Little bit of everything — sporty coupes, sporty sedans, even sporty sport-utility vehicles.
High performance to high fashion on or off the road.
The 91st edition of the Chicago Auto Show serves as the venue for the introduction of a variety of offerings.
Vehicles coming out this year or next, even some shortly after that providing show visitors give them a thumbs up.
Production models, concepts, even a large smattering of machines called hybrids or activity vehicles, a blend of car, truck, van or sport-ute, that provide evidence of what’s coming from the auto industry over the next several years to capture the interest of the consumer.
Even something called retro.
Those being unveiled in Chicago include:
– Chevrolet Monte Carlo: The new 2000 coupe due out in late summer will share the same platform as the 2000 Chevy Impala sedan due out late spring or early summer that was unveiled in Detroit and eventually will replace the Lumina.
Chevy also will have on display a version of the new Monte Carlo for the NASCAR racing circuit, as well as a Monte Carlo Pace Car for this year’s Indianapolis 500. Monte Carlo also will pace the Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway the same day.
Monte Carlo will be offered in LS luxury (leather interior) and SS performance (cloth seats) versions.
The LS will offer a 3.4-liter V-6 as standard, a 3.8-liter V-6 as optional. The SS will offer the higher output 3.8-liter V-6 with a more aggressive axle ratio as standard. Both will be teamed with 4-speed automatic.
Both cars, which feature long hood/short deck styling reminiscent of the original Monte Carlo that dates to the 1970 model year, also offer as standard steering-wheel mounted radio controls, dual zone climate control, electric sunroof, front and rear stabilizer bars, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, 16-inch tires and wider tracking to focus on improved handling from a wider stance on the road. Traction control is optional.
SS models add heated mirrors, gauge package, power driver’s seat, fog lamps, body-colored rocker moldings, rear-deck spoiler, cast aluminum wheels, Goodyear performance tires, stiffer suspension for optimum handling and a quicker steering ratio for more precise reaction to steering input.
There are some novel items, too, such as a clock that will automatically change time when you enter a new time zone; a theft deterrent system that can disable the fuel and sound systems plus sound an alarm; and a child safety trunk release lever to prevent small children from being locked in the trunk.
Not on display is the Chevy Blazer convertible, an outstanding drop top concept (Transportation, Nov. 15) unveiled at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association show in Las Vegas last fall. One scenario has Chevy bringing out a two-door Blazer convertible as a 2000 model, redesigning the four-door Blazer for 2001, then redesigning the two-door for 2002.
– Pontiac Bonneville: The redesign of Pontiac’s performance sedan comes out this fall as a 2000 model. The new Bonneville is built off the same platform as the 2000 Buick LeSabre, which also will be used by the 2000 Oldsmobile Aurora and 2000 Cadillac DeVille.
With the redesign, Bonneville, like the Grand Prix and Grand Am before it, sports a wider track with wheels pushed out to the corners for more agile and aggressive handling. There’s also a steeper hood and more sharply raked windshield along with a wedge-shaped roof line.
The 2000 Bonneville also features heated memory seats, dual zone climate control, automatic power door locks and memory outside mirrors.
The most notable technology is the addition of an Integrated Chassis Control System (ICCS), a system similar to StabiliTrak at Cadillac.
Standard on the SSEi version, ICCS manages vehicle stability in sudden or evasive maneuvers by using special sensors and an onboard computer to sense a wheel is about to lose traction. In milliseconds, it applies the anti-lock brakes to that wheel to prevent a skid or spinout.
Also standard will be the so-called “catcher’s mitt” seat developed by GM’s partner Saab to cradle the occupant in a collision, Saab-developed self-aligning headrests that rotate closer to the occupant’s head in certain collisions to prevent whiplash, side air bags and four-wheel ABS.
– GMC Jimmy Diamond Edition: Pontiac’s partner unveils the Jimmy Diamond Edition, a limited-production black, silver and stainless steel Jimmy sport-utility vehicle with grille guards, side steps, quilted leather seats, tow-mode transmission and push-button four-wheel-drive as standard. The Diamond Jimmy will go on sale this fall to mark the 30th anniversary of the Jimmy name at GMC. Jimmy, along with its cousin Chevy Blazer, undergoes a redesign for 2001.
