Pictures and Commentary from the 2008 Chicago Auto Show

The Chicago auto show is quite different from Detroit. For one it is much larger physically, but it is a lot less glitzy. At Chicago the car makers usually debut all production models that they intend to sell in big numbers, not niche vehicles. Typically. Here are some pics and thoughts.


First that VW minivan that everyone had strong feelings about. It really does look like a VW inside and out, too bad about the (Chrysler) engines though.

http://img403.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008007zw0.jpghttp://img171.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008005wz3.jpghttp://img176.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008006yq8.jpghttp://img171.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008005wz3.jpg

http://img292.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008010re2.jpghttp://img246.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008011da4.jpghttp://img150.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008012pz2.jpghttp://img137.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008009di6.jpg


I really want a VW product, but I'm torn between a Jetta and a Passat or possibly a GTI. Here they all are, nothing we all haven't seen on the road yesterday:

http://img292.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008013fs2.jpghttp://img171.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008014ig8.jpghttp://img407.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008015zx0.jpghttp://img172.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008017la7.jpg

http://img167.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008016dh0.jpghttp://img172.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008017la7.jpghttp://img209.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008018lr3.jpghttp://img201.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008019ol1.jpg

http://img247.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008020wx0.jpghttp://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008021hh7.jpg

An EOS:




Can you believe they only had the Brooklands there for opening day! I was too pissed! Oh well some Bentley pics:

http://img209.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008022jq1.jpghttp://img260.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008023hs7.jpghttp://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008024lb0.jpghttp://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008025et5.jpg

http://img139.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008026pb9.jpghttp://img403.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008029cg0.jpghttp://img403.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008032nf5.jpghttp://img149.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008033ps6.jpg

http://img139.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008026pb9.jpghttp://img403.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008028md5.jpghttp://img521.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008031ad6.jpghttp://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008034pb3.jpg

http://img151.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008030gp0.jpg


Dodge Viper ACR:

http://img301.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008036fj5.jpghttp://img147.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008037nn0.jpghttp://img151.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008035vy3.jpghttp://img246.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008038sh9.jpg

Another hot Dodge, the Challenger:

http://img168.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008039ms8.jpghttp://img301.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008040yk2.jpghttp://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008041py2.jpghttp://img90.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008042xw2.jpg

http://img153.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008043rr1.jpghttp://img201.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008044nx5.jpghttp://img168.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008045ya0.jpghttp://img403.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008046dy4.jpg

http://img411.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008047yn9.jpghttp://img529.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008048lb3.jpghttp://img209.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008049wi0.jpghttp://img216.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008050tq5.jpg

Viper Roadster:

http://img178.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008051lk7.jpghttp://img255.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008052jv7.jpg

Viper Coupe:

http://img216.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008054ym4.jpg


Jaguar. I think the facelifted car is the ultimate XJ. Some pics:

http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008060lp9.jpghttp://img246.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008061ti8.jpghttp://img246.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008062xx0.jpghttp://img180.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008063eb0.jpg

http://img407.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008064kk3.jpghttp://img407.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008066jc2.jpg

The XF, again in the worst color possible:

http://img143.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008068fh8.jpghttp://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008067ag7.jpghttp://img208.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008069ga9.jpghttp://img201.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008070sd3.jpg

http://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008071jy1.jpghttp://img201.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008072cx3.jpghttp://img441.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008073zp6.jpg


My used to be favorite SUV, now in 3rd place on my list, the RR Sport Supercharged:

http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008074sb0.jpghttp://img201.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008075vw7.jpghttp://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008077ob7.jpg


A quick tour of relevant Lexi:

LS600hL:

http://img183.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008078iq9.jpghttp://img401.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008079mp4.jpghttp://img201.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008080cn1.jpghttp://img100.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008081dn7.jpg

Though you can't hear it from pics, but the audio come out of this car was incredible. As if they knew I were coming and listening they were playing a Lalah Hathaway tune. Amazing.

The IS-F display was interesting. They're still treating it like some concept at Chicago, but at Detroit you could get in it and everything. Well:

http://img156.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008082ca7.jpghttp://img526.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008083zn2.jpg

This little Red darling made it from Detroit:

http://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008084zd5.jpg

A special IS-F:

http://img216.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008089ls3.jpghttp://img404.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008085pc9.jpghttp://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008086ih6.jpghttp://img526.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008087sy3.jpg

http://img512.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008088ai4.jpghttp://img247.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008090an4.jpg


The hottest Volvo you've ever seen:


http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008092dp1.jpghttp://img101.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008093vz7.jpghttp://img183.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008094hl1.jpghttp://img404.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008095oe2.jpg

http://img216.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008096iy8.jpghttp://img169.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008097km3.jpghttp://img255.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008098rg4.jpg


More pics in a min..........


M

Nice pictures, Marcus!

Great pics, Marcus! Thanks for sharing.

Love that Viper!

