The 2017 Chicago Auto Show: What I'm Excited For

With all the buzz that's been Generated by the NAIAS this year, along with a slew of new vehicles so pretty that I should label this article as NSFW, It's once again time to take a look at the upcoming 2018 Chicago Auto Show and What You can expect me to be checking out on the Floor this year.

For the past couple years, I've highlighted everything I loved about what I would be looking forward to seeing, and what I saw, at the Nation's largest indoor auto show. Typically, the lineup revolved around higher end sports cars and SUVs. But this year, we're starting off on a more..erm..domesticated footing, with sedans - specifically, Kia's recently unveiled 5-door sports sedan:



1. KIA STINGER GT

Image: Kia Media

Pretty, isn't it? At first glance, you're probably wondering - where are the 4 rings? Or the familiar blue and white circular badge? You'd ponder at what automaker could have gone forth and created such a brilliant looking machine, but then you see the badge, and it says "Kia". A far, far cry from cars reminiscent of the sad, bland and regretful Rios and Sportages of yesteryear, the Stinger GT takes design cues brought forth by the Stinger GT4 Concept from 2011. That design language has culminated in this production - ready version. With enough space and power to take on the likes of Audi and BMW, I am certainly looking forward to where this elevated desire to produce a good looking sedan. 

2. TOYOTA CAMRY

Image: Car & Driver

I hope I haven't gotten anyone thinking that I'm losing my mind or anything, because not even I thought I'd ever be looking forward to seeing one of the world's most vanilla flavored sedans on the road at an auto show- but after seeing the changes Toyota has made to the Camry for 2018, I can't help but admire their ambition to make a boring sedan fun again. With this re-design, it's like seeing that kid in school that always sat in the back of the classroom get a makeover and take a seat in the front row. Now longer, lower, faster and sleeker than its predecessor, the Camry is officially joining the fun party with endless tech, incredible aesthetics, and a really cool panoramic sunroof. Certainly, this makes this new sedan one to put on the check list.




3. Faraday Future FF 91 (hopeful) 

Image: Faraday Future

I say "hopeful" because the FF 91 made its official debut at CES 2017, not NAIAS, which means that the chances of seeing it at the Chicago show are probably slim. But still, one can hope to see the final product of a company whom has been in so much turmoil over the past year, that it's shocking they had the means to produce a car this year at all, let alone last this long to begin with. This makes Faraday Future sort of an underdog and a pioneer in the automotive industry at the same time; a rare position for any company to be in, and one that certainly follows a steep and slippery road to glory. I had my doubts about FF initially, but after seeing their pre-production concept prototype, I've developed a sense of admiration and hope for these guys. Let's hope they make an appearance in the Windy City.



4. BMW 5 Series 

Image: MotorTrend

Typically, BMW owners get a lot of bad rap. Stereotypes of bad driving are typically associated with the common Bimmer owner, like not using blinkers, tailgating, and an unusual affinity for white baseball caps. But it's hard to not secretly stare in admiration when we see a 5 series coming down the road. The 2018 5 series is no different. It's a performance icon in the automotive world, dripping with technology that maintains the status of being one of the best performance sedans money can buy. With bulging lines, powerful performance and the curb appeal of a Victoria's Secret model, you can be sure I'll be checking out BMW's newest 5 series sedan on the floor (along with their entire lineup) come February.



5. BENTLEY CONTINENTAL SUPERSPORTS

Image: NY Daily News

What would this list be without including a high-priced, glittery sports car? Well, it'd still be a good list, but probably not AS good, right? Right. So, without further ado, this is what I am hoping to get a closer look at this year, from Bentley. It's a Continental. And though the name has been around for a little over a decade now, the Brits are still finding ways to cram more and more performance into it with the hopes of getting more power out, and this year is no exception. For 2018, Bentley have given the Supersports an aggressive appearance, and an even more snarily engine that produces 700 Horsepower. It's as if Bentley is insisting that the Continental is for more than the wives of NFL players, and that anyone with a swiss bank account that doesn't wear a monocle or drink tea regularly can also get behind the wheel of one of their most refined coupes. The only early criticism I have of the latest brash and fast Conti is that seemingly out of place rear spoiler. It looks like the sort of thing a teenager would glue to the trunk of his stock 92 Civic because his logic is that more wing = more horsepower. The rest of it though, I'm excited to see how Bentley's latest installment of the Continental fares.


Check back for updates and additions to this list!