As Green Hangover Sets in, Industry Turns to Big Trucks and More Horses: 2008 Chicago Auto Show Analysis

The Dodge Challenger was the undisputed king of the show, but it was the trucks that stood out. With so many debuts heavy on efficiency recently, have the big manufacturers decided we need a break from all their prognosticating on our alt-fuel future?

• CHICAGO CENTRAL: First-Look Pix, Specs & Analysis

Navistar’s Fuel-Efficient LoneStar Semi Truck Is Lustworthy, Luxury Showstopper: Live at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show

This monster is the big-rig equivalent of a Harley-Davidson dresser, though it’s closer to a private jet than an 18-wheeler inside—and gets 5 to 15-percent more fuel efficiency thanks to its aerodynamic design.

• FACELIFT: 2009 Acura RL Stays Tech-Heavy Inside, Gets Bolder Outside
• COMPLETE COVERAGE: 2008 Chicago Auto Show

2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring Offers Hip Sportwagon Alternative to New Crossovers: Live at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show

More than just a wagon version of the Elantra, the new Touring model adds a unique engine, transmission and suspension with stability control.

2009 Acura RL Stays Tech-Heavy Inside, Gets Bolder Outside: Live at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show

Acura aims to boost sales of their flagship by carving a more aggressive exterior and adding more horses to the V6.

VW Taps Chrysler Design, Not Hippie Bus, for First American Van: Live at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show

Instead of drawing on its storied van heritage, Volkswagen said here today that it plans to implement Chrysler’s minivan architecture for a distinctly American van.

• VERSATILITY: 2008 Chrysler Town & Country Wins Automotive Excellence Award

BMW’s Winged M3, Green Tech Coming Soon to U.S. Le Mans Racing: Live at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show

The first V8-powered M3 racer will make its debut in the American Le Mans Series this season. ALMS has also announced it will become the first motorsports group to meet government "green racing" criteria.

Chevy Gets Into Three-Row Crossover Action with 2009 Traverse: Live at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show

Finally, Chevrolet is ready to get its hands on the large crossover architecture from parent General Motors—the same one that underpins the Buick’s Enclave, GMC’s Acadia and Saturn’s Outlook. But the styling is still all Chevy.

Mitsubishi Pumps Flash and Ponies Into Eclipse, Adds New Metal and Tech for Galant: Live at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show

Two of Mitsubishi's best sellers get bumps in power, cosmetic lifts and new features for 2009, including a paddle shift option for the Eclipse and Bluetooth capability in the Galant.

Nissan Helps Suzuki Hit Truck Market With 2009 Suzuki Equator: Live at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show

You'd think Suzuki would be a natural player in the pickup market, being that they sell so many motorcycles and dirt-bikes, right? Well, now they are.

2009 Ford Edge Sport Shows Off Blingin’, 22-in. Wheels: Live at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show

Adding a Sport-version to their Edge crossover model lineup, Ford offers some unique features such as 22-in. polished wheels mounted with low profile Pirelli tires—a setup even larger than those offered on the Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

Ford Work Solutions Puts Full-Scale PC and Three More High-Tech Innovations in Trucks: Live at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show

Ford trucks are about to get a whole lot more useful, thanks to a suite of four co-branded technologies that put new gear in motion for the DIYer and computer geek alike.

• PLUS: Ford Transit Connect Headed to States
• PLUS: 6 New Car Technologies in Your Not-So-Distant Future

2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Prototype Test Drive: 425-hp Hemi Muscle Car Returns for the 21st Century (With Photo Gallery)

Pedal to the medal, in the rain, on the track: perfectly challenging conditions to test 2008's brawniest new entry into the musclecar world—the return of a classic with the look and sound of power in plentiful quantities.

• COMPARISON: Expert on 70s Challenger vs. SRT8
• PLUS: Complete Coverage of the Chicago Auto Show

New Dodge Challenger SRT8 vs. Classic, Guzzling Hemi Models: Chicago Auto Show Expert Comparison

It’s easy to wax nostalgic about the original Challenger, but not so fast: The original recipe wasn’t without a bad taste or two. Time and tech should make the new SRT8 one of the most desirable cars on the planet.

• PLUS: Evolution of the Corvette ZR1
• DIGITAL HOLLYWOOD: Old K.I.T.T. vs. New Knight Rider Mustang

2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Brings Back 70s Powerhouse: Chicago Auto Show Preview

An absence of 35 years from the American musclecar market has made the all-new Dodge Challenger one of the most anticipated new car intros of the year. We’ve been waiting pateniently for this bad boy since 2005.

GMC’s Denali XT Concept Offers Hot, Hybrid Crossover Pickup: Chicago Auto Show Preview

A glimpse at the future of the General Motors truck fleet: smaller and lighter, for consumers who don't need heavy hauling, but do want big gains in fuel economy.

• CHICAGO PREVIEW: 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid Boosts MPG With Same Pickup Power

2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid Boosts MPG With Same Pickup Power: Chicago Auto Show Preview

By pairing a 6.0-liter V-8 with a 300-volt nickel-metal hydride battery and GM's electrically variable transmission system, GMC claims a 25% bump in fuel economy in the new Sierra while towing up to 6100 lbs.

• TEST DRIVE: 2008 Chevy Tahoe Dual-Mode Hybrid
• PLUS: Silverado Hybrid Unveiled at L.A. Auto Show

2009 Hummer H3T First Look: Chicago Auto Show Preview

Hummer has revealed its first true pickup with a closed cab, separate bed, and up to 5900 pounds of towing capacity.

• DETROIT AUTO SHOW: Hummer HX Concept Runs E85 With Halo-Ready Look