2007 Chicago Auto Show Review – Part 2

Here’s the second part of the 2007 Chicago Auto Show Update. Be sure and view Part 1 if you haven’t yet. Continuing on, here is an overview of the Auto Show. Don’t worry, only the coolest cars are listed here, nothing boring In Part 1, I went over some of the major concepts and unveilings that the manufacturers had for us. In Part 2 I would like to continue on, starting with this beautiful concept:

Mazda didn’t do much at this years show, other than showing off the Ryuga Concept at their display.

The Ryuga is really cool looking in person, but it’s really hard to see it’s nice curves in photos. The Ryuga is simply a design concept, meant to show you the direction Mazda is facing in the design of its new vehicles. The Ryuga shows this well with its curvy, nature-inspired lines.

Keep reading for more cars.

Pontiac‘s big unveiling showed us the brand new G8, which replaces the long-running Grand Prix.

Created by GM’s Holden division, the G8 will be available in either a base model, or GT. The base G8 will be available with a 261 horsepower 3.6 liter V6 engine with a 5-speed automatic, and the GT upgrades that to a 362 hp 6.0 liter V8, featuring a 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual, along with Active Fuel Management as standard. The G8 is expected to be in showrooms in early 2008.

Lamborghini had a simple display with their Murcielago LP640 Roadster in the center, in my favorite color for the car.

The Murcielago LP640 ups the already fantastic base Murci by giving it 640 horsepower via a 6.5 liter V12, giving it a 0-60 time of 3.3 seconds, and a top speed of 211 mph. At the Lamborghini display, there were also two Gallardos, one on each side of the Murcielago.

VW is bringing back the R32, last sold in 2004. This is big news for a lot of people, the R32 has a huge enthusiast following.

Built from the Rabbit/GTI, there will only be 5000 of the R32s available in the States for 2008, so you better hurry up and order one at 5000r32.com before they’re all gone.

Mitsubishi debuted the all-new 2008 Lancer, and the sexy Prototype X, which shares the same platform as the Lancer.

The Lancer is powered by a 2.0 liter 152 horsepower engine, available in either a 5-speed stick, or CVT transmission. The Prototype X runs on a turbocharged version of that same engine. The Prototype X is nice, but I’d still rather have the 3000GT VR-4 back

Honda showed us the redesigned Accord Coupe Concept. It has to be one of the best improvements on a passenger car I’ve seen in a long time.

This will mark the eighth generation of the Accord, and they couldn’t have went a better direction. Of course this is only a concept, and chances are they’re going to change it quite a bit before production. The next Accord will have a more powerful V6, and will hopefully keep some of the concepts muscular lines.

Ford announced that it’s renaming the Five Hundred sedan and the Freestyle crossover. The Five Hundred will now be called the Taurus, and the Freestyle will be the Taurus X. The decision was made because the Taurus name is already well-known, and it would take a long time to develop the old names. Not very original, but it is a “Bold Move.” They’re also bringing back the Mercury Sable. Why can’t Mitsubishi bring back the 3000GT? Ford also skimped out and didn’t show us the Giugiaro Mustang Concept that I’ve been so excited about That’s why they don’t get a picture.

Filed Under: Chicago Auto Show • Ford • Honda • Lamborghini • Mazda • Mitsubishi • Pontiac • VW