The upcoming Chicago Auto Show was forecasted to be a flop but apparently it is promising to be one hot ticket come this weekend. In fact, attendance is expected to swell, squashing all these rumors which has made the organizers quite enthusiastic of the 2009 car show.

“While there’s no hard science behind it, our best guess is that the buzz about the show is spreading virally,” said Jerry Cizek, general manager of the show produced by the Chicago Automobile Trade Association. “We had unusually large crowds in our opening weekend. Evidently, those people are returning to their communities with reports of a fun, bright, affordable auto show that’s packed with family entertainment – and topped off with the great deals that America’s consumers are seeking.”

Over the closing weekend of the show, organizers are suggesting that patrons utilize the vast – and devoid of any weather complication – Millennium Park underground parking lot. Shuttles will bring customers from there directly to the door of McCormick Place via dedicated bus routes, eliminating the thought of any long walks through inclement conditions or traffic tie-ups. The free shuttles will operate Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 21-22 only.

(Source) Press

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Just like most car fanatics, it would be an understatement if only a few would be eagerly awaiting the sequel to the Transformers. Many fans including myself, are not only excited to see the Autobots back in action but the new and old cars that will be once again showcased.

Much of them were on hand at the Chicago Auto Show and while they don’t really show much action-packed moves compared to the movies, here is another leaked trailer that is bound to juice up the excitement for people awaiting the Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen.

Here is the video clip. It’s not the best quality you may appreciate watching but it will do for now.

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Dodge officially unveiled a new class of heavy duty pickups at the Chicago Auto Show, showcasing bold, powerful and capable utility trucks that the big boys will surely love to have. This year, Dodge adds to its award-winning Ram lineup with the introduction of the all-new 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy-Duty and 3500/4500/5500 Chassis Cabs.

“Our new 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups continue to build on Dodge Ram’s leadership in the Heavy-Duty pickup segment,” said Scott Kunselman, Vice President – Jeep(R)/Truck Product Team, Chrysler LLC. “Our Ram Heavy-Duty pickups reinforce Dodge Ram’s bold and powerful reputation, and provide improved capability in critical areas of the segment.”

Among the areas of critique are the safety issues to which Dodge boasted of 25 safety and security features:

• Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
• Advanced multi-stage air bags
• BeltAlert
• Brake/Park interlock
• Child-protection rear door locks
• Constant-Force Retractors (CFR)
• Crumple zones
• Electronic brake force distribution
• Energy-absorbing steering column
• Enhanced Accident Response System (EARS)
• Height-adjustable seat belts
• HomeLink universal home security system transceiver
• Interior head-impact protection
• Knee bolsters
• Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) Child Seat Anchor System
• Low-risk deployment air bag
• Parksense(R) Rear Park Assist System
• Power-adjustable pedals
• Remote Keyless Entry
• Seat-belt pretensioners
• Sentry Key(R) engine immobilizer
• Standard side-curtain air bags
• Supplemental side air bags
• Three-point seat belts
• Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM)
• uconnect phone

(Source) Press

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Honda raised the curtains on the 2010 Acura TSX V-6 at the Chicago Auto Show, debuting the all-new V-6 model for its TSX sports sedan line-up. The 2010 TSX V-6 will be equipped with a powerful 3.5-liter engine, exclusive suspension tuning, larger diameter wheels and additional enhancements.

“The automotive market may be slowing down, but not Acura,” said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. “With improved acceleration and handling, the new 280 horsepower V-6 adds even more sport to the already sporty nature of the popular TSX sports sedan.”

Features:

The 2010 Acura is expected to be made available this summer. The set price for the 2010 Acura TSX is $29,160.00

(Source) Press

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Many fans were eager to see what the new Hyundai Genesis Coupe had to offer at the Chicago Auto Show. However, while that is to be expected, Hyundai made another announcement that of which was the team-up with Rhys Millen Racing and Red Bull Energy Drink to campaign the car in the high-energy sport of drift racing this year.

Hyundai unveiled its motorsports program in the U.S. with the help of drift champion Rhys Millen, who will fabricate and race a 550-horsepower Genesis Coupe in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the Formula Drift Professional Drifting Championship and at select Redline Time Attack series events in 2009.

“Today’s announcement puts the Genesis Coupe into three great motorsports series,” said John Krafcik, acting president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “We like to refer to the Genesis Coupe as the sinister sibling to the North American Car of the Year, the Genesis sedan, and we look forward to Rhys harnessing every ounce of energy in the Coupe as he campaigns it.”

(Source) Press

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Unknown to most onlookers at the Chicago Auto Show, Hyundai had something to offer and it was not only the Genesis Coupe. Apparently, they have added a little surprise to the mix and that was when they unveiled a racing version, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe R-Spec. The R-Spec model was designed to appeal to true enthusiasts who want a low starting price and the ability to tune their car to their own specifications. R-Spec will be available as a mid-2010 model year introduction.

The R-Spec adds core performance equipment to the most affordable 2.0T model, such as:

The Genesis Coupe R-Spec will be priced at $23,750 and $3,000 less than the 2.0T Track model, leaving tuners with extra cash for their own choice of aftermarket performance upgrades.

(Source) Press

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The 2010 Kia Forte has finally arrived in America. Following its predecessor, the Kia Soul, Kia Motors America (KMA) today introduced the all-new 2010 Kia Forte compact sedan at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show.

Forte blends Kia’s exciting new design direction under the tutelage of Peter Schreyer, Kia Motors’ chief design officer, with a multitude of standard features. The 2010 Kia Forte will go on sale in North America in late spring or early summer of 2009.

This new offering by Kia offers a stylish, class-leading(1) 96.8 cubic feet of passenger volume, while driver and passengers have an impressive 40.0 inches of headroom and 43.3 inches of legroom in the front seats and 37.8 inches of headroom and 35.0 inches of legroom in the rear seats.

Sporting stylish and aggressive design cues, the new Forte firmly establishes itself as a strong contender in its segment. Available in three trim levels (LX, EX and SX), Forte offers a sleek, sophisticated design. The sportier SX trim offers a more athletic profile with 17-inch alloy wheels paired with P215/45R17-sized premium tires and a rear spoiler.

(Source) Press

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