Spiffy, updated models get chance to shine
From hatchbacks to pickups, Windy City is the place to be
Lately, the Chicago Auto Show hasn’t been known for the unveiling of all-new models as much as it has become a showcase for new model trim levels and accessorized vehicles.
But that’s OK. There’s still plenty to see at what traditionally has been one of the best-attended auto shows in the country. Plus, it attracts all the major players among automakers — from Chrysler to Volkswagen.
Here are some of this year’s highlights.
HYUNDAI GT
Hyundai isn’t giving up on hatchbacks and believes Americans might be willing to buy more than in the past.
That’s why the Korean automaker revealed an allnew version of its Elantra hatchback Thursday that is lower, wider and longer than the outgoing version. Hy- undai says its new Elantra GT has a more aggressive stance and has added interior volume to its European style.
Hyundai says the new GT has more interior space than any other compact hatchback on the market. The Hyundai GT competes against hatchback versions of the Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Mazda3 and Volkswagen Golf.
In Europe, where hatchbacks are referred to as “the boot,” fivedoor vehicles such as the Elantra GT are more popular than sedans. But Hyundai says it expects sales of its new Elantra hatchback will exceed 15% of overall Elantra sales.
NISSAN TITAN KING CAB
Nissan unveiled King Cab versions of its Titan light-duty and Titan XD heavy-duty pickups here. The additions give Nissan the broadest line of pickups and commercial vehicles of any foreign-based brand.
Nissan has big plans for its growing line of trucks, and the first step is outselling the Toyota Tundra with Nissan’s new line of big pickups. Nissan’s line of fullsize and heavy-duty pickups is complete after a painstakingly slow production launch. The automaker is now in growth mode, Fred Diaz, head of Nissan’s North American truck and commercial vehicle business, said Thursday.
Nissan was the first non-U.S. brand to sell a full-size pickup, challenging Detroit’s Big 3 domi- nance of the large and profitable segment. The original Titan never took off with buyers, and Nissan nearly abandoned full-size trucks during the Great Recession.
“Nissan has more opportunity now than before because they have a full line of pickups,” IHS Automotive senior analyst Stephanie Brinley said. “They’re focused on building profitable, sustainable sales.
Still, Nissan is cautious. Ebullient Diaz won’t say when he hopes to attain the targeted 5% of the pickup market — up from a rounding-error-like 0.4% before the Titan XD debuted in late 2015.
TOYOTA SEQUOIA TRD SPORT
Toyota is creating a more performance-oriented version of its big Sequoia SUV.
It says the Sequoia TRD Sport will be available on both 4-wheel drive and 2-wheel drive models that are equipped with a 5.7-liter V-8 engine.
On the sport package, the Sequoia’s handling is enhanced with specially tuned Bilstein shocks and anti-sway bars on the front and rear.
Sequoia TRD Sport also will include touches such as a new front grille and bumper, gloss black mirror caps, 20-inch alloy black sport wheels and smoked rear tail light lens. Pricing was not released.