The Chicago Auto Show, largest in the nation, opened to the public on Feb. 13 and continues through Sunday.
Thursday and Friday of last week were Media Preview days, when manufacturers reveal all-new or completely redesigned vehicles to members of the automotive media. For me this is always worth a trip to the frigid Windy City in the middle of winter.
This year, SUVs and trucks dominated those reveals – reflecting the current trend among consumers, who are pushing sales of those products beyond those of cars.
Here’s a look at some highlights from the preview.
NISSAN ARMADA
Nissan got a head start by ushering in the 2017 Armada full-size SUV at an off-site location on the eve of the media preview. It was the second-generation Armada’s public world debut.
The massive, rugged, body-on-frame Armada has been given a partial exterior makeover and the previous powertrain has been replaced. The new engine is a 5.6-liter, 390-horsepower V8 joined to a new seven-speed automatic transmission.
Armada’s list of standard features has been embellished to include such features as navigation with traffic and weather information, an 8-inch color display, heated front seats, and a 13-speaker Bose audio system.
An alphabet soup of available safety and security features includes PFCW (predictive forward collision warning), BSI (blind spot intervention), BCI (backup collision intervention), and AVM with MOD (around view monitor with moving object detection).
Armada offers seating for up to eight passengers and has three trim levels: SV, SL and Platinum, all available in two-wheel or four-wheel drive. When properly equipped, both drive configurations have a towing capacity of 8,500 pounds.
The 2017 Armada will reach local dealerships this summer, and Nissan will announce pricing and fuel economy ratings closer to the on-sale date.
KIA NIRO
On Thursday morning, Kia set the media preview in motion with another global debut, the introduction of its all-new Niro hybrid compact crossover. Kia is projecting a 50-mpg combined fuel economy rating for the 2017 Niro (pronounced as in Robert De Niro). Together, the hybrid motor and gas engine produce 146 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque.
With five-passenger seating and a rear cargo area accessed from a rear hatch, Niro offers versatility and practicality along with economy. Kia promises a “very un-hybrid-like driving experience” thanks to Niro’s simplified hybrid system. It’s neither intrusive nor obvious, Kia says, and delivers “seamless transitions of power.”
Among the driver assistance features available on the new Niro are lane departure warning, smart cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, and blind spot detection with rear cross traffic alert. These systems are offered on other Kia vehicles, but Niro stands out for also having an all-new assist system called Eco-DAS (for Driver Assistance System), featuring Kia’s first use of Coasting Guide and Predictive Energy Control, a sophisticated technology similar to one typically seen only on premium brands. Its purpose is to maximize fuel economy and optimize engine efficiency overall.
Niro is scheduled to go on sale early next year, and a plug-in hybrid version will follow.
RAM POWER WAGON
Ram’s big bring-out was the 2017 Power Wagon, redesigned inside and out and reengineered for augmented off-road capability.
Appearance modifications include a restyled grille with bold silver RAM letter badging, black headlamp and taillamp bezels, powder-coated bumpers, unique 17-inch aluminum wheels, and a black “Power Wagon” decal across the tailgate bottom. A vertical stripe behind the cab with “Power Wagon” spelled out in a rotated font is a throwback to a popular Power Wagon design from the 1980s.
Power Wagon’s 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine cranks out 410 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque. It’s joined by a six-speed automatic transmission with manually operated Borg Warner transfer case. Maximum towing capacity is 10,030 pounds.
A hill descent control system takes the guesswork out of negotiating steep downhills in rugged terrain. Engage the system with the push of a button and it automatically regulates braking for a controlled descent.
A dual-alternator system, the first of its kind for three-quarter and one-ton pickups with gas engines, combines 220- and 160-amp units to produce 380 amps, an output that is best-in-class.
Battery currents are continually monitored by intelligent battery sensor technology that systematically shuts off certain onboard electrical systems during low-battery conditions to prevent continued battery depletion.
A Warn 12,000-pound electric winch is standard equipment, mounted behind the front bumper, “able to hang competitors off the ground,” Ram says.
The 2017 Ram Power Wagon hits the market in fourth-quarter 2016.
TOYOTA TACOMA TRD PRO
Toyota unveiled the 2017 Tacoma TRD Pro pickup, outfitted by Toyota Racing Development to deliver serious off-road capability to outdoor enthusiasts and others seeking those qualities in a midsize truck.
Black taillight bezels, hood scoop and fender flares, plus TRD Pro badging on the front doors and tailgate will draw attention to this truck whether off-road or on.
Power comes from a 3.5-liter V6 paired with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
On-demand 4WD with a transfer case and automatic limited-slip differential, both electronically-controlled, is standard on the Tacoma TRD Pro. So is a V6 tow package that includes a Class IV receiver hitch, automatic transmission fluid cooler, engine oil cooler, power steering cooler, 130-amp alternator, 4- and 7-pin connector with converter, and trailer sway control.
For models fitted with an automatic transmission, Crawl Control automatically modulates the throttle and brakes during extreme off-road conditions. Another feature, hill start assist control, minimizes backward rolling on steep inclines when the driver’s foot leaves the brake pedal and goes for the accelerator pedal. A multi-terrain select system offers five different modes for regulating wheel spin in varying driving conditions such as snow, sand and mud. Tacoma TRD Pro’s standard Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain tires have a hand in traction delivery, too.
Trucks equipped with a manual transmission come with an active traction control system that employs the four-channel antilock brakes to manage power flow to the wheels without interfering with throttle input.
Pricing, powertrain specifications and fuel economy ratings will be announced at a later date. The 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro goes on sale in third-quarter 2016.
Mary Lowry is an independent automotive writer who lives in Snohomish County. She is a member of the Motor Press Guild and a board member of the Northwest Automotive Press Association.
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