With sleek, wind-shaped form, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz R-Class sport utilities vehicle series elevates the art of travel in 3-different models. The R350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6, and the R500 develops 302 thoroughbreds from its 5.0-liter V-8. For awe-inspiring performance in an SUV, the R63 AMG is endowed with a handcrafted V-8 that pumps out a stunning 503 horsepower. All R-Class power plants are happily married to 7-speed automatics and permanent 4-wheel drive systems. Inside the midsize, 5-door vehicle, is a partial glass roof, heated front and 2nd-row seats, wood trim and 3-rows of leather seating to accommodate 6-adult passengers.

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Billed as the world's first luxury hybrid vehicle, the 2007 Lexus RX 400h comes with advanced gas/electric hybrid power train and new Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) stability control system. The RX 400h midsize SUV hybrid system combines the 3.3-liter V-6 engine with a high-torque electric-drive motor-generator, plus a rear electric-drive motor-generator to provide the security of all-wheel drive. With a combined system output of approximately 268 horsepower, the RX 400h delivers rapid acceleration with unexpected fuel efficiency.



Standard equipment includes leather interior trim, a one-touch open/close moonroof, DVD navigation system with rear backup camera, 18-inch wheel and electrically powered air conditioning. Its 5-passenger interior can be configured to haul 84.7-cubic feet of cargo.

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Coming to the Chicago Auto Show in February is the new Land Rover LR2 compact sports utility vehicle. New from the ground up, the premium-class LR2 delivers outstanding on-road performance as well as the class-leading off-road ability from All-Wheel Drive, and 4-Wheel Electronic Traction Control. Other LR2 technical highlights include a brand-new 230 horsepower, 3.2-liter inline-6-cylinder engine matched to a new 6-speed automatic transmission. The SUV accelerates from 0-to-60 miles per hour in 8.4 seconds, and has a top speed of 124 mph. Interior seats 5-adults, and cargo area provides a total luggage volume of 59 cu. ft. with rear seats folded flat. A high load-space floor avoids need to bend down.



LR2’s powerful engine, strong body and all-wheel transmission make it's able to tow 4409 lbs. Off-road capability starts with 8.26-inch minimum of ground clearance to overcome rocky, sandy, rutted or muddy terrain. This also helps LR2 to wade through water up to 19.7-inch deep.

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Kia debuted the Rondo SX Concept at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show. Rondo is based on the current-generation Kia Optima platform, and the SX Concept version has a ride height that’s been lowered 3-inches. Finished in a sophisticated 4-stage metallic gray exterior color, the concept includes a larger lower air intake, an integrated SX-styled front fascia, new brake cooling ducts as well as a restyled metal-mesh-insert front grille to match. Likewise, the rear fascia received a metal-mesh vent insert; a diffuser and dual exhaust outlets. Roof rails, which are standard on most Rondo models, have been removed. On the inside, the SX Concept is enhanced with black leather, gray leather and contrasting red leather trim. Under the concept car’s hood is a 2.7-liter V-6 that is enhanced with a cold-air intake and a cat-back exhaust system to boost the engine’s output to 192 horsepower.

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Developed by the KMA design team as an expression of Kia’s global design language, the Kue concept hints at the styling direction for a future crossover vehicle. Kue was created first and foremost as a driver’s vehicle, packing a 400 horsepower, supercharged 4.6-liter V-8 that twists out 400-pound feet of torque to the full-time all wheel drive system. The Kia Kue has a monocoque platform that sits on 22-inch tires with a wheelbase of more than 114 inches, packaged in an overall length of 186 inches. With exterior skin tautly stretched over its underpinnings, the Kue sits powerful and poised. Draped muscular wheel flares, swept back headlights, and scissor style opening single side door highlights the aggressive look of the Kue. On the inside of the 4-passenger cabin are custom-built bucket seats, plus touch pad and motion-sensing controls.

