Hemi Trucks, Pony Cars, and Funky Carpet: The 2011 Chicago Show in Review
The 2011 Chicago Show, the fifth Second City event I’ve covered, proved a pleasant surprise once again. There wasn’t much to get excited about going in, but a few surprise moves by a couple of automakers turned that around. And unlike so many other shows recently, there wasn’t an incessant focus on “being green.” In fact, this was a serious horsepower show (though some cars didn’t get anywhere near the fanfare they deserved *cough Audi TT RS*). That said, here are a few impromptu awards to some of the shows exhibitors:
Vehicle I’m most likely to go out and impulse buy: Ram Tradesman, because it’s a simple, no frills, regular cab truck with a 390-horse V-8 that costs about $23,000. I fail to see any downsides. Only way it’d be better is if Ram offered it with a stick. Fortunately for my wallet, the Tradesman won’t be at dealers anytime soon.
Vehicle most likely to cause a gambling problem: Cadillac CTS-V Wagon Black Diamond Edition. The only way I’ll be able to afford one is if I win big on the dollar slots. C’MON SEVENS.
Vehicle most likely to cause a civil war: Ram 3500HD. The heavy duty arms race went thermonuclear with the debut of the 800 pound-foot Cummins diesel. This one started to get ugly when Ford upped the torque on its 6.7-liter diesel V-8 after GM unveiled the redesigned 2011 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra HD and it’s not going to stop anytime soon now that Ram’s gotten itself into the mix. And should a civil war break out between Chevy, Ford, and Ram fans, we can hold a comparison to determine which truck makes the best Technical.
Throwing Down the Gauntlets: Camaro ZL1 and Ram 3500HD
The normally civil and friendly Chicago auto show took a turn for the competitive this year thanks to a pair of gauntlet-throwing debuts from Detroit and Auburn Hills. While the two American automakers showed up with distinctly different products, the message each sends to the competition is surprisingly similar: we’re coming for you.
First is the supercharged Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Chevy’s Pony Car may have outsold the Mustang in 2010, but things weren’t quite so rosy on the competitive side, with the Camaro finishing behind the Mustang in numerous comparos since it came first in the original three-way in March of 2009.
To get an idea of how Cleveland Cavalier-esque the Camaro’s current losing streak is, here are the results of the comparos we’ve held since then:
July 2009, Camaro SS vs Shelby GT500: This was a Cavaliers vs Heat matchup given the Camaro’s power disadvantage.
August 2009, Challenger SRT8 vs Shelby GT500 vs Hennessey Camaro HPE550: The ZL1 wasn’t around yet, so we brought in a ringer. It wasn’t enough to knock off the Snake.
October 2009, Camaro HPE650 vs Speedfactory Challenger vs Shelby GT500 Super Snake: The Pony Car All-Star Game was won by the Camaro, but everybody only watches the Slam Dunk contest and the all-star game never counts.
July 2010, 2011 Mustang GT vs Camaro SS vs Challenger SRT8: The new 5.0-liter V-8 ended the Mustang’s power disadvantage against the Camaro and took it to first place.
Also July 2010, Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 vs Challenger V-6 vs Mustang V-6 vs Camaro V-6: Though the Hyundai took this one, the Mustang placed second while the Camaro landed third.
February 2011, Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 vs Challenger V-6 vs Mustang V-6 vs Camaro V-6: All cars in this one were rental-spec automatics, which resulted in the Mustang muscling into first. Meanwhile, the Challenger received a new V-6 and relegated the Camaro to last. If this was sports, the Camaro would be firing its coach.
April 2011, Camaro SS Convertible vs Mustang GT Convertible: The convertible Camaro has many of the same shortcomings as the coupe and was unable to get the win. The General Manager is in danger of losing his job.
ZL1 Proves Chevy Plans to Match Ford’s Mustang, Variant for Variant
Chevrolet’s strategy on the Camaro through 2013 now is quite clear. The ZL1 gets the supercharged 6.2-liter small block making 550 horsepower, as seen previously in the 556-horsepower Cadillac CTS-v, plus important upgrades to its chassis, such as the latest version of magnetic ride control for good handling and ride balance. The ZL1 is as much about handling as it is about straight-line performance, and Chevy says improvements already are trickling down to other Camaros. It has already taken a lot of understeer out of its V-6 and SS V-8 Camaros, a response to the vast handling improvements Ford made to its Mustangs in ’10 and ‘11. With its magnetic ride control and promise of better balance, the Camaro ZL1 should handle as well as a CTS-v.
Z/28 is being saved for another kind of Camaro, and it’s easy to speculate that it will be the car GM North America President Mark Reuss has wanted – a much lighter car. Consider that the original ’68 Z/28 was essentially a street version of the Camaro Trans Am cars. A new Z/28 wouldn’t have Camaro’s biggest, most powerful engine, but would emphasize modern, world-class handling and balance. It would be a direct competitor for the new Mustang Boss 302.
It also would come near the end of the current Camaro’s lifecycle. The Zeta platform Camaro is scheduled to be replaced in late 2013 as a 2014 model, using the new Alpha rear-drive platform GM is developing for the 3 Series Cadillac competitor and the next CTS. Saving a lightweight Z/28 for near the end of the product cycle would make for a good transition to the new model, which should be inherently lighter and better balanced.
More Power To The People: 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 This Weekend on MT Radio
Sunday’s Motor Trend Weekend show will shine the spotlight on the lighter and more powerful 2011 Ford Shelby GT500, with chief engineer Kerry Baldori on hand to talk about his creation. The latest GT500 has received what appears to be the Ford GT supercar engine minus the dry sump. The all-aluminum engine trims some pounds from the GT500 and combined with other features including a larger intercooler, it all adds up to 550 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Unlike the 2010 version, it avoids the gas guzzler tax and achieves better fuel economy.
A Mild Wind: Notes from the 2010 Chicago Auto Show
Toyota’s 2011 Avalon is less inspiring. We used to call the car the world’s best Buick. Now Buick is building one of the world’s best Lexuses. The Avalon’s facelift is subtle in a way befitting this anonymous full-size sedan, with a redesigned front clip, new headlamps and LED taillamps, dual exhausts and an interior upgrade. The rear seats have a power recline feature, making it probably the best place to be in the new Avalon. With Ford’s newfound aggression in updating all its car lines, and GM’s good looking crop of new models, this mild facelift may not be enough for the stolid Toyota.
The ’11 Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty’s facelift is even more subtle. A new lower front fascia here, a new hood with badges touting its redesigned, more powerful 6.6-liter Isuzu-less Duramax diesel and Alison six-speed automatic there.
