Some folks have all day to visit the Chicago Auto Show, but many don't. The event is enormous, so fatigue eventually sets in (and there's no place to sit.) Moreover, this is a family show and many parents have small children who tire and become cranky.
So what show highlights shouldn't be missed?
Besides "must-see" concept cars covered elsewhere in this section, picking highlights can depend largely on what type vehicle you're after. That's a task made more difficult by the growing number of models. For instance, there once were only a few small economy cars. Now, there are dozens.
And should you buy, for instance, the current Cadillac CTS, or wait for the redesigned -- but perhaps more expensive -- 2008 Cadillac CTS?
In any case, here are 2007 show highlights. If possible, give yourself three to four hours to thoroughly cover the show. Ladies should especially wear good walking shoes. Only some female show exhibit spokeswomen wear high heels.
"The cars are the stars" always has been the show's major theme, if only because the event is produced by the Chicago Automobile Trade Association, composed of some 700 area new car dealers. They bank on the show to fire up interest in potential vehicle buyers for the spring selling season.
These are among the top vehicle show attractions:
Audi TT: The 2008 TT is new from the ground up and has an all-aluminum chassis and dramatically restyled body.
Audi R8: This wild 2008 Audi is the automaker's first mid-engine sports car. It also had advanced aluminum construction.
BMW: It displays a new 3-Series convertible with a retractable hard top with three pieces said to fold up tightly to allow decent cargo space.
Bentley Azure: One of the ultimate dream cars, it's a two-door convertible version of the Bentley Arnage sedan and is the only four-seat convertible in the $300,000 class.
BMW X5: This sporty SUV is longer and wider, with a folding third-row seat.
Buick Enclave: Buick's first luxury crossover vehicle is curvaceous and has a 275-horsepower V-6 and seating for up to eight. It reaches showrooms this spring.
Cadillac: The 2008 CTS goes on sale this fall with dramatic new styling and a wider track for a more road-hugging appearance. The interior is improved, with hand-cut-and-sewn dashboard panels and higher-grade materials throughout. The new model adds a 3.6-liter direct-injection V-6 with 300 horsepower, hooked to a six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive will be available.
Chevrolet Malibu: It still carries a classic name from the 1960s, but has sportier styling, along with a longer wheelbase for more room and a better ride. It also features a wider stance for better handling and a more purposeful look. The cockpit is driver-oriented. Power comes from a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or 3.6-liter V-6. Both work with a modern six-speed automatic transmission.
Chrysler Town & Country: This new-generation re-styled and re-engineered minivan doesn't have flashy styling. Rather, it arrives this fall as a 2008 model with more conservative styling because flash never has been popular for minivans. New are items such as second-row seats that can swivel to face third-row seats. A table pops up in the middle to allow card playing, backgammon -- or whatever. No wonder DaimlerChrysler calls its new minivan a "family room on wheels."
Dodge Avenger: This is Dodge's 2008 version of the slick new front-drive Chrysler Sebring, although its styling is influenced by the larger rear-drive Dodge Charger. No high-horsepower Hemi V-8, though -- the top engine will be a 235 horsepower V-6.
Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan: It's a lower-priced, less luxurious version of the Town & Country.
Dodge Viper: Will the horsepower race ever stop? Chevrolet introduced a 505-horsepower V-8 model for 2007, so Dodge will introduce a 2008 Viper with a 600-horsepower V-10. It reportedly does 0-100 in 12 seconds. Half a dozen hood vents had to be added to get rid of excess engine heat.
Ford Five Hundred: The made-in-Chicago Five Hundred is addressing complaints about rather bland styling and a lack of horsepower. So the new version -- out this spring -- gets new front styling with a three-bar chrome grille from the popular Ford Fusion and a potent new 3.5-liter V-6 that increases horsepower to 265 from the current 203. There's also a new hood, headlights and taillights. Safety is enhanced.
Ford Focus: The 2008 Focus gets its first major styling change since being introduced in 2000, with all-new sheet metal for a more substantial appearance. The front has a version of the Fusion's grille, and the interior is more upscale. It will come only as a coupe and sedan, with the wagon version dropped. The more modern European Focus platform won't be used, although the suspension has been redone for a more solid feel and sharper handling.
GMC Acadia: This is GMC's first attempt in the crossover market. The Acadia has a plush interior and a suspension tuned for a luxurious ride. Ride and handling are claimed to top the rival Acura MDX and Mazda CX-9.
Hyundai Veracruz: It is a streamlined crossover vehicle with a definite upscale appearance that will let Veracruz owners easily refer to it as a premium vehicle. That just couldn't be done with Hyundais a few years ago.
Kia Rondo: It's a smooth looking new front-drive crossover with lots of standard equipment based on the current Kia Optima mid-size car platform. The emphasis is on "function and versatility." An optional third-row bench seat increases seating capacity to seven.
Land Rover LR2: A rugged new compact SUV, it has all-wheel drive and seats five. The only engine is a strong 230-horsepower V-6. This is a Land Rover, so standard are traction/anti-skid control with rollover sensors, anti-lock brakes and hill-descent control. Also standard is Land Rover's Terrain Response System; it alters suspension and powertrain calibrations at the flick of a switch to handle normal driving, slippery pavement, mud, sand and low-speed off-roading. Curtain side airbags with rollover deployment also are standard.
Lexus IS-F: Lexus adds super high performance with creation of the "F" designation. The IS-F is the first vehicle to have the F label and is a hotter version of the IS sedan. The IS V-8 generates at least 400 horsepower and the car has a claimed top speed of 200 mph. An eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters will allow lightning-quick shifts in manual mode.
Mazda CX-9: This 2007 model is Mazda's first seven-passenger SUV. It's a mid-size crossover, although it is larger than the automaker's CX-7 mid-size crossover and borrows its powertrain from the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX.
Mini Cooper: The 2007 coupe is slightly larger and has a little more power, but it's hard to tell it from the 2006 model. The convertible remains unchanged -- for now.
Mitsubishi Lancer: The Illinois-built 2008 Lancer has exciting new styling, drawing inspiration from Mitsubishi's 2005 Concept-X car, and goes on sale this spring. The "shark nose" front end looks especially aggressive and shows Mitsubishi isn't afraid to take styling chances. It's built on the automaker's Outlander SUV platform and thus has a longer wheelbase and wider track, although its shorter than its predecessor. Optional is a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Nissan Altima: Nissan just recently introduced a slickly redesigned Altima sedan but adds a coupe this summer to draw more buyers. It's built on a shortened sedan wheelbase.
Nissan Rogue: Nissan is expanding its 2008 line with this sporty small crossover, which hits showrooms this fall. The front-drive Rogue will have a four-cylinder engine and rides on the redesigned compact Nissan Sentra auto platform.
Pontiac G8: Sportier and flashier than the G5 or G6, it promises to uphold Pontiac's "driving excitement" reputation -- but with a foreign flavor: General Motors' Australian Holden Commodore SS will be rebadged as the 2008 G8. The new Pontiac will have a V-6 or large 362-horsepower V-8 that will work with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Porsche Cayenne: Major improvements make this more powerful, sportier looking Porsche SUV more attractive. It has solid off-road abilities and a posher interior. Fuel economy also is improved.
Saturn Vue: It shows Saturn's increasing European theme because it will be heavily influenced by GM's German Opel Astra model. Saturn promises a high-quality interior in keeping with its future upscale status.
