The automotive scene is heating up in the Windy City with successive launches and world premieres of new breakthrough models and concept vehicles from various automakers as part of the ongoing 2006 Chicago Auto Show. Dodge, the eighth biggest selling brand in the world today, unleashed three innovative vehicles in the SUV, sport compact and pickup truck segments at the show. In the sport compact category, Dodge revealed the all-new Caliber ST4, which the company hopes will dominate the sport-compact market. Bearing the Chrysler Group’s SRT appendage short for Street and Racing Technology, the Dodge Caliber SRT4 is equipped with 300 horsepower under the hood and promises to offer benchmark performance at the best price.

The Dodge Caliber SRT4 is a high value entry level five-door vehicle offering the versatility and flexibility of an SUV and the fuel-economy and affordability of a compact car. The new sport compact boasts of an attractive and functional crossover exterior styling that distinctly resonates with the Dodge attitude in the signature crosshair grille and flared wheel arches. The sloping roofline and the “black graphic appliqué” running its length provide an aggressive and athletic stance. Overall, the Dodge Caliber SRT4 offers muscular exterior styling that will no doubt impress many buyers.

Under the hood, the Caliber SRT4 draws its power and performance from a 2.4 liter turbocharged ‘World Engine’ capable of 300 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft of torque and a fuel mileage of 28 mpg on the highway. World Engines are a family of fuel efficient and low emission aluminum 4-cylinder engines jointly developed by the Chrysler Group, Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and Hyundai Motor Company. Being an SRT vehicle, the Caliber SRT4 also boasts of exceptional ride and handling. The upgraded Macpherson strut front suspension and Electronic Stability Program are designed to provide superb handling and balance. The Caliber SRT3 is also equipped with benchmark braking system, another key aspect of an SRT vehicle.

Inside, the performance-oriented theme continues in the Dodge Caliber SRT4’s sophisticated, racing-inspired interiors. Other Interior features of the Caliber SRT4 include sport seating with aggressive bolstering and performance fabric inserts; leather-wrapped steering wheel with carbon-fiber pattern; silver alloy finish in the instrument panel; bright aluminum pedal pads with rubber studs; center-stack-mounted shift included with lift ring and leather-finished shift knob. Entertainment is provided by a standard AM/FM radio as well as SIRIUS satellite receiver; multi-disc changer control and a high performance audio system with 13 speakers, an amplifier and a subwoofer.

On the whole, the 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4 is a very welcome addition to the highly competitive compact car market. It will appeal to first-time new car buyers as well as those who want a vehicle that is versatile enough as a people carrier but is attractive, affordable and delivers high performance as well. The Dodge Caliber will enter the US market with an MSRP of $13,985, lower than outgoing Dodge Neon. The Caliber will also be at the forefront of Dodge’s entry into the UK market, one of 150 countries where the all-American brand will make its debut.

MotorWeek, the leading automotive magazine show on television, has announced the latest recipients of its prestigious Driver’s Choice Awards. The annual award is regarded by many drivers and enthusiasts as the ultimate list of the best picks in the automotive industry across a variety of lifestyle needs. This year, over 150 new cars, trucks and SUVs were tested by a team of judges composed of producers, writers and crew of the show. MotorWeek selected the best of the best from among the various market segments. The vehicles were subjected to grueling tests which focused on key features of superior performance, technology, practicality and dollar value

The winners were honored at the ongoing 2006 Chicago Auto Show. The big winner this year is the Honda Civic, winning accolades both in the Best Small Car segment and the coveted Best of the Year award. The Honda Civic emerged as the best because of its proven reliability, form and function, exceptional engineering and top-notch design and styling. Other big winners include the Honda Odyssey as best minivan, Hyundai Sonata as best family sedan and the Pontiac Solstice as the best convertible. The Honda Odyssey, Ford Mustang, and the Ford F-150 were repeat winners in the minivan, performance car and pickup truck categories respectively.