Porsche had the exact (my very own I mean) 911 Turbo Cabriolet that I would order if I were able. I mean a stunner IMO:

http://img156.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008100ko2.jpghttp://img255.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008102fi9.jpghttp://img209.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008103ob7.jpghttp://img144.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008104zp6.jpg

http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008105ux9.jpghttp://img144.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008106hj2.jpghttp://img411.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008107ti5.jpghttp://img508.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008108mq6.jpg

http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008109ea0.jpghttp://img301.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008110no3.jpghttp://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008111qk1.jpg

Midnight Blue over Savannah Beige, gorgeous. The Cayenne GTS was behind a restrictive display:

http://img411.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008112yc3.jpghttp://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008114of0.jpghttp://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008115xy0.jpghttp://img85.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008118au3.jpg

This is one of Bruce's favorite colors, called Nordic Gold. Some other Cayennes on hand:

http://img528.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008116wv7.jpghttp://img213.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008117ou4.jpg

Various 911:

http://img184.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008247pz7.jpghttp://img239.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008248yx5.jpghttp://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008249zm3.jpghttp://img404.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008281qi4.jpg



One of my favorite non-German cars, the Infiniti G37 Coupe:

http://img403.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008119gj0.jpghttp://img442.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008120vu9.jpghttp://img512.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008121ka6.jpg


BMW had a very different display from Detroit. You couldn't even sit in the X6 and they only had one rather plain version on had. The emphasis was on the 3-Series, M3 twins, 1-Series, X5 and the Individual line of customization.

The lone X6:

http://img179.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008128eo8.jpg

1-Series:

http://img171.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008122vg9.jpghttp://img262.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008123ir5.jpghttp://img403.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008124sw5.jpghttp://img512.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008125sz0.jpg

http://img407.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008126il9.jpghttp://img442.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008127vp6.jpg

M3s:

http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008129na6.jpghttp://img165.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008130yo0.jpghttp://img165.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008131jm6.jpghttp://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008132fu9.jpg

http://img143.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008133no6.jpghttp://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008134eq8.jpghttp://img168.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008135wu0.jpghttp://img143.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008136ra8.jpg

http://img301.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008137da6.jpghttp://img131.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008138qg5.jpg

A very expensive 650i Individual Convertible, a cool 94K USD:

http://img407.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008140he4.jpghttp://img223.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008141sp6.jpghttp://img167.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008142xs2.jpg

http://img184.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008283xe6.jpg

M5:

http://img407.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008144bj7.jpghttp://img412.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008146uj5.jpg

Various 3-Series BMWs:

http://img404.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008244qt9.jpghttp://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008245bm4.jpghttp://img442.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008246lf3.jpg

http://img515.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008286sr9.jpg


How fitting for Audi to be the next display over, the S6:

http://img143.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008147on2.jpghttp://img201.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008148vh9.jpghttp://img167.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008149hh0.jpg

Q7:

http://img175.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008150il4.jpghttp://img101.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008159dx5.jpghttp://img156.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008158og9.jpghttp://img260.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008157ft7.jpg

A and S5:

http://img301.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008156ir0.jpghttp://img352.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008154hf9.jpghttp://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008153nz9.jpghttp://img507.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008152oa0.jpg

http://img255.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008151wn9.jpg

RS4 Cabriolet:

http://img156.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008161ya2.jpghttp://img260.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008162oz5.jpghttp://img511.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008163pk3.jpghttp://img266.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008164og8.jpg

http://img89.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008243nm5.jpghttp://img529.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008298qr4.jpg

Really got a chance to sit in this car for a while, the Audi A8:

http://img266.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008289sh2.jpghttp://img404.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008291ws9.jpg

http://img201.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008292vx6.jpg

I must say I don't think I've ever sat in a more confortable and at the same time stylish car than this. I can't believe more people don't buy this car. It hasn't aged a bit IMO.

An old-news stunner the R8:

http://img529.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008297ul7.jpg


Rolls-Royce:

http://img146.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008169dk0.jpghttp://img134.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008168jz0.jpghttp://img403.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008170qd8.jpghttp://img166.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008171fr1.jpg

http://img166.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008172be8.jpghttp://img165.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008173mv3.jpghttp://img181.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008175ea7.jpghttp://img266.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008176ra4.jpg


Mercedes-Benz. A much larger selection of vehicles on display compared to Detroit. The last of the pre-facelift SL:

http://img338.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008177qy2.jpghttp://img260.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008178ud7.jpghttp://img179.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008191bf7.jpghttp://img144.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008192xh2.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008209jp0.jpghttp://img145.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008210no6.jpghttp://img262.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008215gs3.jpg

SLR Roadster:

http://img246.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008179ay1.jpghttp://img258.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008180vj8.jpghttp://img255.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008181wc7.jpghttp://img262.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008211bv3.jpg

Maybach 57S:

http://img301.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008182ik8.jpghttp://img442.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008183hr5.jpghttp://img169.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008184hh7.jpg

SLK:

http://img169.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008185gq9.jpghttp://img338.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008186lq6.jpghttp://img409.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008187uz4.jpghttp://img443.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008188iv2.jpg

http://img443.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008189sz5.jpghttp://img89.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008216sm8.jpg

