We survived nearly a foot of snow—and an earthquake—to bring you the latest and greatest from the Chicago Auto Show, held Feb. 12-21 at McCormick Place. The show is usually less a spectacle of glitz and glamor and more of a tribute to America's cornfields and hard-working folk. While we didn't get any photos of corn-fed boys, we did manage to find some good looking vehicles to swoon over.
Here are our picks for the top five new models from the show:
—2011 Ford Edge: We saw the majorly face lifted Lincoln MKX at last month's Detroit show, but Ford took the mystery away from the also-impressive 2011 Ford Edge. An updated exterior, stunning interior, next-generation hands-free communications, and a range of power options will keep crossover buyers rolling into Ford showrooms.
New grilles and trim look cool, but its engines are powerfully hot. Returning is a 3.5-litre V6, connected to a six-speed automatic transmission, now producing 285 horsepower and achieving 27-MPG highway.
—2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD: Take a look at the new 2011 Chevrolet Silverado heavy-duty pickups. Go ahead. See if you can spot the differences. No, not there. Crawl underneath. Ah, there it is.
Competition in heavy-duty trucks doesn't really happen with freshened grilles and bulging fenders anyway. The Silverado is handsome with its big chrome crossbar grille, enough chrome to occupy a truck stop service shop, large trailering mirrors, and fast windshield. But what matters to buyers is a 20,000-pound towing capacity and a payload capability of 6,335 pounds ( properly equipped, of course ) .
—2011 Honda Odyssey: Technically, the Honda Odyssey shown in Chicago was a concept, but then the marketing team began throwing around specifications and features for the all-new mini-van that will roll out for 2011. Take a shot of your favorite inebriation and imagine the concept with smaller wheels and a roof rack. That's what's coming.
A sleeker cab-forward profile is enhanced with a roofline that appears to slope towards the rear window. The D-pillar is rendered in a way that looks upscale, like an Acura MDX. Easily the most distinguishing feature is the lightning-bolt windowline that is expected on the production model and makes it easier to see out of the rear seats. Honda claims the van has a one-inch lower roofline and will be 1.4-inches wider. Wheelbase dimensions remain unchanged at 118.1 inches, keeping interior space very close to the current model. Odyssey's trademark third-row "Magic Seat" will still fold flat into the floor.
—2011 Ford Edge: Toyota's press conference began with a humble commitment to quickly repair all of its vehicles affected by the accelerator and brake recalls. The company is showing renewed vigor in taking care of very loyal customers. Almost sheepishly, Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager, Toyota Division, announced the significantly updated 2011 Avalon.
Designed at Toyota's Calty Design Research center in Newport Beach, Calif., the 2011 Avalon will be more aggressive than the current sedan, but will also be much more elegant. Toyota's theme is "Traveling Avalon Class," and that about explains the beauty and grace for which the new model will be known. In truth, it is really just a significant facia and interior update on the current model, but the car looks ready for a few more good years.
—2011 Ford Transit Connect: Ford's trophy from Detroit, where the Transit Connect was named North American Truck of the Year, is hardly collecting dust as the company is at it again. If you think the little van is as cool as a florist's back room, check out the electric and Taxi versions coming later this year.
Developed in partnership with Azure Dynamics, which has been designing drive systems for over 20 years, the Transit Connect EV runs on a 192-cell, fluid-cooled lithium ion battery pack located under the floor. Ford claims the van will zip emissions-free from 0-60 mph in 12 seconds, continue to a top speed of 75 mph and keep buzzing along for about 80 miles before a recharge. Weight goes up and payload goes down slightly from gasoline-powered vehicles, but the van is ideal for businesses with defined routes. Owners can charge with 120V or 240V outlets, the latter enabling a full re-energizing in 6-8 hours.
The Transit Connect is becoming Ford's little van that could. It delivers flowers, caters food, hauls band instruments and, soon, will move passengers around cities and run routes without burning a drop of gasoline. It could become the next cultural phenomenon, doing everything while looking good. Move over London, America is getting its own signature taxi.
For more info, see www.gaywheels.com .
