Archive for the ‘Chicago Auto Show’ Category

Car fans in the U.S. have had two decades to revel in the sporty, miniaturized glory of the Mazda Miata/MX-5. To celebrate, Mazda took to the floor of the Chicago Auto Show with a heaping handful of Skittle-toned Miata specialty models--concepts, one-offs, and the like. Our colleagues at Autoblog have been kind enough to post a gallery of tasty, sugary shots; take a gander when the boss isn't looking.

In scrolling through the pics, we had two immediate thoughts:

Mazda's been fairly consistent in the Miata profile over the years. Even in the Miata concepts--where designers had more leeway to improvise--the results have been more like... Car fans in the U.S. have had two decades to revel in the sporty, miniaturized glory of the Mazda Miata/MX-5. To celebrate, Mazda took to the floor of the Chicago Auto Show with a heaping handful of Skittle-toned Miata specialty models--concepts, one-offs, and the like. Our colleagues at Autoblog have been kind enough to post a gallery of tasty, sugary shots; take a gander when the boss isn't looking. In scrolling through the pics, we had two immediate thoughts: Mazda's been fairly consistent in the Miata profile over the years. Even in the Miata concepts--where designers had more leeway to improvise--the results have been more like... Read More

•    What is it: Kia’s new compact sedan, replacing the Spectra •    Key facts: It’s four doors only this time; SX models get larger four-cylinder engine; Bluetooth and Sirius are standard •    On sale: Summer 2009 •    Price: $15,000 (est.)

The 2010 Kia Forte takes a bow at the 2009 Chicago auto show today. Replacing the Spectra in Kia’s lineup, the Forte makes the trip to reality in four-door form only, leaving the buyers of the old five-door Spectra wanting, at least for now. The Forte is the first product overseen in its entirety by Peter Schreyer, the wunderkind hired by Kia to remake the lineup in a more modern vein. Schreyer’s touch...

•    What is it: Kia’s new compact sedan, replacing the Spectra •    Key facts: It’s four doors only this time; SX models get larger four-cylinder engine; Bluetooth and Sirius are standard •    On sale: Summer 2009 •    Price: $15,000 (est.) The 2010 Kia Forte takes a bow at the 2009 Chicago auto show today. Replacing the Spectra in Kia’s lineup, the Forte makes the trip to reality in four-door form only, leaving the buyers of the old five-door Spectra wanting, at least for now. The Forte is the first product overseen in its entirety by Peter Schreyer, the wunderkind hired by Kia to remake the lineup in a more modern vein. Schreyer’s touch... Read More

According to Dodge, the heavy-duty segment contains about one-third of all full-size truck sales in the U.S. And buyers in the segment are said to be the most brand-loyal in the industry. So Dodge is taking aim at Chevy and Ford with its new Dodge Ram HD, introduced at the Chicago Auto Show and fortified heavily from winch to tailgate.

Based on the new-for-'09 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup, the burly tow/haul monsters finally bring a true crew cab to the Dodge Ram HD domain. The crew cab is said to be the highest-volume segment of the heavy-duty pickup arena (approx. 50 percent of HD pickup sales). Regular cab and Mega Cab models will be offered, as...

According to Dodge, the heavy-duty segment contains about one-third of all full-size truck sales in the U.S. And buyers in the segment are said to be the most brand-loyal in the industry. So Dodge is taking aim at Chevy and Ford with its new Dodge Ram HD, introduced at the Chicago Auto Show and fortified heavily from winch to tailgate. Based on the new-for-'09 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup, the burly tow/haul monsters finally bring a true crew cab to the Dodge Ram HD domain. The crew cab is said to be the highest-volume segment of the heavy-duty pickup arena (approx. 50 percent of HD pickup sales). Regular cab and Mega Cab models will be offered, as... Read More