Oil-Burning 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI on Display

The 2013 VW Beetle TDI has debuted in all its glory at the Chicago Auto Show.

The clean diesel 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI has finally made its debut at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. The fresh white Beetle TDI will go on sale later this year and packs the Jetta TDI and Golf TDI's powerplant.The aforementioned oil-burner is a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with outputs rated at 140hp and the 'fitting for a diesel' 236 lb-ft of torque. As previously reported on CarBuzz, the engine is paired to either a six-speed manual or DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission.
It is projected to return a solid 29mpg city and 39mpg highway, however no official EPA numbers have come out yet. In terms of features and styling, the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI is equipped with a sunroof, Fender Premium sound system, five-inch touchscreen display with sat-nav and V-Tex Leatherette seating. It sits on a set of 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.Serving as Volkswagen's most fuel-efficient Bug, the 2013 Beetle TDI should price around $24,000 and is expected to hit the market towards the end of the 2nd quarter this year. Photos courtesy of Drew Phillips/Autoblog

Mopar Murders-Out the 2012 Chrysler 300 in Chicago

Mopar brought a very black Chrysler 300 to the Chicago Auto Show.

Chrysler Group's in-house tuning department brought four models to the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. The most prominent of the quadruplets was the murdered-out 2012 Chrysler 300.
The black Chevy takes advantage of plenty of Mopar parts, including a firmer suspension, high-performance brake pads and Goodyear Eagle F1 rubbers wrapped around Gloss Black 20-inch forged-aluminum wheels. Thanks to a new final-drive ratio of 3.91:1, the 363hp 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine can now propel the 300 from 0-60mph in just over five seconds.
The blacked-out exterior is highlighted by Mopar Blue body-side stripes, a theme that continues inside where black is accented by blue throughout.The 2012 Mopar Chrysler 300 is priced at $49,700. Only 500 limited edition Chrysler 300 models will be built with sales starting this summer. Photos courtesy of autoblog.

2013 Hyundai Elantra GT Debuts at Chicago

Hyundai’s new hatch is rated at 148hp and boasts efficiency.

The Elantra Touring-replacing 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT has made its official debut at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. The South Korean hatchback features some impressive styling and should give the VW Golf, Mazda3 and Ford Focus a run for their money.
The 2013 Elantra GT runs on the sedan variant's 1.8-liter inline 4-cylinder, good for 148hp and 131 lb-ft of torque. Mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic, the efficient motor returns an EPA rated 28mpg in the city and 39mpg on the highway.

A combined 32mpg is quite impressive and is helped by the Elantra GT's makeup, built from ultra-high- and high-tensile steel. As the lightest hatch in its class, it weighs in at 2,784lbs.

Featuring Hyundai's "Fluidic Sculpture" design language, the hatch boasts such amenities as automatic headlights, leather seating, heated front seats and a cooled glovebox. The Elantra GT also claims better passenger and cargo volume compared to its rivals the Mazda3, Focus, Golf and Toyota Matrix.

"[The] Elantra GT is a fun-to-drive, functional, five-door compact hatchback," said Mike O'Brien, Hyundai VP of Product and Corporate Planning.

"Elantra GT is the latest example of how Hyundai is redefining the compact car and setting new standards in automotive design, efficiency and functionality."Set to go on sale this summer, the 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT is currently on display at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. Pricing is expected to fall somewhere in between $16-20K.

2013 Hyundai Elantra Coupe Revealed in the Windy City

The Elantra Coupe has just arrived in the Windy City.

The 2013 Elantra Coupe has just made its debut at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. Hyundai's latest version of the industry-leading Elantra was an eye-catcher to say the least and shows the maturation of the South Korean automaker's "Fluidic Sculpture" design language.The two-door coupe version of the Elantra features a slightly redesigned front fascia and is just a skosh longer than the sedan. It measures 0.4 inches longer, yet maintains its same height (56.5 inches) and width (69.9 inches).
The Elantra coupe also takes the sedan's engine as well, meaning the 1.8-liter inline-4-cylinder engine carries over. It is rated at 148hp and 131 lb-ft of torque.The 2013 Elantra Coupe practically shares its efficiency ratings with the sedan, which is not surprising given all the similarities mentioned above. It returns 28mpg city and 39mpg highway with its six-speed automatic, while the six-speed manual returns a slightly more efficient 29/40mpg.

2013 Acura RDX is Production Ready at Chicago

Changing little from the concept version, the production RDX has been unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show.

Following the concept's unveiling at Detroit, the production version of the RDX has officially debuted at Chicago. Changing little from the concept, the second-generation of the compact crossover retains the basic size of its predecessor while benefitting from more power, better fuel efficiency, improved suspension and a new lick of paint and fresh set of wheels.The previous generation's turbocharged four has been replaced by Honda's 3.5-liter V6 engine that generates 273hp.

