Chicago Auto Show 2004 - Highlights

Hyundai Tuscon

The Tucson is Hyundai's first entry into the small SUV segment, and is smaller than the Santa Fe SUV. The Tucson features a large, versatile cargo area with fold-flat rear seats, and folding front passenger seat.

The base model GL features a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine matched to a 5-speed manual transmission or available Shiftronic. The Tucson is designed to compete with the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Mitsubishi Outlander and will go on sale later in 2004.

Kia Mojave

Kia revealed he KCV4 Mojave mid-size pick-up truck concept, the first pickup truck – concept or production – Kia has ever shown in the US. The Mojave is specifically designed to meet the needs and tastes of North American consumers, but there are no production plans.

The Mojave was designed at the Kia/Hyundai Research & Design Center in NamYang, South Korea, under the direction of Lee Jae-Rim, Designer and Senior Research Engineer on the Advanced Design Team at Nam Yang. “Our design objectives for the Mojave were unique in that we attempted to combine a forward-thinking cabin with an advanced, open and modern feel that would appeal to Generation Y consumers,” said Mr. Lee. “Alternately, the exterior design combines a more traditional exterior truck profile made up of simple, basic forms that clearly communicate the rugged capability of the vehicle.”

Sized between American compact and full-size trucks, the Mojave features a sporty two-plus-two cabin. Using aircraft design as their inspiration, Mojave’s design team created an interior space that is focused around the truck’s instrumentation. A key design feature is the Mojave’s ability to stretch its rear bed into the passenger cabin at the touch of a button, with a power-operated rear wall sliding forward to extend the bed from 71 inches to 86 inches.

Buick LaCrosse

Buick is reshaping its midsize passenger car lineup with the 2005 LaCrosse, which replaces the Regal and Century models. LaCrosse marks a renewed emphasis on Buick passenger cars after the division focused its attention on creating a new market presence in trucks. Buick have said the future lineup could include a new full-size sedan, a rear-wheel-drive flagship sedan and an elegant convertible. LaCrosse.

The exterior features include a larger, more modern rendition of Buick's elliptical, vertical-bar grille framed by four headlamps and sculpted forms in the hood. The interior makes use of high-quality soft-touch materials, as well as chrome and woodgrain accents, for an overall effect that is elegant and comfortable.

Chevrolet Uplander

Chevrolet's new crossover sport van features seven-passenger seating, cargo-carrying flexibility, and low step-in height, in a package that embraces SUV-type features. While based on the same platform as the Venture, this is a major redesign with a more prominent front end, featuring a large grille opening and high-mounted headlamps which add to the SUV-like appearance. Exposed C-pillars, grey rocker mouldings, 17-inch wheels and wider tires also contribute to the sturdier, more aggressive SUV-like stance.

Second- and third-row seats are foldable and removable. An overhead rail system integrates HVAC, audio controls, lighting and the rear-seat entertainment/DVD system.

The Uplander is projected to be the volume leader in GM's new stable of crossover sport vans, which includes the Pontiac Montana, Saturn Relay, and Buick Terazza.

Mercury Montego

The 2005 Montego midsize sedan is the third of four all-new Mercurys that will arrive in showrooms over the next three years. "With Montego, we wanted to offer our customers an intelligent, sophisticated vehicle that reflects their world and brings outstanding design within reach of those who most appreciate it," said J Mays, Ford group vice president, Design.

Metallic surfaces are used extensively inside and out. The satin-metallic 'waterfall' grille is complemented by bright chrome, jeweled HID headlamps.The interior design features an 'upscale', two-tone treatment. "It’s a modern interpretation of two-tone," said Chief Designer George Bucher. "It’s subtle, yet it establishes a distinctive persona in the showroom."

Montego offers available all-wheel-drive, continuously variable transmission and six-speed automatic transmission. Split rear seats and the front passenger seat can fold flat for added cargo-carrying capability.

Pontiac Montana

The Montana SV6 is Pontiac's second crossover vehicle, blending the rugged looks of an SUV and the functionality of a mid-van. The SV6 has a bold front-end design, with SUV-like styling cues, such as the appearance of a lower skid plate and park/turn signal/daytime running lamps combined in the front fascia.

"As with other new Pontiacs, the SV6's styling conveys power, strength and agility," said Jack Folden, design director for GM's front-wheel-drive truck team. "

Inside, bright accents, including rings in the instrument cluster, convey Pontiac's performance roots. The instrument pointers are red and the cluster has a black background and unique red nighttime lighting. The SV6 also features unique, brushed aluminum spokes on the steering wheel, color-coordinated with the brushed aluminum divider between the upper and lower IP and the brushed aluminum trim panel on the radio and HVAC system.

Toyota Solara

The Solara Convertible will go on sale in March and will join the second generation Solara Coupe, which launched last summer. The Solara features a power retractable convertible roof, headliner and rear glass window. The electric roof opens or closes in ten seconds by touching a button on the instrument panel. Compared to the Solara Coupe, the Convertible offers two inches more rear headroom with the top up. The Convertible is powered by an aluminum, 225hp 3.3-liter VVT-i V6 engine.

Dodge Dakota

According to Dodge, the all-new 2005 Dakota is the largest, most powerful mid-size pickup in the North American market. "Dakota defined the mid-size segment with more room, more comfort and more power than the competition. The all-new 2005 Dodge Dakota repeats that success and injects some Dodge Ram DNA into the design and feel of the new Dakota," said Eric Ridenour, Executive Vice President, Product Development, Chrysler Group.

The Club Cab has two individual rear seats to provide adults additional space, and the Quad Cab provides three full second row seats.

Toyota Tacoma X-Runner

Toyota unveiled the all-new 2005 Tacoma X-Runner pickup truck. The high-performance X-Runner sport truck will be one of several models of the next-generation Tacoma.

Compared to the previous-generation Tacoma S-Runner, the Tacoma X-Runner will ride on a wheelbase that has been extended by a full five inches and a track that has been widened by four inches. Power will be provided by a four-liter, 240 horsepower V6 engine and a six-speed close-ratio manual transmission.


Chicago Auto Show website: www.chicagoautoshow.com