Official 2004 Chicago Auto Show Thread.

Ford has been on a wild tear reinventing classic model since the Thunderbird concept lead to the production of America's answer to the Volkswagen New Beetle. With a dream-fueling collection of reborn legendary cars, trucks get their due with a back-to-basics Bronco. Looking like it was CNC-machined from billet aluminum, the Bronco strikes us as a spot-on perfect design. There's no mistaking it for anything but a Bronco, yet it has modern stylings and Hummer-esque strength. The Bronco concept mates a 2.0-liter/128-hp intercooled turbodiesel with six-speed PowerShift transmission and Intelligent 4WD system for a powerful, sure-footed off-roader, and adds nitrous-oxide injection for a temporary 50-horse burst of power at the driver's fingertips. No hints given on production potential, but we've heard for a couple years that there is internal interest in creating a two-door, sub-Explorer vehicle. Like most production-capable concepts, reactions on the show circuit may be key into putting such a machine in showrooms.

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Quad Turbo V12 with a 7spd. Daimler-Chrysler launches a new supercar prototype, named ME Four-Twelve, ( Mid Engine, Four turbo, Twelve cylinders). AMG assisted in the creation of the 5.9-liter, quad turbo V12 that produces 850 horsepower, and connected it to a 7-speed manual transmission. Tipping the scales at only 2860 pounds, the lightweight, rear wheel drive ME Four-Twelve, is propelled from 0-60 miles per hour in a lightning 2.9 seconds. The ME Four-Twelve is the first-ever mid-engine Chrysler automobile, and has potential to be a 2006 model. Its carbon fiber 2-seater body stands only 44.9 inches tall, and has an estimated base price of $450,000.

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Saturn Curve
Saturn’s sleek new “Curve” concept car, was designed by GM North America, developed by GM’s European Advanced Design Center in Sweden, and assembled with assistance from Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina. Styling details abound, including roof pillars that are concealed by a “floating“ canopy of glass, and a front-hinged, clamshell hood. The vehicle is coated in Mission Silver, a warm color chosen for its liquid metal appearance. Sports car performance is derived from a supercharged 2.2-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine that produces more than 200 horsepower, mated to a Getrag five-speed manual transmission.

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Hyundai HCD-8
Power for the stylish Hyundai HCD8 dream machine, comes from a supercharged 2.7-liter V6 engine, with tuned dual exhaust, connected to a 6-speed manual transaxle. This 2-seat sports coupe is the first concept vehicle to come from Hyundai's new $30 million Design and Technical Center in Irvine, California. Painted in a bold tri-color Ballistic Yellow, the exterior is complemented by polished nickel trim, dark gray ground effects trim and 7-spoke road wheels. Handsome interior of the HCD8, feature two-tone Vapor Gray leather-seating, wood flooring, plus wood and aluminum accented steering wheel rim and shift lever knob.

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Audi Le Mans quattro
“An automobile with the racetrack, the motorway and twisting country roads as its natural hunting grounds,” is how Audi describes the soul of the Le Mans quattro concept study. Painted Jet Blue, the ‘cab forward’ body and add-on parts are formed out of aluminum and carbon fiber reinforced plastics. Behind the 2-seat ****pit but ahead of the rear axle is the longitudinally V10 ‘biturbo’ engine with FSI direct fuel injection. The V10 is visible through a large, transparent rear flap, and forming the center structure of the Le Mans quattro is an aluminum Audi Space Frame (ASF).

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Acura TL A-Spec
Based on the all-new TL luxury performance sedan, the TL A-Spec Concept has a two inch wider wheel stance, combined with custom 21-inch alloy hubs, high performance tires and wide fender flares. A panoramic glass roof flows back along the length of the cockpit, and a rearview camera transmits a picture to the navigation screen when the vehicle is in reverse gear. The Acura TL A-Spec Concept boasts a 3.2-liter V6 engine that outputs over 300 horsepower and the racing-inspired cockpit is clothed in premium Matador Red leather, with carbon/kevlar and aluminum accents.

