HIGHLY RATED SHOWCASE
Yes, you’ve seen photos of the Challenger, but Chicago was the scene for the debut of the genuine production version. Dodge will build a limited number of the 2008 model, all of them SRT8 versions powered by a 425-horsepower, 6.1-liter Hemi V-8, before launching into larger-scale production for 2009. All the 2008 models are sold — the price starts at $40,158, including the federal “gas guzzler” tax — but you can buy a place in line on eBay, if you don’t mind spending $10,000 or more over list price. The car arrives in May. In person, it looks great, better, in fact, than the upcoming Chevrolet Camaro. WIECK . PHOTO: 2009 Chevrolet Traverse You are familiar with the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave triplets: Now it’s a quartet, as Chevrolet gets its own version of the well-conceived SUV. It gets the same 3.6-liter V-6 engine, but the Traverse will be the first of the four to get direct injection, which adds up to 11 horsepower. It goes into production late this year at the Saturn plant in Tennessee. WIECK . PHOTO: 2009 Volkswagen Routan You know that VW hasn’t had a proper minivan for years, and while the company toyed with building one — going so far as to show a retro Microbus a few years to rave reviews — VW decided against it. But dealers want one, so VW went out and bought a minivan: The Routan (it means “route”) is a Chrysler, massaged by Volkswagen engineers somewhat, but a Chrysler nonetheless. Engine choice is two Chrysler V-6s, with a six-speed automatic transmission. VW says it will retune the suspension for a sportier feel. Price begins at less than $25,000 when it goes on sale this fall. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS . PHOTO: 2010 Ford Transit Connect Shown a couple of years ago to journalists, Ford executives were quite surprised at the positive reaction it received, and decided to import an Americanized version of this little European panel truck, described by a colleague as “a Scion xB for people who actually need to carry things.” We’ll get it in mid-2009 as a 2010 model, powered by a 2.0-liter gasoline engine. The European version has a small diesel, and hopefully that will follow here. The Geek Squad computer guys must be salivating already. WIECK . PHOTO: GMC Denali XT Concept General Motors is looking more and more to its Australian arm, Holden, for products and technology, most recently selling the Holden-built Pontiac GTO, and soon the Pontiac G8. This GMC Denali XT Concept is from Australia, a place where carlike pickup trucks such as our Chevrolet El Camino and Ford Ranchero remain popular. Bet on GMC watching the reaction of show-goers closely as the Denali XT Concept tours the country. Powered by a 4.9-liter V-8, and fitted with a Chevrolet Avalanche-like “midgate” removable rear window panel, this vehicle could be built rather easily, in a less extreme version. WIECK . PHOTO: 2009 Suzuki Equator Looking to add to its inventory, Suzuki is introducing a compact pickup for 2009 called the Equator. If it looks familiar, that’s because it’s a slightly restyled Nissan Frontier. It’s a philosophy adopted by Mitsubishi, which sells the Dodge Dakota as the Mitsubishi Raider. The Equator will be built in Nissan’s plant in Tennessee, and comes with either a four-cylinder or V-6 engine. The compact-truck market is struggling, but Suzuki has a very modest sales goal for the Equator. SUZUKI . PHOTO: 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring The U.S. market has received two versions of the Hyundai Elantra over the years — the four-door sedan and the wagon. Now comes a third version called the Elantra Touring, almost a cross between a wagon and a small minivan. Based on a model designed for the European market, the Touring is powered by the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder used in the Elantra sedan, connected to either a manual or automatic transmission. Standard equipment includes electronic stability control, six air bags, air conditioning and cruise control. Look for it near the end of the year. HYUNDAI
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Tags: Auto, Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, ebay, elantra, Ford, gm, GMC, Hyundai, launch, MINI, Mitsubishi, Nissan, pickup trucks, ponti, Pontiac, roper, Saturn, Scion, Suzuki, Volkswagen
