Ford Alton F 650 XUV

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We've seen some outrageous F-650-based vehicles like this before (the DeBerti for one), but for some reason, the Alton F-650 XUV jumped out at us at the Chicago Auto Show. Perhaps we were already focused on Ford's Work Solutions trucks in the vicinity, but this insane beast just put our DSLRs on autopilot. The F-650-based XUV was built by Alton Manufacturing and carries a GVWR of 25,999 lbs. That makes the 660 ft-lbs of torque generated by its 7.2L Caterpillar engine seem paltry. Besides the big-rig-meets-Excursion bodywork, your nearly $200,000 expenditure for this XUV will get you hardwood floors, custom captains chairs, a 42-speaker sound system, two drop-down 16-inch TVs plus a 42-inch plasma, four computer workstations, plus a train horn. Oh, you'll also get bragging rights for the biggest, baddest truck in 99% of the world's neighborhoods

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Alton F650 XUV

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Ford Alton F 650 XUV

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Labels: Alton F-650 XUV, Alton F-650 XUV, Alton Manufacturing, AltonF-650Xuv, AltonManufacturing, Chicago, chicago 2008, Chicago Auto Show, Chicago2008, ChicagoAutoShow, F-650, F650, FordWorkSolutions, Work Solutions, WorkSolutions, XUV,ford alton f-650 xuv,ford f-650 xuv,ford f650 xuv,ford alton f650,f650 super crewzer,650 ford,f 150 pick up,scope ford f-650 xuv,alton xuv,ford 650 xuv,alton f-650 xuv

Brain...Jammed Vandals Destroy Seven New Toyota Models at 2011 Chicago Auto Show

Auto shows seem to have become risky business for car manufacturers. After the BMW 750i that was stolen at the Detroit motor show earlier this year, now more disturbing news comes from the Chicago Auto Show, where the Toyota booth attracted unwanted attention.

According to local newspapers, seven new Toyota models had their interiors vandalized by three young men, aged 20, 21 and 28. We don't know what really caused this deviant behavior, but one report attributes it to the fact that the three vandals were allegedly angry "about American jobs going overseas".

And it seems they wanted the Japanese cars to suffer badly, judging from the tools they used - screwdrivers and razor knives. The three young men were arrested on Wednesday evening before the show's closing time when guards noticed them acting suspiciously around a Toyota Camry. The mess they made inside the seven cars is substantial: dashboards were left smashed and ripped, seat upholstery sliced, windshields scratched, speakers cut open and turn indicators broken.

According to the police, the damage to the cars is estimated at $30,000. Interestingly, they had no preference for a particular model, vandalizing a Camry, a RAV4, a Land Cruiser, a Prius, two Tundras and one Lexus ES350. Funny thing, no accelerator pedal or floor mat were damaged...

By Dan Mihalascu

Source: Chicago Sun Times

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New Dodge Durango Heat gets the R/T’s Goods Sans the V8 Engine

Dodge doubled its new Durango offerings at the Chicago Auto Show with the launch of the Heat performance package that joins the R/T model. The two trim levels share most of their exterior and interior appointments as well as suspension tweaks, but whereas the R/T gets a 360-horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI V8, the Heat is fitted with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 delivering 295 ponies and 260 lb.-ft. (353 Nm) of torque for an improved fuel efficiency of 16/23 mpg for the rear-wheel-drive model and 16/22 mpg for the all-wheel-drive version.

From there on, the Durango Heat features the same color-matched bodykit and dual chrome exhaust tips on the outside and decorative trim inside as the R/T. The Heat will come equipped with a Uconnect Voice Command and 506-watt Alpine audio system with 10 speakers, including subwoofer, as standard

The five-passenger Heat also shares R/T’s more aggressive suspension tuning, performance steering, unique 20-inch wheels with all-season performance tires, a 20-mm lower ride height, and tuned exhaust system.

The Durango Heat has a starting U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $30,295 (excluding destination charges), which represents a $5,170 saving over the V8-powered R/T.

2012 Acura TL: Video and Live Photos from the Chicago Auto Show

In an attempt to win back buyers that were turned off by the fourth generation TL's controversial looks, Acura revealed a mid-cycle refresh for the 2012 model year version of the car at the Chicago Auto Show. We've already brought you the key details in our previous post (see here), but now we have a fresh batch of photos and a walkaround video of the 2012 TL straight from Acura's stand at the McCormick Place Convention Center. You can check both out right after the jump.

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Shelby Introduces Limited Edition 2012 Shelby GT350, Adds Convertible Option for the First Time Since 1970

At the 2011 Chicago Auto Show, Shelby unveiled the limited edition 2012 Shelby GT350, which enters the new model year with two fresh color options and, for the first time since 1970, a convertible body style. Based on the Ford Mustang GT, the Shelby GT350 comes with three engine choices, including a base version with a naturally aspirated 430HP V8 mated to either a manual gearbox or an automatic transmission, and two supercharged variants delivering 525HP and 624HP.

The new color options are Race Red and Kona Blue, both with white Le Mans stripes, while the Performance White with blue Le Mans stripes combo continues for the 2012MY. Last but not least, the new GT350 convertible can be ordered with a light bar, while other options include a once piece drive shaft and color coordinated billet aluminum engine cap set.

“Last year, we brought back the GT350 45 years after it was launched,” said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby American. “They look and sound just like the ones we built in 1965. We’re repeating history by offering two additional colors and building a few convertibles for the second year of production.”

Prices, not including the donor Mustang GT, start from US$26,995 for the naturally aspirated version and US$33,995. The company said it plans to keep production limited to 350 units.

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Ram Introduces New 1500 Tradesman at Chicago Show

Chrysler's Ram division introduced the a new Tradesman option package for the 2011 Ram 1500 at the Chicago Auto Show. Based on the ST trim level, the new variant comes with the 390HP 5.7-liter HEMI V8 and five-speed automatic transmission, accompanied by a more comprehensive standard equipment list.

The Tradesman packages includes the Class IV trailer hitch, heavy-duty engine and transmission cooling, 17-inch steel wheels, front and rear heavy-duty shock absorbers, front and rear stabilizer bars, 160-amp alternator and a 700-amp maintenance-free battery.

Furthermore, customers can choose from a long list of options such as 3.21 and 3.92 rear axle ratios, anti-spin differential, engine block heater, folding trailer-tow mirrors, rubber floor mats, tire pressure monitoring system and a variety of tow hooks.

Available in short- and long-bed configurations, in two- and all-wheel drive configurations, the Tradesman has a maximum towing capacity of 10,450 lbs. According to Ram, the 4x2 models return 20 mpg (11.7 lt/100 km) on the highway.

“The Ram Tradesman is named for -- and aimed at -- the heart of our business”, said Fred Diaz, President and CEO, Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “This is a hard-working truck for hard-working people. Durability, reliability and value for the money are the top three considerations for our customers. Their truck is the most important tool they own and one they’ll use every day. The Ram Tradesman is a truck they can depend on”.

The 1500 Tradesman is due for launch in the second quarter of 2011, with a starting MSRP of $22,780, including the $975 destination charge.

By Csaba Daradics

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