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chicago auto show

chicago auto show

You're Too Poor To Afford A Bentley Brooklands

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.

chicago auto show

The Teutuls Like The New Challenger, A Bag Full Of Money Or Possibly Both

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.



chicago auto show

Chicago Auto Show: Jalopnik Rides The Jeep

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?

chicago auto show

Chicago Auto Show: Motor Trend Has Wood For Tundra

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. More »

chicago auto show

Chicago Auto Show: Commercial Trucks And Vans

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.



chicago auto show

Chicago Auto Show: 1969 Mercedes 300SEL 6.3 Turns Us Into Dragons

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.



chicago auto show

Chicago Auto Show: International MaxxPro

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 inches, 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 skills, this thing is just a plain beast. We want a test drive of the take home version. Any vehicle with gun portals gets an "A" in our book.


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chicago auto show

Chicago Auto Show: Army Stryker Engineer Squad Vehicle

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.

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chicago auto show

Chicago Auto Show: 2008 BMW E92 M3 GTR Reveal, Now With Video

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.


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chicago auto show

Chicago Auto Show: 2009 Mitsubishi Galant, Three Varieties of Boring

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.



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chicago auto show

2009 Hyundai Sonata First To Feature New XM GUI

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! More »

chicago auto show

Chicago Auto Show: The Volvo XC70 SR Surf Rescue Vehicle, For When Hof Isn't Sober

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.

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chicago auto show

Chicago Auto Show: 2009 International LoneStar, Biggest Unveil of the Show

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.


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chicago auto show

Chicago Auto Show: Alton Truck Company F650 Is An Adventure In Ridiculous

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.



question of the day

What Would You Badge Engineer If You Ran An Automaker?

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 CXTfor example? Or perhaps Isuzu could make a second go at the North American market with the Isuzu Cinquecento. More »

chicago auto show

Chicago Auto Show: 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Even though they already dropped the press shots of the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse and Spyder, the cars are making their official debut here at Chicago. Mitsubishi looked to borrow some mojo from past Eclipse models as they included previous versions in their display. The upgrades to the new version are largely cosmetic, thought they did see fit squeeze an additional two ponies out the power plant. Included in the deal are"Jet fighter grill", added traction control, new 18" wheels, dual outlet exhaust, Spyder gets standard heated seats, yada, yada, yada. Hey look, pictures.

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chicago auto show

Chicago Auto Show: Volvo Goes To The Dogs

While we were hoping we'd get something along the lines of the R-Line, Volvo surprised us with an event about buckling up your dogs. Yeah! Apparently, the XC90 has a special dog cage in there and the people at BarkBuckleUp.com want dogs secured safely so that, in the event of an accident, the animal isn't killed or injured (or wanders onto the street causing other accidents). We'd have taken more shots but the police dog started barking and we thought maybe they were on to us.


chicago auto show

Chicago Auto Show: Dub Magazine Turns Chryslers Into Pentabortions

Dub Magazine, a publication known for highlighting the understated beauty of lightly customized automobiles, set up a display of lowered Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler vehicles made even odder looking with the addition of ridiculous rims. While it almost works on some vehicles, like the already chromey Chrysler 300 and Pepsi-vending Dodge Nitro, there are some vehicles that cannot be saved by anything short of explosives. An example of this is the maroon dubdubbed Chrysler Sebring with matching maroon wheels, or as we call it, the Pentabortion.