2009 Chicago Auto Show

So, 2009 CAS is in town this upcoming weekend, but the gates have already been open to members of the media for early debuts and new releases.  Jalopnik was one of the websites featuring advanced coverage with an article published on Wednesday of highlights from day one, but of what?

8) 2010 Acura TSX

7) Modified Suzuki Equators

6) 2010 Kia Forte

5) Mazda Miata’s 20th Birthday Bash

4) 2009 Hyundai Genesis Coupe R-Spec

3) How To Build Bumblebee

2) 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

1) Corvette Stingray Concept

I’ve been attending the Chicago Auto Show annually for quite some time now, since the age of seven if memory serves me right, but if this is all there is to look forward to, then pish-posh.  I’d rather not waste my time on:

8) A car that will likely be driven by average businessmen with less than average driving skills.  And it will show.

7) Modified trucks from a company that was failing to stay afloat well before the US automotive industry’s inefficiency was exposed in light of the downward spiraling economy.  No thanks.

6) Kia’s take on the Ford Focus?

5) I actually like the Mazda Miata, but normally only after about $5,000 spent on upgraded suspension, lighter/wider wheels, R-compound tires for some serious grip and potentially some go power blasting out of a set of sharp turns in second gear.  In factory form, no “20th Birthday Bash” necessary.

4) Yes it’s RWD, turbo-charged and relatively cheap.  The folks over at Hyundai must have one hell of a PR campaign management team over there, because the new Genesis Coupe has got to be the most over-hyped new model release as of late.  However, I am interested in how it stacks up to the cars it’s attempting to target, which seems to be the Japanese RWD/turbo makes/models that were revoked from the US-market in the mid-90s.

3) Instructions on how to make a Michael Bay film; blow shit up, but blow it up bigger than originally pre-conceived.  Then add in some American cars as one last sure to fail effort in saving General Motors.  Done.  Hopefully Transformers, and the demise of the industry, will be entertaining to watch at least.

2) But how’s Ford going to fail at saving itself?  With the revival of the SHO?  Seriously, why?  Inefficient pieces of garbage.  Sorry, it just doesn’t add up.

1) Ah yes, a return to Michael Bay, but with a glimpse of a dying breed; the American super car/exotic.  My mother once owned a 71 Stingray, it was black on black leather, with chrome accents all over and a set of t-tops for nice days.  Somehow I don’t think the Stingray of today will ever be as cool and something tells me it has to do with the fact that Corvettes are everywhere on the road.  They’re not a rarity by any stretch of the imagination, and it kind of takes away from it’s ability to leave other motorists in awe.

The line-up from day one is rather bleak, and has left me feeling the least anxious to go to this year’s show I’ve ever been.  Hopefully day two, and the rest of them once the show is open to the public, has something better to offer.  For the sake of the American automotive industry, please have something better to offer on day two.

-Nick