Paul Yap: Chicago Auto Show 2016: Concept and Non-Production Cars

February 12, 2016

McCormick Place

Chicago, IL

Let me start by sharing the back-story of how I was able to attend the 2016 Chicago Auto Show. Dianne and I were already scheduled to be in Chicago a week before I even found out about the auto show. Since Dianne was supposed to be busy with some business stuff on Thursday and Friday, I decided to search the internet for events going on during those days and the weekend. Lo and behold, the Chicago Auto Show was also scheduled for the same weekend that we were in town. Fortunately, their media registration policy allows for on-the-spot application. So, everything worked out perfectly.

The Chicago Auto Show is touted as the nation's largest. This would be my first auto show so I wouldn't have anything to compare it with. One thing's for sure though, the venue was huge! With a show area of over 1 million square feet, the show is indeed the largest in terms of square footage, although the show doesn't receive a lot of new vehicle announcements.

This part will be the first of three. Photos of concept cars, prototype and one-off vehicles, and modified/race cars should be all in here.

Buick Avista

Best Concept Vehicle

I would have to agree that this car is the best concept vehicle at the show. It should be exciting to see GM put this car into production as is, since the car looks production-ready with some European GT car styling cues incorporated into the design. Debuting early this year, the Avista is powered by a 3.0L twin-turbocharged V6 and is based on GM's Alpha platform that is shared with the current Cadillac ATS-V and the sixth generation Chevrolet Camaro.

Acura Precision Concept

This concept car is another one sexy piece of automotive art, which debuted at the 2016 NAIAS. The design reminds me of the Mazda RX-vision concept car because of its sleek shape and sweeping lines, although the Acura has sharper edges and accentuated creases and curves compared to the Mazda's smooth lines and edges. This new design language looks very impressive and commanding. The interior is equally as beautiful with the clean lines and wooden accents.

Genesis Vision G Concept

This, guys, is a Hyundai although it is now under a separate brand named Genesis, which they created for their luxury line of vehicles. This car was first shown in August of last year. It somewhat resembles the shape of a Bentley Continental GT, with some design cues that were possibly derived from other European luxury cars. Regardless, they don't take anything away from the fact that this car looks amazing. This design language should indicate that the upcoming Genesis models will be well-proportioned and sleek.

Subaru Impreza 5-Door Concept

As the name says, it is a 5-door hatchback design practice for Subaru. It might also be their new design language for the next generation of Imprezas. Coincidentally, the car kind of resembles the 2nd generation Mazda 3 hatchback's and the 2015 Hyundai Elantra GT's designs, albeit with better proportions. It would be refreshing to see the future Impreza looking like this concept though.

Subaru BRZ STI Concept

This looks pretty much like a modified Subaru BRZ utilizing aftermarket parts, although this could also be the US version of Subaru's Japan-spec BRZ tS dressed up in STI bodywork. Here's to hoping this would appear on the dealership showroom floors as is.

Toyota-Scion C-HR Concept

This is a very wild and unique design for sure. Just recently, it was announced that the production version will be shown at the upcoming Geneva Auto show, and it will definitely be sporting a Toyota badge. Watch out, Juke!

Mazda Miata Spyder Concept

I have always had a soft spot for Miatas, especially the first generation NA's. This current generation (ND) looks menacing and sexy at the same time, which are best exemplified by this Spyder Concept. Now this look wouldn't be hard to achieve on your own though, since NA and NB owners have already been adding the bikini tops to their cars for years. I just think that this body design flows better with the canvas top.

Mazda Miata Speedster Concept

Have I said that I love Miatas? This concept looks awfully similar to the Aston Martin CC100 Speedster Concept from 3 years ago. It even sports a similar paint color which is very hard to capture correctly under artificial light. The interior accents of brown leather, carbon fiber and Alcantara. Now if only Mazda will build this speedster, and preferably more than how many Aston Martin built for their CC100 (they sold 2 copies of the CC100).

Kia Telluride

The Telluride is one of the best looking concept vehicles, and probably the best looking SUV concept. The proportions are right and the paint is amazing. Kia, please produce this SUV and give Volvo a run for their money.

Nissan Winter Warriors

The Nissan Winter Warriors concept vehicles come in 3 flavors - Pathfinder, Murano, and Rogue, with full snow track systems. Shown at the CAS were the Murano and the Rogue. Although the snow tracks look wicked on these 2 SUV's, they are basically impractical and useless unless you live in the polar regions. If only Nissan can channel this creativity into making more off-road oriented vehicles that people could actually buy and use on a more practical basis, then we would be more elated.

Pandem Lexus RC-F

This was probably the only SEMA car present at the Chicago Auto Show, and it was a badass car to boot. This RC-F is sporting Pandem's first wide-body kit. Pandem isn't really an entirely new brand, but rather it is a division of Rocket Bunny/TRA Kyoto that will now be developing kits for the luxury car market. This wide-body kit suits the lines of the RC-F very well. I would even go as far as saying that this kit would look OEM if it were molded and not riveted. Either way, it enhances the car's design and takes it to the extreme. The TE37 "Ultra" wheels, Brembo brakes, Greddy exhaust, and KW suspension all add to the finishing touches of this RC-F's look.

Toyota Tacoma - Back to the Future

Since the movie Back to the Future featured one of the most iconic pick-up trucks in the world, the Toyota Hilux (Toyota Truck in USA), Toyota decided to recreate the look of Marty McFly's truck to celebrate "the future" that is October 21, 2015. Now, where are our hoverboards, Lexus?

Toyota Mirai - Back to the Future

Mirai, which means "future" in Japanese, is a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle which is currently only sold in California. Toyota decides whether you are worthy enough to be a Mirai trailblazer by having you fill out a questionnaire on their Mirai website. So, the car is most definitely limited in availability for now. Although this concept car was modified to tie in with the Back to the Future theme, it is pretty much how the production car looks like, minus the light-up wheels and gull-wing doors, plus add 2 more doors for rear passengers.

Toyota Personal Mobility Concept Vehicles

Toyota has been putting out some innovative technology and weird designs for years, but these 2 concept vehicles are pretty interesting. These are both single-passenger vehicles, which could very well be the future of transportation considering that most cars on the road are occupied by only one person - the driver. Pictures here are the FV2 and the i-Road.

2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Toyota Camry

Toyota displayed Kyle Busch's #18 M&M's Camry, along with a drivetrain mock-up and cut-outs. Why can't we have a rear-wheel drive, V8 powered Camry in manual transmission?

Le Mans Porsche 919 Hybrid

In 2014, the very first year the 919 competed in 24 Hours of Le Mans, the car did not do too well. With 2 entries into the race, the #14 car finished 11th overall and #20 car did not even finish the last lap getting an NC. But in 2015, Porsche came back with a vengeance and 2 out of the 3 cars finished first and second. That would be their first win since 1998, and hopefully breaking Audi's dominance for 13 years. Porsche Intelligent Performance, indeed!

Mazda Prototype - LMP2

The Mazda Prototype initially used a 2.2L bi-turbo four cylinder diesel engine when it debuted at the 2014 season of the Tudor United Sportscar Championship. It became the first ever diesel-powered car to lead the Rolex 24 at Daytona back in 2015. Despite that small achievement, the diesel engine derived from a road-going car proved to be too slow. So for 2016, Mazda is replacing the diesel with the MZ-2.0T, a 2L gas-fueled, turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine developed with Advanced Engine Research (AER) Ltd.