Photo Gallery: Domestics Take Over Chicago
Written By: MyRide.com
Reprinted under license.
Mainstream American cars dominate 2005 Chicago Auto Show
.jpg "2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid")
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Photo Gallery: Domestics Take Over Chicago
CHICAGO -- Domestic automakers came to the nation's largest Auto Show this week and rolled out enough vehicles to jam Michigan Avenue. From the Buick Lucerne to the Dodge Charger R/T and The Mercury Mariner Hybrid, the likes of General Motors, Ford and Dodge debuted several significant vehicles, all of which they hope sell like Toyotas.
Oh yeah. Toyota. All the new domestic metal didn't stop Toyota from stealing the show, however, with its own take on retro futurism, otherwise known as the Toyota FJ Cruiser, which is featured in a special photo gallery. Gary Cowger, President of General Motors North America, introduces the 2006 Buick Lucerne at the Chicago Auto Show. Behind Cowger, note the slide that displays a close-up of Buick's traditional front fender portholes.
The 2006 Buick Lucerne's interior features upgraded materials, improved panel fits, and a luxurious look and feel.
The 2006 Cadillac DTS is a significantly updated version of the existing DeVille, with new styling front and rear, a redesigned interior, and a new alphanumeric nameplate.
Improved interior materials, redesigned instrumentation, and new front seats make the 2006 Cadillac DTS more luxurious than ever.
Does the 2006 Cadillac DTS resemble a 1974 Chevrolet Monte Carlo at the rear end, or have we had too much caffeine?
Painted "Go, Man, Go!" metallic orange, the 2006 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T adds power, suspension improvements, quicker steering, performance tires, and special trim inside and out. This special-edition Charger commemorates the return of the nameplate to NASCAR racing at the Daytona International Speedway, and goes on sale this summer. Later, "Top Banana" yellow will be available.
Special body-color interior trim helps to reduce the monotony of the 2006 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T's interior, which gets special sport seats and a numbered plaque for the dashboard.
Old-school "R/T" badges on the 2006 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T signify that, yeah, this thing's got a Hemi. And it's pushing 350 horsepower, more than standard.
The new 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab resolves the main shortcoming of the Ram Quad Cab by adding 20 inches of length to the interior, which results in more rear seat legroom than a Maybach ultra-luxury sedan. All 2006 Dodge Rams get styling updates that resemble the Dodge Dakota.
Debuting on the 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab is a redesigned interior for all Ram trucks, which includes a revised instrument panel with new gauges, improved materials, and new seats.
What's in your wallet? To illustrate the six-passenger capacity and full-size pickup bed on the 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab, several sets of costumed performers emerged from the interior during the vehicle's introduction, including these ranch hands, weightlifters, construction workers, and Viking warriors, turning the stage into a Village People fan party gone horribly awry.
"Hey, Beavis, heh-heh, you could, like, party with chicks in here and stuff."
Designed to blend the best attributes of a minivan and a SUV, the Hyundai Portico Concept foreshadows ideas that could find their way into the next-generation Santa Fe and a new Hyundai minivan. We hope exterior styling, which resembles a Beluga whale, isn't one of them.
Open wide! Without a center pillar, the Hyundai Portico Concept is easy to get into and out of. It features staggered three-across seating, accommodating six passengers plus plenty of cargo.
Hyundai claims that the Portico Concept is a new breed of vehicle that "defies segment definitions," but it's really the same kind of car as a Chrysler Pacifica or Ford Freestyle.
Driving a Portico Concept through the suburbs isn't likely to land hot babes like this, whether or not Hyundai claims that it's supposed to adapt to lifestyle changes over time, like a mid-life crisis.
Under the 2006 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG's hood is a hand-built, 604-horsepower, twin-turbo, 6.0-liter V12 that produces an astonishing 738 lb.-ft. of torque. Acceleration to 60 mph takes just 4.2 seconds, according to Mercedes-Benz.
Meet one of the ten people in the world certified to assemble the twin-turbo, 6.0-liter V12 engine that propels the 2006 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG. At the 2005 Chicago Auto Show, this man built two engines over the course of two days, hand-signed the carbon-fiber engine cover, and then shipped the motors back to Germany for installation in U.S.-bound S65 AMGs.
No more than 500 examples of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG will be produced at a cost of $169,000 per car, virtually guaranteeing that each of them will be stashed away in the garages of the company's most loyal, and wealthy, owners.
The 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid is essentially identical to the successful Ford Escape Hybrid, but decked out in a waterfall grille and satin-silver trim.
Inside, the 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid features upscale trim to set it apart from the Ford Escape Hybrid.
In the 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid, a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor creates a "full hybrid" system that allows the vehicle to operate solely on battery power. According to Mercury, the Mariner Hybrid can travel 400 miles on a single tank of fuel while delivering the acceleration of a Mariner V6.
The 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid's battery pack is located under the cargo floor and is thin enough that cargo space and 4WD capability are not significantly compromised. Regenerative braking recharges the batteries, so that you don't have to.
Design details are what set the 2006 Mercury Milan apart from the Ford Fusion. Behind the signature waterfall grille is either a 2.3-liter, 160-horsepower four-cylinder or a 3.0-liter, 210-horsepower V6 engine.
The 2006 Mercury Milan's interior is clean and contemporary, with comfortable seating front and rear. Taller passengers, however, might find the back seat a bit snug.
Stylish tail lamps and a unique trunk lid make the 2006 Mercury Milan different from the Ford Fusion. An all-wheel-drive system is due for 2007, with a hybrid powertrain arriving in 2008.
Under the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer's subtly revised styling is a strengthened frame and revised suspension, as well as an available 292-horsepower, 4.6-liter V8 engine. Power retractable running boards are hidden from sight when the doors are closed.
The 2006 Mercury Mountaineer receives a stylish new interior, revised seating, and the option of a power folding third-row seat.
A compact new independent rear suspension means that the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer's two rear rows of seats can fold completely flat for a level cargo floor. Every Mountaineer comes standard with a Roll Stability Control (RSC) system.
by Staff
Photo credit: Erik Hanson
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