Kelley Blue Book Analyst Karl Brauer Discusses Advancements in Technology, Performance and the Future of Transportation

02/19/2014

CHICAGO, Feb. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2014 Chicago Auto Show is now open to the public. Held in the McCormick Place complex, the Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America and has been held more times than any other auto exposition on the continent. Exhibitions include: multiple world and North American introductions; a complete range of domestic and imported passenger cars and trucks; sport utility vehicles; and experimental or concept cars. In total, nearly 1,000 different vehicles will be on display.

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2015 KIA SOUL EV
Set to the sounds of soulful electrified blues music, Kia Motors America (KMA) hosted the global unveiling of the 2015 Soul EV at the Chicago Auto Show. Scheduled to go on sale in the third quarter of 2014, the Soul EV will be Kia's first all-electric, zero-emissions car sold in the U.S. and expands the brand's line of environmentally conscious vehicles.

"The new Soul EV is at the forefront of Kia's 'Clean Mobility' program and will offer an even more environmentally friendly option to our customers when it goes on sale later this year," said Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning, KMA. "The Soul EV retains the fun and funky style as well as the packaging efficiency and utility that have made the gasoline-powered Soul such a huge hit with consumers. And to that winning combination it adds useable real-world range and multiple charging options, making it the perfect EV for everyone."

TOYOTA TRD PRO SERIES
Get ready to go where even roads fear to tread with the adrenaline-pumping TRD Pro Series from Toyota. Already favorites among serious off-roaders, the 2015 Toyota Tundra, Tacoma and 4Runner will get even more capable with these new, aggressive off-road packages designed by the experts at Toyota Racing Development (TRD).

The TRD Pro Series arises from Toyota's storied off-road racing heritage, with numerous victories in the grueling Baja 500 and 1000 endurance races. Born from this experience in the desert, Toyota's terrain-conquering vehicles will help serious off-roaders go places they never dreamed possible.

The new factory-installed TRD Pro Series is aimed squarely at extreme off-roading enthusiasts who push their trucks and SUVs to the limit.

Available on 4X4 models of Tundra, Tacoma and 4Runner, all TRD Pro Series vehicles will be equipped with:

TRD Bilstein shocks with remote reservoirs
TRD-tuned front springs
TRD front skid plate
Unique front grille with "TOYOTA" badging (pays tribute to early iconic Toyota models)
TRD floor mats
TRD shift knobs
Black wheels

A hot new color, Inferno, is joined by Black and Super White, cool classics for off-road rigs.

NISSAN NV200 CHICAGO TAXI
Following its introduction in New York City as the city's newest taxi, Nissan unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show a customized Chicago taxi featuring more content tailored to the unique needs of metropolitan cab service than ever before. Chicago has about 7,000 cabs in service, and Nissan wants those who know them bestâ€"taxi riders and driversâ€"to engage in dialogue about what features make for a better taxi experience. The public can share their thoughts through social media such as Twitter or Facebook using #HailYes. The Nissan NV200 taxi's green and white design expresses a modern take on a historically popular Chicago taxi color. The Chicago NV200 taxi offers USB charging, anti-fatigue driver's seats, panoramic sky views of the city, reduced odors, improved leg room, more cargo space, passenger safety and other conveniences that no other taxi offers.

2015 SUBARU LEGACY
Subaru of America, Inc. today introduced the all-new 2015 Legacy, delivering a more compelling blend of standout design, interior refinement, safety technology and higher fuel efficiency along with the largest interior passenger volume in the midsize sedan segment. Still the only car in its class with All-Wheel Drive as standard, the 2015 Legacy continues the brand's safety leadership by introducing an improved EyeSight system and available rear radar system that supports new driver-assistance technologies. Offering a choice of 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder BOXER engines, the 2015 Subaru Legacy comes standard with Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. With estimated ratings of 26 mpg city / 36 mpg highway / 30 mpg combined, the 2015 Legacy 2.5i matches or exceeds fuel economy of some midsize models that come only with front-wheel drive. The 6-cylinder model also sees fuel economy improve by 10 percent or more, with new estimated ratings of 20 mpg city / 28 mpg highway / 23 combined. The new 2015 Legacy arrives in Subaru dealerships in summer 2014 with the 4-cylinder 2.5i model available in Standard, Premium and Limited trim lines, accompanied by the top-of-line 6-cylinder 3.6R Limited.