Infiniti made a last minute decision to show its products at the Chicago Auto Show and so it took some searching to find the brands new 2011 M model tucked away in a back corner. But it was worth the hunt. Infiniti actually showed the car to us at a private event during the LA Auto Show, but the car’s Chicago Auto Show debut will be its first public appearance.

For 2011 the M will be offered as both an M37 and M56 model, each of which will be offered in either RWD or AWD. Like the G37, the M37 is powered by a 3.7-liter V6 engine with 270 ft-lbs of torque. As for the M56, it gets a massive 5.6-liter mill with an impressive 420-hp and 417 ft-lbs of torque. In total, the new top-level M gets 95-hp and 81 ft-lbs of torque over its predecessor, the M45.

Those looking for even more sport can opt for a Sport Package (RWD only), that comes with 20-inch wheels, a sport tuned suspension, larger brake rotors with 4-piston front calipers and two-piston rears, 4-Wheel Active Steer (4WAS) steering, as well as a sport steering wheel, pedals and shift knob. Specific to the Sport Package are special double-piston shocks that deliver a ride that is both comfortable and stable. There’s even a unique front fascia.

Both engines come with Infiniti’s 7-speed sport automatic transmission, allowing the M56 to get even better fuel economy than the old M45.

As for the car’s size, it is larger than the outgoing M, measuring roughly half an inch longer at 194.7 inches, 2-inches wider at 72.6 inches. It is also roughly half an inch lower at 59.1 inches to help keep the car’s center of gravity low.

One of the most exciting features on the new M is Infiniti Drive that allows a driver to choose between four settings of throttle pressure and transmission shift points. There’s also an Active Tracing Control system that adjusts engine power and braking at all four wheels for optimum performance. Safety items include Blind Spot Warning and Blind Spot Intervention that helps bring the car back towards the center of the lane. There’s also an Eco Pedal feature that, when selected, uses green and yellow lights on the instrument panel to give the driver feedback on his or her driving, while also giving feedback through the gas pedal, pushing back to alert the driver when they are operating the vehicle inefficiently. Infiniti says that in testing this simple method has lead to improved fuel economy of five to 10 percent.

GALLERY: 2011 Infiniti M56

Tucked away in a quiet corner of the Chicago Auto Show, Nissan displayed, for the first time, its new 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition. Celebrating 40 years since the 240Z landed in the U.S., the 40th Anniversary Edition model starts out as a well-equipped manual-transmission Touring model equipped with the Sport Package which includes the SynchroRev Match transmission, a front lip spoiler and rear spoiler, Nissan’s impressive sport brakes, a limited slip differential and 19-inch Rays forged wheels.

Added to this is a special “40th Quartz” paint job and a red leather interior. Other highlights include red brake calipers; a high luster smoked wheel finish; 40th Anniversary badges on the rear hatch and front strut tower brace; red painted door trim; red stitching on the center stack, shift boot and steering wheel; 40th Anniversary stitching on the seatbacks and floormats; a plaque of authenticity and a special car cover.

Set to go on sale this Spring, the 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition is priced from $38,860.

See our gallery of photos from the car’s debut below:

GALLERY: Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition

See after the jump for a brief history of the Z car:

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Mercedes didn’t hold a press conference at the Chicago Auto Show, so it obviously had nothing of interest, right? Wrong. Besides the fact that there’s a new SLS exotic to drool over, Mercedes was showing off a limited CLS Grand Edition model.

Painted in matte-gray, or what Mercedes calls Desigo matte-platinum, this CLS550 is just the latest matte-finished car from Mercedes, which has also offered the IWC SL in matte white and the Night Edition in (what else) matte-black.

Other than the paint, there’s not much else different about this CLS. It gets the same AMG styling accessories and AMG wheels as all CLS550 models and this particular version had a particularly nice sunset red leather. Under the hood is a familiar powerplant too, the 5.5-liter V8 with 382-hp.

The special edition CLS550 Grand Edition is likely to be a collectors item, debuting during the last model year of the original CLS model – a revolutionary product from the typically conservative German automaker. Mercedes is set to show the second-generation CLS later this year.

