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Chevy Camaro platform underpins new GM vehicle in Chicago

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Chevrolet, GM

Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible – Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors has big plans for the upcoming Chicago Auto Show. At the exposition opening this week, GM will unveil a pair of new vehicles, although details on what form they’ll take remain scarce.

The news comes from reports quoting GM’s North American president Mark Reuss. All he’s revealed at this point is that one of the two cars will be based on the Chevrolet Camaro’s platform. That tells us it will be a front-engine/rear-drive vehicle, but little else. So, commence speculation: Camaro Z28? Chevy Zeta-platform sedan? (Which we think should be called Chevelle, because hey, if Dodge can call its sedan Charger…)

As for the second car slated for the Windy City salon, your guess is as good as ours. So we’ll just have to sit tight and see what the General has got in store for us.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible: First Drive

2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

[Source: The Detroit News]

Chevy Camaro platform underpins new GM vehicle in Chicago originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Feb 2011 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyundai teases Veloster rally car ahead of Chicago debut

Filed under: Motorsports, Hyundai, Racing

Hyundai Veloster rally car teaser – click above for high-res image gallery

Throughout 2010, Hyundai teased us with shots of its unconventionally sporty new three-door. Thankfully, we finally got to see the 2012 Hyundai Veloster in its production skin at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show. Now comes a brand-new image to further tantalize us. Wearing Red Bull Racing colors, this rally-prepped Veloster has been captured mid-flight.

We don’t have all of the details on this rally-ready Hyundai Veloster to devulge just yet, but we can confirm that we’re dying to know more. Set your calendars for February 9, 2011 at 9:45am CST because that’s when Hyundai will make good with more information. Also, be sure to tune in to our 2011 Chicago Auto Show coverage, because word on the tarmac, gravel and snow-covered street is that this mighty Veloster is hopping a plane to Chi-town… after it eventually touches down from this jump.

Gallery: Hyundai Veloster Rally Car

Hyundai Veloster Rally Car

[Source: Hyundai]

Hyundai teases Veloster rally car ahead of Chicago debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago Preview: Lexus bringing tuned… CT 200h?

Filed under: Aftermarket, Chicago Auto Show, Hybrid, Hatchback, Lexus, Luxury

Lexus CT200h by Five Axis

If you just can’t wait for SEMA 2011, head to this year’s Chicago Auto Show. Lexus is bringing a little Las Vegas to the Windy City with a version of the company’s CT 200h hybrid hatchback tuned by the go-fast gurus at Five Axis. The car wears a custom widebody kit, unique paint and a lower suspension courtesy of Tein.

Stoptech hardware handles braking duties, and the interior has been saddled with enough tech to put a man on the moon. The Five Axis CT 200h will be joined by the crowd of tuned Lexus vehicles that we saw at SEMA 2010 too, including cars by VIP auto salon and Paul Tolson.

Lexus says the vast majority of the company’s 20,000-square-foot booth will be devoted to the company’s performance aims and that the luscious LFA will make an appearance as well. Something tells us that machine just might overshadow the widebody CT 200h. Hit the jump for the full press release.

[Source: Lexus]

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Chicago Preview: Lexus bringing tuned… CT 200h? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Buick Regal Hybrid coming to Chicago Auto Show

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Buick, GM

2011 Buick Regal

2011 Buick Regal – Click above for high-res image gallery

According to a report from Ward’s Auto, General Motors will be debuting a hybrid version of the Buick Regal sedan at the Chicago Auto Show next week. The electrified Regal will use the same eAssist architecture that debuted in the LaCrosse late last year.

In the LaCrosse, eAssist accounts for a 25 percent increase in fuel economy, and we can expect similar numbers for the Regal. Currently rated at 19/30 miles per gallon city/highway with the 2.4-liter engine and six-speed automatic, adding eAssist should help the Regal reach fuel economy numbers above 35 mpg.

Unlike the LaCrosse, it’s likely that the eAssist powertrain will not be the base engine in the Regal. For the 2012 model year, all LaCrosses come standard with eAssist, but we expect the Regal to use this system in a more upmarket (read: more expensive) configuration. We’ll have the full details live from Chicago next week, so stay tuned.

Gallery: 2011 Buick Regal CXL: Review

2011 Buick Regal CXL

[Source: Ward’s Auto]

Report: Buick Regal Hybrid coming to Chicago Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Acura TL to debut at Chicago Auto Show

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Sedan, Acura

Acura TL

Acura has announced that it will debut the newly refreshed 2012 TL at the Chicago Auto Show next month. Details are slim as of this writing, but the automaker says that the 2012 model “further enhances its position in the segment with aggressive, yet refined styling and performance.”

In its current form, the TL has been praised for its high-quality and tech-friendly interior, not to mention the relatively impressive driving dynamics of the SH-AWD 6MT model. However, the biggest deal-breaker for the current TL has been its styling, which has garnered a whole slew of negative praise – especially the angular front fascia. We’ll have the full details on the 2012 TL closer to its official debut on February 9, so stay tuned.

[Source: Acura]

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2012 Acura TL to debut at Chicago Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Scott Speed’s Redbull NASCAR taxi earns its fare in Chicago

Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Videos, Work, Toyota, Humor, Racing

Scott Speed takes his NASCAR taxi to Chicago – Click above to watch video after the jump

With the venerable Ford Crown Victoria on its way out, cabbies all across the country are being forced to come up with all kinds of solutions to their passenger-hauling needs. The Toyota Camry has a bit of favor with this crowd thanks to its roomy back seat, efficient drivetrain and inexpensive MSRP. Of course, all of that goes out of the window when you start talking about the NASCAR interpretation of the sedan. Red Bull recently decided to put one of its tri-oval terrors to work on the streets of Chicago as a cab, complete with none other than Scott Speed behind the wheel.

With a few additions like real headlights, brake lights, turning indicators and a license-plate bezel, the Number 82 Camry was handily transformed into a street legal machine. Speed spent the better part of a morning shuffling people around the streets of the Windy City in a blaze of tire smoke and V8 glory. It looks like plenty of fun, and we’re guessing there will never be another cab ride quite like it. Still, we think we’d rather end up in the Cash Cab. Hit the jump to check out the video.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Scott Speed’s Redbull NASCAR taxi earns its fare in Chicago

Video: Scott Speed’s Redbull NASCAR taxi earns its fare in Chicago originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pagani Zonda HH commissioner revealed as 30-year-old Chicago software mogul

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Europe

Pagani Zonda HH – Click above for image gallery

Even with the new model around the corner, Pagani has no problem putting out special editions of the current Zonda faster than Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s. The latest came in the form of the Zonda HH, a one-off blending the best bits from the Zonda Cinque edition and the Zonda F Roadster in a delicious blue package that looks about as drool-worthy as they come.

The big question on enthusiasts’ minds, though, was just who commissioned the latest unique Zonda. Initial speculation based on the name had it that Hugh Heffner had ordered the special supercar, but those rumors can now be put to rest as the real buyer has been revealed as David Heinemeier Hansson.

The 30-year-old software guru is the brains behind such programs as the Ruby on Rails web-dev platform and the 37signals software firm. Heinemeier Hansson is based in Chicago, but since the Zonda was never homologated to U.S. specifications, reports indicate that the owner bought a vacation home in Italy just so he could drive the thing. Now that’s dedication.

Gallery: Pagani Zonda HH

[Source: SecretEntourage.com via WCF]

Pagani Zonda HH commissioner revealed as 30-year-old Chicago software mogul originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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