The Chicago Auto Show may not be the “biggest” in terms of importance, but it is one of the best, and certainly among the top four. Media days took place February 9 and 10, bringing together automotive journalists from all over the country, and the world. Themes throughout the Chicago Auto Show were trucks, hybrid vehicles, safety—especially for children—speed, and of course, the usual concept vehicles and new introductions.

Doublecab pickups dotted just about each auto manufacturer’s floor display; from the all-new Toyota Tacoma, to the Nissan Frontier, these fancy, practical light trucks are all the rage. As the manufacturers rush to add new trucks and truck-like hybrid vehicles to their lineups, it’s a fight to the finish. The most profitable market segments, trucks and truck-like vehicles are aimed at singles, young couples, young families and just about anyone who’s looking for versatility and practicality in one package.

At Chicago’s McCormick Place, Nissan introduced it’s all new four-door 2001 Frontier pickup. With a facelift to challenge all others, Frontier sports an

Nissan Frontier

aggressive “boxer’s punch” front end, with rounded edges and high-tech grooves and lines. This is one great looking truck. Nissan plans a summer introduction for the Frontier, equipped with its current engine 3.3-liter, V6, 170-horsepower), to be followed in Fall with a supercharged version, and an increase in horsepower (210).

Toyota Tacoma, also with four doors, is Toyota’s new “Double Cab” for 2001. A somewhat restyled front end and a 61-inch-long bed, the Tacoma sold a whopping 155,000 trucks in ’99. The Tacoma will be available in a variety of drivetrain, transmission and engine combinations. In addition to the Tacoma, Toyota will sell the Stepside, a sculpted-bed version of the standard Tacoma.

Ford Motor Company’s news for media on the second day of the Auto Show was the latest version of its light truck, the Ranger. Named the Ranger Edge, this 2001 pickup is being aimed at the Gen Xers and budget-minded Boomers. Available in 4X2 and 4X4 versions, the Edge is a sporty pickup, with a 3.0-liter V6 standard engine. Hardly without amenities, the Edge is equipped with a single CD-player (optional in-dash 6-disc changer), and cargo bed divider.

Audi TT Convertible

GM is busy updating their pickup trucks, including the S-10 Crew Cab (with rear bench seat). The S-10, also available in the three-door (driver’s side rear access door), comes with push-button Insta-Trac four-wheel-drive as standard, with 4WD low gear for steep grade climbs. A 4.3-liter, V-6 engine is the powerplant, coupled with a 4-speed automatic transmission. The Crew Cab goes on sale this fall.

Hybrids

Among the hybrids to go on sale this year and next, is the Buick Rendevous, one of the best concepts to come out of GM in a long, long time. The Rendevous, a car-like “crossover” vehicle, resembling Lexus’ RX300 and Mercedes’ M-Class vehicles is, explained general manager Roger Adams, the first “Buick revolution” vehicle. Powered by a 185-horsepower, V6, 3.4-liter engine, the Rendevous is aimed at young families who are looking for versatility. This SUV/luxury sedan/minivan combo is a step-away (or should we say ahead) of anything Buick’s ever done. However, they’ve realized they need to do something to attract younger buyers to what has traditionally been a lineup that appeals to those 60-years and older.

Concepts….and Beyond

As in years past, the Chicago Auto Show was host to some exciting new Concept vehicles; many we can only hope will one day be production vehicles. Among them were the Chevrolet Traverse and the Pontiac Piranha. These are two innovative concepts, many journalists secretly hoped, would be among the “six vehicles to actually be built” by GM. Dubbed “cross-over,” the Pontiac Piranha is a mix of sport coupe and truck/mini-ute. Seating four, the Piranha features removable seats, a canvas roll-back top, supercharged V-6 engine and the capacity to haul cargo. Aimed at young, active buyers, the Piranha and Traverse are ideal for hauling skis, bicycles, kayaks and the like. Designer John Mack demonstrated how the Piranha’s rear seat slides back to

Chevrolet Traverse

provide more room, and how they fold over to create a pickup-like cargo compartment. Word has it that GM is seriously considering the Chevy Traverse for production.

Mazda’s concept vehicle, the Nextourer, is yet, another vehicle well-worth producing. Resembling the likes of Buick Rendevous, Lexus RX300 and Mercedes ML430, the Nextourer is a car/truck crossover vehicle about the size of Mazda’s 626 sedan. Complete with roomy trunk space (and a rear hatchback that opens two ways), passenger space and folding rear seats, Nextourer may very well become a production vehicle, according to Mazda’s Marketing Vice President Odell.