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A fresh face has been added to the Kia product lineup with the release of the all-new 2007 Rondo. The Rondo’s exterior features smooth surfaces and clean lines, and can be ordered with optional fender flares, front/rear/side fascia extensions, a lower rear spoiler, an upper rear spoiler, as well as roof rack crossbars. Available in LX and EX trim levels, the Rondo will accommodate 5-passenger, or 7 travelers with optional 3rd-row seating. Under the hood of the front-wheel drive Rondo is either a 162 horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine or a 2.7-liter V-6 that produces 182 horses.



Standard transmission on the LX is the 4-speed automatic whereas the EX is equipped with a 5-speed automatic, both with Sportmatic shift. Maximum towing capacity is rated at 5,000 lbs, and with rear seatbacks folded flat, the Rondo offers 31.7-cu. ft of cargo volume. Interior refinements include woven seat fabric on the LX, and Double Raschel seat material for the EX models. A leather package is available with heated seats.

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Basking in the successful launch of the Rio5 subcompact hatchback last year, Kia continues the design and engineering make over with the 2007 model. Improved ride and handling characteristics on the Rio5 are due partially to the 3.5-inch increased wheelbase. The front-wheel drive Rio5 dimensions denote a 5-passenger cabin and with seatbacks lowered, 49.6-cubic feet of cargo space. A gain of 6-horsepower ups the 1.6-liter 4-cylinder to 110 ponies, and the engine comes mated to either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. Additional refinements for ‘07 include revised 14- and 15-inch alloy wheel designs, new manual and automatic transmission shift knobs and the addition of an illuminated ignition surround. Front-wheel disc brakes are standard on the Rio5, and antilock brakes with 4-wheel disc brakes are optional equipment for the Rio5 SX.

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All-new Coupe and Convertible Jaguar XK, reinforces the marque’s reputation for building groundbreaking cars that are as rewarding to drive as they are gorgeous to look at. The XK will appeal to a select group of affluent potential purchasers looking for a 2+2 grand tourer that provides sports car exhilaration and exclusivity. For 2007, the rear-wheel drive XK is the most technologically advanced that Jaguar has ever offered, with an all-aluminum construction that offers a 10 percent improvement in power to weight ratio than its predecessor. The naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V-8 engine produces 300 horsepower and 303 pound feet of torque that allows the Coupe to reach 60 miles per hour from standstill in 5.9 seconds, and the droptop in 6.0 seconds. New Jaguar Sequential Shift 6-speed ZF automatic transmission system incorporates steering wheel-mounted paddles for manual gear changes. Driver-focused interior has more room, touch-screen information center, quality materials, colors and details. The convertible’s fully lined triple-layer roof opens or closes at the touch of a button in less than 18-seconds.

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Inspired by an insect exoskeleton, Hyundai designers created the radical HCD10 Hyundai Hellion concept. Painted Dakar Gold, the aggressive exterior design features a wide stance, piercing headlights that are angled towards its dominant grille, prominent scoop on the clamshell hood, and removable canvas roof panels. This is the latest dream machine from Hyundai, configured as a 3-door, all-wheel drive, sport crossover utility vehicle. The 2+2 interior is finished in Black Desert Night with glossy white accents and matte aluminum details. An eco-friendly 3.0-liter V-6 Common-rail Diesel produces 236 ponies, and is connected to a 6-speed automatic. The custom 20-inch aluminum 5-spoke wheels are Teflon coated. Check back soon to see if the HCD10 Hyundai Hellion makes an appearance during the 2007 Chicago Auto Show.

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The midsize crossover SUV market has grown and so has the second-generation 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. Popular in its initial form, it now comes in 5- and 7-passenger versions. The first edition bowed in 2000 and more than 440,000 have been sold. For 2007 it grows 3.1- inches in wheelbase to 106.3, seven inches in length to 144 and features a 2.9-inch wider track, extra inch of width and doubles that in height gain. It now has optional 7-passenger seating and more storage space. Three trim levels are available, ranging from lower priced GLS through SE to Limited. GLS has a 185-horsepower, 2.7-liter V-6 standard, while SE and Limited get the 242 horsepower, 3.3-liter V-6. A 5-speed manual gearbox is standard on the GLS, while a 4-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic is option. Standard on SE and Limited is a 5-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic. Available is a driver selected AWD lock, which splits the torque between the front and rear wheels at 50/50.

