98th Annual Chicago Auto Show

By Emily Taylor

With the price of gas skyrocketing, many car companies have swerved away from gas-guzzlers and are producing eco-friendly hybrid cars. Jeep's concept, BLUTEC Grand Cherokee, is the latest engineering concept in advanced power train from the Chrysler Group and it features clean-diesel technology developed by DaimlerChrysler. Lexus debuted the 2007 Lexus GS 450h. It is the world's first hybrid luxury sedan and the first full hybrid vehicle with a front engine and rear wheel drive. The new Lexus Hybrid powertrain combines a 3.5-liter V-6 engine with a high-output, permanent magnet electric motor. Combined power output will be well in excess of 300 horsepower, with zero-to-60 acceleration in less than six seconds. The Lexus GS 450h will begin arriving at dealerships in the spring.

Another trend is to improve cars already in production. The Mini Cooper S has released itself as a zippy little convertible. Cadillac debuted its 2007 Escalade with its powerful 6.2-liter all-aluminum small-block V-8 is rated at 400 horsepower and mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with Drive Shift Control. A myriad of luxury features include factory installed 22-inch chrome wheels, climate controlled front seats, power fold and tumble second row seats, power articulating running boards, power liftgate, and IntelliBeam headlamps.

Some of these cars seen on display are ones that may be readily available in markets today, they may be a few years from the assembly line or they may be just a dream. Whichever case it is, the Chicago Auto Show and the car manufacturers continue to impress and year after year.

The New 2007 Cadillac Escalade