GALLERY: Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Grand Edition

Kia is working to infuse all of its vehicles with passion, even hybrids. Over the past year Kia launched the exciting Forte Koup, along with a related motorsports program and more recently it advertised during the SuperBowl for the first time with an edgy commercial featuring the all-new Sorento and a bucnh of life size toys – two of which made an appearance at the Chicago Auto Show. And so if Kia can make a mid-sized crossover seem fun, why not a hybrid?

Using Kia’s new Eco Dynamics philosophy, the company’s design team set out to make concept car that would reduce a person’s carbon footprint, while not being a carbon copy – hinting at the obvious fact that all hybrids tend to look the same. The result is the Ray plug-in hybrid concept. And as wild as it looks, Kia’s VP of Marketing Michael Sprague said it’s closer than you can imagine, announcing that later this year the automaker would deliver its first “alternative energy” production model. Sprague did not clarify if it would be a hybrid, but it will likely be a hybrid version of the Optima/Magentis model, following Hyundai’s release of the hybrid Sonata.

Kia didn’t release any info on the Ray, ignoring things like miles per gallon, recharging times and horsepower. Instead it focused on the Ray’s design with plenty of glass, light weight seats, solar panels on the roof, a full covered underbody and a rear spoiler than elongates at speed to recude drag on the vehicle thereby making it more efficient.

GALLERY: Kia Ray Plug-In Hybrid Concept

Chevy chose the Chicago Auto Show to debut its all-new 2011 Silverado Heavy Duty pickup truck with more power and capability. New Silverado HD models sit on new frames and come with an optional all-new 6.6-liter Duramax V8 and Allison 1000 six-speed transmission. The truck’s base tow rating is now 16,000 lbs, while a 3500 crew cab/long box can pull up to 20,000 lbs. For the record, that’s 2,400 lbs more than the RAM 3500 and 1,200 lbs more than the 2010 F-350 – although no 2011 F-350 stats are available. Maximum payload is now 6,335 lbs, well above both the Ford and Dodge, although (again) Ford claims segment-best payload… but that was before the new Silverado HD was unveiled.

With wheelbases ranging from 133.6 inches to 167.7 inches (depending on how you order your truck), along with wider front and rear tracks, the new Silverado HD delivers a smoother ride and better handling.

Chevy hasn’t given any new performance stats on the all-new 6.6-liter Duramax diesel, but has said it expects segment-best torque. The block itself is a carry-over from the past model but the majority of moving engine parts are new, as is the entire fuel system. NOx emissions are also down 63 percent thanks in part to an exhaust after treatment system that is used because it won’t interfere with the engine’s ability to create power. The Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) used in the process does require refilling every 5,000 miles. In addition, the new engine is B20 biodiesel capable.

As for the new Allison transmission it has been strengthened to work with the added torque of the new engine and features an optional exhaust brake, Power Take Off and a Driver Shift Control (DSC). It’s also designed to work with the new Duramax engine to give improved fuel economy by 11 percent and Chevy says to expect a fuel range of 680 miles on the new 36 gallon tank.

In addition to the fuel economy improvements, Chevy claims improved acceleration with Duramax/Allison combo, resulting in a 0.3-second improvement to 60 mph and a 0.5-second improvement in the quarter-mile for a rating of less than 9 and less than 16 seconds respectively.

A new front suspension with forged steel upper control arms and cast iron lower control arms is also a part of the 2011 package with the new front independent suspension now delivering a 25 percent improved front axle weight rating. The new 6,000 lb rating now means a snow plow can be used on all 4WD cab models equipped with the snow plow prep package. In addition, rather than a single torsion bar like on the previous model, the 2011 gets five different torsion bar rates for five different gross axle weight ratings, allowing height adjustability in accordance with the weight of a snow plow or other accessory.

As for the rear suspension, the leaf springs are now 20 percent wider, helping to improve the truck’s rear gross axle weight rating. Now 2500 models are rated to 6,200 lbs, while 3500 models get a 7,050 rating for single wheel or 9,375 of dualies. The new rear suspension is also designed to reduce wheel hop.

