Toyota unveiled the redesigned 2011 Avalon at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show!

Toyota has unveiled the 2011 Avalon at the Chicago Auto Show, which according to Toyota has been "redesigned" for the new model year. Most of us would hardly even notice the changes.
The 2011 Avalon gets new headlights and taillights, new lower and rear fascias, a new grille and restyled alloy wheels. The interior has also been redone with a new instrument panel with highly readable Optitron gauges. On the Limited the front seats feature ventilation systems and an enlarged perforation area to help keep them cool. Bluetooth is now standard and each of the three available audio systems can control iPods seamlessly using switches located on the steering wheel and display track information stored in the device. The DVD navigation system has also been revised.
The 2011 Avalon is powered by a 268-hp 3.5L V6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. It gets 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg highway on the highway.
The refreshed 2011 Avalon will arrive this spring.

2011 VW Touareg Officially Unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show!

With all the news at the Chicago Auto Show, it's a surprise to see that VW released the details for the next-generation Touareg a month early, before its debut at the Geneva Motor Show.
The 2011 Touareg looks similar to the current generation but body has been sculpted more for a bit more style. The front end of the Touareg gets the same treatment as the recently introduced Golf. One of the biggest complaints about the current generation was how overweight it is. Weight reduction was one of the main goals with the next generation so VW has lowered the body weight by 460 pounds.
In addition to the new styling and reduced weight, the new Touareg also gets a hybrid option. The hybrid combines the supercharged and direct injected 3.0-liter V6 with an electric motor and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Honda used the Chicago Auto Show to show off the Odyssey Concept!

Honda has used the Chicago Auto Show to show off the Odyssey Concept, which is pretty close to what we can expect to see when the next-generation Odyssey is released by the end of the year.
The Odyssey has been the best-selling minivan in the US the past two years, but that doesn't mean that Honda is going to play it safe with the next model. The concept moves away from the current conventional minivan styling with its low and wide stance. Honda claims that the concept is 1-inch lower and 1.4-inches wider than the current Odyssey, which gives it a sleeker, stronger and more dynamic presence.
Honda didn't release any specifics about what we can expect under the hood of the new Odyssey, but did state that the 2011 Odyssey is expected to achieve an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 19 city/28 highway.

2011 Hyundai Azera Gets a Facelift and More Horsepower!

Hyundai is on a roll with refreshing their entire lineup. After the recently introduced Tucson and Sonata comes a refreshed 2011 Azera. The new Azera, which is having its debut at the Chicago Auto Show benefits from a slight facelift and revised engines. The 2011 Azera is available with either a 3.3L or 3.8L V6 engine. The 3.3L puts out 260 horsepower and 233 lb-ft. of torque, while also getting 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The more powerful 3.8L V6 puts out an estimated 283 horsepower and 263 lb-ft. of torque, while getting 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Both engines are mated to a new six-speed automatic transmission. With more focus on fuel economy, Hyundai has added a fuel economy indicator in the 2011 model. The "Eco Indicator" displays a green light to indicate when driving habits are contributing to good fuel economy.
The exterior of the 2011 Azera gets new headlights, taillights and foglights in addition to new bumpers, wheels and a revised trunk lid. The 2011 Azera will be available this spring.

Ford is set to unveil the new 2011 Ford Edge at this year's Chicago Auto Show!

At this year's Chicago Auto Show, Ford is set to unveil the new 2011 Ford Edge, which gets new styling inside and out, plus the availability of three different engines. Like it's cousin the Lincoln MKX, the 2011 Edge gets a new front fascia and revised rear end. Inside the Edge get's Ford's new MyFord Touch driver connect technology, which replaces traditional vehicle buttons, knobs and gauges with LCD screens and five-way controls like those found on cell phones and MP3 players.
Under the hood, the 2011 Edge will have a choice of three different engines, one of which is Ford's new 2.0L EcoBoost 4-cyl. Ford claims that the new 2.0L will be 30 percent more fuel efficient than the V6 was in 2006, but will have the performance feel of a V6. The second engine is the 3.5L V6, which gets (Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing, or Ti-VCT) and now puts out 285 horsepower and 253 lb-ft. of torque. The Edge Sport is powered by the 3.7-liter V-6 with 305 horsepower and 280 ft-lb. of torque. All three engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
The 2011 Ford Edge will be will be available this summer.

2011 A1 will officially be unveiled next month at the Geneva Motor Show!

 

Here's your first official look at the 2011 Audi A1, which draws inspiration from the 2007 Metroproject Quattro. The smallest car in the Audi lineup occupies a small space that is only 155.5 inches long, 68.5 inches wide and 56 inches tall. It is powered by a choice of two gasoline or two diesel engines. The two diesel engines are both 1.6L units with one putting out 90-hp and the other 105-hp. The two gasoline engine options are either a 1.2L or 1.4L unit with the smaller putting out 86-hp vs 122-hp for the larger engine. There is an optional seven-speed S tronic (dual clutch) transmission, but Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive is not being offered at launch.
Check out the really long press release after the jump. The 2011 A1 will officially be unveiled next month at the Geneva Motor Show.

