With more than a million square feet of exhibition space and more innovations than ever, the nation’s largest and longest-running auto show, the Chicago Auto Show, is showcasing their 116th edition at McCormick Place.
Joliet Diocese Catholic Charities was among the 18 local charities that benefited from the more than $3 million dollars raised at the First Look for Charity gala. More than 8,000 people strolled through the Auto Show floor on the eve of opening day, enjoying live entertainment and tasty bites from 20 Chicago area restaurants. The black-tie gala has raised more than $60 million over its 32-year history, making it one of the largest single charitable events in the Chicago area.
New for the 2024 Chicago Auto Show are more innovations and interactive activities than ever before, including three indoor test tracks and three outdoor ride-and-drive experiences.
Chicago Drives Electric EV Track features the last EVs from BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Kia, Lucid, Nissan, Tesla, and Volkswagen.
EVs are getting the most attention at the show. BMW is introducing its first-ever all electric sedan, the i5 M60. Product and Technology spokesman Jay Hanson described it as the most powerful ‘Beamer’ ever. “This is the top-of-the-line M model with dual motor, 593 horsepower, all-wheel drive. It will go zero to 60 in three-and-a-half seconds, with a 260-mile electric range.”
Toyota Grand Highlander 2024 is a full-sized SUV packed with features that make it a great choice for families, adventurers, and commuters alike. There’s something for everyone.
Interior design is geared toward maximum comfort with three rows of seating to accommodate up to seven people. Plenty of storage space with an available liftgate makes loading and unloading easy. An array of tech features, including a 9-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility and wireless charging for devices, makes this Toyota a techie’s dream.
Honda Prologue is all new for 2024. This all-electric SUV seats 5 passengers as a 4-door wagon. Built in partnership with General Motors, it borrows technology from both automakers to create a reliable electric car that competes favorably with the Chevy Equinox, Nissan Ariya, and Tesla Model Y.
Getting a stylish refresh for 2024 is the Chevrolet Silverado HD. Featuring a redesigned front end and a new front bumper, the HD steps out with new headlights and grille. Interior tweaks include a larger 13.4-inch infotainment screen and a digital gauge cluster. New off-road-oriented ZR2 and ZR2 Bison models add a new dimension for 2024.
Available in three models: EX, Touring and Elite, it has a single motor setup with front-wheel drive and there’s also a dual-motor variant that offers all-wheel drive. With 288 horsepower, the dual motor offers up to 320 miles of driving range on a single charge. Spacious, practical, and reliable, the 2024 Honda Prologue is attracting an eager audience.
Silverado HD is a full-sized, three-quarter-ton pickup with configurations that include regular cab, double cab, and crew cab, as well as 2500 and 3500 variants. Seven trims are offered, and two engines are available: a 6.6-liter V8 gasoline engine and a 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8. Rear and four-wheel-drive models are also offered. Maximum towing capacity tops out at 36,000 pounds.
The Chevrolet Trax is all new inside and out for 2024. Redesigned features offer a more modern-looking crossover that features a new engine and increased cabin cargo capacity. A subcompact crossover that seat 5 passengers, this 4-door wagon offers five trims and both front and all-wheel-drive models. A 1.3-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine produces 137 horsepower paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Chevrolet Trax offers a lot of comfort and value in the crossover category.
Among the exciting unveilings is the “Built Wild” showcase Ford’s Bronco family of vehicles. Ford spokesman Mike Levine also touted the new Ford Mustang GTD.
“It’s the most advanced and audacious Mustang we’ve ever created. It’s inspired by global racing,” he emphasized. “This year, it’s going to Le Mans (France).
We’re entering the GT 3 there.
“It is the most track-capable and powerful ‘street legal’ Mustang that we’ve ever done. It’s meant to take on the world’s super cars from the likes of Porsche, from AMG and from Aston-Martin. Targeting at least 800-horsepower. There’s a drag reduction system on it to apply both aero and down force. Then when also have for great weight balance a rear trans axle along with also multi-matic suspension around us. It’s the most track-capable Mustang we’ve ever created, while also being street-legal at the same time.”
Baily Cole showed off the Ford JEGS Performance Bronco. “This just raced at King of the Hammer’s (the world’s toughest Ultimate Off-Road vehicles race in San Bernardino County California) a couple of days ago. We came home with a few trophies, and we literally drove the doors off the car!”
Ford was able to create a performance vehicle out of what is basically a stock vehicle. “There’s nothing special or gimmicky here,” Cole said. “This is all Bronco-stock motor, stock trans, stock drive train. We just did some basic upgrades so that it could withstand bouncing around for 7 hours on the rocks in the desert. This is the type of testing that Ford likes to do. They like to push their cars to the limit, and this is a stock Bronco that they built to last.
Nissan presented the husband-and-wife explorer team of Chris and Julie Ramsey, who successfully drove their all-electric Nissan Ariya from the 1823 Magnetic North Pole of the frozen Arctic Ocean, all the way to Antarctica’s South Pole. Their 10-month adventure started in March 2023 and ended in December after a more than 19-thousand-mile journey through the Americas.
“We encountered every hazard you can imagine, from extreme temperatures to nearly impossible terrain,” Chris recounted. “We really proved how adaptable and capable electric vehicles could be.”
Chris and Julie are no strangers to electric driving challenges. They’ve been testing the limits of EVs for the past 10 years. They were the first to compete in the grueling 10,000-mile Mongol Rally in their own Nissan Leaf EV.
New technologies abounded with EVs taking center stage at the stand-alone Chicago Drives Electric EV track.
Chicago Auto Show 2024, now through Monday, February 19, Presidents Day. Visit chicagoautoshow.com for more. The show doesn’t disappoint!