We could probably go on forever discussing the upgrades to the new 2011 Silverado HD, so we’ll try and wrap this up with a few more important things you should know. For 2011 the brakes are larger, measuring 14-inches at all four corners while the swept area of the brake pads has been increased with 13 percent more area covered on the front rotors and 17 percent more covered on the rear. Gone are 16-inch wheel fitments, with 17s now the new base wheel, while 20s can be had on the 2500HD. Safety equipment includes StabiliTrak and Trailer Sway Control on all single-rear-wheel models as well as a new Hill Start Assist feature, that holds the truck for 1.5 seconds when leaving a stop on a hill. Chevy also says that under heavy load it has reduced noise vibration and harshness (NVH) by as much as 30 percent.

As for the truck’s new look, well, there’s not much to talk about because there’s not a lot that’s new. With tight budgets at GM as of late, the Silverado HD team was given limited funds to build the truck and so they chose to put the money where those who really need a heavy duty truck will appreciate it most. Aesthetically, the only real changes to the 2011 model are a new chrome bumper, a “power-dome” hood and a revised grille. Expect more significant changes in a few years time.

Finally, let’s not forget the standard engine, a 6.0-liter Vortec V8 and six-speed 6L90 automatic transmission. With no output numbers yet available, Chevy does claim roughly 90 percent of the engines torque will be available from 2000 rpm and that it will allow for a 13 percent increase in fifth-wheel towing for a total tow rating of 14,700 lbs.

Take a look through a gallery below, as well as our additional gallery showing the Silverado HD’s new frame and underpinnings.

GALLERY: 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD

GALLERY: 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD Frame

When Honda announced it would show a next-generation Odyssey minivan concept at the Chicago Auto Show, we assumed it would be one of the wild and wacky concepts that automaker debuted at the Tokyo Auto show last year. We were wrong.

Instead, Honda has unveiled a concept that it says very closely resembles the 2011 production model. At first glimpse we thought the new design smacks of the misguided ideas coming out of Honda these days, but just a few moments later and looking through our photos and we’re already changing our minds. Honda hopes this concept and the production model to follow will also change a few minds.

In fact, Honda designers set out to target the new Odyssey at the minivan “fence-sitters.” Through market research, Honda determined that there are those who love the minivan, those who hate it and those who like the functionality but who don’t like the minivan image. So to appeal to these potential customers Honda move the windshield forward, added a unique lighting-bolt style element to the side of the car, all while making it wider and sit lower to the ground.

As a result of these changes the concept van gets even more cargo and passenger room including more third-row leg room and (surprisingly) more third-row head room. We say surprisingly because the roof seems to slope and yet head room has been increased.

During Honda’s press conference at the Chicago Auto Show, a company representative confirmed that this concept is very close in shape and style to the upcoming production model, which is expected to debut at the 2010 New York Auto Show. A cylinder-deactivation V6 engine will return and Honda claims improved fuel economy of 19-mpg city and 28-mpg highway, which should help the Odyssey maintain its segment-best fuel economy rating.

GALLERY: Honda Odyssey Concept

Toyota has just taken the wraps off the all-new 2011 Avalon. The changes certainly aren’t dramatic, but this is the Avalon after all. In other words, it’s a Japanese Buick. We don’t have much info on the vehicle as Toyota hasn’t even released any official specs, but from the press conference at the Chicago Auto Show we can tell you it now gets 17-inch wheels standard and is powered by the automaker’s 3.5-liter V6. Output is rated at a respectable 268-hp, while fuel economy is 20-mpg city and 29-mpg highway thanks in part to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Overall the style of the new 2011 model is improved and a bit more aggressive with a larger front grille. In fact, we see a definitely resemblance to an old Infiniti M45 design.

Other highlights include a new sixth-generation navigation screen, segment-exclusive reclining rear seats, a power rear sunshade, LED lighting and (oddly) a backup camera that has been integrated into the rearview mirror. We say oddly, because it would make more sense to have it in the much larger navigation screen. As NAV is most likely optional, however, perhaps this is a way to offer a backup camera in all models.

We’ll be sure to bring you more details when we have them. In the mean time, take a look through the gallery below. The interior is worth a look too as its actually quite nice and not just typical Camry-fare.

