From Muscle to Minivan

The two most significant vehicle unveilings at this year's Chicago auto show illustrate the extreme contradiction that is the U.S. automotive market.

On one hand is the buyer consumed with horsepower and the testerone-charged styling of the Dodge Challenger SRT8. On the other is the more practical customer who pines for something spacious and more fuel efficient, like the Volkswagen Routan minivan.

The Challenger SRT8 proudly flew its muscle-car flag in the Windy City, powered by a 6.1L Hemi V-8 rated at 425 hp and 420 lb.-ft. (569 Nm) of torque.

Its future may be tenuous as strict fuel-economy mandates await in 2020. Until then, Challenger SRT8 customers will have to swallow 13/18 mpg city/highway (18-13 L/100 km) mileage.

The car goes on sale in April, priced at $37,995. A less-expensive V-6 model will be available next year.

Volkswagen AG is banking on its new Chrysler-derived minivan to be a uniquely American vehicle that better meets U.S. market demands than its vans of the past. The Routan goes on sale in the U.S. later this year, with a base price below $25,000.

Power comes from Chrysler's 197-hp 3.8L V-6 and the 251-hp 4.0L V-6.

General Motors Corp. unveiled the '09 Chevy Traverse, an 8-passenger cross/utility vehicle and fourth variant off GM's successful Lambda platform.

Production begins in the third quarter at GM's Spring Hill, TN, assembly plant. The Traverse receives a slight performance boost over its stablemates by borrowing the critically acclaimed V-6 engine available in the '08 Cadillac CTS and STS sedans.

Porsche AG debuted its 405-hp Cayenne GTS, now on sale in the U.S., priced at $69,300.

With a standard air suspension, lower ride height than the Cayenne S, standard all-wheel drive, larger wheels and tires and a 6-speed manual transmission (a first for a V-8 SUV or CUV), Porsche calls the Cayenne GTS “the best-handling SUV in the world.”

American Honda Motor Co. Inc.'s Acura luxury brand is looking to increase sales of its flagship RL with a refreshed ‘09 model, unwrapped in Chicago.

Honda has set an annual sales goal of 12,000 units for the vehicle, which has seen sales slump badly. Deliveries fell 45.6% in 2007, compared with 2006, to 6,262 units, according to Ward's data.

Under the hood, the RL gets the MDX's 3.7L V-6, which replaces the RL's original 3.5L. While boosting torque to 275 lb.-ft. (372 Nm) from 260 lb.-ft. (353 Nm), horsepower holds steady at 300.
— with reporting by James M. Amend, Eric Mayne, Tom Murphy, Byron Pope and Christie Schweinsberg

Ford to Launch European Transit Connect Van in U.S. subscribers.wardsauto.com/ar/ford_transit_connect/index.html Mitsubishi U.S. Plant Won't Meet Same Fate as Australia wardsauto.com/ar/mitsubishi_plant_australia/index.html