#2010ChicagoAutoShow

BMW LITERALLY made a BIG reveal right here at the Chicago Auto Show. The 2015 740Ld xDrive is a long-wheelbase version of the brand’s already gargantuan 7 Series flagship, but with a twist. It features all-wheel drive and a diesel engine.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ford has just officially given the 2011 Shelby GT500 its ceremonial debut at the Chicago Auto Show. Significantly updated from last year, the 2011 model offers more power, a lower curb weight and improved handling. The new aluminum block weighs 102 lbs less than the old cast-iron unit and puts out 10-more horsepower for a total of 550-hp at 6200 rpm. Torque is rated at 510 ft-lbs, 80 percent of which is available from 1750 to 6250 rpm. Plus, a new two-row intercooler delivers 40 percent better cooling so this sports car will perform with optimum potential even on the hottest of track days.

Set to make its debut at the Chicago Auto Show this week, Nissan has just announced the 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition will be priced from $38,860. And because we already knew this, to get our attention they included a large selection of new photos of the car.

The all-new 2011 Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty models might not look all that new and there’s a good reason for it. 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. Changes to the rest of the truck, however, are significant.

Ford has just announced two new versions of its Transit Connect commercial vehicle, which recently won the 2010 North American Truck of the Year award. Up first is the Transit Connect Electric, the first electric vehicle Ford will offer, using a lithium-ion battery. It can travel up to 80 miles on a charge, which takes about 6 to 8 hours to complete from either a 120-volt or 140-volt outlet. Ford claims a similar acceleration time to the gas-powered model although storage space is reduced somewhat to 135 cu.-ft. The vehicle is designed for fleets where driver’s have a pre-set route and a centralized location for recharging.