Official 2007 Chicago Auto Show Thread
- Thread starter mikeyb
- Start date
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- 2001 Pro 2.0 LX
ohh man. I see the astra's all day long here and they are sexay. but is it just me or did it loose most of its sex appeal by dawning the Saturn logo. damn you saturn!!
misbehave said:
Ummm, heck no! The G8 looks like a beefy, RWD, 6.0L V8 powered, slick interiored American sport sedan! Its about time. To compare it with an 04 civic is the be Automotively BLIND! If anything it looks a little bit like an americanized Acura TL TypeS (except is RWD as opposed to the TL being FWD look at the pics then get back to me! Its a Holden badge job, but a good one!
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sanblaster
Member
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- 2009 CWP Mazda Axela Sport & 2006 Nissan 350z
Wow those scions are brutal..
Scion xD and xB info
In a move that can only be deemed as stupid, lazy or incredibly devious, Car & Driver published images and information on Scion's redesigned xB and all-new xD more than a day and a half before the car's are scheduled to be debuted here in Chicago. The info went live last night but wasn't discovered until an industrious member of the ScionLife forum messed with the URL and found it.
First up is the new xB, which has grown in size thanks to leaving the platform it shared with the now defunct xA. Gone is the toaster-esque styling as well, replaced with a design that's still a box, though one with fender flares, a little more character in the front end and a thick C/D-pillar. It's also reported that the interior has been upgraded along with losing the not-loved center-mounted gauge pod. The xB will also share its powerplant with the tC now, which means a 2.4L four-cylinder generating 158 hp and 162 ft-lbs. of torque will be on tap to send power through a five-speed manual or four-seed automatic.
The xD is the new kid in the Scion camp, replacing the less well-received xA. It rides on the same platform as the Yaris, but is powered by the 128-hp, 1.8L four-cylinder found in the Corolla and Matrix. The xD will feature the same transmission choices as the new xB and send power to the front wheels only. The xD's styling shares the same thick C/D-pillar seen on the new xB, which appears to be a new Scion trademark styling cue. We'll leave judgment of the car's overall design to you, but will just say that it looks like a cross between a Camry and a JDM-market Mazda Verisa. http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123660100
In a move that can only be deemed as stupid, lazy or incredibly devious, Car & Driver published images and information on Scion's redesigned xB and all-new xD more than a day and a half before the car's are scheduled to be debuted here in Chicago. The info went live last night but wasn't discovered until an industrious member of the ScionLife forum messed with the URL and found it.
First up is the new xB, which has grown in size thanks to leaving the platform it shared with the now defunct xA. Gone is the toaster-esque styling as well, replaced with a design that's still a box, though one with fender flares, a little more character in the front end and a thick C/D-pillar. It's also reported that the interior has been upgraded along with losing the not-loved center-mounted gauge pod. The xB will also share its powerplant with the tC now, which means a 2.4L four-cylinder generating 158 hp and 162 ft-lbs. of torque will be on tap to send power through a five-speed manual or four-seed automatic.
The xD is the new kid in the Scion camp, replacing the less well-received xA. It rides on the same platform as the Yaris, but is powered by the 128-hp, 1.8L four-cylinder found in the Corolla and Matrix. The xD will feature the same transmission choices as the new xB and send power to the front wheels only. The xD's styling shares the same thick C/D-pillar seen on the new xB, which appears to be a new Scion trademark styling cue. We'll leave judgment of the car's overall design to you, but will just say that it looks like a cross between a Camry and a JDM-market Mazda Verisa. http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123660100
2008 Toyota Highlander
Built on the same platform as the Camry sedan, the original Toyota Highlander SUV was doomed to dullness from the beginning, wedged squarely between the homely wagon and the dreaded minivan.
Apparently this hasn't bothered Toyota, as the fully redesigned 2008 Highlander pursues the same look of mainstream American suburbia as before. It looks like a RAV4 with meaner headlights and a bigger roof rack.
It's still a sport-ute designed for families who don't want a minivan, yet many of the Highlander's features are straight out of the minivan playbook.
