With the Chicago Auto Show, traditionally America's best-attended car show, has its run this week and with the New York Auto Show in Manhattan's Jacob Javits Center opening soon, time to take a quick look at a few vehicles, some shown at Chicago, some not, which knowing about will you a much more sophisticated person ... You hope. With the Los Angeles, New York and Detroit shows held in larger markets than Chicago, what's the secret of that show's high attendance? Well, it's mostly because in the dead of winter there's nothing much to do in Illinois and its nine surrounding states, and that's where the customers come from to view the great spectacle in McCormick Place (and how many of you knew that McCormick Place is owned by the Kennedy family?)
Sit back, scroll down, and enjoy ...
Well, everyone that I know has been waiting for this product, especially now that gasoline costs over $3 a gallon everywhere in the US (thanks to George W. Bush and, especially, Dick Cheney). Yes, my world and yours have certainly been waiting for the "2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom RR01 1100mm Limousine by Mutec". Mutec being a company located in Oberstenfeld, Germany ... But you already knew that!
The press release from the manufacturer consists of a bunch of 
photos of this monstrosi, uh, I mean, elegant motor carriage, and says just the following: "
Mutec now offers a stretch limousine version of the Rolls-Royce Phantom, adding an additional 44 inches of room as well as rear facing seats." Somewhat amazing that with all the "extras" Mutec put into this car, the front end with those boxy headlights and massive grille is still the single-ugliest part of any automobile in the past 25 years. Make that 50. Talk about "making a statement", the most we can say about it is, "So shut up, already!"
2008 Ferrari FXX Pedal-Car - An Affordable Supercar
On a slightly smaller scale ... Don't worry, it's still possible to buy that "best gift" for the Car Nut in your life. Especially if he or she is under 10. Thanks to the good folks at toy-maker Berg, we proudly present the 2008 Ferrari FXX pedal car.
If the real Ferrari FXX is out of your price range, maybe this FXX inspired pedal car by Berg will be of interest to you, says the firm's PR release.
The standard model costs €499, shown below, which works out to USD$723.75. But, the release goes on, why not splurge for the €1499 FXX Exclusive (USD$2,174.15, shown at left) which has a bucket seat, four-point harness,leather-wrapped steering wheel, wider tires, and an aero kit that gives the pedal-car an even more authentic FXX look.
Disc brake detail shown in photo.
OK, maybe we went a little too far including the Ferrari pedal car, but this next new product should catch and hold your interest.
Two wheels not enough? Four too many? A lot of people are settling for three wheels, with a high-tech engine and sophisticated suspensions to make for a powerful and well-controlled ride. (Photo - One of Piaggio's all-new and more powerful three-wheelers)
Now, here's a little history lesson: We used to call these vehicles "trikes" back in the day, and they usually consisted of a rear axle pulled from an auto junkyard, shortened by half or more with a wheel on either end, and naturally, absolutely no rear suspension (ie, in the manner of a Harley "Hardtail"), a front wheel and front fork suspension (if any) taken from a wrecked motorcycle, and possibly extended to some unholy length, an oil-burning Chevy small block V8 moving the lightweight conveyance via the rear wheels, and a straight-from-Central Casting burly biker-type, hanging onto his monkey bars, and let's not forget the wide, comfortable rear seat, where the incumbent babe would relax during the ride, leaning back on the provided sissy bars. Let's not make the mistake of thinking trike-riders are rich urban bikers (the derisively named "Rubbies"), now it's usually a real old time motorcycle gang member driving/riding these Frankensteins of motorcycles.
(Photos - Some classic trikes, as described above; the orange bike is using a rear-mounted and air-cooled VW engine and extended front forks, the second bike seems more professionally modified and gives a good view of the all-important comfortable rear seating)
These three-wheelers from Piaggio (and many other makers around the world) are not the fabled "trikes" of yore. Let's allow Piaggio to tell their story ...