CLS63 AMG:

http://img139.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008193bu9.jpghttp://img229.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008208tk5.jpghttp://img216.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008221mh9.jpghttp://img301.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008225jd2.jpg

http://img108.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008228vy0.jpg


Original G:

http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008194oj6.jpghttp://img201.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008195bm7.jpghttp://img101.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008196ha3.jpg

C63 AMG:

http://img216.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008197vh0.jpghttp://img216.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008198eh1.jpghttp://img180.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008199kx6.jpghttp://img167.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008200ya4.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008201wc3.jpghttp://img407.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008202bq3.jpghttp://img168.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008203qo8.jpghttp://img301.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008205su8.jpg

http://img403.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008206bv4.jpghttp://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008207no6.jpg

Something from before my time, a 300SEL 6.3:

http://img246.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008212ei5.jpghttp://img172.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008213qb9.jpghttp://img408.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008214bc1.jpg

A curiously color E63 AMG:

http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008217dl4.jpghttp://img262.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008218zy8.jpghttp://img441.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008219jm2.jpghttp://img85.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008229aj5.jpg

http://img522.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008230ou7.jpghttp://img213.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008231vj3.jpg

ML63 AMG:

http://img138.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008220cj6.jpg

A "naked" CL550. I say naked because the CL has to have the AMG treatment to look right and this one didn't have the AMG clothing:

http://img164.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008222nd6.jpghttp://img100.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008224en4.jpghttp://img512.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008232jt7.jpghttp://img213.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008235ti8.jpg

The now dated C209 CLK:

http://img180.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008234cb0.jpg

The ML:

http://img171.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008233fi5.jpg


That Acura RL everyone thinks looks ridiculous:

http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008237fk7.jpghttp://img201.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008238ow5.jpghttp://img301.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008239ao6.jpghttp://img117.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008240xk3.jpg

http://img89.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008241an6.jpghttp://img209.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008242av9.jpg

Since Ford is showing this little Verve concept here they must be thinking about selling it here. We can only hope, its a very attractive little car:

http://img168.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008250fh9.jpghttp://img168.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008251qj9.jpghttp://img218.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008252sy9.jpghttp://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008253so0.jpg

http://img442.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008254gl3.jpghttp://img120.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008255gl1.jpghttp://img442.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008256iq1.jpghttp://img239.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008257ts7.jpg

http://img504.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008258cc9.jpg

More pics to come..........

Ok last round of pics. My favorite Ford, the GT500KR:

http://img504.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008259bj3.jpghttp://img168.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008260wq5.jpghttp://img515.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008261tm5.jpghttp://img515.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008262xi8.jpg

Don't care what anyone here says, I like this car faults and all. The Saab 9-3 Turbo X:

http://img239.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008263ws5.jpghttp://img184.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008264zl9.jpghttp://img352.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008265sl9.jpghttp://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008266zk8.jpg

http://img405.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008267mt6.jpghttp://img405.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008268za6.jpg

The 9-3 Convertible too:

http://img184.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008269mr7.jpghttp://img201.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008279ue2.jpg


GM bascially has a whole wing to themselves. Nothing special that wasn't seen from Detroit except for the Denali XT Concept:

http://img177.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008270lz3.jpghttp://img239.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008271jh3.jpghttp://img184.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008272ku7.jpghttp://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008273jq5.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008274ry1.jpghttp://img168.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008277dq5.jpg

http://img184.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008278wr1.jpg

Though it really doesn't look it in pictures, this thing is really low slung to the ground. You can tell immediately in person that it is car based. This would bring the "crossover" full circle IMO. GM shouldn't even think twice about building it.


Say YES:



http://img167.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008300er5.jpg

A red Infiniti G37 Coupe:

http://img201.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c2008310go3.jpg

Overall not as exciting because I'd seen most of this 1 month prior in Detroit, but still I spent all day there, took over 300 pictures and killed 2 camera batteries in the process. Going back to each post and adding more pics that I took at the end that were out of order from the original walk-though. Enjoy! FYI: I'm standing next to the Jaguar XF in one of the pics. I have my back to the camera, do you see me?


M

All picture editing done now.

M

Grat job, Mr. Contributor.

Mother of God!!!



: :

Hopefully, my next car Looks so good in that black? Is that an individual colour or just normal sapphire black?

EDIT: Any chance of getting this image in full res Merc1? I would love it as my desktop :d

Normal, Sapphire Black.

Merc1 said:

The Cayenne GTS was behind a restrictive display:



This is one of Bruce's favorite colors, called Nordic Gold. Some other Cayennes on hand:

Click to expand...

Damn right it is!

Thanks.

Great work with the photos Marcus.

Thanks for the photos!

I completely missed this thread before .....I was away a long time.

Great stuff Marcus.

Thanks for posting all of those lovely pics!!

I totally misses this thread as well, and I totally missed the Chicago Auto Show

I live like 10 minutes away. I'm a poor excuse for a car fan