|
Browse by Tags
All Tags » chicago auto show ( RSS)
-
|
newVideoPlayer("BentleyBrooklands_Jalopnik.flv", 475, 269,""); Ah yes, the Bentley Brooklands. If you have to ask how much it costs, then you can't afford it. This leather-lined locomotive of an automobile is the essence of what a proper Bentley should be. It's exclusive: only 550 will be built. It's monstrously powerful: the 6.75L twin-turbo V8 makes 550bhp and an absurd 775lb-ft of torque. And since it's based on the old Bentley architecture and not a whored-out Volkswagen platform, it's hand-crafted and handsome too. But don't think that because it's a sleek 2-door that it's not practical, because even your rear-seat passengers have their own doorhandles. In almost every way, this limited-production coupe is the epitome of old-money cool. Pull up to the yacht club in this, and you'll make that Maserati Quattroporte Collezione Cento look downright silly.
|
-
|
Paul, Sr. and Paul, Jr., Teutul, of Orange County Choppers and American Chopper fame, were around to introduce the new Challenger . As far as celeb/car introduction pairings go, this one was mostly inoffensive and made some sort of sense as this car will be popular with those buying a third car as a way to blow some disposable income, which are the same people that buy custom bikes. Unfortunately, it lacked the uncomfortable sexuality of old people and Amerigasm potential of previous introductions. galleryPost('doanepaulteutulsrpaulteutuljr', 3, 'The Teutuls Shill For Challenger');
|
-
|
newVideoPlayer("ChicagoJeepTrail_Jalop.flv", 463, 271,""); With the vast amount of floor space at McCormick Place for the Chicago Auto Show, Chrysler decided to put some of it to good use by setting up their "Trail Rated" challenge. Wert, Wojdyla and I piled into a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and proceeded through the course, bashing our heads against the roll-bars. The Wrangler made quick work of the rocks, logs, and steep hills ramps . Wanting a bit more of a challenge, we asked if we could get a ride in a Compass (or even an 18-1 Patriot) on the trail... but we think they must not have heard us. Oh well. Hmm... wonder how those DUB Chryslers would fair?
|
-
|
newVideoPlayer("WertsWood_Jalop.flv", 463, 271,""); Here it is in all its glory: The winner of the highly-coveted Motor Trend Truck of the Year Award, the Toyota Tundra. Just look at all those steel girders! When Ray (who had been locked up in the press room for most of the day) saw this shrine to the golden calipers, he just couldn't help but get an up close look. Thing is, it turns out the trendy payload was only skin-deep. We're thinking it was plywood, but you judge for yourself. All we know is -- to hold aloft that prestigious award you don't need something as strong as steel girders. Nah, you only need it to look like it.
|
-
|
Commercial trucks and vans aren't quite as romantic as the latest sports car, but that doesn't mean we should ignore them. There's a segment of the population that gets excited about a big, mean work truck. Though we kind of like the Ford Transit Connect , we're still more moved by the full-sized, extended-length Dodge Sprinters you see below, which could stow a pair of Transit Connects and still have room for a girl scout troop. Enjoy the plows, tow trucks and work vans. galleryPost('CAStruckvans', 6, 'Commercial Vans And Trucks');
|
-
|
Though we may all dream of owning a 6.9, the 300SEL 6.3 was the original German Q-ship. This $55,000 sedan's 6.3-liter V8 produced 250 horsepower, 369 ft-lbs of torque, and could propel the nearly 4,000-pound hunk of beautiful metal to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds. That's pretty good today and outrageous in 1967. We were therefore delighted to see one from the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center gracing the floor of the Chicago Auto Show. galleryPost('mb300sel63', 3, 'Mercedes 300SEL 63');
|
-
|
International didn't just bring it's super shredder semi, the International LoneStar to the show. They also brought the US Military's latest wheeled transport, the International MaxxPro. The imposing vehicle is basically a purpose-built mobile bomb shelter, capable of taking a hit from any direction, as well as fording bodies of water as deep as 36 feet, just for the hell of it. When we opened the door--or more precisely, tried to open the door--we had to abandon all all our stuff and put our weight behind the effort. The thick armor plated doors were almost as heavy as the ones on an old Mark VIII. While the Humvee is impressive in its general-purpose skilz, this thing is just a plain beast. We want a test drive of the take home version. Any versions with gun portals should get an "A" in our book. galleryPost('maxxproext', 6, 'International MaxxPro');galleryPost('maxxproint', 3, 'International MaxxPro Cabin'); INTERNATIONAL MaxxPrO...
|
-
|
Though the International Lonestar may have been the largest reveal of the show, the Army's LAV III Stryker Engineer Squad Vehicle may have been the biggest and meanest thing at the show. One of the engineers gave us a tour of the ESV, which is responsible for mine detection and removal, setting down lane markers and clearing roads. Conveniently, the operators of this LAV can do all of this without having to expose themselves to danger. galleryPost('strykeresv', 6, 'Stryker ESV'); The commander can see the driver or gunner's view from a touchscreen in his or her section and therefore safely control the vehicle instead of having to move around or take a dangerous peep out of a hatch. It's perfect for working in those dangerous Baghdad or Detroit neighborhoods. We're sure it won't be long before we see a decommissioned one of these on eight chrome dubs somewhere.