2008 Piaggio MP3 - The Three Wheel Revolution Continues
Piaggio Introduces Maxi Scooter Power Couple to MP3 Family:
New 2008 MP3 500 and MP3 400 Three-Wheel Scooters Continue the Personal Transportation Revolution
NEW YORK, January 31, 2008 – Italian manufacturer Piaggio launched a revolution in the personal 
transportation category when it rewrote the rules with the three-wheel MP3 250 scooter. For 2008, the company again raises the bar with the introduction of two all-new MP3 models, the MP3 500 and MP3 400 maxi scooters. Based on the trademark technical innovations that transformed the MP3 250 into an immediate best-seller, the higher-displacement MP3 500 and 400 offer riders the added benefit of high-performance four-stroke engines, aggressive styling and a new level of premium safety, comfort and convenience equipment. Designed to go the distance, the newest MP3 models are uniquely suited to enjoying the diverse terrain of America's highways and byways.
All MP3 models feature Piaggio's innovative three-wheel configuration. Unique in the category, each MP3 delivers unparalleled stability, road grip and parking ease thanks to two independent tilting, articulated front wheels and an electro-hydraulic suspension locking system that allows the scooter to remain locked upright while at a standstill. At the same time, the MP3 sacrifices nothing when it comes to riding thrills – with a 40-degree lean angle, every MP3 delivers all the maneuverability, agility and entertainment of a motorcycle. Dry or wet conditions, smooth asphalt highway or pot-hole studded city streets, the MP3 models are resilient travel companions. (end of release)
To see the entire press release, which includes specifications and all the important details on these two all-new 400cc and 500cc three-wheelers, and to discover one of the websites where many, many blogs get their supposedly "inside info", simply click anywhere on this line!
2008 GMC Denali XT Hybrid Concept - Chicago Debut
Let's get off our scooters and climb into our big, bad GMC Denali XT Concept dual mode hybrid ... And this concept is
not just some paint-and-tape job, either. This Denali SUT was introduced at the Chicago Auto Show this week, and is the GMC version of the Chevrolet Tahoe SUV which had its world debut at the recent 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show; the Tahoe, with the same dual mode hybrid technology as this GMC Denali, was named, somewhat surprisingly, the "Green Car of the Year" by my old friend, Ron Cogan, editor of industry mag "Green Car Journal".
Again, let's allow the manufacturer to have their say:
GMC DENALI XT HYBRID CONCEPT TRUCK DELIVERS 50-PERCENT FUEL ECONOMY IMPROVEMENT
• New, robust design form serves as a test well for GMC's future design direction
• First combination of GM's two-mode hybrid system with E85 ethanol-capable engine
• Height-adjustable suspension and cargo space-enhancing Midgate® 
CHICAGO – GMC unveiled the Denali XT concept at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show. It offers a 50-percent increase in combined fuel economy over comparable small pickup trucks when running on gasoline, and it incorporates a new, muscular form in a performance-styled, hybrid sport-utility truck (SUT). The dual mode hybrid system consists of GM's Active Fuel Management controlling the engine, which can switch between 8 or 4 cylinders, as demand warrants, along with two 60-kilowatt electric motors packaged inside the tranny itself, rather than depending on one large motor to “assist” the engine. GM, BMW and (what was then) DaimlerChrysler took an existing GM bus/truck transmission and re-worked it, working mostly in Europe, for the past three years. The latest version of it can fit in the full-size pickup and SUV GM line-up and can improve fuel mileage, GM says, by up to 50% under certain circumstances. This GMC Denali XT concept SUT can run on electric-only, V8-only, or a combination of the two.
The Denali XT has a anybody architecture and rear-wheel drive, enabling its distinctive design and efficient performance. It builds on the equity of the Denali line and its reputation for advanced engineering and refinement, including the first combination of GM's two-mode hybrid system with an E85 ethanol-capable engine. Denali XT's new, more efficient 4.9L version of GM's small-block V-8 features fuel-saving technologies such as direct-injection technology and Active Fuel Management. (Photo - Artist rendering of possible interior theme for the dual mode hybrid Denali if and when it becomes a production vehicle)
The engine is matched with GM's unique two-mode hybrid propulsion system, giving the powerful SUT
exceptional fuel economy and uncompromising capability – including all-electric drive at low speeds. It is a powertrain combination that makes the Denali XT perfectly suited to a variety of active lifestyle activities, such as hauling skis and snowboards to the mountain or towing a sport jet boat to the lake. (end of release)
To read a comprehensive version of this PR material, just click anywhere on this line!
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