This equates to an increase of 33 horses and is available in FWD or AWD, while a brand new six-speed automatic transmission is mated to a new lock-up torque converter to maximize its gas mileage. The result is an EPA estimated 19/27mpg city/highway in AWD and 20/28mpg in FWD.A 'more formal' exterior design couples a longer wheelbase and wider track with a longer hood and simpler surfaces. Matte trim, lots of leather and contoured surfaces feature inside as does Acura's Active Sound Control system and ample technology such as Pandora Internet radio, and navigation with real-time traffic/weather/radar maps/rerouting.New chassis technologies include Amplitude Reactive Dampers and Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering for a smoother, more efficient ride, and a new braking system that reduces drag and further improves gas mileage.

Nissan 370Z Facelift Unveiled at Chicago

Nissan's much respected 370Z receives a mid-life update, but the changes have mainly been kept to a minimal. 

Although Nissan wasn't confirming anything a few days ago, we suspected they'd be unveiling the facelifted 370Z at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. And we predicted correctly. For 2013, Nissan has updated their infamous Z car that should breathe a bit of fresh life into it until the next generation arrives.But hold on to your Z-loving heads there; the changes are not all that extensive. Scheduled to go on sale in the US in June, the 2013 370Z will once again be offered as a Coupe, Roadster, and NISMO Z.

Exterior updates include a refreshed front fascia with vertical LED daytime running lights, a red reflector added to the rear fascia, revised 19-inch aluminum alloys for the Sport Package, and newly restyled standard 18-inchers for the base model.

The Sport Package also offers red-finished brake calipers and Euro-tuned shock absorbers. The interior also receives dark-finish fuel gauge trim. Along with two new exterior colors, changes are apparently minimal. The NISMO Z buyers will also be treated to a new Bose Premium Audio Package with two additional speakers and two subwoofers. Engine offerings remain unchanged, with the 332hp 3.7-liter V6 coming standard.

It can be mated to either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic slushbox. The NISMO Z, however, produces 350hp and 276lb-ft of torque thanks to an exclusive H-configured exhaust system design, muffler tuning and optimized ECM control.Overall, we like the exterior changes, though Nissan seems to have toned down the front fangs in favor of the vertical light design, a la the 350Z.Official pricing hasn't been announced, but we don't expect any drastic changes.

2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI Means a Clean Diesel for Chicago

VW has a new coupe for guys to get their hands on. 

The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI is making its way to the Chicago Auto Show but not before it made its debut online.The fuel-efficient diesel coupe is billed as an affordable car for those who want a diesel that isn't a truck (or a Golf).The 2013 Beetle TDI runs on a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with direct injection (the same found in the Jetta TDI and Passat TDI). It puts out 140hp and 236 lb-ft of torque.
Paired to either a six-speed manual or dual-clutch transmission, the clean diesel engine is projected to return a solid 29mpg city and 39mpg highway, however no official EPA numbers have come out yet.

In terms of features and styling, the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI features a sunroof, Fender Premium sound system, five-inch touchscreen display with sat-nav and V-Tex Leatherette seating. It sits on a set of 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.

Volkswagen's latest Beetle is expected to hit the market towards the end of the 2nd quarter this year as a 2013 model. Keep an eye out of it when it makes its debut at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show.

Mazda Creates a Special Edition MX-5 Miata for the Chicago Auto Show

A special edition MX-5 Miata will make its debut at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show.

Mazda has produced a special edition MX-5 Miata for a premiere at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. We have already seen several special edition versions of this power-retractable hard-top (PRHT) in the past, as it has been on the market now for nearly 7 years.The most telling addition to the latest special edition is the bespoke finish on the PRHT's exterior. In the U.S., it will be available with either Crystal White Pearl Mica or Velocity Red Mica.

Japan and England will receive both colors along with a Spirited Green Metallic finish. The roof will remain black regardless of color choice along with several other black accents, including the mirrors. The MX-5 Miata special edition will run on a set of also blacked-out 17-inch gunmetal alloy wheels.The interior features plenty of leather and alloy pedals. It runs on a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with an output of 167hp. It is mated to either a six-speed Sport automatic transmission or a six-speed manual gearbox. Bilstein shocks, LSRD and sport-tuned suspension along with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters complete the special edition.The Mazda MX-5 Miata special edition will be limited to only 450 units.Keep an eye out for the PRHT when it makes its debut next week at the Chicago Auto Show.

Nissan to Debut Updated 370Z at Chicago

An updated Nissan 370Z is expected to debut later this month at the Chicago Auto Show.
Up until now, Nissan has been focusing much of their attention on the all-new Pathfinder, which debuted in concept form last month at Detroit. As for their sports car lineup, the GT-R is obviously their flagship. The 370Z, which debuted back in 2008, is still very much around and now it's time for the old Z to receive an update.Details are mostly unknown at the moment, but according to themotorreport.com.au, there are some changes that we can expect to see later this month at the Chicago Auto Show.
They're predicting that the basic design of the headlights and taillights will remain about the same, but there could be new LED daytime running lights and other small updates at both ends.There'll also likely be new front and rear bumpers. In terms of power, changes are expected to be few if any simply because there's little extra power available from the 3.7-liter V6 (with the exception of the NISMO model). If Nissan does increase output, revisions to the intake and exhaust systems will be likely. More details to come in just a couple of weeks. Photos displayed are of the 2011 Nissan 370Z.