Autoblog

• Spy Shots: Ford F-150's 4.4L diesel exposed
  

  Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Spy Photos, Trucks/Pickups, Green, Ford

  The Internet got a sneak peek at the new 4.4L Ford diesel engine last April when somebody snapped a pic of the complete package sitting on the floor at Ford's national dealer conference. Now, thanks to some eagle-eyed sharp shooters, we can see the new oil-burning mill in its natural habitat under the hood of a Ford F-150. Sure, there's lots of black plastic covering all the good stuff, but we can get a glimpse of all the assorted plumbing that will make this engine squeaky clean. We can also have a good shot...
  



• Build your own big rig: International launches configurator for LoneStar
  

  Filed under: Car Buying, Chicago Auto Show, Etc., Commercial Trucks

  
  
  Truckers are like motorcycle riders in the way that they invariably customize their rides. It's probably just as challenging to find a bone stock tractor as it is an unembellished Fat Boy. When you're plying the roads as much as the big rigs do, why not have some fun and stand apart from the rest of the crowd and their mudflaps decorated with conformist chrome silhouettes of questionable taste? International's new LoneStar truck will be factory trickable with a new line of Navistar accessories called DoubleSix Customs. While the Autoblog Garage isn't quite big enough to hold...
  



• Ford to offer "Tough Bed" factory-backed spray-in bed liner
  

  Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Trucks/Pickups

  
  
  On the final media day of the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, Mike Levine from Pickuptruck.com walked us over to the Ford display to show us an inconspicuous Super Duty sitting among a fleet of Ford commercial vehicles. He wanted to show us the bed, which was filled with DeWalt tools and Ford's new Tool Link system for keeping track of one's tools. The purpose of our visit was not Ford's new fancy in-dash computer for the commercial sector, but rather the spray-in bed liner that the truck was sporting. Called Tough Bed, Ford will soon become the second manufacturer to offer...
  



• Autoblog Podcast #87
  

  Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Podcasts, Hybrids/Alternative, Minivans/MPVs, Trucks/Pickups, Crossovers/CUVs, Acura, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GM, Suzuki, Volkswagen, India

  The Chicago Auto Show wasn't that eventful, but that's what we lead off Autoblog Podcast episode #87 with. The Challenger was the biggest deal, followed by the Denali XT, and then a bunch of inconsequential things. We did find ourselves talking about the Suzuki Equator and the Ford Transit Connect, too. We give you our first up close and personal impressions of the Challenger...
  



• Sith Pickup: Toyota Tundra Warrior
  

  Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Trucks/Pickups, Toyota

  
  
  Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and we can all admit that this Toyota Tundra "Warrior" prototype has a sinister presence in its shiniest, blackest finery. That silly fake intake is still there in the grille surround, but the rest of the look is successful. It's too bad Toyota didn't pay attention to the TRD Off Road concept's schnoz; thankfully that 2007 show-goer was free of faux scoopery. The Warrior appeared at the Chicago Auto Show to gauge public reaction to the SR5-based upgrade package. We like it. In fact, we think...
  



• Chicago 2008: 1968 Dodge GSS Hemi Dart
  

  Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Time Warp, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Dodge

  

  If you ever ask a 1960's Mopar fan who the king of high performance is, they'll instantly tell you "Mr. Norm!" Owner of Grand Spaulding Dodge in Chicago, Norm Kraus was known for fitting performance parts to all types of Mopars, and even started the development for factory cars like the 383 and 400 Dart GTS. The king of all Mr. Norm's cars, however, was the Hemi GSS Dart. Each of the cars was fitted with a 426ci Hemi V8 with a pair of Holley carbs, a heavy duty cooling package, and aftermarket headers. In an effort...
  




• VIDEO: Dodge Challenger romping in the desert
  

  Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Coupes, Videos, Chrysler, LLC., Dodge

  
  
  Chrysler has released some video of the Challenger zooming around on some desert tarmac. We think that this video is from the same shoot that produced the teaser pics we all salivated over before the Challenger was officially unveiled. With that, on to the video, after the jump. Hit the gallery for more stills, while you're at it.
  
  [Source: Chrysler]
  
  

  Gallery: 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8

  



• Surprise! Dodge Challenger convertible planned
  

  Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Coupes, Dodge

  
  Click above for a high-res gallery of the Dodge Challenger.
  
  During yesterday's unveiling of the Dodge Challenger, Chrysler's Vice Chairman, Jim Press, confirmed what we've already known; that Dodge expects to sell between 20,000 and 30,000 Challengers a year once production goes full-bore. All 6,400 Collectors Edition SRT8 models due to hit dealers this spring have been sold and there's a waiting list for the 2009 models. Naturally, more variants will be available next year with less powerful engines and a convertible version is supposedly in the works.
  
  According to the Freep, Press expounded on the Challenger's virtues, saying...
  



• Chicago 2008: International introduces the LoneStar Class 8 big rig
  

  Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Commercial Trucks

  
  click above for more high-rez images of the International LoneStar
  
  We give International full credit this daring design that we spied uncovered earlier this year. Still, it appears as though it's taken a giant leap back three decades with the new Class 8 International LoneStar. International said its mission was to create a big rig that married aerodynamic efficiency with a unique look and a wide range of customization. Having asked truckers what they wanted, apparently customization means 'more cowbell lights and chrome.' As upright and retro Lite Brite as the design might be, it still gets gas mileage as good as the...
  



• Chicago 2008: Reskinned 2009 Mitsubishi Galant seen with new nose
  

  Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Mitsubishi

  
  click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant
  
  Mitsubishi just unveiled its freshened-for-2009 Galant sedan at the Chicago Auto Show, and unlike our favorable response to the changes made to its Eclipse sibling, we think Mitsu might need to do a hard refresh on the Galant a couple of more times before it looks as handsome as it could. The new uninterrupted grille might look better than the prior split version, but it still doesn't seem to work as well as the nose on the EVO or new Eclipse....