Sure, the new Dodge lineup of heavy-duty Rams debuted at this year’s Chicago auto show, but those weren’t the biggest trucks around. No, Cars.com’s Mike Hanley went out in search of truly big, truly outrageous rigs. Check out the video above to see which extreme rides you’ll be able to see at the show.
Mike Hanley checks out Kia’s new compact sedan and all its trims from the floor of the Chicago Auto Show. You can see how far Kia has come, especially since its recent Spectra. The six-foot-plus Hanley also takes on the backseat and seems to have plenty of room.
The number of debuts at the Chicago auto show this year was smaller than normal, with only a handful of new models making an appearance. Mike Hanley, Kelsey Mays, David Thomas and Joe Wiesenfelder weigh in on which models wowed and which fell flat.
Chevrolet Stingray Concept
Mike Hanley: Winner
The Stingray stood out as the only new concept car at the show, but it would have been a showstopper either way. It's a fascinating blend of familiar and futuristic design themes; from some angles you can see a next-generation Corvette hiding in the sheet metal, while the rear-quarter view is very space-age. If photos aren't enough for you, you'll be able to see more of the Stingray in the next "Transformers" installment this summer.
Kelsey Mays: Winner
What Michael Bay wants, Michael Bay gets. The back story, according to GM, is that the movie director toured GM’s studios, saw a Stingray mock-up and wanted it for the movie. Good. It’s a fine-looking design, and if it hints at a design for the next Corvette, I won’t argue.
David Thomas: Winner
The Stingray had an unfair advantage over every other car here because it was the only true concept to roll out, and it’s one we hadn’t seen before. Either way, the Stingray was breathtaking. This is one of those cars that will draw people to McCormick Place for the next two weeks. How radical is it? It made the current Corvettes surrounding it look as thrilling as a Kia.
Joe Wiesenfelder: Winner
I won’t qualify my praise, because I think this would win even if there were many pure concepts here. The lines are great from every angle, and the jet-like air-inlet grille manages to look like a fresh approach. It’s the classic concept car: outrageous and impossible to take your eyes off of. It’s unlikely to be produced in its current form, but we can always dream.
The 2009 MX-5 Miata is technically the 20th anniversary model, because the affordable roadster hit the market in 1989, though it was a 1990 model. The 2009 is the first light restyling of the third generation, which came out in 2005 to reviews that were mixed, although more about its design than its performance. The restyled nose is an improvement, in my opinion, as it extends lower and its headlights are more interesting in shape. I'm not sure if the five-point (smiling) grille is an improvement over the 2008 version, but it's a little less extreme than the 2010 Mazda3's, which resembles a clown, and that makes me uncomfortable.
Behind the big guns introduced in Chicago — the Taurus SHO and the Harley-Davidson F-150 — Ford parked a European version of its new Fiesta compact. The car is part of a program that will loan a handful of models to so-called cultural influencers — cool people — before it goes on sale in 2010. I poked around in it and, as a gut check, went across the showroom floor to revisit the competing Nissan Versa, Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris.
My early take: The Fiesta trades quantity for quality. The interior feels high-rent, but larger drivers take warning: It’s no gymnasium inside.
The Kia Forte will replace the automaker's Spectra when it hits dealerships this summer, and it makes a break from the Spectra's soft styling with creased body lines and angular headlights and taillights. Similarities between the Honda Civic coupe in the Forte's grille styling and the Mitsubishi Lancer in its taillights are immediately apparent. Overall, the Forte is a pretty athletic-looking small sedan.
Cabin materials quality is good, but it doesn't move the bar for the compact car class. It's slightly better than the Corolla but not up to the Civic. Uplevel trims have nice steering-wheel controls for the audio system and a tilt/telescoping steering column that lets you put the wheel just where you want it. The knobs for the audio system move nicely, but the air-conditioning knobs aren't as crisp. I checked out a model that had leather seats, and cushioning for the front seats is pretty firm.
The 2011 Chevrolet Volt will have an optional ultra-efficient Bose stereo that uses 50% less energy than an equivalent Bose system in a similar-sized car, Chevy says. Using a smaller amplifier, lighter speakers and unique circuitry to connect the components, the system — dubbed Bose’s Energy Efficient line — is also 30% smaller and 40% lighter, a Bose official said. Naturally, Bose says sound quality remains top-notch. We’ll have to hear it in the Volt before we know for sure.
Using this system instead of the Volt’s base stereo nets the efficiency equivalent of 50 pounds’ mass reduction, vehicle line executive Frank Weber said. Though a regular stereo obviously doesn't weigh that much, the new unit's efficiency gains are reportedly equivalent to reducing the Volt’s weight that much.
While the full-size Tundra has not yet vanquished its Big Three competitors, only a fool would think Toyota could give up on such a lucrative segment. Today at the Chicago auto show, the automaker unveiled a brand-new 4.6-liter V-8 and a new six-speed transmission.
The engine is a bridge between the high-output 5.7-liter V-8 and the entry-level 4.0-liter V-6. The available option will go on sale with the rest of the 2010 Tundra range, starting April 2009. Toyota’s cost-cutting eliminated a press conference for the model. Fortunately for us, PickupTrucks.com has the inside scoop, with exclusive videos and information.
For full coverage, check out PickupTrucks.com.
I was a bit surprised to learn Mitsubishi was showing off the upcoming hatchback version of its Lancer at the 2009 Chicago auto show. Being a fan of all things with a hatch, I quickly hit the down escalator to the company’s booth and got an up-close look.
First, the Sportback is kind of awkward-looking in person. The back reminds me of a smaller Toyota Venza, which is also awkwardly shaped. From the side, though, the sloping profile is pretty sweet.
There’s one problem:
We have plenty of boots on the ground for the 2009 Chicago auto show (luckily our offices are just across town), with full reports on new production and concept vehicles. That also means we have our own extensive photo galleries from our staff photographer, Ian Merritt, on the main Cars.com page. Follow the links to find those galleries and more — especially that Chevy Stingray …
Concept
Chevrolet Stingray
Production
2010 Kia Forte
2010 Ford Taurus SHO
2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata
2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150
2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty
MotherProof.com
Bridgestone Reaches Out to Teen Drivers
Nissan Cube Packs in Fun Styling
Family Zone Tailored to Kids
PickupTrucks.com
2009 Suzuki Equator Project Trucks
2010 Toyota Tundra
2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty Pickups
2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150
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