Take the second-row captain's chairs with a removable center section. This "Center Stow" seat turns the second row into a three-passenger bench seat. When you don't need it, you can fold it flat into the floor, leaving an aisle for access to the third-row seats. You know, like a minivan.
Safety is also one of this Highlander's calling cards. All models will come standard with seven airbags, including a knee airbag for the driver and side curtain airbags for all three rows. Traction control, antilock brakes and stability control are also part of the package.
The 2008 Toyota Highlander is slightly bigger than before, 3 inches wider and with a wheelbase stretched by 3 inches.
Only one engine will be offered: a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 270 horsepower and 249 pound-feet of torque. Hooked to a five-speed automatic transmission, Toyota says the new V6 will deliver nearly the same fuel economy as its predecessor. Front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive remains an option.
A 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid will join the lineup two months after the standard model's debut in July. Net output for the all-wheel-drive gas-electric drivetrain will be 270 hp. Despite 500 pounds of additional weight, the Highlander Hybrid will achieve the same 31 mpg city and 27 highway as it did before.
Standard Highlanders will come in three trim levels. Although Toyota claims all Highlanders will be well-equipped, most of the minivanlike options will remain on the options list. Notable features include a power liftgate, keyless ignition, rear-seat DVD entertainment system and three-row climate control.
Built on the same platform as the Camry sedan, the original Toyota Highlander SUV was doomed to dullness from the beginning, wedged squarely between the homely wagon and the dreaded minivan.
Apparently this hasn't bothered Toyota, as the fully redesigned 2008 Highlander pursues the same look of mainstream American suburbia as before. It looks like a RAV4 with meaner headlights and a bigger roof rack.
It's still a sport-ute designed for families who don't want a minivan, yet many of the Highlander's features are straight out of the minivan playbook.
Take the second-row captain's chairs with a removable center section. This "Center Stow" seat turns the second row into a three-passenger bench seat. When you don't need it, you can fold it flat into the floor, leaving an aisle for access to the third-row seats. You know, like a minivan.
Safety is also one of this Highlander's calling cards. All models will come standard with seven airbags, including a knee airbag for the driver and side curtain airbags for all three rows. Traction control, antilock brakes and stability control are also part of the package.
The 2008 Toyota Highlander is slightly bigger than before, 3 inches wider and with a wheelbase stretched by 3 inches.
Only one engine will be offered: a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 270 horsepower and 249 pound-feet of torque. Hooked to a five-speed automatic transmission, Toyota says the new V6 will deliver nearly the same fuel economy as its predecessor. Front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive remains an option.
A 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid will join the lineup two months after the standard model's debut in July. Net output for the all-wheel-drive gas-electric drivetrain will be 270 hp. Despite 500 pounds of additional weight, the Highlander Hybrid will achieve the same 31 mpg city and 27 highway as it did before.
Standard Highlanders will come in three trim levels. Although Toyota claims all Highlanders will be well-equipped, most of the minivanlike options will remain on the options list. Notable features include a power liftgate, keyless ignition, rear-seat DVD entertainment system and three-row climate control.
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Kia Rondo SX
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With the introduction of the 2007 Kia Rondo at the Los Angeles auto show last fall, Kia now has its own entry in the booming market for compact sport-utilities. The Kia Rondo SX is a concept vehicle intended to persuade us that the mini-ute has more than just family values in mind.
Built on the Kia Optima sedan platform, the Rondo is a spacious little item, even though it looks like a bar of soap that has been next to the sink for a little too long. The SX concept vehicle tries to add some visual interest to the package with more aggressive front and rear fascias, a more dramatic grille and some functional details.
Unlike most concept cars, the SX's trim pieces are available as production pieces as part of the Rondo's optional accessory body kit, including the deep front spoiler, fender flares and rocker sill extensions.
The SX rides on 18-inch cast-alloy wheels that carry 235/40R18 Michelin Pilot Sport tires. There's more power going to the ground thanks to a cold-air intake and free-flowing cat-back exhaust system, which together increase the 2.7-liter V6's output some 10 horsepower to 192 hp. Meanwhile the brakes have been upgraded with cross-drilled rotors.