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Though the 2007 Honda Fit looks small on the outside, the new entry level 5-door hatchback delivers big on the inside. This new subcompact four-seater is set to go on-sale in April. The Fit features a 109 horsepower, 1.5-liter 4-cylinder VTEC engine, a 5-speed manual transmission or an available, first in segment, 5-speed automatic transmission and over 90-cubic feet of passenger volume with multiple seating and cargo configurations. A Fit Sport model offers wheel-mounted paddle shifters (with automatic transmission) and a 160-watt, 6-speaker audio system. Fit comes with standard amenities such as air conditioning, an AM/FM/CD audio system with 4-speakers, power windows, power mirrors, power door locks, and a two-tone interior.

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Since its introduction in 2000 as a 2001 model-year vehicle, Chrysler has sold more than 1 million PT Cruisers worldwide. For 2007, the model lineup comprises Base, Touring, Limited and GT. New for 2007, the PT Cruiser sedan adds soft-touch electric liftgate switch, and both Convertible and sedan models offer 3-new colors. Enhancements to the 5-passenger cabin includes YES Essentails seat fabric, and console flood lamp standard. There are 3-engine options, including 2-turbos, and the horsepower range from 180 to 230 hp. A 5-speed Getrag heavy-duty manual or optional 4-speed electronic automatic transaxle with Auto Stick can be married to the engines. With rear seat out, there is 62.7 cu. ft. of payload room. Structural reinforcements provide superior convertible ride and handling, and top up or down, the Chrysler PT Cruiser is an extremely quiet convertible.

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Cadillac’s midsize SRX luxury crossover vehicle enters the 2007 model year with a redesigned cockpit that features a new instrument panel, hand-wrapped trim, console, wood accents and steering wheel. There’s even an automatic odor filtration option. SRX seats up to 7-passengers with the optional 3rd-row seat, and can haul 69.5 cu ft of cargo with the seatbacks folded. Overhead, the optional “UltraView” sunroof system extends to provide 5.6 square feet of open air for the 1st- and 2nd-row seats. The SRX has two engine combinations with VVT (variable valve timing): the 4.6-liter Northstar V-8 pumping out 320 horses, or the 260 horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6. In addition, two fully electronic automatic transmissions are offered, a 6-speed tranny for the V-8, and a Hydra-Matic 5-speed on the V-6. Cadillac bloodline shows through the SRX, with it’s chiseled vertical head and taillights, plus the V-shaped grille.

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The cladding-laden, high-riding Volvo XC70 outsells the standard V70 wagon on which it is based by an almost 3-to-1 margin. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that the company has kept secret its new version of the butch XC until its unveiling in Geneva, while it released news of the standard V70 months in advance of the show, hoping the model would get some attention...more click on heading

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Distinct visual changes on the 2007 BMW X3 includes slightly larger twin kidney grilles, relocated side marker lights and repositioned foglights. At the rear, reconfigured taillights incorporate LED lamps for the Adaptive Brake Lights. Carried over from last year, the ‘07 BMW X3 lineup consists of a single model, designated the X3 3.0si. The name indicates an upgrade 260 horsepower, 3.0-liter aluminum/magnesium inline-6, coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission. A new 6-speed StepTronic automatic transmission is a no-cost option. BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system enables the X3 to have genuine all-road capability. New for ‘07 are stock Star Spoke 17-inch wheels, available V-Spoke 19-inch hubs, enhanced stability control system, and optional Xenon headlights with cornering lights. The X3 luxury-compact sport-utility cabin features new instrument panel, seats five, and with seatbacks folded, accommodates up to 71 cubic feet of “stuff."

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