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Mitsubishi Eclipse Concept-E
This eye-catching concept reflects Mitsubishi's goal for the next Eclipse coupe. The Eclipse Concept-E features hybrid technology. One 270-horsepower, 3.8-liter V6 engine powers the front wheels while a 150-kilowatt E-Boost electric motor powers the rear wheels and adds 200 more horsepower for a total of 470. The interior of the Eclipse features an instrument panel that seems to be floating, a glass roof, and 20-inch wheels.

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2004 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti was designed to replace the successful Ferrari 456M, and is dedicated to legendary Ferrari coachbuilder Sergio Scaglietti. Configured to seat four passengers, the new 612 Scaglietti also derives part of its name from the 6-liter, V12 engine. A conventional six-speed manual gearbox is available, or a new-generation electro-hydraulic six-speed F1A manual with automatic shifting and clutch. Test results clock this Ferrari’s top speed at 195 mph, and it zooms from zero to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. Inside the sophisticated aluminum and leather ****pit, is a steering wheel-mounted command system and a Hi-End Bose sound system specifically developed for the 612 Scaglietti.

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Lamborghini Gallardo
A 5-liter V10 engine producing a whopping 493 horsepower is the heart of the new Lamborghini Gallardo. Mounted behind the engine, is a six-speed gearbox. Getting to 60 mph takes 4-seconds, and top speed hits 192 miles per hour. Lamborghini chose the name Gallardo, honoring an 18th-century bull breeder. Styling touches include gaping radiator ducts, distinctive headlight treatment, five meshed grilles on the tail fascia with banks of vents on the engine lid and rear wings. A jutting chin spoiler and electronically adjustable rear wing improve high-speed stability. Lamborghini says it will build just 1300 Gallardos a year.

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Jeep Rescue
Chrysler has long suffered from lack of a full-sized sport/utility vehicle to compete in the hot, highly profitable segment. Hummer blazed the trail for large, off-road biased SUVs, making the Jeep Rescue concept a very natural counter to this GM offensive. The Rescue draws upon Jeep heritage to create a massive body-on-frame SUV that would position naturally above the Grand Cherokee and take on the H2. Ready to save lives in remote regions, or profile in Hollywood, the 80-inch wide Rescue rolls on a 123-inch wheelbase (longer than Chevrolet Tahoe by seven inches). The suspension has adjustable ride height and an additional 4-inch lift available for fording. The massive 37-inch, run-flat tires can be aired down for increased, off-road traction, then pumped up with an on-board tire pressure control system for the ride home. Given the "rescue" theme, this concept truck features AC electric power (10 kW) generation in the field; 3-D topographical mapping software and topographical navigation system; under-chassis, point-of-view cameras for avoiding danger in its path; passive, infrared cameras for search and rescue; satellite telephone, VHF radio, and digital video recorder with satellite transmission; high-tech lighting; and front and back remote-control winches.

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Jaguar XK-RS
Having won the Trans-Am Manufacturers' Championship two times campaigning Jaguar XKRs, Rocketsports Racing has applied their proven skills to developing this 550-horsepower XK-RS concept car. Teamed with Jaguar North America, Rocketsports elevated the convertible to supercar status through a comprehensive performance and style transformation. Rocketsports took the already-potent Jaguar AJ-V8 Trans-Am race engine and increased its displacement by stroking it out from 4.5 liters to 5.0 liters. This engine was topped with an Eaton supercharger to deliver enough output to send the car from 0-60 mph in under four seconds and reach a 200-mph top speed. The standard six-speed ZF automatic transmission was replaced with a five-speed manual transaxle, better distributing the weight. The suspension was fortified with coil-over high-performance Penske shocks and R-Performance Brembo calipers with drilled rotors (13-inch front/12-inch rear) mounted to each corner. Special underbody air tunnels running the length of the car were created, along with deeper front and rear spoilers, wider wheel arches, and aero-style sill sections similar to those featured on the specially-developed XKR that starred in last year's James Bond adventure, 'Die Another Day'.

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Drudger said:

oldsmobile is going to be discontinued after the 2005 year

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Beef said:

all of those cars are ugly including the ferrari

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PJ said:

I dont suppose Toyota was showing off anything sporty, were they? I want a real Toyota Sports car to come back, damnit.

The dealership SWEARS there will be a Supra in 06, but I doubt it.

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