Chicago Auto Show: Fewer debuts, and shrinking

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This week, the curtain rose on the Chicago Auto Show and, as yet another reminder of the economic downturn, this year’s press preview lacked the luster of preceding years. In its 101st year, the Chicago show is touted as both the oldest and largest auto show in the nation.

In higher-volume years, Chicago’s historic show was known for hosting world and national debuts of ‘heartland’ vehicles -- trucks, SUVs and crossovers. And there also a niche for ‘special packages’ and sport versions of already launched cars. The latter still holds true this year, but there were markedly fewer debuts of trucks and SUVs.

So the question is, will the Chicago show join the ranks of other local shows that are well-known but don’t attract national press coverage or major launch debuts? Edmunds.com’s editor in chief, Karl Brauer, says yes. ‘Having an auto show that has any sense of excitement today is challenging, and if you wanted an exciting truck and SUV auto show, Chicago was once that place. Most of the cars on the floor this year were in the form of ‘versions’ of existing cars,’ he said.

Jim Mateja, auto critic from our sister publication, the Chicago Tribune, filed this report on this year’s Chicago auto show, giving us a look at a few of the launches.

2010 Ford Taurus SHO
Last offered in 1999, the Super High Output version of Ford’s midsize sedan is back with 365 horsepower from a 3.5-liter, twin turbo V-6, a healthy bump from the 263 hp in the naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6 in the plain 2010 Taurus.

2010 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson
More styling cues from the motorcycle legend, which first gussied the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. in 2000.

2010 Kia Forte
In late spring or early summer, this compact replaces Spectra. Longer and wider than previous models with a new design to set it apart from its cousin, the Hyundai Elantra. LX/EX trims are powered by a 2-liter, 156-hp 4-cylinder, with manual or automatic; the SX by a 2.4-liter, 173-hp 4 with a continuously variable automatic transmission.

Suzuki Equator
One year after introducing its pickup in Chicago, American Suzuki let its customizing imagination run wild in collaboration with buff books 4-Wheel & Off-Road, Off-road and Truckin’.

2010 Acura TSX
It’s V-6 time for the front-wheel-drive compact in the luxury lineup—same looks but new badging and bigger tires to show off the added muscle. The V-6 TSX goes on sale in the summer.

2009 Mazda MX-5
The Miata bowed here in 1989 before the two-seater went on sale as a 1990 model that May. Mazda continues the tradition with the freshened 2009 Miata that goes on sale next month sporting new front and rear fascias and lights, and a beefier 4-cylinder.

Chevrolet Corvette concept
Coming to a theater near you in June, ‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.’ Its star, the Corvette concept, is now at an auto show near you now. No plans to produce it or even the ’59 Stingray on which it’s based.

2010 Hyundai Genesis Spec R
The coupe version of the North American Car of the Year bows this spring, and Hyundai has come up with a flavor just for tuners. It starts with 19-inch wheels, sports-tuned suspension and a 2-liter, 210-hp, turbo 4. Where it goes from there is up to the owner.

2010 Dodge Ram heavy-duty trucks
Dodge calls it the ‘continuation of the reinvention’ of the Ram pickup, which started with the light-duty 1500 truck for 2009 and now adds heavy-duty 2500, 3500, 4500 and 5500 models for 2010. Biggest change: crew cabs with six inches more leg room are in, and quads cabs out. Engine choices are a 5.7-liter V-8 gas or 6.7-liter Cummins diesel.

For the full coverage of the Chicago Auto Show from the Chicago Tribune, click here.

--Joni Gray

Photos: McCormick Place from Flickr SecondPrint Productions; Car photos from Ford, Kia, Suzuki, Acura, Mazda, GM and Chrysler.