Several years ago General Motors aired a series of commercials featuring a ghostly, fedora-wearing figure whom it identifies as Harley Earl, GM's legendary chief stylist. The implication is that the spirit of design which Earl once exemplified has returned to a company whose products have been lacking panache during that…
Recap: Chicago Auto Show 2017
On Monday, February 20th The Chicago Auto Show successfully closed out its 109th show! The nine-day world class celebration of classic automobiles and cutting-edge cars featured nearly 1,000 automobiles on display for attendees to enjoy on a showroom floor spanning more than 1 million square feet.
Now the largest auto show in the nation, the first Chicago Auto Show dates back to 1901. When reflecting on its rich history, Governor Bruce Rauner remarked that the show “was the first opportunity for many Illinoisans to see an automobile.” The CAS has grown to become an enduring Chicago tradition and this year certainly did not disappoint long time patrons.
The Opening Ceremonies kicked off Saturday, February 11th with a presentation of the colors from the U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard. Followed by 14 days of nonstop events and special appearances to satisfy any and all car enthusiasts. Here are some highlights from this year:
Camp Jeep
A massive Jeep exhibit simulating rough terrain that the iconic sports utility vehicles are designed to handle took up 20,000 square feet of the showroom floor. Patrons were able to traverse the course with a professional driver as their guide. “We have created this unique auto show opportunity to provide our customers with a memorable experience that no other manufacturer can offer,” Mike Manley, Head of Jeep Brand, said of the exhibit. “Attendees will enjoy the Jeep experience first-hand on the show floor.”
The Iron Schöckl – Mercedes Benz Test Track
Jeep wasn’t the only brand to have a wild interactive exhibit at this year’s Chicago Auto Show. Mercedes Benz’s aptly named ‘The Iron Schöckl,’ an indoor metal mountain test track, stood looming on the showroom floor. Daring visitors could experience firsthand the incredible horsepower and torque of Mercedes-Benz vehicles as they navigated 42-degree inclines with ease.
Ford, Chrysler, Mazda, Subaru, & Kia also offered their own ‘Ride & Drives’ for fans to try out new features. While not quite as extreme as the Jeep track or Mercedes mountain, they did give visitors a chance to go for a joyride in some of the newest offerings.
Speaking of new offerings, here’s a peek at some of the cars on display at the show:
2017 Ford GT
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License
The 2017 Ford GT is Ford’s halo car, featuring a 3.5 liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, 7-speed dual-clutch auto transmission, and a top speed of 216 mph, making it the fastest production Ford ever made.
Visit the official Ford site for more information
2017 Chrysler Pacifica
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License
The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, which replaces the Town & Country, seats 7 or 8 passengers depending on configuration. With great fuel-economy and added features such as heated/cooled front seats, keyless entry and more, this is a minivan with style!
Visit the official Chrysler site for more information
2017 Kia Forte
The 2017 Kia Forte is equipped with either a 2.0-liter or 1.6-liter four cylinder engine that can make 147-201 horsepower depending on the body style and engine options. Available as a sedan, coupe, or hatchback.
Visit the official Kia site for more information
Check out the entire display of vehicles at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show.
Celebrity Appearances
There was no shortage of special guests at the 2017 show. Appearances by Chicago Blackhawks’ Tony Esposito and Jeremy Roenick, Chicago Cubs’ player Javier Baez, Chicago Bulls’ Robin Lopez and many others delighted showgoers. Ian Johnson, host of Xtreme Off Road, signed autographs at the Nissan stand and rising Open Wheel Racer Hanna Zellers made appearances at the Speedriven booth to take pictures with fans.
The Chicago Auto Show is a city staple that shouldn’t be missed by car enthusiasts, no matter what age. The 2018 Chicago Auto Show is already in the works, scheduled for February 10-18th 2018. If this year’s show was any indication, you won’t want to miss the next!