Ford unveiled the 2011 Shelby GT500 which Loses Weight and Gets More Power!

 

Ford has unveiled the 2011 Shelby GT500, which benefits from a new aluminum engine and improved handling.
For 2011 the Shelby GT500 is powered by a 550-hp 5.4L V8 with 510 lb-ft. of torque. IN addition to the increased horsepower, the new engine is 102 pounds lighter than previous cast-iron engine. The new lighter engine improves fuel economy (15 city/ 23 highway), therefore the gas guzzler tax has now been eliminated.
"The SVT team continues to push the performance standards of the Shelby to even higher levels and better refinement," said Jost Capito, director of global performance vehicles and motorsports business development. "All the changes we made reflect a desire for even better handling and outstanding driving dynamics - from weight savings to improved balance."
The addition of Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS), a new optional SVT Performance Package, enhanced convertible rigidity and a lowered ride height contribute to improved driving dynamics and handling.

Porsche unveiled the 2011 911 Turbo S which Puts Out 530-HP!

 

Porsche has unveiled the 2011 911 Turbo S, which builds upon the 911 Turbo, but adds even more power thanks to two exhaust gas turbochargers. Power has been bumped up to 530 horspower adn 516 lb-ft of torque. The 3.8L engine is mated exclusively to the seven-speed Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) dual clutch transmission.
In addition to the increased horsepower, the 911 Turbo S gets all high-tech components available only as options on the "regular" 911 Turbo, standard.
The 911 Turbo S reaches 0-62 mph in 3.3 seconds, 0-124 mph in 10.8 seconds, and has a top speed of195 mph. Porsche also claims that even though the 911 Turbo S has more power than the 911 Turbo, it doesn't consume more fuel.
The 2011 911 Turbo S will go on sale in the US later this year.

BMW unveiled the refreshed 2011 X5 which Gets Turbo Power and a Facelift!

 

BMW has unveiled the refreshed 2011 X5, which gets new gas powered engines and a small facelift. Both of the gas engines in the X5 are new. The xDrive35i is now powered by the same single turbocharged N55 six-cylinder that is also available in most of the BMW range. It reaches 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds. The xDrive50i is now powered by the 400-hp twin-turbocharged 4.4L V8. It reaches 0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds. Both the gas engines are now mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission. The diesel xDrive35d doesn't get any changes under the hood for the new year. On the outside the lower front fascia has been restyled with larger air intakes. The rear bumper also gets a slight restyle.
The 2011 BMW X5 will debut at the New York Auto Show in April and sales will start shortly after that.

Kia officially unveiled the third generation 2011 Sportage!

 

Kia has officially unveiled the third generation 2011 Sportage, which will be officially unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Compared to the previous two generations, the new Sportage is finally a stylish crossover that borrows many styling cues from the larger Sorento. The Sportage is built on the same platform as the Hyundai Tucson, so even though Kia has yet to release official specs for the Sportage, it is expected to be powered by the same 2.4L four-cyl. The 2011 Kia Sportage will arrive this fall.

Ford is going to unveil the new 2011 Ford Edge with Four-Cyl EcoBoost Engine in Chicago!

 

Next week Ford is going to unveil the new 2011 Ford Edge. Like the recently unveiled Lincoln MKX, the Ford Edge is going to get a facelift. According to the latest reports and spy photos the Edge will be new from the A pillar forward. But the big news is that the Edge will be Ford's first vehicle to get the new four-cylinder EcoBoost engine. The new 2.0L EcoBoost four-cylinder is expected to put out the same power as a 3.0L V6, but get better gas mileage. The 3.5L V6 will still be offered.
In addition to the new EcoBoost engine, the Edge will also be the first Ford vehicle to feature the MyFord Touch system, which replaces most of the traditional gauges with computer screens.
Expect more details from the show.

2011 BMW Alpina B7 Starts at $122,875

 

BMW has announced the pricing for the 2011 BMW Alpina B7, which is headed to the US this spring. The 2011 Alpina B7 starts at $122,875 and $126,775 for the extended wheelbase model. The Alpina B7 is powered by BMW's turbocharged 4.4L V8 with 500 horsepower and 516 lb-ft. of torque. It reaches 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds.
The 2011 BMW Alpina B7 will debut at the Chicago Auto Show this month.

All-New 2011 Hyundai Sonata Starts at $19,195

Hyundai has announced the pricing for the all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The 2011 Hyundai Sonata starts at $19,195 and will hit dealers in the next few weeks. The all-new Sonata ditches the old model's boring three-box design for a much "sexier" silhouette. Besides the new styling, the other big news is that the Sonata is no longer going to have an available V6 engine. Slow sales of the V6 model prompted Hyundai to not offer it on the new generation. Instead at launch the Sonata's only engine offering is Hyundai's new direct injected 2.4-liter inline-four that puts out 198 horsepower (SE puts out 200-hp). The 2.4L can be mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.