The Ford Explorer and the Mercury Mountaineer, both from Ford Motor Corp. tied as the best family SUV. Toyota’s RAV4 and Highlander Hybrid were honored as the best small SUV and best eco-friendly respectively. Meanwhile, the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe and Ferrari F430 were the winners of the best dream machine award. A special category was introduced this year to give readers of the Jane magazine a top pick for its female readers. The BMW 3-Series was selected as the Best Jane Car. The vehicle is also this year’s best sport sedan.

Here’s the list of the 2006 Driver’s Choice Awards Winners.

Best of the Year: Honda Civic
Best Small Car: Honda Civic
Best Family Sedan: Hyundai Sonata
Best Minivan: Honda Odyssey
Best Convertible: Pontiac Solstice
Best Luxury Sedan: Infiniti M
Best Sport Sedan: BMW 3-Series
Best Performance Car: Ford Mustang
Best Small SUV: Toyota RAV4
Best Family SUV: Ford Explorer; Mercury Mountaineer
Best Pickup Truck: Ford F-150
Best Eco-Friendly: Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Best Dream Machine: Chevrolet Corvette Z06; Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe; Ferrari F430
Special Category – Most Jane Car: BMW 3-Series

Lexus is featuring a lot of vehicles in the Chicago Auto Show this year. Among these vehicles are production units of the Lexus ES 330, GS 300, GS 430, GX 470, LX 470, RX 330, RX 400h and the Lexus IS Series. Aside from these, two Lexus vehicles are also making their North American debut. These are the Lexus GS 450h and the Lexus LS 460.

Among the many Lexus vehicles featured in the auto show, however, the 2007 Lexus ES is the attention grabber and show stopper. Officially named as the 2007 Lexus ES 350, the new Lexus near-luxury sports compact sedan made its World Debut at the Chicago Auto Show. The vehicle is actually the intended replacement to the Lexus ES 330 and would be available on showrooms starting May this year.

Among the major selling points of the new Lexus ES 350 is its 3.5-liter V6 engine—an aluminum block engine that outputs 272 hp and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in less than 7 seconds. The said engine also features Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVT-i) and has an estimated gas mileage of 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The said engine is mated with a six-speed automatic transmission, which is actually a first for front wheel drive Lexus (and Toyota) cars.

Aside from the engine and transmission, the interior features of the new Lexus ES are also quite unique compared to other Lexus sedans. Brand new standard features for the new sedan include the SmartAccess keyless entry system, a new push-to-start ignition system, Bluetooth® navigation, and others. The vehicle also comes standard with antilock brakes that feature electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and stability and traction control.

Just when you thought you’ve seen it all last month in Detroit, major automotive manufacturers are again busy for yet another auto show, and this time it is in Chicago. A month after the North American International Auto Show, auto manufacturers would again unveil their new production and concept cars for over a week at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show. The show will run from February 8 to February 19, 2006 at McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois, with the first two days scheduled exclusively for the media.

So for the next few days and weeks, expect us to give you details about the new production and concept vehicles that will be unveiled at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show. We already have a couple of vehicles on our “vehicles-to-check” list but the show organizers promises to reveal more. For the meantime, here is a list of what we expect to see in the upcoming Chicago Auto Show:

• The new Lexus ES
• The new Chevy Avalanche, production model of the Dodge Nitro and one Dodge concept vehicle, all from GM
• The new Nissan Quest minivan
• The new Hyundai Entourage plus one Hyundai concept vehicle
• The new Mitsubishi Gallant
• The new generation Toyota Tundra
• The 2007 Subaru Tribeca

Aside from these, auto manufacturers like Chrysler, Honda, Kia, Ferrari, BMW and Maserati are also expected to pull-off some surprises. Ford Motors is expected to showcase vehicles from its Lincoln Division while Mercedes Benz is expected to unveil two AMG vehicles. In the commercial truck arena, International Truck and Engine is expected to unveil one new production and one new concept truck.

Keep in touch with us in the next few days for more about these new vehicles. But should you want to catch these vehicles live, you can visit McCormick’s Place from February 10 to 19. You’ll need tickets, of course, which you can purchase online here.