|
-
|
newVideoPlayer("newM3racer.flv", 463, 271,""); We brought you the news BMW in cooperation with Rahal-Letterman racing would be returning to the track with the 2008 BMW E92 M3 GTR next year. What we didn't do was show you the video of the monster being unveiled. While Bobby Rahal was in attendance the embearded David Letterman was nowhere to be seen as Martin Birkmann did his disrobing duties. Did we mention there's a full press release and specs now? Because there are. galleryPost('rahalm3', 12, 'Rahal Letterman Racing 2008 BMW E92 M3 GTR'); BMW RETURNS TO ALMS WITH THE LATEST GENERATION BMW M3 BMW of North America to partner with Rahal Letterman Racing for 2009 season Chicago, IL/Woodcliff Lake, NJ - February 6, 2008... BMW presented the racing version of the new BMW M3 at the Chicago Auto Show. Powered by a 485 bhp eight cylinder engine, this impressive race car has been designed to compete in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) beginning in...
|
-
|
In case you were wondering, Mitsubishi did bust out a trio of updated Galants on Thursday, and we were monumentally underwhelmed. The Galant Sport, Galant Sport V6, and the Galant Ralliart all took a bow. The cars are available with a mix and match of the 2.4 L 4 cyl MiVEC, 3.8 L V6, and 3.8L V6 equipped with MiVEC, traction control, and Nav system as well as external indicators of the various performance levels. galleryPost('galantext', 6, '2009 Mitsubishi Galant Exterior Pics'); galleryPost('galantint', 3, '2009 Mitsubishi Galant Interior Pics'); Though the outside is iffy, the insides aren't bad, and the sound system choices are respectable, with a 360W Rockford Acoustics designed 8 speaker system, 7" touchscreen, and 6 months of free Sirius radio. We don't want to bust on the Galants too much because that would be mean, but at this point, prettying up the Galant is like putting lipstick on a pig. In case you were wondering why there are only...
|
-
|
You got all of the details about the 2009 Hyundai Sonata and its extra-large cupholders yesterday , but there is one more little detail that makes this tech-fiend particularly excited. The 2009 Sonata will feature XM's new and improved touchscreen graphic user interface. Forget about the car, that graphical interface is a beaut! It is full blown, high resolution, touchscreen goodness from XM that looks like it was finally designed by the consumers and for the consumers. It is easier to read, easier to operate and gives much more of an "entertainment" feel to XM radio. The merger can wait for all I care. This is too pretty to pass up. [ Orbitcast ]
|
-
|
Somehow we missed this XC70 SR at the SEMA show last year, overwhelmed as we were with things covered in pink carbon fiber. Unless you've passed out due to blood loss from a shark attack, you'll notice the five-inch lift and 20-inch wheels. While the XC70 SR sports the ubiquitous (on concept trucks) LED lightbar, it also features a unique and attractive set of blue strobes integrated into the fog light assembly, the mirrors and the rear light clusters. With scuba tanks, oxygen tanks, a first aid kit and a resuscitator box integrated into the rear cargo, it's all you need to save drowning tourists. We like it, but we're a little disappointed that the lifeguards won't be forced to make slow motion runs into strong headwinds in order to save us. galleryPost('volvoxc70sr', 3, 'Give Me Some CPR Baby'); XC70 SR Press Release Las Vegas, NV (October 30, 2007) - Southern California's lifeguards have been glamorized by Hollywood for decades. While they share...
|
-
|
There's a funny thing about auto shows; from the outside, they appear to be all glitz and glamor, high-dollar extravaganzas to draw the attention of the nearest journalist, and later the consumer. In actuality, they are crushingly boring, highly stressed, cynical, irritating events which grow tiresome from both the PR side and the coverage side. Still, it's fun when you see something unexpected pop up on the floor. The new International LoneStar is definitely outside the mainstream of the average motor show. It was a welcome respite. We're digging the grill because it reminds us of the Shredder's helmet and mask. As a special bonus above that, the truck can be equipped with any of 42 different accessories, ranging from lights to shift knobs to acres of excess chrome. International has certainly switched its truck line from suck to blow. galleryPost('doaneinternationallonestar', 6, 'International Lonestar Live Unveil'); galleryPost('navistarext', 3...
|
-
|
While the automakers may be disappointing us with vanilla reveals, we have to hand it to the crew at the Alton Truck Company for taking the kind of effort a certain segment of the automotive aftermarket world puts into Civics and applying it to this Ford F-650-based SUV. Weighing in at a paltry 25,999 pounds, this extremest of SUV's features a Caterpillar 7.2L C7 ACERT engine with 230 horsepower and 660 lb.-ft. of torque. For the low low price of $200,000 you get hardwood floors, custom captain's chairs, four wireless computer stations, a 42" plasma TV and a rear view camera so you don't accidentally run over a Yukon XL. It's nicer and larger than our apartment, though slightly tackier. It's the perfect weekend cruiser for an affluent 8th-grader with a driver's license and a few extra bucks lying around. galleryPost('doanefordf650intdetail', 3, 'Overcompensating For What');galleryPost('doanefordf650', 6, 'Short On Space But The Mileage...
|
-
|
We know you're as thrilled as we are about the Chicago Auto Show's bevy of platform prostitution badge re-engineered vehicles and North American introductions of cars we've already seen. We know that you're all particularly taken with the likes of the VW Routan and the Suzuki Equator , two vehicles that wouldn't exist but for two automakers with the need to fill a niche and two other automakers with a need to not fully waste production facility resources. But it doesn't have to be that way. What if we badge re-engineered with an eye for both the absurd and the sublime? A Lotus version of the International CXT for example? Or perhaps Isuzu could make a second go at the North American market with the Isuzu Cinquecento . That's what we've got in about five seconds of thinking about what we would do if we were the Chief of Badge Engineering for an automaker. What about you?
|
More Posts Next page »
|
|
|