If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you know that I am not attending 2009 Chicago Auto show media days this year. It is a result of belt tightening here at Gaywheels.com and the fact that we aren't on "the list" of invitees that the Chicago show flies in every year.
Rather than just read press releases and regurgitate their content, I've asked my good friends from TheCarConnection.com if I could re-purpose their reporting and post highlights here with links back to their full insight. Enjoy.
—2010 Ford Taurus SHO: It's a twin-turbo version of the 2010 Ford Taurus, bringing back the old "SHO" tag. The 365-hp V-6 is the most powerful "EcoBoost" Ford will offer, the paddle-shifted automatic should add to sporting feel and Ford's SYNC system is standard. It will be on sale this summer for $37,995. The reborn SHO—the favorite of enthusiasts everywhere since it first was introduced on the first-generation Taurus—completes the new Taurus lineup with a tuned suspension and some of the visual flair that made the original hotted-up Taurus a hit when it took its bow in 1989.
—2010 Kia Forte ( pictured ) : Kia's new compact sedan, replacing the Spectra, has only four doors this time. SX models get larger four-cylinder engines, while the Bluetooth and Sirius are standard. It will be on sale this summer for $15,000. The Forte is the first product overseen in its entirety by Peter Schreyer, the wunderkind hired by Kia to remake the line-up in a more modern vein. Schreyer's touch shows in a more sophisticated shape, though no one will mistake the Forte for the daring Honda Civic ( or the kludgy Ford Focus, for that matter ) .
The Forte's basics are the stuff economy cars do best: simple independent suspensions, four-cylinder engines, manual and automatic transmissions. Base cars have a 153-hp four, and five-speed manual and four-speed automatic trannies. The SX edition spools up 173 hp with a 2.4-liter four, and teams it to a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic.
—2009 Dodge Ram HD: According to Dodge, the heavy-duty segment contains about one-third of all full-size truck sales in the United States. And buyers in the segment are said to be the most brand-loyal in the industry. So Dodge is taking aim at Chevy and Ford with its new Dodge Ram HD, introduced at the Chicago Auto Show and fortified heavily from winch to tailgate.
Based on the new-for-'09 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup, the burly tow/haul monsters finally bring a true crew cab to the Dodge Ram HD domain. The crew cab is said to be the highest-volume segment of the heavy-duty pickup arena ( approx. 50 percent of HD pickup sales ) . Regular cab and Mega Cab models will be offered, as will two box sizes ( 6'4" or 8' even ) , and five distinct trim levels ( ST, SLT, TRX, Laramie and Power Wagon ) .
—2009 Scion tC Series 5.0: This 2009 tC RS 5.0 features unique styling elements draped on a lowered suspension with 18-inch alloys. Numerous mechanical enhancements also give the vehicle a more aggressive driving demeanor.
Outside, the aforementioned 18-inch multi-spoke alloys ( matte black with red accents ) are supported by lowered springs from TRD to give this bespoke tC aggressive curbside swagger. The vehicle is bathed in gloss black, and an available rear lip spoiler adds some attitude at the rear.
On the inside, the black-and-red theme continues. A black leather steering wheel with red stitching continues the color theme inside, as do black seats with red inserts and TRD floor.
—2009 Ford F-150 Harley Davidson: This vehicle is a dolled-up version of Ford's new full-size truck. It features a standard Ford F-150 SuperCrew with Harley trim, and includes interior leather, colorful add-ons and plenty of chrome and enamel badges. It will be on sale shortly at an estimated price of $40,000.
For more, see www.gaywheels.com .