UPDATE: Toyota has just released full information on the 2011 Avalon, and it includes some important safety highlights considering the current recalls Toyota has had. Along with featuring Toyota’s new pedal system, the Avalon will have a brake override. Other safety highlights include stability control, ABS, traction control as well as seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag.

GALLERY: 2011 Toyota Avalon

Official release after the jump:

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Officially unveiled today at the Chicago Auto Show, Scion has released yet another special edition tC model. Presumably the last limited edition tC, the tC Release Series 6.0 comes painted in the exclusive SpeedWay Blue, with a matte-black graphics package.

The same blue hue is used in the interior for the seats as well as for the stitching on the steering wheel. Additional upgrades include an 4.3-inch touch-screen Alpine Premium Audio system with navigation that features iPod and USB connectivity.

Just 1,100 RS 6.0 tCs will be built and all models come with an individually numbered badge. Pricing is set at $18,620 with a manual transmission, and $19,420 with an automatic. Sales will begin this March.

GALLERY: Scion tC RS 6.0

Ford has just unveiled the significantly revised 2011 Edge crossover at the Chicago Auto Show with fuel economy and performance engine options. On the fuel economy side the 2011 Edge will be the first North American Ford to feature the company’s turbocharged 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine. Ford hasn’t released any power numbers for the new engine but says it will deliver the same level of performance as a 3.0-liter V6, whit 30 percent better fuel economy and 15 percent better fuel economy over the current 3.5-liter V6 from Ford.

The 3.5 will be the next step up with 285-hp and 253 ft-lbs of torque. It also delivers segment-best 27 mpg on the highway. Finally, Ford’s new 3.7-liter V6 will be offered in the Sport model with 305-hp and 280 ft-lbs of torque. That’s the same engine Ford offers in the Mustang!

Ford is expanding its Edge offerings as it has high hopes for the crossover and the segment in particular. Ford says that 50 percent of Edge buyers came over to Ford from another brand.

In addition to the new engines and exterior style, the Edge also gets a completely new interior. We had a peak here at the Chicago Auto Show and we are impressed, and not just because of the MyFord Touch system. Instead of a poorly executed faux-luxury, the Edge features a premium non-luxury interior. We even like the wood trim – because it’s finished matte and not high-gloss to look like plastic.

As for the MyFord Touch system, its Ford’s evolution of SYNC and features a touch screen, 5-way steering wheel controller and voice controls to operate every feature in the car.

GALLERY: 2011 Ford Edge

GALLERY: 2011 Ford Edge Sport Official Images

Get more info on the new 2011 ford Edge after the jump:

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Dodge is once again releasing a new special edition versions of its Challenger with another signature paint color. This time it’s Furious Fuchsia and as girly as it might be, the Challenger still manages to look like a man’s machine. The car was officially shown for the first time today at the Chicago Auto Show and we’re pleased to report that in person its definitely not pink.

While it may be feminine, what’s under the hood most certainly isn’t with no V6 being offered. Instead, Dodge will offer the Furious Fuchsia Challenger as an R/T Classic and as an SRT8 model. R/T models get matte-black or bright white side stripe package, “Challenger fender badges”, 20-inch wheels, a body colored rear spoiler, function hood scoop and racing style fuel door. Inside, there’s the option of Pearl White seats with Dark Slate Gray and Furious Fuchsia stitching. Those who opt for a six-speed manual transmission will also get the Track Pak with a 3.92 differential, dual-exhaust system, and a pistol-grip shifter to help get all 376-hp to the ground.

Better yet, ensure exclusivity with just one of 400 SRT8 models with 425-hp. It gets much of the same items but includes the Pearl White seats as standard with a Furious Fuchsia stripe, 20-inch forged aluminum SRT wheels with Stain Black accents, chrome quad-exhaust tips and a limited edition dash plaque.

Pricing for the R/T is set at $35,140, while SRT8 models will run you $45,150.

The Furious Fuchsia is the latest “high-impact heritage” paint color that Dodge has released, with a Plum Purple model being shown at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year.

GALLERY: Furious Fuchsia Dodge Challenger R/T