On the Road

Just when I thought I was jaded

2008-02-19T01:01:43Z

I've been covering the Chicago Auto Show for seven years now. And I still remember the first launch event I went to. It was the Saturn Sky concept, which looked nothing like the production model that eventually emerged. But I remember being thrilled by the lights and the media and the car. Then, when I went to the show itself, there were waterfalls in the Jeep display that spelled things and interactive displays and interesting concepts and ... I was dazzled.

]]> This year, I figured it would be the year it all got old. While there weren't any waterfalls that spelled things, there were some awesome concept cars and interactive displays. I mean, what other indoor auto show lets you take a ride on a Jeep Trail Rated track or try your hand at a climbing wall? And, did you catch the Wii video game back by the Chrysler test track? I was at the show pretty much every other day, and while I got plenty tired of traipsing over 1.3 million square-feet of the show room floor, I was still dazzled.

And the really cool thing this year was the circularity of my coverage. I was there on day one of the move in, and I was there as the cars were driving off the floor. That's the stuff you never get to see, and I'm thrilled I got to be there and bring you a behind-the-scenes look.

The folks at the Chicago Automobile Trade Association do a tremendous job putting on the show each year, and while there are no official numbers released on how many people attend the Chicago Auto Show, I know there were a ton. People come to ooh and aah over the concepts, but they also come to do research on their next car purchase. More than 1,000 vehicles grace the floor of the show each year, and that in and of itself is dazzling.

I have to admit, I miss the spelling waterfalls and some of the dazzling displays I've seen in the past. But the Chicago Auto Show is no less cool with each passing year. The only challenge I throw out is to the manufacturers ... With such a large consumer show in Chicago -- one that's arguably larger and (cough) better than the Detroit show -- I'd like to see more razzle with the dazzle and more product launches that begin in Chicago. So, there. Consider the gauntlet tossed, and we'll see you in Chicago next year for what I'm sure will be another dazzling display.

Grillin' with the Acura RL

2008-02-14T01:58:59Z

During the media preview at the Chicago Auto Show, I'm surrounded by hundreds of opinionated journalists who love to criticize the launches at the show. And the biggest grumblings I heard after a launch centered around the all-new Acura RL. My fellow media members disliked the grille.

]]> Personally, I thought it was incredibly eye catching. I like the bold brushed chrome surround with the shiny Acura emblem embedded at the top. I thought the design was unique and fit in well with the overall exterior styling, including the cool taillights.

Any Acura owners or potential owners want to weigh in on the new design? You know this is just the beginning. Expect to see this new design in the TSX, RDX, MDX ... etc., coming soon. So, let us know what you think. Haven't see the new design? Check out our photo gallery of the all-new RL.

The alternative to cars at the auto show

2008-02-12T22:15:18Z

Every year I drag some unsuspecting person to the auto show in one way or another. And I do mean drag. From Toyota to Ford to Honda to Chrysler ... and so it goes. Look at this display, now this one ... oh, you've got to see this car. I have a feeling there are a lot of friends and significant others who get dragged around similarly. Well, you're in luck, if you're not into cars or you've seen one car too many in the 1.3 million square-feet of showroom space, there are plenty of other activities to keep you entertained while your friend drools in front of the turn table.

]]> Head straight back into the North Hall at McCormick Place and enter the Army area. This is actually one of the coolest displays at the show this year with a rock climbing wall and a Black Hawk helicopter that you can walk through. Plus some of the pilots are on hand to talk with. Then you can test your athleticism with pull ups and sit ups. There are tanks and trucks and Hummers and more, so it's definitely worth the trek to the display.

Speckled throughout the show floor are various video games to enjoy. Some of the stops to hit: Lexus, Chrysler and Subaru. If you're looking for the Wii, it's back by the Chrysler test track.

Another interesting stop on the floor is at the Toyota display. They have a studio set up where you can actually make your own commercial. You stand in front of a green screen, read the cue cards and get a CD at the end with your commercial.

Plus throughout the show, there are various radio stations who are are broadcasting from the show floor and there are guest appearances by Chicago sports stars. So, check the SearchChicago Auto Show site each day for a list of specific appearances and autograph signing opportunities.

So, for all you out there who are dragging your feet about going to the show, get excited! There truly is something there for everyone.

These shoes aren't made for walking

2008-02-09T18:28:02Z

I admit it's not the smartest move, but I do it every year, and I'll do it again next year. I spend the two media days at the Chicago Auto Show walking around the show floor in 2- to 3-inch heels. Men can complain about suits and neckties, but women get the shorter end of the stick with the high heels.

]]> People ask why I don't wear flat shoes or tennis shoes for the media days, and the answer is simple. The event for a writer is business attire. That means a suit or something similar. My Brooks running shoes don't quite match up, and I don't own any flat-soled dress shoes. Not to mention the fact that all of my trousers are tailored for 2-inch heels.

So, for the time being I'm stuck in heels, and two days after the last media day, my feet still hurt.

