10-4 Magazine - For Today's Trucker

A FESTIVAL OF
4-WHEELERS
By Roving Reporter Suzanne Stempinski

What’s more exciting than 840,000 square feet of incredible cars, pickups, vehicles currently in production and wild, wonderful concept cars in 2004? The Chicago Auto Show’s promise of 1.2 million square feet of equipment in 2005! People from all over the world make the annual pilgrimage to Chicago’s McCormick Place to revel in the awesome displays of automotive beauty and muscle.

They come to scope out what’s new, do some comparison shopping, fantasize over 4-wheeled dreams, breathe in the scents of new car interior, glazed and polished paint, slick rubber and powerful engines. And everywhere you look, there are vehicles beckoning you to look, to touch, to get behind the wheel and picture yourself flying down a deserted stretch of highway with the wind at your back and your favorite tunes cranked on a booming stereo.

Well, the Auto Show is a great place to dream. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to check out what you might want to drive when you’re out from behind the wheel of your truck – your “real” truck. It’s not surprising that so many truck drivers have a pickup or SUV in their driveways. Excellent visibility, sturdy construction, power and comfort – all the same things drivers look for in their work trucks. Not only that, many of the auto manufacturers have made arrangements with either XM or Sirius Satellite Radio, so whatever you listen to as you go down the road will also be available to you in your personal vehicle as well.

What did the manufacturers have to offer this year? Over at Dodge, the all-new 2005 Dakota debuted as the largest midsize pickup available. Dodge’s goal is to deliver plenty of torque, horsepower and towing capability – full-size pickup amenities, but with better fuel economy and maneuverability. Dodge has added almost four inches in length, extended the width, and offers two higher-torque V-8 engines. The hydroformed frame is stronger than ever, designed to improve handling as well as provide increased crash protection. Good looks, better fuel economy, plenty of cargo space, comfort and improved performance – a great combination. If you really want to go full-size, of course the ever-popular Dodge Ram comes in large, larger and jumbo to meet your hauling, towing and performance demands in a great-looking package.

At Chevrolet, things are looking bright for the new crossover sport van, the 2005 Uplander. An appearance reminiscent of an SUV, along with the attributes of a van, this multi-purpose vehicle offers 7-passenger seating, room for plenty of cargo with second and third-row seats being both foldable and removable, low step-in height, excellent ride and the availability of a state-of-the-art mobile digital media system, making it practical for the family on the go as well as good-looking. Of course this is just the latest in a list of offerings that includes the awesome SSR roadster pickup, the new Colorado midsize pickup and the promises of many more exciting new vehicle announcements to come in the very near future.

At Ford, the 2005 Mustang combines the look of the past, with performance for the future. Outstanding styling, rear-wheel-drive, a powerful 300 hp, 24-valve V-8 or a 200 hp V-6 with a 5-speed transmission (either manual or automatic), this car will have you wanting to race the wind. Or pick an SUV, pickup or sedan from Ford’s complete lineup. If there’s a body style or purpose you have in mind, Ford surely has a vehicle to meet your personal needs.

If coveting the ride of your dreams is what you want, look no further than the updated Ford Shelby Cobra concept. This classic roadster, putting out a whopping 605 hp from an all-aluminum V-10 engine, will have you wishing to be on a race track.

At Toyota, there’s plenty to see. With partnerships in four teams in the 2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck series, Toyota is also aiming for a 2004 repeat of its great success in IRL IndyCar racing in 2003 (taking the Indy 500 and the IRL IndyCar Series Engine Manufacturer’s and Driver’s Championships).

The excitement continues to build from the race track to the open road with a complete redesign of the very successful Toyota Camry Solara coupe with a sleek, sporty look, more room and even greater safety features. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg.

Feast your eyes on Toyota’s new Tundra Double Cab pickup – the first full-size pickup on Toyota’s roster. Its 140.5-inch wheelbase is longer than the Ford F150 Super Crew and it’s available with either 2 or 4-wheel drive. But if a smaller, sportier pickup is what you’re looking for, you may want to check out the high performance 2005 Tacoma X-Runner, which will be available later this summer.

Or if fuel efficiency is what you’re after – check out the Prius, Toyota’s gas/electric hybrid vehicle in a midsize sedan. According to Don Esmond, senior vice president and general manager, Toyota Division, “Prius can compare to any midsize four-cylinder car in terms of performance, roominess and features, but outdoes all of them with its fuel efficiency and best in class emissions.” If you think getting 60 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway is worth your while, this just might be the vehicle for you. And no, the fuel economy numbers aren’t reversed. The car was engineered for maximum efficiency in stop and go city driving!

Every auto manufacturer has a pipeline full of plans for future vehicles. Some are unveiled as concept cars. They try out wild ideas that ultimately find their way into everyday use (think air conditioning or satellite radio), or gauge consumer reaction to design elements. This year, Honda brought out a Sport Utility Truck (SUT) Concept scheduled for release in 2005. This light truck with medium-duty performance capabilities is a unibody vehicle with a 5-foot bed, designed for active families on the go.

Even local children had a chance to come up with concept cars with a Kids’ Concept Cars competition sponsored by Drive Chicago.com. Who knows where their suggestions will end up? Maybe on someone’s drawing board.

The fact is, every automotive builder had plenty to offer – from Acura and Aston-Martin to Volkswagen and Volvo. For a more comprehensive look at what was there, and what’s coming next year (not to mention the winning drawings from the Kids’ Concept Cars competition), check out the Chicago Auto Show’s website at www.chicagoautoshow.com or just head out on the highway. Those new cars, trucks, SUVs, SUTs and everything else will be making their way to you now and in the immediate future.