It started with obscure promotions on TV that, for an instant, looked like real newscasts. Were you one of the curious? Did you go to WhoStoleTheShow.com?
I didn’t at least not until one of the later commercials when I noticed the cat thief stealing photos of a car. I’m a sucker for curious car commercials.
2007 Special Edition 'Victory Red' Hummer H2 2008 Pontiac G8 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line and Red Line 2007 Special Edition Corvettes 2008 Saturn Astra
During each day of the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, General Motors will be giving away a multitude of prizes, the grand prize being a new car each day. Direct from the rules at WhoStoleTheShow.com, the car prizes are slated to be doled out as follows:
Feb. 9: 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
Feb. 10: 2007 Pontiac Solstice
Feb. 11: 2007 GMC Acadia
Feb. 12: 2007 Buick Lucerne
Feb. 13: 2007 Hummers H3x
Feb. 14: 2007 Chevy Silverado
Feb. 15: 2007 Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible
Feb. 16: 2007 Saturn Aura
Feb. 17: 2007 Chevy Impala
Feb. 18: 2007 Cadillac Escalade
General Motors Corp. is giving away 10 cars on each of the10 days of the 2007 Chicago Auto Show. And we’re not talking about Aveos, Ions and Vibes. Nope. We’re talking about Corvettes, Escalades and Solstices … oh, my!
But it’s easy to get suckered by a promotion. While GM will garner heaps of attention with what is being called “the largest auto show sweepstakes in history,” I have to wonder if the automaker is almost doing itself a disservice. The real story is that GM is launching two all-new vehicles and a new global rear-wheel-drive (RWD) architecture in Chicago. Additionally, the automaker will have several other new products and special edition models on display.
That alone is enough to steal the show.
2008 Saturn Astra
The Astra will replace the Ion as Saturn’s entry-level small car for 2008. It takes on the Euro hatchback design, which has suddenly become the small-car rage in the United States. There will be both a three- and a five-door model.
Don’t let the entry-level moniker fool you, however, as the Astra will come with plenty of standard features such as power door locks and windows, an illuminated glove box, roof rail head curtain airbags and OnStar with a one-year Safe & Sound subscription.
Though the Astra will be new to the U.S. market, it is not new. It is currently sold in Europe as an Opel model. The Astra will be at U.S. dealers sometime during the fourth quarter of 2007 as a 2008 model. Pricing has yet to be announced, but to put you in the ballpark, the Ion Sedan currently bases at $12,890.
2008 Pontiac G8
The G8 is big for a couple reasons: First, because it will be Pontiac’s new entry into the large-car sedan segment, and second, because it is the first North American application of GM’s new global RWD architecture.
With the G8, Pontiac will make an honest effort to stick to its performance roots. The show car will be the up-level GT model with special show-only features, but even the base G8 will come standard with 18-inch aluminum wheels, XM satellite radio, chrome exhaust tips, rear lip spoiler and a base 3.6-liter V-6 engine that turns out 261 horsepower. Upgrade to the GT and you’ll add 101 horsepower via a 6.0-liter V-8 engine.
All models will also come standard with anti-lock brakes, stability control, traction control, side-impact airbags for front and rear passengers, OnStar and power-adjustable front seats.
2008 Saturn Vue
Saturn debuted the sporty visage of the all-new 2008 model of the Saturn Vue at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit back in January, but it saved its Green Line and Red Line production models for Chicago.
The Red Line will take on a more aggressive exterior style with a large, lower air opening, projector beam fog lamps, a lowered suspension, chrome exhaust tips and 18-inch alloy wheels. As you’d expect from a souped-up model, the Red Line comes with a sport-tuned ride, a tap up/tap down transmission and a 250-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 engine.
The hybrid system on the Green Line combines an electric motor paired with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Like the current model, this hybrid system will offer fuel savings through electric-power assist during acceleration, regenerative braking, engine shut off at idle and early fuel cut off during deceleration. Though pricing hasn’t been announced, Saturn execs state that the Green Line will be the affordable hybrid SUV option. The current Green Line has a base of $23,495.
2007 Corvette Special Editions
Two very special ’Vettes will be on display at the show: a Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Championship Z06 and an Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Convertible.
The Ron Fellows Z06 will have Arctic White paint that is accented with a racing-style fender strip and Ron Fellow’s autograph. That makes this the first signed special edition Corvette in the sports car’s 54-year history as well as the first Arctic White Z06 ever offered. The only options available on this Z06 will be OnStar and navigation.
The convertible pace car replica will sport Atomic Orange paint with gold-ribbon graphics, Indianapolis 500 graphics both inside and out, a Z06 rear spoiler and Atomic Orange engine cover. Since both navigation and OnStar will be standard, the only option on the pace car replica will be the paddle-shift, six-speed automatic transmission.
Both cars will be offered as limited release 2007 models this spring. Base price of the Ron Fellows Z06 will be $77,500, and the base price of the pace car replica convertible will be $66,995.
2007 Hummer H2 in Victory Red
In addition to being a limited edition, the Victory Red H2 will include a rear-vision camera system, the up-level premium appearance package, a heated windshield wiper system to melt that Chicago snow and ice and a rear-seat DVD system.
These Victory Red models will arrive at dealers this month with a base price of $66,030 for the SUV and $65,575 for the SUT.
Though GM’s most visible display is at the entrance of the South Hall, don’t miss the Hummer, Saab and Cadillac lux-brand displays in the North Hall. See for yourself how they stole the show.
