By Dwight Casimere
For its 115th edition, the 2023 Chicago Auto Show came back bigger and better than ever with an expanded edition that looks more like its pre-pandemic self. The show continues through Feb. 20 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. Bring your walking shoes because the show’s offerings with many new e-models, is expanded to both North and South Halls.
More than two-dozen manufacturers are showcasing their latest cars including the latest e-cars, subcompacts and supersized vehicles-all with tons of innovations. There’s more to just sitting in the cars and looking at the interiors, you can experience them first-hand on test tracks right inside the exhibit halls.
Take a ride in the new Ford Bronco on a gravity-defying incline and a heart-pounding test drive over high-elevation that rivals anything at Great America.
New from Nissan is Ariya e-4ORCE All-Wheel Drive. The e-4ORCE is a new drive system that incorporates 4WD control and chassis control technologies, combined with electrification technologies, unique to Nissan. These unprecedented improvements adapt to all types of driving, from everyday traffic to winding, slippery roads, all with a nimble response.
Nissan technologies calculate the driving force required to turn, accelerate, and decelerate in response to the driver’s operation, in accordance with changing road conditions. Controls via the front and rear motors and the left and right brakes are the motivating force behind its four-wheel drive.
Also new is the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. In a dramatic presentation featuring panoramic video backdrops of the country’s National Parks, the unveiling led by President and CEO Tom Doll, emphasized the versatility of the Crosstrek and its ability to go almost anywhere and its adaptability to any type of natural terrain.
Doll took me on a personal tour of the all-new Crosstrek. “This is the fastest growing car in the American marketplace. This is the third generation of the Crosstrek, but we’ve managed to keep the pricing the same as the previous editions, because we want our customers to experience the beauty of all-wheel drive. They’re going to love the reliability of the all-wheel drive system and its durability and the safety. All the attributes that make Subaru such a great car is imbedded in this vehicle. It’s a big seller for us, this next-generation vehicle, and we’re really excited about it,” he said.
Jeep was next up with its all-new Rubicon 4xe. Jim Morrison, head of the Jeep Brand for North America spoke about its attributes. “We’re showing the 20th anniversary edition of the Wrangler Rubicon. Here at the Chicago Auto Show, we’re also showing the 10th anniversary edition and the original Wrangler Rubicon to show the evolution of the Wrangler and how it has become more and more capable over the years. So, you can really see how the 20th Anniversary Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is the most capable yet.
“It’s got an all-new steel bumper with a triple-hoop grill-guard. It’s riding on BFT 32s and 33s. We’ve got 35s on the 392 and the AV-level 32 has got 37s on it.
“So, there’s lots of extra capability applied to the 20th Anniversary edition. It’s all about taking Jeep Wrangler capability to the next level and letting the customer know that they’ve got something really special to celebrate in the 20th Anniversary edition.”
Volkswagen Group of America presented the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas as a thoroughly revised 3-Row Family SUV. According to President and CEO Pablo Di Si, the new Atlas dispenses with the 2-liter turbo and the VR6 engines.
“They’ve been replaced by a single all-new 2-liter turbo charged, direct-injection 4-cylinder, making for 269 horsepower and 273 pound/feet of torque. That’s about a 7-horsepower reduction versus the VR6 and roughly 35 more horsepower than the old 2-liter turbo.”
Di Si said Volkswagen offers the choice of either front wheel drive or the company’s 4-Motion all-wheel drive as options.
“We’re offering better performance and better fuel efficiency with this model, Di Si elaborated in an unveiling of the Atlas at Revel Motor Row on the city’s South Side Bronzeville neighborhood. The area was once Chicago’s historic ‘Auto Row’ with its many dealers and showrooms.
“What you’re seeing here is a pretty heavy refresh,” Di Si noted. “There’s been a substantial update. For example, the grill is much larger this year with all the new signature Volkswagen lighting elements. Also, there’s a new LED light bar over the front grill that really adds a dramatic element. There’s also the new-lighted VW logo, which also houses the integrated front-view camera. This gives the Atlas a much more modern appearance. People will especially like the new ‘R’ line package which gives the Atlas a sportier look.”
Toyota held nothing back, they brought everything they had to offer in 2023. The new Prius does not disappoint its much sleeker and sporty. The Rave4 has a new luxury look and Toyota didn’t stop there they revived with a new look the Supra a sport car that hasn’t been built in 10 years. There is so much to see and experience at the show.
Those are just a few of the exciting new cars on display at the 2023 Chicago Auto Show, now through Feb. 20 at McCormick Place. Visit thetimesweekly.com for more Times Weekly coverage, visit ChicagoAutoShow.com for more information.
