles on the road by 2020.
+ MSNBC: GM to ramp up production of ethanol cars
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Seyth Miersma
February 6th, 2008 7:30 PM
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In addition to launching its anticipated new Sonata, Hyundai Motors also revealed the cool five-door version of its entry-level model here at the Chicago Auto Show, the 2009 Elantra Touring.
The compact wagon looks to be a smart and attractive package for a buyer who’s looking for space and versatility, without sacrificing fuel economy, and without spending a whole lot either.
The Elantra five-door comes well loaded with power windows, an adjustable driver’s seat, XM radio, and a remote keyless entry system. Buyers can also look forward to a 2.0-liter four that pushes out a respectable 141 horsepower, while retaining the peace of mind that comes with ABS and electronic stability control.
We’re quite fond of the Touring’s looks too, but then we’re bigger fans of small wagons than most. Tell us what you think of the new Hyundai, by posting your opinions in comments.
(Click on the thumbnails below to check out live and stock galleries of the Elantra Touring, or through the jump to read Hyundai’s official press release.)
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Written By: Phil Floraday
February 6th, 2008 7:00 PM
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The GMC Denali XT concept makes a lot of sense. It offers lots of practicality, versitility, and probably a healthy dose of fun in a reasonably sized package. It’s packing a 4.9-liter V-8 that will keep truckers happy and also a two-mode hybrid system to keep the Sierra Club somewhat happy. The midgate can drop for longer loads, and we’re pretty sure the El Camino fan club is ready to replace its fleet.
Could such a vehicle be produced? We’re sure this concept isn’t a complete pine-in-the-sky idea, but we welcome you to check out our live shots and let us know how you feel in comments.
Written By: Seyth Miersma
February 6th, 2008 6:30 PM
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The refreshed version of Hyundai’s bread and butter sedan, the 2009 Sonata, was unwrapped today to the delight of show-goers here in Chicago.
The redesigned Sonata can boast an all new, and quite refined interior, along with revised powertrain options that are both more powerful and fuel-efficient for the 2009 model year.
(Click through the jump to read on, or on the thumbnails below to launch live and stock galleries of the 2009 Hyundai Sonata.)
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Written By: Phil Floraday
February 6th, 2008 6:00 PM
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It’s not very often that an automaker decides to show off a new vehicle by displaying multiple concepts at the same show. Suzuki did just that to show off the possible configurations of its coming Equator pickup. Each concept is designed to appeal to a different type of current Suzuki customer.
Suzuki is trying to get current motorcycle, ATV, or marine engine owners to use a Suzuki truck to tow or haul those toys on the weekend. Beneath the skin, the Equator is really a Nissan Frontier and shares engines, transmissions, and suspension design with the Nissan. We’re happy with the way the Nissan Frontier drives, so we’re looking forward to sampling a Suzuki Equator. Expect to see Equators on dealer lots this December.
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