#2011ChicagoAutoShow

The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show, is expected to have a base price of $47,000 when it launches in February, 2012. While it undercuts its chief rival, the Ford Shelby GT500 by about $2,495, a base Corvette, which has a 0-60 time of under 4 seconds, but only 430 horsepower, retails for $48,950. The Corvette also avoids the gas guzzler tax, which will likely plague the Camaro ZL1 and bring the effective price up to $48,500.

Lexus is a brand desperate to grow its appeal among younger buyers and while the new CT200h hybrid hatchback might be more of a European-targeted vehicle, apart from the IS series, it’s easily the most attractive car to the Gen-X and Gen-Y crowd from the Toyota luxury brand here in North America.

A day ahead of an expected announcement by Audi that it will offer the TT-RS in the U.S., the German automaker is showcasing the sports car at the Chicago Auto Show.

For 2012 Hyundai has announced several updates to the Genesis luxury sedan, including the addition of an 8-speed automatic transmission and direct-injection for the V6 model, taking horsepower up 43 ticks to 333-hp.

It’s pretty hard to make the Dodge Challenger even more eye-catching, but a new color, dubbed “Green With Envy”, should help it attract the attention of bystanders and the ire of other motorists.

Chrysler’s new Ram brand is looking to get on top in the truck segment, announcing today at the Chicago Auto Show a new high-output Cummins diesel engine that will deliver best-in-class torque. The new 6.7-liter diesel engine will also deliver several other class-topping statistics, which Ram will exploit under a new ‘strength in numbers’ marketing campaign.

Acura is cognizant of the fact that their current design language isn’t going over well with consumers, and is at least doing something about it. Truth be told, the Acura TL is a good car. Equipped with SH-AWD it’s even better, and with the 6-speed manual transmission, it’s fantastic. Unfortunately it looks like a child’s attempt at an oragami hippo, which has prevented a lot of people from giving it a fair shake.

To help promote the new Veloster to the Gen-Y and under crowd, Hyundai has decided to bolster the coupe’s credentials by taking it racing. And in keeping with the car’s demographic, it’s won’t be racing in the more mainstream World Challenge or Grand Am series, but in an arena where the Red Bull-drinking youth of today will actually pay attention – Rallycross.

Making damn-near everything on the road look as cute as a Smart car by comparison Dodge has just unveiled the new 2012 Charger SRT8 at the Chicago Auto Show. Revealed by Dodge brand CEO Ralph Gilles, he described the new front-end treatment as having the sort of look that, “will make those people who hog the left hand lane get out of the way.”

Releasing all the details late last night, Volkswagen officially revealed the new 2012 Jetta GLI today at the Chicago Auto Show. While the new 2011 Jetta was created with the U.S. market in mind, with a larger interior, less sophisticated suspension and lower base price, the 2012 GLI brings over from Europe all that Volkswagen is known for, including a proper independent rear suspension and, of course, VW’s 2.0T engine.

The Dodge Journey R/T is the kind of vehicle we really can’t see a point for, but it’s here to stay and could end up in the hands of an eccentric few customers.

To help celebrate 100 years of Chevrolet, the brand has just unveiled “the most technically advanced Camaro ever,” the ZL1. The name might not sound quite as retro-cool as ZR1 (the rumored badge for this beast), but it does have a noted history in the Camaro ranks.

After restyling the Charger for 2011, Dodge has just unveiled what might just be the brand’s best looking car ever, the Charger SRT8. With a gaping front opening, the Charger has plenty of muscle to back up the look thanks to a 6.4-liter V8 that pumps out 465-hp and an equally awesome 465 lb-ft of torque – an increase of 80 lb ft over the old 6.1-liter V8.

After having released revamped versions of all its models for 2011, Dodge has announced a strong followup today at the Chicago Auto Show, debuting a total of five R/T performance models. Among the list are expected vehicles like the Charger and Challenger, while less conventional R/T vehicles include the Journey, Durango and yes, even the Grand Caravan.