– Cadillac Catera: Not to be outdone by Mercedes-Benz’s AMG customized high-performance versions of its sedans and coupes, Cadillac, in cooperation with the Steinmetz design house in Europe, has come up with a high-performance Catera.
The Catera comes with a supercharged 3-liter V-6 to stretch the performance envelope and explore a new image for the luxury sedan. Cadillac says if enough are interested, it would entertain offering a limited-edition version focusing on performance and ride and handling.
As evidence Cadillac is serious about adding the car to its lineup to attract more youthful buyers, it is lining up a series of media test drives over the summer. No automaker bothers with putting media behind the wheel of decorator pieces.
And Cadillac points out that all components used in this high-output Catera came off the shelf, which means the conversion can be swift and inexpensive (for Cadillac, but the consumer will pay a hefty premium).
Cadillac also is using the show to unveil the Catera Sport, which has been cosmetically enhanced for more of a performance image.
While Catera’s 3-liter, 200-horsepower V-6 was left untouched, the Sport features a specially tuned suspension for more aggressive motoring. It also comes with seven-spoke alloy wheels, deck lid spoiler and unique grille.
– Toyota Spyder: An open-top concept of the return of the MR2 sports coupe, perhaps for 2001. The popular MR2 was offered between 1985 to 1995. A successful alternative to the Pontiac Fiero until it went from an affordable economy car in 1985 that looked sporty to a high-priced, high-performance coupe before being dropped after the 1995 model year.
When it bowed, MR2 offered a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. By 1988 the MR2 was supercharged. And by 1991, it became a more sophisticated and far more expensive sports coupe. Youth, the original target of the MR2, couldn’t afford the insurance, much less the car at around $30,000.
But Toyota wants to refocus on affordable cars for youth, and the Spyder reflects that.
– Toyota Solara convertible: Solara bowed as a concept car in Chicago two years ago, then as a production coupe a year ago and now as what will be a production convertible a year from now as a 2000 or 2001 model.
– Mercedes ML430 Sport: A cosmetic sports rendering of the sport-utility with fender flares for a little more look of performance. Mercedes also brings out Designo fashion paint editions of the S-Class due out in March as well as the SL, SLK, CLK and E-Class models due out this fall.
– 10th Anniversary Mazda Miata: The Japanese automaker that first unveiled a tiny two-seater called the Miata at the Chicago Auto Show 10 years ago, brings out its 10th anniversary edition. The special model features a 6-speed manual, two tone interior using black leather and synthetic blue suede, a blue vinyl top, 15 inch alloy wheels, and a new sapphire blue mica exterior color. It goes on sale in the spring.
– Nissan Maxima and NCS: What is and what could be, Nissan unveils the 2000 Maxima coming in the summer as well as its NCS (New Concept Sedan), a hybrid concept that’s part SUV, mini-van, station wagon, sedan, which will join the SUT (sport-utility truck) and Z concepts in the Nissan lineup soon.
In addition to all-new styling, Maxima features a more powerful version of its 3-liter, 190-h.p. V-6 as Nissan shifts the car’s focus to a more performance than luxury sedan.
The NCS defines hybrid. It is a curvy blend of wagon, van, sport-ute and sedan that looks family-size though it’s built off a stretch of the compact Altima. The all-wheel-drive four-door NCS has sunroofs over the front and rear seats and a bubble glass hatchback rear lid. Open the hatch, fold the seats and you have mini-van-like storage as well as space to sleep two adults. The flat cargo floor has a stowage compartment underneath; the spare is under that. Possible for 2001 or 2002.
– Honda Civic CSi: A sportier version of the Civic coupe goes on sale this month after the show with the same engine from the old Del Sol, a 1.6-liter, 160-h.p. 4-cylinder teamed with a 5-speed manual. Standard equipment includes air conditioning, power moonroof, power windows and locks, keyless entry.
Conspicuous by their absence from Chicago are the Pontiac GTO, a rear-wheel-drive concept that hints at an addition to or replacement for the Firebird sports coupe; the Mercedes-Benz SLR gullwing concept, a possible super high performance (with a sticker in six figures) exotic sports car; and the Mazda MPV concept, the next generation Mazda mini-van due out this fall.
The GTO concept, basically made of foam, couldn’t be transported safely from Detroit. The SLR was shipped to Germany for executive ogling. And the MPV was put under wraps until the New York Auto Show in April.
