"Man," said GM design boss Ed Welburn, "this is the most exciting auto show I've been to in a long time. It's the wild, wild east." Welburn was on the Geely stand at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show, checking out the half-dozen or so concepts and all-new models rolled out just for this show by China's second largest domestic automaker. "They don't know what the rules are," he said, referring to some of the weirder designs, "but that's okay. There's a lot of creativity here."

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Sure it looks a bit better overall from its Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan siblings, but we still can’t figure out why Volkswagen decided to enter the minivan category now that consumers are pointing there attention to alternative segments like crossovers.

In any case, VW’s minivan proposition will be offered with two V6 engines, a basic 197 HP 3.8-liter unit and a 251 HP 4.0-liter with prices starting under $25,000 when it goes on sale in the US latter on this year.

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Lexus introduced two limited versions of its ES 350 sedan and RX 350 crossover at the Chicago Auto Show. Both Pebble Beach editions of the RX and ES feature signature colors, extra options and unique badging and their production will be limited to 6,000 vehicles each.

Available from mid-February, the RX 350 Pebble Beach Collection will be offered in three colors: Classic Silver Metallic, Obsidian Black and Truffle Mica. The RX features included new 18-inch wheels, chrome grille, color-keyed rear spoiler, special interior trim combination, customized floormats and exterior badging with Pebble Beach Company's signature logo. The base MSRP of the FWD RX 350 is $37,500 and $38,900 for the AWD model.

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Mitsubishi says that it’s trying to build on the excitement that has been generated by its launch of the Lancer Evolution, and create a buzz for the company’s brand new 2009 Galant sedan. The new Galant debuted today at the Chicago Auto Show, coming with the hopes that it can raise itself from the inattention suffered by its predecessors.

Mitsubishi is trying to cover its bases in the complex and super-competitive mid-size sedan segment, by offering the 2009 Gallant in four trim levels, with the choice of four or six-cylinder engines. The top of the range 3.8-liter V-6 is available in the Ralliart-tuned Gallant, and offers a healthy 258 horsepower. Also available are a 230 horse V-6, and a 2.4-liter, 160 horsepower four. All engines come with a version of Mitsubishi’s Sportonic transmission, a four-ratio edition coming with the four-cylinders, and five-speeds for the V-6’s.

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The Urban Runner package, as it is called, features numerous exterior enhancements, including 18-inch six-spoke aluminum alloy wheels, a unique rear spoiler, body-color front grille, special Urban Runner badging, XREAS Sport Enhanced Suspension badging, chrome exhaust tips, and black-painted tubular side steps and roof rack. Three exterior colors will be available: Black, Titanium, and Blizzard Pearl.

The interior hasn't been neglected either, with a new six-speaker audio system and integrated Tom Tom navigation unit -- featured for the first time on a Toyota. Bluetooth wireless integration, stone Alcantara seats with dark charcoal bolsters with power adjustment, a leather-trimmed shift knob and multifunction steering wheel, chrome door handles, and black wood-grain-style interior trim are also featured.

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It’s not very often that an automaker decides to show off a new vehicle by displaying multiple concepts at the same show. Suzuki did just that to show off the possible configurations of its coming Equator pickup. Each concept is designed to appeal to a different type of current Suzuki customer.

Suzuki is trying to get current motorcycle, ATV, or marine engine owners to use a Suzuki truck to tow or haul those toys on the weekend. Beneath the skin, the Equator is really a Nissan Frontier and shares engines, transmissions, and suspension design with the Nissan. We’re happy with the way the Nissan Frontier drives, so we’re looking forward to sampling a Suzuki Equator. Expect to see Equators on dealer lots this December.

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Lexus today introduced the Lexus Pebble Beach Collection of vehicles at the Chicago Auto Show. The RX 350 luxury utility vehicle and ES 350 luxury sedan will receive Pebble Beach Edition packages for the first time, extending a relationship with Pebble Beach Company that began in 2003 and has since produced an SC 430 Pebble Beach special edition luxury hardtop convertible every year.