The Rondo SX also has a bit more visual interest inside, where the people live. Upgraded materials relieve the sameness of the stock furnishings for the Rondo. The driver gets to hold a leather-wrapped steering wheel with contrasting red stitching, as well as sit in a seat upholstered in gray leather with red leather trim and dark gray suedelike inserts.
<!-- (JSP_END) /InsideLine/InsideLineWeb/WebRoot/components/drives/videolink.jsp --><!-- Video link --><!--endclickprintexclude--><!-- (JSP_START) /InsideLine/InsideLineWeb/WebRoot/components/autoshow/article.jsp --><!-- float right --><!-- Speed Read --><!-- end Speed Read -->
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With the introduction of the 2007 Kia Rondo at the Los Angeles auto show last fall, Kia now has its own entry in the booming market for compact sport-utilities. The Kia Rondo SX is a concept vehicle intended to persuade us that the mini-ute has more than just family values in mind.
Built on the Kia Optima sedan platform, the Rondo is a spacious little item, even though it looks like a bar of soap that has been next to the sink for a little too long. The SX concept vehicle tries to add some visual interest to the package with more aggressive front and rear fascias, a more dramatic grille and some functional details.
Unlike most concept cars, the SX's trim pieces are available as production pieces as part of the Rondo's optional accessory body kit, including the deep front spoiler, fender flares and rocker sill extensions.
The SX rides on 18-inch cast-alloy wheels that carry 235/40R18 Michelin Pilot Sport tires. There's more power going to the ground thanks to a cold-air intake and free-flowing cat-back exhaust system, which together increase the 2.7-liter V6's output some 10 horsepower to 192 hp. Meanwhile the brakes have been upgraded with cross-drilled rotors.
The Rondo SX also has a bit more visual interest inside, where the people live. Upgraded materials relieve the sameness of the stock furnishings for the Rondo. The driver gets to hold a leather-wrapped steering wheel with contrasting red stitching, as well as sit in a seat upholstered in gray leather with red leather trim and dark gray suedelike inserts.
mikeyb said:Kia Rondo SX
<!-- (JSP_END) /InsideLine/InsideLineWeb/WebRoot/components/drives/videolink.jsp --><!-- Video link --><!--endclickprintexclude--><!-- (JSP_START) /InsideLine/InsideLineWeb/WebRoot/components/autoshow/article.jsp --><!-- float right --><!-- Speed Read --><!-- end Speed Read -->
<!-- end float right --><!-- Primary Content -->
With the introduction of the 2007 Kia Rondo at the Los Angeles auto show last fall, Kia now has its own entry in the booming market for compact sport-utilities. The Kia Rondo SX is a concept vehicle intended to persuade us that the mini-ute has more than just family values in mind.
Built on the Kia Optima sedan platform, the Rondo is a spacious little item, even though it looks like a bar of soap that has been next to the sink for a little too long. The SX concept vehicle tries to add some visual interest to the package with more aggressive front and rear fascias, a more dramatic grille and some functional details.
Unlike most concept cars, the SX's trim pieces are available as production pieces as part of the Rondo's optional accessory body kit, including the deep front spoiler, fender flares and rocker sill extensions.
The SX rides on 18-inch cast-alloy wheels that carry 235/40R18 Michelin Pilot Sport tires. There's more power going to the ground thanks to a cold-air intake and free-flowing cat-back exhaust system, which together increase the 2.7-liter V6's output some 10 horsepower to 192 hp. Meanwhile the brakes have been upgraded with cross-drilled rotors.
The Rondo SX also has a bit more visual interest inside, where the people live. Upgraded materials relieve the sameness of the stock furnishings for the Rondo. The driver gets to hold a leather-wrapped steering wheel with contrasting red stitching, as well as sit in a seat upholstered in gray leather with red leather trim and dark gray suedelike inserts.
You know I really like the Rondo SX. The headlights could do with some jazzing up but the stance is perfect and it looks killer in black like that. coupled with the 192 ponies, I'd probably take one of thoose over a mazda5.
Kia's really stepping up its game.
I can't wait to see the new offering from Hyundai too especially the Tiburon replacement and their new halo car. They seem to be hitting their stride.
