Chicago auto show
The Chicago auto show is coming soon, and I was surprised to see very little speculation on what would be there. One invitee got a note saying that there would be three entries from Ma Mopar; with no clue as to what they could be. Some suggested that the long-awaited medium-duty Dodge trucks would be there, the assumed-to-be Ram 4500 and 5500. Others pointed to the laundry list of vehicles we know are coming: the Patriot, Nitro, Avenger, Sebring, etc.
It is interesting to look at the fallout of the NAIAS show. The one car many people remember is the Challenger, but those who “don’t like American cars” or just aren’t motorheads tend to get the Challenger and Charger mixed up for now, believe it or not. The Caliber went over well among those who were paying attention, but between the Challenger and Camaro, the Caliber got very little print space, and Dodge really has to do something about that before the actual launch. Likewise, the Raider seems to be starting up without much of a splash, and the Aspen was apparently largely ignored, though I personally think it was a commendable effort - given that I haven’t actually been in one yet, it looks like it could be a Chrysler. I have been disappointed by badge-engineered SUVs before, notable the Lexus RX330, the Cadillac (well, any Chevy truck posing as a Caddy), and the Lincoln Navigator (haven’t been in the Aviator but I’d bet against it being more Town Car than Ford). I sure hope Chrysler made the Aspen a real Chrysler, not just a Dodge wearing a more ornate skin.
The Chicago auto show will be open to the press on Wednesday, and we should have some good coverage for you then - starting with automaker releases in the morning and proceeding to the ever-reliable Stratuscaster’s on-the-spot reports hopefully in the afternoon.
I am making my preditions now…we know the Nitro is going to Chicago. Thanks to MPH-mag. Great info with really nice
interior shots. I think the Nitro will be the bar for small SUVs to hit.
The concept will be an LX bases car/truck. Think of it as a Magnum with a truck bed. It will be smokin’.
I am unsure about the other vehicle. It could be the Avenger/Caliber SRT4/concept Viper/Hornet/M80 like vehicle built
off of the Nitro. But my quess will be the new Avenger.
Let’s hope that Dodge blows off the roof in Chicago with 3 great vehicles.
Nothing like a little pressure to perform well, eh? ;)
As far as what will appear? Nitro, an SRT vehicle, and a concept RAM truck. I’m a bit disappointed that the Avenger isn’t making an appearance, but I get the feeling they may hold it for Geneva as they did with the Caliber concept last year - as support for the Dodge European push.
What SRT vehicle? Possibly a Caliber, I guess. But I doubt it. I think what we’ll see is the Charger SRT-8 SuperBee. While the SuperBee was ANNOUNCED during the NAIAS show, I don’t recall it being SHOWN. And as in pro wrestling, “if it didn’t happen on TV, it didn’t happen” - so the SuperBee may actually debut “in public, if you will” in Chicago.
Caliber SRT-4? Plenty of shows thry the year to roll it out - SEMA might be a good choice.
Now pardon me while I find my “Jimmy Olsen, Cub Reporter” outfit and a bag to hold my wireless laoptop and digital camera…
Caliber SRT4 is the second confirmed vehicle…RATED at 300 HP WOW….
Someone pointed out that the Caliber SRT4 story may be a fake…will update when more info becomes clear.
MPH was using Chrysler press photos…
Caliber press packet out…it is 300hp and 260 lbft.
Is there any price info yet on the SRT4 or Nitro???
I must say that, with all the pre-release of the pictures and info and such, it’s making it tough for me to justify the time and effort to actually attend the media preview days - I could just sit at home in my underpants, file a report by cutting and pasting text and photos from the media site, and call it a day.
Nah. I’ll be there. If anything, I’m gonna win that MegaCab Musical Chairs competition. ;)