Now that CAS10 is behind us, I wanted to share with you my thoughts on some of the debuts at the show. This year’s Chicago Auto Show only had 8 unveilings. There were two concept vehicles and 6, mostly refreshed, production vehicles. I’ve given them a simple “thumbs up� or “thumbs down� review. To see all the photos I took at the Chicago Auto Show please check out my Flickr feed.

Kia Ray Concept: Thumbs Down

The Kia Ray concept is a design study and a poor one at that. The Ray is a plug-in hybrid that supposedly has a range of 746 miles. Pie-in-the-sky features include a solar celled hood and rooftop, headlights that need to move out of the way to cool down the powertrain and space-age seats. Kia proudly proclaims that that the vehicle was designed at its California center. America: you should be ashamed!

If you told me that this jellybean was unveiled at the 1996 Chicago Auto Show we might have had something here, but we live in 2010. The Ray’s derivative design has been used on dozens of concepts over the past few years, its bland side profile and shoddy construction didn’t impress me either. Some elements of this vehicle will make it to Kia’s planned dedicated hybrid Prius fighter, coming in a few years time.

Honda Odyssey Concept: Thumbs Down

If you thought I was a bit harsh on Kia’s Ray, than you might want to skip my thoughts on the Odyssey Concept. Fundamentally, what has happened here is a failure for Honda to accept that their current design language isn’t working. The Odyssey takes Honda’s light-truck design cues, think Honda Pilot and Honda Ridgeline, this includes Honda’s huge squared-off, chrome grille. Honda put a lot of emphasis on the Odyssey’s “lightning-bolt” design cue. As the beltline rises slightly, there’s a noticeable zag once the line reaches the D-pillar. The rear end isn’t half bad, Audi-like tail lamps adorn the rear end. It didn’t help that Honda unveiled the vehicle in a pearly metallic white: it’s like the vehicle was purposefully screaming “Look, I’m a moving refrigerator.â€�

None of this matters to the mommy’s who will buy this thing, 19 mpg city and 28 mpg highway is superb gas mileage for a V6 behemoth. The Odyssey will be wider and longer than the last gen and Honda claims to have figured out a few things with the interior that will further increase interior cargo capacity.

2011 Ford Edge: Thumbs Up

The Ford Edge is an excellent refresh that keeps Ford competitive with the Nissan Murano and Toyota Highlander. The refresh addresses three huge problems on the last generation model, the interior, poor breaking performance and gas mileage. There are three new powertrains which, for the first time, includes a 4-cylinder option. Ford is expecting a maximum of 30 mpg highway on the 2.0-liter EcoBoost powertrain. The 3.5-liter persists, but now includes twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT), which boosts power and gas mileage.

Finally, the Sport model now has a high-end 3.7-liter V6 option, capable of 305-horsepower. New four-wheel disc brakes include new steel pistons, larger rear rotors, revised brake friction materials, revised brake booster gain and revised pedal ratios, all of which enable firmer, more confident braking, so says Ford. This should address the Edge’s long braking distances. I discussed the interior and exterior upgrades to the Edge in an earlier post here.

2011 Hyundai Azera: Thumbs Down

Hyundai sneaked this one onto the auto show without a press conference with good reason. It takes a trained eye to tell the differences, but if you look closely, Hyundai has revised the front and rear bumpers and the lamps. The bumpers are supposed to tie in the Azera with its more expensive cousin, the Hyundai Genesis. The front headlamps now feature light piping and the rear gets the full LED treatment.

The upgraded powertrain now features dual continuously variable valve timing and a 6-speed automatic, the 3.3-liter V6 is now faster and more fuel efficient with a 28 mpg maximum on the highway.

My issue with the Azera is it needed much more than a mild refresh to stay relevant. It’s basically a copy cat of the successful Avalon, yet Hyundai only moved 3,808 for all of last year and 298 in January. If these were the spy photos we were seeing for the next-gen Azera it is sorely disappointing.

2011 Chevy Silverado HD: Thumbs Up

While the exterior hasn’t changed much, most of what lies underneath the new 2011 Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty is all new. For 2011, the Silverado HD gets an all-new, fully-boxed frame; a stronger independent and new asymmetrical leaf-spring rear suspensions; a more powerful 6.0L V8 gasoline engine; a new, exhaust braking system; larger brakes; improved ride, handling and steering.

The best part of the Silverado HD is the new Allison 1000 six-speed automatic transmission attached to the stunning new 6.6L turbo diesel V8. The new V8 can run on B20 biodiesel and has improved fuel economy. All of this amounts to best in class towing of 20,000 pounds!

Heavy-duty trucks are some of the most profitable vehicles to sell in this industry and the new Silverado HD (and soon to be GMC Sierra HD copy) will position GM well against the new Ford F-Series HD and Chrysler Ram HD.

2011 Toyota Avalon: Thumbs Up

The Toyota Avalon is one of the best selling and most well regarded full-sized family sedans. The Avalon didn’t need drastic improvements to maintain its position in the market and I guess Toyota got the picture. For 2011, the Toyota Avalon gets a new front clip and rear end treatment – plus an all-new interior. For those fearful of Toyota’s sudden acceleration issues, the Avalon will be equipped with a brake override system.

The Avalon keeps the same powertrain, but fuel economy bumped up none the less. The 2011 Avalon will get 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, which is at the top of its class. An initial impressions post on the Avalon is coming soon.

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