Sup, ChicagoAutoShow08?

All this week we will be bombarded with cars and technology of the like from the Chicago Auto Show. Here are the ones that will matter:

Acura:
Acura is bringing a refresh to the dated-when-brand-new RL series. In comes with a new face that resembles its MDX model line and Acura is saying that the look will be fashioned on its new TSX coming soon as well. It will also get a new V6 engine and you'll be sure to find their SH-AWD as an option as well.

Verdict: Bout friggen time the RL got a face lift. Although i don't know if it was more influenced by their current design goals or by gophers with that huge metal grille.

Suzuki: In an effort to get more products out than what seems possible, Suzuki unveiled a series of pickup trucks concepts from the "Equator" line. They come in 3 different variations starting with the RMZ (a big yellow one), the Equator "Quad" (a crew cab version with big scary black wheels and gunmetal grey paint), and the homonym busting "QUAY" (Pronounced "key"...iknowright?). The goal being to make a pickup truck specifically for towing and stowing all your extreme, and not so extreme powersport equipment.

Verdict: Don't expect to buy one of these for your average truck drivers.

Volkswagen: VW showed off their all new mini-van to compete with the new chrysler town and country to be sold here later this year. Expect to see your normal V6 arrangement with blah blah blah attached.

Verdict: Nothing new here, just a mini-van. Maybe it will drive better than a swimming pool, but thats it. Boring Boring Boring.


Dodge: The Challenger we've all been waiting to see in real life was shown with accompanying heritage video. We also got some specs to go along with it:
Hemi powered 6.1 liter 425 horsepower V8
0-60: 4.5ish seconds
1/4 mile: takes about 14 seconds
Top Speed: 170 MPH

Verdict: Is it enough to beat the all new Camaro from Chevy in the same year? Regardless it will be better than that sad excuse for a Charger revival Dodge gave us in 2006.

GMC: we were shown the teaser of the Denali XT in Detroit and now we got some info about it. It's uniqueness comes not from the fact that its fat and ugly but that it is on a car powertrain. So think a truck made from the frame of a muscle car. It's also supposed to be more economical than most V8 powered trucks.

Verdict: Is this framework something that we will see for most trucks from GM now?



Well thats all i've got for you now, i'll keep you updated if anything worthwhile comes along this week.