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Mazda Cuts The Crap In Chicago For Miata Accessories Concept Reveal

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MX-5 Miata Accessories

The press events here at the Chicago Auto Show have been, for the most part, excruciatingly formulaic. Even when they had a live band, even when they had a dancing robot situation, those standout moments only came into relief against the backdrop of a very standardized look and feel: One man, a presenter, reads from a teleprompter and says a bunch of stuff that you would never mistake as anything other than a scripted speech. It’s catchy, it’s vigorous, it’s hyper-optimistic (Even when it probably shouldn’t be. Oh hey, Mitsubishi). There’s always a video, and music to get you PUMPED. UP. Basically, it’s the worst.

Mazda’s news conference this morning was the exact opposite of all that, and it was so refreshing. It was efferfuckingvescent.  It was a crowd of people who appeared to really give a shit listening to people who were actual experts — MX-5 brand manager Rod McLaughlin and design manager Ken Saward both took the floor and were casual, engaging, and spoke with the type of eloquence that comes from actually knowing and caring about your subject.

Granted, nothing was really being unveiled and presumably there would have been a bit more pomp and nonsense had it been more than an accessories design concept taking center stage, but I’m still saying they nailed it. It felt deliberately pared down, and was genuinely informative and easy to glean actual information from. That should be the norm, but it isn’t. The norm is robots.

So what’s the accessories concept all about? It includes:

  • Aero Kit (Front Air Dam, Side Sill Extensions, Rear Bumper Skirt and Rear Lip Spoiler)
  • Brembo Brakes: Lightweight Brembo front brakes, red brake calipers behind all four wheels
  • BBS Wheels: Forged black, sized 17x7J 45mm offset, wrapped in 205/45R17 tires.
  • Luggage Rack: Made of carbon fiber, weighs less than two pounds, mounts to the trunk 

Nice stuff for a nice car from an automaker that doesn’t blow smoke up your ass. I’m sold. And by sold I mean I will happily accept one as a gift.

Chicago auto show 2015 miata

Melissa is a writer from a nice wooded area. Her first ride, if you don't count the albino pony, was a 1981 Dodge Diplomat. It had only two doors despite being the size of a barge and a spacious three-person bench up front.

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The 2024 Dodge Charger Electric Concept is That Car

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dodge charger 2024

If this is the future of electric pony cars, I’m on board. 

We’ve heard rumors of the next iteration of the Dodge Charger. We’ve seen the concept pictures. But after seeing it in person at the 2023 Chicago Auto Show, I can say, the electric future is pretty bright at Stellantis (aside from the Ram overkill).

From a design perspective, nobody beats the designers of Dodge cars, in my opinion. The lines on this car pay tribute to Chargers of the past, while also being very modern. Even the triangle-shaped logo, known as a Fratzog, harkens to its Mopar past. 

Where the design gets more modern, without losing us in the new wave is the unique aero hood that is undetectable looking at the front of the car. But a look from around the windshield clearly shows a full scoop at the front of the hood that is unlike anything in the class.

The concept is also a two-door, which is a deviation from the modern-day Chargers that only came in four-door. Whether the company will release a four-door version still remains to be seen.

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2024 Dodge Charger Engine Specs

While the design is catching many eyes, it’s still Dodge we’re talking about here. People are going to want to know about the power. After all, Dodge making an electric vehicle seems like a clear departure from the gas-guzzling, tire-burning Dodges of the past.

However, the company put out a teaser video with clear messaging that performance will not be lost. With the capability of electric powertrain torque, they are likely leaning on takeoff power, and I’m confident the car will be fast. That being said, there’s no replacing the sound of a traditional hemi engine. But, with the electric revolution, some concessions will need to be made. 

Right now, all we know about is three engine options under the hood for the 2024 Dodge Charger Electric. They are: 

  • 340 with 440 horsepower
  • 440 with 590 horsepower
  • SRT 800 with horsepower not yet released 

2024 Dodge Charger Electric Price

While pricing hasn’t been released, since the 2024 Dodge Charger Electric is still listed as a concept, we have a rough idea of where things could land – within an accepted range of error. 

Our estimates of price of the 2024 Dodge Charger Electric are: 

  • Dodge Charger Electric 340, $55-65,000
  • Dodge Charger Electric 440, $65-75,000
  • Dodge Charger SRT, $90-100,000

No matter how you feel about electric vehicles – especially with Dodge – the world is heading that direction. But with the 2024 Dodge Charger Electric, there is hope.

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2020 Chevy Corvette Details and Images

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new chevy corvette 2020 blue

The 2020 Corvette is here – and it’s the one we’ve been waiting for. 

Having seen and sat in the car in person, I can confidently say that Chevrolet nailed it with the G8 Corvette that only shares a single part with its predecessor. 

The biggest change is clearly the engine of the car moving from the front to a mid-engine. This has become a high-end performance car staple, but not something Chevrolet has entertained until the release of the newest version for 2020. The mid-engine gives the Corvette better balance and handling dynamics, while it is slightly heavier than the last edition. 

2020 chevy corvette mid-engine

The new Corvette will be available in three trim levels, the 1LT, 2LT and 3LT. There will be a single engine offered initially – the 6.2-liter V8 that produces 495 horsepower paired to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The 2020 Corvette Stingray 0-60 time, according to Chevrolet, is 2.8 seconds and it can conquer the quarter-mile in 11.2 seconds, reaching 122 mph. 

The overall appearance of the Corvette has changed a bit, but it’s still very recognizable as a Corvette, which is key to an evolution that still harkens back to the car’s rich history that began in 1953. The door handles have been hidden and the car has an incredibly sleek and clean look. It retains its convertible option, but has a first-ever production retractable hardtop. It can activate at speeds up to 30 mph.

2020 chevy corvette blue stingray chicago

Inside, the car feels amazingly natural to sit in. You almost become part of the car, which is how you want to feel when navigating a sports car – especially if you are lucky enough to be able to pilot the car around a real track.

2020 chevy stingray interior

There are three seat combinations to choose from, so everyone can find the Corvette that best suits them. There’s even a trunk behind the mid-engine, which the professionals at the Chicago Auto Show were quick to point out “can hold two sets of golf clubs.” While the actual golf bags would have to be pretty small, funnier to me was the assumption that I like golf. 

2020 chevy corvette trunk space

Arriving for sale now, the 2020 Chevy Corvette is sure to impress. It’s already been named the 2020 Motor Trend Car of the Year – and I have a feeling the awards will keep coming. 

2020 Chevy Corvette Key Stats

Horsepower495
Torque470 lb-ft
Top Speed194 mph
0-60 Time2.9 seconds
Quarter-Mile11.2 seconds


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Kia Seltos Pricing Leaked. Is It A Value Buy?

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Kia promised the new 2021 Seltos to start under $22,000. And thanks to some leaked Kia Seltos pricing information, the brand appears to have made good on it. Barely. 

The base Seltos LX (and S) from the information that’s out there, appears to be sneaking just under the bar at $21,990. Yes, $10 MSRP does equal a promise fulfilled. 

Yes, we are going to wait until Kia officially gives out the pricing to fully speculate. But for now, it’s up to you to decide if a Kia SUV is in your future. 

2021 Kia Seltos Pricing

ModelPrice
LX AWD$21,990
S FWD$21,990
S AWD$23,490
EX AWD$25,290
S 1.6L Turbo$25,490
SX 1.6L Turbo$27,890
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