The goal of the Pebble Beach Collection is to evoke the feeling of exclusivity that comes with an excursion to the Pebble Beach Resorts. Both the RX and ES Pebble Beach Editions will feature signature colors, popular options and unique badging. Additionally, Pebble Beach Edition owners will have the opportunity to customize their ownership experience by selecting from one of three distinctive merchandise packages: Callaway Golf Experience, Travel Package or Epicurean Encounter.

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Hyundai's new hydrogen-powered, zero-emission concept, the i-Blue Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), debuted in North America at the 100th edition of the Chicago Auto Show today. Developed at Hyundai's Design and Technical Center in Chiba, Japan, the i-Blue concept illustrates the design direction for a future FCEV production model. The all-new i-Blue platform features Hyundai's third-generation fuel cell technology, currently being developed at Hyundai's Eco-Technology Research Institute in Mabuk, Korea.

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A big update for Acura's flagship sedan gives the RL striking face for perhaps the first time in its career. A big, shield-shaped grille leads the way and leaves no doubt as to its identity, and Acura says that striking look will spread across the lineup to improve the brand's visual impact. A new 3.7 liter V6 is Acura's first engine with VTEC variable valve timing on an SOHC engine, and it makes 300 horsepower. Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive is along for the ride again, of course, and it's all controlled through a five-speed automatic transmission. The SH-AWD's responsiveness has been improved for 2009.

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The Toyota 1/x (pronounced 1/xth) concept that debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show last fall is making its North American debut at the Chicago Auto Show today. The super lightweight hybrid tips the scales at a mere 926 lbs thanks to a minimalist design and extensive use of carbon fiber. The 500cc flex fuel engine is part of a plug-in hybrid powertrain that weighs only one quarter of the equivalent system in a Prius. The interior has similar interior volume to the Prius while the battery is of the lithium ion variety.

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Sharing its underpinnings with Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook, the Traverse is thee fourth member of GM's Lambda family. Chevy’s latest shot at the midsize crossovers carries on several styling cues from the 2008 Malibu the most prominent being the chevron-nosed design language up front. The Traverse's interior can be configured for seven or eight adults, including two front bucket seats, a 60/40-split second-row bench (three passengers) or two second-row captain's chairs (two passengers) and a 60/40-split third-row bench seat.

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Hyundai's i-Blue fuel cell concept that made it's world debut at last fall's Frankfurt Motor Show will make it's first appearance on American shores at the Chicago Auto Show this coming week. The mid-sized crossover is Hyundai's first dedicated fuel cell vehicle design. The i-Blue uses Hyundai's third generation in-house developed fuel cell stack. The stack is mounted under the center of the floor between the frame rails. The 10,000 psi storage tank holds 115L of compressed hydrogen. That's enough to drive the i-Blue 370 miles.

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Since there’s no press release to be found on Mitsubishi’s official sites, we’re guessing that the pictures of the revised 2009 Galant that you see here where apparently prematurely leaked into the internet. From what we gather, the most prominent changes concern the new front grille and bumper design along with the restyled rear-end that features longer tail-lamps and a new bumper. The 2009 Mitshubishi Galant will make its premiere at the Chicago Show next week

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Scion will be displaying another special edition model at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, this time a specially-prepped tC coupe. Much like the specially-prepped xB at the recent Detroit show, the car is essentially an appearance package for the tC called the 2008 Scion tC Release Series 4.0. The vehicle is set to hit showrooms in March, shortly after its Windy City debut.

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Porsche will be showing the latest addition to the Cayenne lineup, the Porsche Cayenne GTS, at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show next week. The SUV will go on sale in February with a starting price tag of $69,300.

The Cayenne GTS is powered by a 4.8L V8 engine that produces 405hp giving it the ability to do 0-60 in 6.1 seconds. The engine is mated with an automatic Tiptronic S, and for the first time Porsche will offer a six-speed manual transmission on Cayenne.

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