On the first media day I walked more than 14,400 steps. On the second day, including the First Look for Charity, I walked 18,500 steps. I don't know what the mile translation is, but to give perspective, on a normal work day, I walk 5,000 to 6,000 steps.

Thus, my point (bringing it back to the show): Go early, but wear your tennis shoes. Trust me, when you have 1.3 million square-feet to cover, tennis shoes are the way forward if possible.

More than corn in Illinois

2008-02-06T16:02:32Z

Let's face it. Gas prices are hovering around $3 a gallon, and they're not like to go down again any time soon. Any time soon, who am I kidding, ever. From here on out I think the price of gasoline based fuel will continue to spiral upwards. Hence, General Motors has taken a very proactive approach in their quest for a solution.

]]> Their new campaign "From gas-friendly to gas-free" covers a lot of ground. They're talking about an Aveo that gets 34 mpg on the highway, but they're also looking at future alternatives like fuel cells, plug ins and alternative fuels.

Their latest push is E85. GM currently has more than 3 million E85 capable vehicles on the road worldwide, with plans of increasing yearly production in the United States to 2 million by 2012. To aid that effort they've been diligently working on strategic partners to create fueling stations and, now, the fuel itself.

GM's newest partnership is with Coskata, an Illinois-based company that is developing a unique three-step process to create ethanol. And they can do it not just with corn or or other home-grown products, but with waste products like old tires. The ultimate goal is to produce ethanol at a price of $1 per gallon. That's a win-win if you ask me.

Does anyone out there own an E85 vehicle? Is it something that you'd think about? What do you think the future of transportation holds? Hydrogen ... plug-ins ... diesel?

I'm putting my money on hydrogen-powered fuel cells. How about you?

GM's launches at the show

2008-02-01T19:57:38Z

I just learned which two vehicles General Motors is planning to reveal at this year's Auto Show. While I can't tell you what they are just yet, I can tell you what they're not launching: a production model of the Camaro. Which, I suppose, is a very good thing for Dodge, since they are launching their production model of the Challenger.

]]> But I think it could have been a lot of fun to see two American icons duke it out for top dog in the pony car race at show. But perhaps that's just me. Is anyone else out there in cyber space excited to see the return of some muscle in the American lineups? What car would you most like to see return to the streets: Camaro? Challenger? Something completely different?

This week Jill is driving an Infiniti QX56. Would you like to see a blog entry on the car du jour? Send Jill an e-mail at jciminillo@suntimes.com.

My hair smells like diesel fuel

2008-01-31T04:41:05Z

Not that I'm complaining mind you. The reason it smells like diesel is because I made the trip down to McCormick Place on day 1 of the Chicago Auto Show. Well, OK, not actually day 1, really, but kind of pre-auto show day 1. Ish. Today is the first day that manufacturers begin moving into the 1.3 million square-feet of show room space. So, rather than all the pretty bejeweled displays, there were a lot of boxes, crates, forklifts and harried workers scurrying around as they hustled to unload about 400 semi trucks worth of stuff.

]]> Needless to say the scent of diesel in the South Hall was overwhelming and has clung to my hair and clothes for more than 14 hours. But it was more than worth it. I had never seen the first-day bustle, and it was mind boggling. But then again, when 4/5ths of everything that gets moved into the space is moved in during the first 16 hours, what can you expect?

The Chicago Auto Show is the nation's largest (dare I say, best?) auto show, and amazingly it's put together in just 7 short days. Or long days depending on how you look at it. Workers will be on the clock around the clock at McCormick Place until the media preview days, which begin Feb. 6.

After today I have a whole new appreciation for what it takes to put on the show. Follow our video coverage on the Auto Show Web site, and you can see what the first day (ish) of the auto show looks like. The only thing missing is eau de diesel fuel.

Breaking the embargo

2008-01-29T17:15:10Z

It's inevitable, I suppose. Especially when the auto show hits town. Everyone is eager to see what hot new cars will be launched at the show. And auto journalists are in rare form as they try to beat their colleagues to the wire with the latest news. Sometimes this is their only chance to get that "breaking" story. But, in their overzealousness, they do a disservice to those of us who know the meaning of embargo.

]]> They break it, ruining the concept of advanced information for the rest of us. I'm particularly peeved at the moment because a couple of my brethren have already started breaking the auto show embargoes. Which means that automakers are remarkably skittish -- even though they have no reason to distrust this journalist. I've never broken an embargo. Yet here I am, a week out from the media days, and I'm trying to get some advanced information for our new print publication being launched Feb. 7. But now I'm being told that I can't get the photos I need because a couple of my "friends" have ruthlessly ruined it for me. They broke an embargo on the new 2009 Hummer H3T, so other manufacturers are now withholding advanced info until the last possible moment.

Not a fan. And that's putting it politely.

So, though I can't get the photos I need, I do have the photos of the new H3T that Hummer has officially released because of the leaks. Be sure to visit our Auto Show Web site, to check out the photo gallery.

This week Jill is driving an Infiniti QX56. Would you like to see a blog entry on the car du jour? Send Jill an e-mail at jciminillo@suntimes.com.