Vehicles Vetted Vicariously
by Joe LaMuraglia via Marty Padgett via TheCarConnection.com
If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you know that I am not attending 2009 Chicago Auto show media days this year. It is a result of belt tightening here at Gaywheels.com and the fact that we aren’t on “the list” of invitees that the Chicago show flies in every year.
Rather than just read press releases and regurgitate their content, I’ve asked my good friends from TheCarConnection.com if I could re-purpose their reporting and post highlights here with links back to their full insight. Enjoy.
2010 Ford Taurus SHO
• What is it: A twin-turbo version of the 2010 Ford Taurus, bringing back the old “SHO” tag
• Key facts: 365-hp V-6 is the most powerful “EcoBoost” Ford will offer; paddle-shifted automatic should add to sporting feel; Ford’s SYNC system is standard
• On sale: Summer 2009
• Price: $37,995
The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO marks its return to the blue-oval lineup this week with a world debut at the 2009 Chicago auto show.
The reborn SHO–the favorite of enthusiasts everywhere since it first was introduced on the first-generation Taurus–completes the new Taurus lineup with twin turbos, a tuned suspension, and some of the visual flair that made the original hotted-up Taurus a hit when it took its bow in 1989.
Read more……
2010 Kia Forte
• What is it: Kia’s new compact sedan, replacing the Spectra
• Key facts: It’s four doors only this time; SX models get larger four-cylinder engine; Bluetooth and Sirius are standard
• On sale: Summer 2009
• Price: $15,000 (est.)
The 2010 Kia Forte takes a bow at the 2009 Chicago auto show today. Replacing the Spectra in Kia’s lineup, the Forte makes the trip to reality in four-door form only, leaving the buyers of the old five-door Spectra wanting, at least for now. The Forte is the first product overseen in its entirety by Peter Schreyer, the wunderkind hired by Kia to remake the lineup in a more modern vein. Schreyer’s touch shows in a more sophisticated shape, though no one will mistake the Forte for the daring Honda Civic (or the kludgy Ford Focus, for that matter).
The Forte’s basics are the stuff economy cars do best: simple independent suspensions, four-cylinder engines, manual and automatic transmissions. Base cars have a 153-hp four, and five-speed manual and four-speed automatic trannies. The SX edition spools up 173 hp with a 2.4-liter four, and teams it to a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic. Read more…..
2009 Dodge Ram HD
According to Dodge, the heavy-duty segment contains about one-third of all full-size truck sales in the U.S. And buyers in the segment are said to be the most brand-loyal in the industry. So Dodge is taking aim at Chevy and Ford with its new Dodge Ram HD, introduced at the Chicago Auto Show and fortified heavily from winch to tailgate.
Based on the new-for-’09 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup, the burly tow/haul monsters finally bring a true crew cab to the Dodge Ram HD domain. The crew cab is said to be the highest-volume segment of the heavy-duty pickup arena (approx. 50 percent of HD pickup sales). Regular cab and Mega Cab models will be offered, as will two box sizes (6’4″ or 8′ even), and five distinct trim levels (ST, SLT, TRX, Laramie, and Power Wagon). Read more…….
2009 Scion tC Series 5.0
Scion yesterday announced a special edition of its sports coupe, the tC, which will be on display at the Chicago Auto Show from February 11-22. This 2009 tC RS 5.0 features unique styling elements draped on a lowered suspension with 18-inch alloys. Numerous mechanical enhancements also give the vehicle a more aggressive driving demeanor.
Outside, the aforementioned 18-inch multi-spoke alloys (matte black with red accents) are supported by lowered springs from TRD to give this bespoke tC aggressive curbside swagger. The vehiclel is bathed in gloss black, and an available rear lip spoiler adds some attitude at the rear.
On the inside, the black and red theme continues. A black leather steering wheel with red stitching continues the color theme inside, as do black seats with red inserts and TRD floor. Read more…..
2009 Ford F-150 Harley Davidson
• What is it: A dolled-up version of Ford’s new full-size truck
• The Basics: A standard Ford F-150 SuperCrew with Harley trim; includes interior leather, colorful add-ons, and plenty of chrome and enamel badges
• On Sale: Shortly
• Price: $40,000 (est.)
Flames and chrome and a big badge on its chest: is it time for a new Harley-Davidson F-150 again, or a superhero we missed on the comics stand somehow?
For those of you who veer away from Tim Gunn’s style tips and toward Dog the Bounty Hunter’s wardrobe, Ford offers up the latest in a long string of Harley-badged trucks. Fourteen of them, to be exact, dating back to 2000. This year’s edition is actually next year’s edition-the new SuperCrew in Harley drag is a 2010 model, making its debut this week for crowds at the 2009 Chicago auto show. Are you a lover of all things Harley Davidson? Are you just as much an avid enthusiast about motorcycles than you are about these trucks? Then you may be interesting in thinking about getting your very own Harley motorcycle to roam around the streets on, (go look at cleanharleys.com for more info). With this 2009 Ford F-150 Harley Davidson and the many different makes and models of motorbikes that are on offer to you, then you will be the coolest motorist around. Want to find out more about the truck? Read more…..