Other Concept vehicles included by manufacturer

Chevrolet SSR, pickup/sports car vehicle with a retractable power hardtop, based on Chevy’s S-10 compact pickup.
Chrysler 300 Hemi C, a rear-wheel-drive, four-seat convertible, with a 5.7-liter V-8 engine.
GT Cruiser and Panel Cruiser, two concept versions of the production vehicle PT Cruiser.
Dodge Viper GTSR, and a stockcar version of the Intrepid. MAXXcab: pickup-like four-door truck with a shortened cargo bed.
Ford Prodigy, a hybrid based on the midsize Ford Contour. Made of aluminum and other lightweight materials, Prodigy is equipped with a 1.2-liter diesel engine that gets 78 m.p.g. Thunderbird is also at the show, due out in 2001. Equator: SUV/pickup truck with a serious stance. Outfitted for off-road driving. Desert Excursion: all-terrain version of the Super Duty four-door pickup.
GM Hummer H2 (probably our favorite concept vehicle): four-door hardtop, based on a full-size SUV platform. This one just might reach production, and will be a tamer, less expensive version of the real thing.
GMC Terradyne: based on the Sierra full-size pickup, seating five and a 6-foot cargo bed.
Honda Spocket: This versatile concept converts from a sports coupe to a convertible to a pickup. The two doors tile upward, and the power top retracts behind the front seats. When you need a cargo bed, the rear seats fold flat to create space. Equipped with a gas-electric engine, Spocket is all-time 4WD.
Hyundai CrossTour: yet another multi-utility vehicle for work, family and fun. Based on the Sonata, the CrossTour is well-equipped to fit every driver’s whim, including a wireless connection to the Internet (that works only when the vehicle is still), removable briefcases, removable front seats, audio-visual entertainment system, and plenty of room for bicycles.
Infiniti: For the first time, Infiniti displayed a concept vehicle called the XVL sedan, which may replace the G20.
IsuzuVX-4 and ZXS, two concept SUV’s. The VX-4 is a four-door version of the VehiCross, complete with a DVD player, video monitor and 550-watt sound system. The ZXS is an “active urban adventurer,” with big everything: grille and wheelwell flares.
JeepVarsity, built off the Grand Cherokee platform, features a car-like ride, but looks of a SUV.
Lexus Sport Coupe concept with a aluminum hardtop, which may replace the current SC coupe.
Mercury Mountaineer: preview of what’s to come in 2001.
Mitsubishi SSS concept sedan, with a hatchback and room for two mountain bikes.

BMW Z8

Oldsmobile Profile, an AWD, five-passenger hatchback vehicle that Olds says will be the sedan of tomorrow. Olds is displaying three concepts of future production vehicles: OSV (Oldsmobile Specialty Vehicle) series versions of Intrigue, Alero and Silhouette minivan. In bright cranberry red, these three vehicles stand out on the display floor, and will feature more horsepower, performance-oriented suspension modifications, and Recaro leather front seats.
Saturn CV1, a minivan/SUV-like vehicle. Although Saturn says they plan to produce a car-like SUV for 2002, it won’t be the CV1.
Subaru ST-X (Subaru Truck Experiment), is a four-door sedan/pickup mix, with a Switchback rear seat.
Toyota Celica Convertible and Ultimate Celica, both concepts, both desirable as production vehicles. The Ultimate features AWD and a 500-horsepower turbocharged engine.
VW’s Advanced Activity Concept vehicle, a cross between a luxury sedan and pickup. An all-wheel-drive vehicle, the AAC is being shown here in Chicago to gauge consumer reaction. A 2002 VW Sub is planned; perhaps the AAC will be its predecessor.

Beyond Fantasy

Not everything at the Show is fantasy. There are plenty of new introductions, due out this year or next that are promising. Among those vehicles that will go into production are the newly redesigned Nissan Sentra, a compact, entry-level sedan that promises to grab a new audience. Hyundai displays the new first time ever sport-utility vehicle, the mini-ute Santa Fe, and Kia introduced the Rio, a four-door sedan aimed at first time car buyers and those on a budget, in addition to the Spectra hatchback sedan introduced in Detroit. Chrysler’s PT Cruiser is back on display, and will go on sale this spring, as a 2001 model.

Mazda introduced its Special Edition 2000 Miata, on sale this spring, complete with 6-speed manual transmission, mahogany exterior and beige leather interior and top. Also featured were Toyota’s sport-ute, the Sequoia, due this fall, Dodge’s 2001 Stratus coupe and Sedan, among others.

There’s lots to see at the Chicago Auto Show. Open to the public Friday February 11, the show is open from 10 am to 10 pm, through February 20, at the new McCormick Place South, 24th Street and Lake Shore Drive. And, don’t miss the accessory area. There’s all kinds of fun stuff there.