German Car Forum

Coming up, in a few mins....a full report and all the pics......watch this space!

M

Well the largest Auto Show in the U.S. has just concluded. Yes Chicago is almost double the physical size of Detroit, but of course Detroit is still king when it comes to the number of new debuts. Since I covered the European iron pretty good at Detroit I tried (notice I say tried) to concentrate on the "regular" brands and their cars. Who are we kidding, the American and Japanese cars worth mention were covered in the Detroit thread!

The biggest new model debut on my radar was the Pontiac G8:








A concept car that didn't really impress with its looks but rather with its technology, the Chevy Voltz:





A Corvette hanging from the damn ceiling:




One of my favorite American cars, the Ford Mustang GT500:






That styling option Jaguar just introduced on the XK series really doesn't do anything for the car, IMO. It is too much, the car is pretty enough in basic form:




The U.S. DCX brand (Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep) have an indoor test track where you can ride with drivers on a variety of courses. The Jeeps have an off-road course, of course. The Chrysler and Dodge track have sections in which you can test the ESP on ice, a rough road section and ABS testing section. A few pics from the Jeep test area:



Stay tuned for a few videos from the DCX test track!


Still my favorite SUV and I couldn't resist, the Land Rover Range Rover Sport Supercharged:




A car a lot of members here like which I don't, but I will admit it did look at little more acceptable here:





The other Bentley ragtop, the Azure:




What is becoming a constant favorite, the Maser Quattroporte:



Hopefully what is the last version of this now tired (but still good looking) car, the Coupe in "Victory" trim:




Did I mention that I currently being wooed by BMW again, my favorite BMW of the show..the M6 Convertible:



The Alphina B7:



The 335i Convertible:



There were 2 other tricked out 7-Series models there besides the Alphina B7. A particularly sinister looking 750Li:



And....a 7-Series "Individual":



Couldn't get any pics of the interior, the entire BMW stand was just too freaking crowded! Needless to say the interior was the nicest of any 7-Series I've ever seen.

The runner up to my favorite SUV, the X5:




An unlikely, kinda cute little thingy, the Scion XD:






Porsche, the 911 GT3:



Various 911 models:



The green here on this 911 Turbo is called "Dark Olive", a 3.5K option! The Cayenne, Boxster and Cayman:




Mercedes-Benz, the S63 and CL63:





The Vision GL420 Bluetec and SL550:



Finally the 07 G500 has landed:



As if you can tell it has been updated from the outside! Well it has come up to modern day headlights at least!!


The only "Saab" I current like, the 9-3 convertible:




Now I have seen Gallardo Spyders before, but this one for some reason left me speech and breathless. It was just so gorgeous:






The Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster:





Another gorgeous Gallardo:




Lotus, various models:




Which brand has the best looking lineup of cars from top to bottom? Audi. The S6:



The TT:



A little dated, but still hot...the RS4:



The R8:





The S8:



Currently my favorite Audi!


Ok, I'll post the DCX test track vids in a little while, my eyes and fingers hurt!

M

A few notes: Aston-Martin and Rolls-Royce didn't show this year. Not sure why Rolls didn't, but Aston as you know is going through it right now.

Maybach only had a regular 57 model on hand, no S models like in Detroit.

There seems to be a general mood of hope and the spirit of a real turn around for GM. Cadillac is doing well and will do better with the CTS, Saturn and even Pontiac seem to be alive and in Saturn's case, doing well. Saturn is the most transformed brand in the shortest amount of time at GM.

Ford is as lost as ever. We still get the warmed over U.S. Focus and renaming the 500 the Taurus won't fool many people. They just don't get it. This and 2008 are going to be very tough if not final years for them I predict.

I remained perplexed by the Lexus LS460L. I want to like the car, and I do on many levels, but..............I need to drive it again.

BMW is making up ground with each look I have at their latest. Could my once #2 brand be back in the position with the next 7-Series? Audi had better pull a stunner in the form of the new A4 and A5.

M

Kick @$$ pics, Merc1!

Pity, that some of those aren't in hr...

Thanks, anyways!

Nice pictures, I like that colour on the Sport GT!

Nice rims on the 750Li too, though I remember those coming from the 5er...

One question: the Pontiac G8, who are its competitors? Are they the 5er or A6? The interior looks pretty decent from your picture lots of stitched leather...

The Pontiac G8 will primarily compete with the Chrysler 300C, the only other modern RWD, V8 American sedan at the moment. Now pricewise it will also compete with the 3-Series, Acura TL, Lexus IS, etc. etc., but it is bigger than those cars. The Cadillac CTS is another competitor. The G8 is similar in size to the A6, 5-Series and E, but it won't cost anywhere near what those cars cost, especially their V8 versions.

M

Those are Individual rims and they are found on almost every Individual beemer...

The videos from the indoor DCX test track:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SymFP9EBiGI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y94svd6Ffz0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufRX3fTPM0g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP_1GbMJ7rA

M

They need to go ahead and put that paint into production even if it cost a 10k premium.

Nice photos, dude!