Chicago Auto Show: Chevy dealers go to Xtremes
High-res gallery available by clicking image
The Chevy dealers of Chicagoland decided to add a little extra pizzazz to the Chicago Auto Show this year by toting out some of their best accessorized concept vehicles from the past few years -- cars and trucks that help customers see what they can do with their own Bowtied babies. Love it or hate it, the HHR is like Chrysler's PT Cruiser in more ways than one. It's also a blank canvas for customizers. While there were a few modded wagons on display, our favorite was the neo-Nomad white HHR two-door. Lowered and sporting a 270-horse 4-cylinder, this is one stylish, relatively understated ride. The rest of the display was a bit more Xtreme.
Continues after the jump
[Source: Chevy]
Gallery: Chevy Xtreme Concepts
Dealers on hand showcased a whole range of Chevys that had been given Xtreme makeovers. (You'll recall that the "Xtreme" moniker dates back to a kitted-up, all show, no go factory S-10 package.) Cars displayed ranged from a 2004 Equinox, to a more recent Malibu and even a fresh Aveo as well. Unlike the old S-10 Xtreme, these cars had the goods underhood, too.
The Equinox features a turbo 3.5L V6 with 305 hp and 300 ft-lbs of torque under its lowered and bulging yellow body. The traffic-cone-orange Malibu Xtreme has a 240 hp Cobalt SS mill and aggressive but stylish body mods. And then there's the Aveo. This was actually the Street Edition follow-up to last year's Xtreme Concept. With acid green bodywork that reminds us of the old Festiva SHOgun project from the '80s, this car looks like it's straight out of Need For Speed: Carbon. A little bit of excitement for those not into the BFVs or International Trucks nearby.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tim 2:36PM (2/09/2007)
Nothing Says extreme like a badge on a Vehicle that says Xtreme! This could bring in a whole new demographic for GM and totally change the way young people think about GM, out of touch and stodgy.
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Adam 2:34PM (2/09/2007)
I like the White HHR and will pry be beatup for it.
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PJ 2:43PM (2/09/2007)
Ah-ha! So *that's* where all those '90s Pontiac stylists got transferred to.
That poor Aveo. It's hard enough being a badge-engineered $10,000 Daewoo, don't humiliate the little bastard.
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honda1011 3:00PM (2/09/2007)
That Malibu and Aveo are sexy.
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Whydrive 3:05PM (2/09/2007)
Xtreme isn't as bad as TuRD
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Accordsforall 3:04PM (2/09/2007)
Hmmm
That AVEO.. is a little bastard. Its just a place holder for people who wreck their Aveos leaving their driveway.. only to purchase a Tahoe to secure their safety..
As far as the HHR goes.. doing the obligatory.. **I think I just threw up in my mouth**.. its a nut washer.. bout it.
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NoNameDenton 3:08PM (2/09/2007)
I think the car shows of the 50's and 60's are back
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Kowell 3:11PM (2/09/2007)
Oh god.....as if the idea of an Aveo SS wasn't stupid enoug... now it's an Extreme one....
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JapDot 3:14PM (2/09/2007)
I would be happy to drive any of these cars. I realy like the new chevy front end on the white HHR. I like the current car, but have never been to hot on the grill, nice change.
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Nellydesign 3:16PM (2/09/2007)
Surprisingly, I think this white HHR is LIGHT YEARS ahead of the production one. The new grill, elimination of bumper shelves, cleanliness of the front lamp,and full length side window make it into a completely different animal. Hate the HHR. Love this.
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NoNameDenton 3:40PM (2/09/2007)
Looks like a concept cars from from the 50's and 60's about what future cars would look like
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Jake 4:00PM (2/09/2007)
How my tuners do you know out there that would buy a 4 speed automatic?!
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rrr 4:04PM (2/09/2007)
The word XTREME on this car is about as truthful as the word HYBRID on Saturn.
Neither is what the name says.
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Mike 4:07PM (2/09/2007)
I like the white thing and the green thing kinda...I guess. YAWN...
#14: A lazy one...
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arcsine 5:18PM (2/09/2007)
CHECK IT OUT, EXTREME CHEDDAR!
http://thecia.com.au/reviews/h/images/harold-and-kumar-go-to-white-castle-5.jpg
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Nellydesign 7:32AM (2/10/2007)
Best blog post ever on EXTREME marketing...
http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=xtreme_bullshit
Maddox!
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Esprit bird 8:37PM (2/10/2007)
Anyone remember the Chevy S-10 Extream? with the little skirt kit?
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dave 5:42AM (3/31/2007)
I took a bunch of photos the the Chicago (and Milwaukee) auto show. I missed some of the cars, but got the Camaro, Volt, Lexus IS-F and LF-A, some nice Fords, the Toyota FT-HS and many more.
Here are the photos from Chicago:
http://www.taxicabs.com/autoshow/chicago2007/
and here are the ones from Milwaukee
http://www.taxicabs.com/autoshow/milwaukee2007/
and all of the above, plus more:
http://www.taxicabs.com/autoshow/
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