Several exciting truck and sports cars debut at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show. New SUVs, concepts and electric vehicles also shine on the fabulous McCormick Place showroom floor. Here are the highlights:
Pickup Trucks
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD LTZ Z71 4×4 (Vehicle Debut)
Despite an unattractive grille better resembling a residential A/C condenser, the front end appears tough with an overall package well designed for heavy duty work. Towing is good for 35,500 lbs. when properly equipped. Engine choices are the 6.6L Duramax Turbo Diesel V8 with 445 hp/910 lb-ft, and a new 6.6L V8 with 401 hp/464 lb-ft with the classic pushrod configuration. The diesel is backed by the all-new Allison 10-speed auto, while the gas motor gets the 6-speed. Models come in Work Truck, Custom, LT, LTZ, and High Country. Prices will be announced by its availability this summer.
2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4×4 Off-Road (Vehicle Debut)
The popular midsize truck is refreshed with a redesigned grille, new LEDs including running and fog lights, available bed lamp, restyled taillights and new wheel designs. Engine choices are 2.7L DOHC 4-cylinder 159 hp/180 lb-ft, and the 3.5 L V6 rated 278 hp/265 lb-ft. A 6-speed automatic drives both, while the V6 can get a 6-speed manual.
Big news is the tech improvements in the cabin. The new available 8″ touchscreen features the Entune infotainment system with Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay compatibility and Android Auto for the 1st time. Added comfort and convenience includes a driver’s 10-way power adjustable seat with 2-way lumbar support. Models include SR work truck, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, and top level Limited.
The Off-Road model shown gets tuned Bilstein shocks, locking rear diff, Hill Assist, Multi-Terrain and Crawl Control all standard. Body styles are Double Cab, with either 60.5″ short or 73.7″ long bed, and Access Cab, exclusively with long box. Max towing is 6,800 lbs. when properly equipped.
Price is to be announced, with availability this fall.
2019 RAM 3500 Heavy Duty Limited 4×4
What a stunning interior in this pickup, taken from the beautifully crafted cabin of the 1500 Limited! A new, lighter 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6 generates 400 hp and a whopping 1,000 lb-ft of torque. The dually setup promises up to 35,100 lbs. of towing. Prices aren’t available, but the truck is coming this spring.
RAM also introduced the Multifunction Tailgate $995 option to be available on the 2020 1500 trucks.
Multifunction Tailgate closed
Multifunction Tailgate 6040 split
Multifunction Tailgate lowered
2020 Ford F-Series Super Duty Platinum Fx4 Off-Road
A fresh 3rd generation 6.7L PowerStroke Turbo Diesel V8 is coming with better fuel delivery, improved cylinder heads, connecting rods and engine block. A new gas option is a 7.3L pushrod affair, with a cast-iron block, aluminum heads, forged crankshaft, among other special components. Although no performance figures are available for these engines, it should be the most capable Super Duty ever for towing, 5th wheel, gooseneck and payload.
A new 10-speed Torque Shift automatic transmission is also on tap. A refreshed exterior and interior comes to the blue oval 3/4 ton pickup, with new head and taillight designs and wireless charging. We’re waiting on the price, but availability is later this year.
2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon 4×4
This Jeep/Truck combo enters the midsize segment, based on the Wrangler platform. A 3.6L V6 with 285 hp/260 lb-ft is handled by a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission. A 3L diesel is expected, with 260 hp/442 lb-ft. It’s got best-in-class maximum 1,600 lbs. payload and 7,650 lbs. towing. Models include the Sport, Sport S, Overland, and Rubicon. Enjoy the great outdoors and open air with a fold-down windshield, removable doors and hardtop! Available this spring, with price to be announced.
Sports Cars & Muscle
2020 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider Italia (Vehicle Debut)
Only 15 of these special editions of the 4C Spider targa will be produced! It features a Misano Blue Metallic exterior, 2 seats, and Italia identification on the rear quarters, including interior production number plate and aluminum dash. A 0-60 time of 4.1 seconds, the 1.7L turbo I4 gets 237 hp/258 lb-ft of twist powered by a 6-speed dual-clutch auto.
