Small Acura sedan, Hyundai Elantra coupe among 10 Chicago debuts
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Acura will make a splash at the Chicago Auto Show this week with the introduction of its ILX small sedan and the redesigned 2013 RDX crossover.
GMC will unveil the next-generation Acadia, and Hyundai will show a coupe version of the popular Elantra.
Ten world debuts are scheduled during the press days, Wednesday, Feb. 8, and Thursday, Feb. 9.
Here are the highlights:
Acura
The 2013 ILX will replace the TSX in Acura's lineup. Three powertrains will be offered, including the brand's first hybrid.
The new sedan will share underpinnings and powertrains with the Honda Civic. The ILX is smaller than the outgoing TSX, which was based on the European Honda Accord platform.
The redesigned RDX crossover will have a longer wheelbase and wider track.
Concepts of both vehicles were introduced last month at the Detroit auto show.
Chrysler Group
Chrysler Group will show specialty versions of its Ram full-sized pickup and Chrysler 300 S sedan as well as three aftermarket kits from its Mopar parts brand.
The Ram brand will show the Laramie Limited edition of its light-duty and heavy-duty pickups. The upper-end trim level features high-gloss black interior trim pieces and leather interior seating and door elements to achieve a more understated look than the Ram Laramie Southwest edition.
Chrysler also will introduce the Mopar '12 300, a blacked-out version of the 300. The limited-edition car features a number of unique styling elements and a revised gear ratio to enhance acceleration.
To showcase its aftermarket parts and accessories, Mopar also will introduce customized versions of the Fiat 500, Dodge Dart and Jeep Compass.
Ford
Ford will make Mustang news with the introduction of the 650-hp GT500 convertible.
GMC
General Motors will unveil the 2013 GMC Acadia, featuring the first exterior and interior styling changes for the crossover since its introduction in 2006.
The Acadia is expected to get new sheet metal and a redesigned grille and front fascia.
The Acadia is the first of the three crossovers built on GM's Lambda platform to be restyled and re-engineered. New versions of the Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse will debut this year as 2013 models.
Hyundai
The 2013 two-door Elantra coupe will debut along with another Elantra variant, the replacement for the Elantra Touring wagon.
The coupe is based on the popular sedan and adopts Hyundai's fluidic sculpture design language. Coupe sales begin in spring.
The Touring name is expected to be abandoned as well as the wagon designation. The new model is based on the redesigned i30 that is sold in Europe and debuted at the Frankfurt auto show last September. In the United States it is expected to be labeled a five-door hatchback. Sales could begin as early as this summer.
Kia
The Track'ster coupe concept is Kia's interpretation of what a performance-inspired Soul could look like. The concept was created by the automaker's California design team.
Nissan
Nissan will unveil the 2013 NV200, a five-passenger compact van that will be used in taxi, commercial and retail passenger applications. Over the next several years, the van will replace New York City's taxi fleet, which consists mainly of Ford's Crown Victoria.
Nissan also will give U.S. show goers their first view of the passenger version of the full-sized NV cargo van.
The van debuted last month at the Montreal auto show.
Nissan has been selling the larger NV1500/2500/3500 van for the past year equipped for cargo use. The passenger version, with seating for 12, will be pitched primarily for shuttle and commercial transportation use.
Also planned is a minor freshening for the 2013 370Z, including new color packages.
Toyota
The 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser will have its North American auto show debut, simultaneous with the vehicle's release to U.S. dealers. The full-sized SUV will have a restyled front grille and headlights, new side mirrors and taillights, and chrome side molding.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen will unveil a diesel version of the 2013 Beetle. The model is scheduled to go on sale in August.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story misidentified the Buick crossover that will be restyled for the 2013 model year. It is the Buick Enclave.
Ryan Beene, Lindsay Chappell, Mike Colias, Christina Rogers and Larry P. Vellequette contributed to this report
• Acura ILX
• Acura RDX
• Chrysler Mopar '12 300
• Ford GT500 convertible
• GMC Acadia
• Hyundai Elantra coupe
• Nissan NV200
• Ram Laramie Limited
• Diesel Volkswagen Beetle
Concept
• Kia Track'ster coupe
