Chicago 2013
Autoblog Podcast #320
Chicago Auto Show, Holden VF Commodore, Top Gear USA Interview, Driving To The Arctic Circle
Editors' Choice: Top Five 2013 Chicago Auto Show Debuts
On the international circuit, the Chicago Auto Show often gets slighted for being a rather dull show in terms of actual news and major vehicle debuts. But the Chicago expo is still hugely important. Not only is it the largest show in terms of overall square footage, it serves as the largest consumer showcase, with the highest amount of foot traffic from consumers. Sure, a lot of what's new here pales in comparison to all of the shiny sheet
2013 Dodge Dart gets all Moparized
Last year, Chrysler announced it would be offering more than 150 Mopar parts and accessories on the 2013 Dodge Dart, and we got a look at some of these parts firsthand at the Chicago Auto Show. Showing off all the optional parts at once
After Think, BYD and Coda, Green Wheels ready to sell Wheego LiFe in Chicago
in 2012, Green Wheels, an eco-friendly car dealership in Chicago, sold "a ton" of Think City electric vehicles. Well, a ton for an underdog electric vehicle like the City, anyway, according to Green Wheels owner Doug Snower. The actual number was more like 50. Now, with the slow fade of Think – and the fact that Snower can't get any BYD
Mopar '13 Dart is a bruiser of a compact
For the fourth year in a row, Mopar is offering a limited-production car decked with a plenty of add-ons and a unique look. This year's black-and-blue car is the Mopar '13 Dart, which was unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show with the now-signature paint scheme. Like previous Mopar models, only 500 of the '13 Darts will be built. Past models include the Jeffrey N. Ross
SRT adds new cost-saving Core models to Challenger SRT8, 300 SRT8
As the high-performance division of Chrysler, the SRT brand used the Jeffrey N. Ross
Defiance Dodge Charger, saving Earth from aliens isn't clean work [w/video]
You'll be forgiven for not having heard about the TV show Defiance – it actually hasn't aired its first episode yet. The new science fiction show about an alien war against Earth in the near future seems like a perfect fit for the SyFy channel, and, apparently one that Dodge saw as a slick marketing opportunity for its Charger sedan.
We obsessively covered Day One of the 2013 Chicago Auto Show
It's funny, you can technically refer to this week's Chicago expo as both the largest and smallest North American auto show on the media circuit. On one hand, McCormick Place offers the most expansive show floor, meaning that, technically, it's the largest; but in terms of the amount of actual news and vehicle debuts, Chicago is by far the smallest show. Ironic, don'tcha think?
"Turbo" Chevrolet Camaro is a 700-HP fantasy car come to life [w/video]
For a concept car built to promote an animated movie about a snail that wants to go racing, this thing ain't half bad. The outsized monster you see before you started life as a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, and then went through a big-time Hollywood makeover before being positioned on the Chevrolet stand here in Chicago.
2014 Promaster looks like a Fiat, hauls like a Ram
A new day is dawning, folks. The old-guard vans of our youth are being replaced with a new flock of European-inspired commercial vehicles from the likes of Ford, Nissan (Renault) and Mercedes-Benz. Here in Chicago, Ram pulled the covers off its entry into the rebor
Ford Fiesta ST GRC Racecar is hungry for podiums in 2013
As we reported earlier, the Chicago showing of this plucky Ford Fiesta ST GRC racer points to bigger and brighter days for Global RallyCross. For the upcoming season, you can expect to see Ken Block
Superman-inspired Kia Optima Hybrid helps those affected by drought and famine in Africa
Kia, DC Entertainment and Super Street magazine worked as a team to develop this one-of-a-kind Superman-themed Optima Hybrid that made its debut at the Chicago Auto Show today. The joint effort is designed to raise awareness for DC Entertainment's "We Can Be Heroes" campaign, a charitab
2013 Volkswagen GTI Driver's Edition brings exclusivity to the granddaddy of hot hatches
The Volkswagen booth at this year's Chicago Auto Show was filled with various special edition models of the Beetle and GTI. In addition to the GTI Wolfsburg Edition, the Volkswagen GTI Driver's Edition helps to wrap up the 2013 model year as VW readies the all-new Jeffrey N. Ross
2013 Dodge Challenger R/T hits the Redline
Dodge has added a bit of spice to its Hemi-powered Challenger for 2013, offering up this new Redline package that makes its official debut at the Chicago Auto Show. The R/T Redline builds on the Rallye Redline kit that was created for the V6 Challenger, and we like how these subtle changes add to the muscle coupe's already classic styling.
2014 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible gets the R-Line treatment
Volkswagen just launched the topless Beetle Convertible at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, but we're already seeing the next step forward in the topless Bug range with this, the R-Line. We'll admit, this treatment falls under the "all show and no go" category, but it's still a pretty potent little cutie.
Toyota Pro/Celebrity race switching from Scion tC to FR-S [w/video]
Toyota has announced that the rear-wheel-drive Scion FR-S will replace the front-wheel-drive Scion tC as the racecar used by actors, singers and celebrities of all grades in its annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race. It's the first time a rear-drive vehicle has been used for the event in 27 years, with the tC having been in use since 2005, and the
2014 Volkswagen Beetle GSR is black and yellow, black and yellow
Way back in 1973, Volkswagen decided it was high time to take the loveable air-cooled Bug racing. No, it wasn't painted in Herbie colors – Volkswagen called its sport-tuned machine the Beetle GSR, "Gelb Schwarzer Renner" or "Yellow Black Racer." Hence, the somewhat shocking paint scheme.
Ken Block, fifteen52 team up to build awesome Ford Focus TrackSTer
Making its debut at the Chicago Auto Show, this Ford TrackSTer is a build done in cooperation between Ford, Ken Block and Los Angeles-based tuner, Fifteen52. Starting with a stock 2013 Ford Focus ST, the TrackSTer received extensive styling and performance enhancements.
2014 Toyota Tundra appears with revised styling, same mechanicals
Toyota has pulled the curtain back on its 2014 Tundra, showing a truck that has gotten its most significant refresh since its launch as a 2007 model. For better or worse, however, the changes that Toyota has made to the fullsize pickup are mostly cosmetic, with the underpinnings of the vehicle staying unchanged.
2013 Nissan Juke Nismo is the runabout we've always wanted
The 2013 Nissan Juke Nismo has officially bowed at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show. Wearing a full body kit that serves up 37-percent more downforce than the standard front and rear fascias, the tuned hatchback also comes equipped with larger 18-inch wheels and a lowered suspension. Up front, LED daytime running lights join the festivities as well as contrasting side-view mirror covers an