Cost is $5,000 over the standard 4C, making it $73,495.
2019 Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series (Vehicle Debut)
This Flare Yellow package will appear on just 100 LC 500 RWD sport coupes. The yellow theme continues with the Alcantara interior door panel inserts and stitching, while carbon fiber provides a roof, lower grille insert, and door sills. Under the hood is the familiar 5.0L V8 with 471 hp/398 lb-ft. It’s available this April for $106,210.
2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI (Vehicle Debut)
A 2L TSI turbo 4-cylinder powers the new Jetta GLI performance sedan, delivering 228 hp/258 lb-ft with an MPG of 25 city/32 highway. There’s a standard 6-speed manual, optional is a 7-speed DSG automatic with paddle shifters & sport mode. A black honeycomb grille, GLI badge, red accents, black roof, side mirror caps, and spoiler highlights the exterior. Dual chrome exhaust tips and 18″ alloy rims complimented by performance red calipers finish the look.
There’s better aerodynamics in this small sedan compared to the GTI hot hatch, with multi-link rear suspension & mechanical limited slip. This is the 35th anniversary limited edition in special Battleship Gray, with 5-spoke dark alloys and red accents and contrast stitching on the 35th edition seats. Price isn’t available, but expect nearly $30,000 when it becomes available this spring. Hey… what’s not to like about a 6-speed stick?
2020 Shelby GT500
After a 6 model-year absence, the GT500 returns with a cross-plane crank supercharged 5.2L V8 that Ford promises will deliver over 700-hp. 0-60 mph will be in the mid-3 second range, with 1/4 mile times in less than 11 seconds. It will be the most power street-legal production Ford.
Most controversial is the loss of the manual stick in favor of a new high-performance Tremec 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). I have mixed feelings as a 2013 GT500 owner, missing the stick while realizing the DCT is probably the best way to deliver all that hp and torque. This transmission will shift gears in less than 11 milliseconds! I like the car’s paddle shifters, but not the rotary dial.
The exterior is a home run, with the greatest aero downforce ever on a Mustang. Large intakes occupy the front fascia with a fantastic vented hood. This one has the track package, with rear seat delete, carbon fiber wheels, instrument panel, and rear wing (from GT4 racing development). With competitors like the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Dodge Challenger Hellcat, let the muscle car wars continue! Price is yet to be released, but the GT500 sells this fall.
Electric SUV Vehicles
2019 Jaguar I-Pace AWD
Embracing the future is Jaguar’s first all-electric SUV 5-seater. With 234 mile range on a 90kWh battery, 0-60 comes in 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 124 mph. The 2 electric motor system comes from Formula E race car technology, bringing 394 hp/512 lb-ft. Model choices are S, SE, HSE and First Edition. Standard is 4G WiFi, with a 10″ Touch Pro Duo infotainment system. Cost starts at $69,500.
2019 Audi e-Tron Quattro AWD
Joining the all-electric space is the sporty and sleek e-Tron SUV. The dual asynchronous electric motors deliver a 0-60 in 5.5 seconds. No official full charge range is available yet on the 95 kWh battery. There are 5 suspension modes including off-road, and a 4,000 lbs. towing capacity. The refined interior has standard ventilated front buckets, while the technology is sure to impress. The Audi MMI touch directs the infotainment system on a 10.1″ screen, with smartphone integration and virtual cockpit plus on the digital gauge display. Trim levels are Premium Plus, starting at $74,800, and Prestige at $81,800. Reservations are accepted with deliveries coming this spring.
Entertainment for the whole family includes driving simulators, virtual reality, LEGO building and more. The show features 4 indoor test tracks: the new Land Rover, Camp Jeep (celebrating 15 years), RAM Truck Territory, and Kia 2020 Telluride Torque Track. Visit the 2019 Chicago Auto show February 9th-18th at Chicago’s McCormick Place. For more details, go to www.chicagoautoshow.com and hashtag #CAS19 on twitter.
