Honda FCV concept

Offering the best look yet at a production version of the Honda FCV that will bow in 2016, the Japanese automaker also announced several new powertrains and models expected between now and 2018. In addition to selling this fuel cell vehicle, Honda will also add to its roster of hybrids, plug-in and pure EVs

 the recast FCV Concept, which made it global debut in Japan last fall, has a cleaner overall appearance, with the most prominent differences evident in the trimmer and more elegantly sculpted front and rear fascias. It also sports a tidier profile view that features additional real-world touches like conventional side mirrors and a traditional wheel cutout in the rear fender. While we suspect the show car's avant-garde steering wheel may not make the final cut, most of the rest of the design elements on its well-finished 5-passenger cabin appear to be production ready. Details are scant on the vehicle's electric motors, but Honda's FCV is still slated to travel over 300 miles on a single tank of hydrogen and have a refueling time of roughly three minutes on a standard 70MPa pressure line

More Hybrids, Plug-ins and BEVs ahead 

Honda provided plenty of good news for those seeking less-radical cleaner, greener alternatives, as well. Over the course of the next three years, it will introduce a host of new vehicles that further leverage the firm's Earth Dreams Technology. At least one new plug-in hybrid and one new battery-electric vehicle are currently waiting in the wings and the automaker also plans to ramp up applications of its current two-motor and three-motor conventional hybrid systems to increase their market penetration here in the U.S. Finally, by the end of 2015, Honda's plant in Anna, Ohio, will begin rolling out a new strain of 4-cylinder VTEC Turbo engines that will deliver impressive performance with exceptional fuel economy

On a more conventional front, the Honda execs confirmed that after the spring launch of the new 2016 Honda HR-V subcompact crossover, a fully redesigned 8-passener Honda Pilot SUV will go on sale followed by an all-new Ridgeline pickup in 2016

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Nissan Versa Note SR 2015

Expanding the scope of its lineup at both ends of the spectrum, Nissan introduced a pair of new models for the subcompact Versa Note 5-door hatch in Chicago. Boasting a higher visual profile, the 2015 Nissan Versa Note SR caters to younger enthusiasts. The automaker also announced the new Versa Note SL, that adds more sophistication with standard features not often seen in cars of its size

The Versa Note SR's cosmetic changes are evident up front, where a unique fascia and grill treatment is set off by dark headlamp surrounds and standard fog lights with black and chrome accents. The package also uses body-color side spoilers and revised side-view mirrors with integrated directional signals while the rear is topped by a spoiler. The Versa Note SR rides on 195/55 all-season tires on 16-inch high-contrast alloy wheels

Inside, the Versa Note SR has a Euro-inspired motif that includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel, seats covered in faux suede with orange accents, a new tri-dial Fine Vision instrument cluster with trip computer and a Piano Black center dash with bright trim. Opting for the SR Convenience Package adds Nissan's trick Divide-N-Hide Adjustable Floor, the NissanConnect system with a 5.0-inch color display, RearView Monitor, Bluetooth Streaming Audio, Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant, USB connection port, SiriusXM Satellite Radio and NissanConnect Apps with smartphone integration for Facebook, Twitter, Pandora as  well as iHeartRadio and TuneIn Radio

Using the same 16-inch wheels, the Versa Note SL passes on exterior changes to focus on improving the cabin. It comes standard with all of the SR Convenience Package content as well as variable intermittent front wipers, heated front seats, Nissan Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition and the Easy-Fill Tire Alert. Like all 2015 Versa Note variants, it also features a multifunction steering wheel that incorporates a new Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System

The 2015 Nissan Versa Note SR and Versa Note SL will arrive in dealers this spring along with the existing Versa Note S MT, S Plus CVT and SV CVT models. Pricing for all will be announced closer to the on-sale date

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Toyota Tundra, Tacoma, 4Runner TRD 2015

Ready to rock, roll and dish dirt on demand, the 2015 Toyota TRD Pro 4Runner, Tacoma and Tundra were revealed in Chicago. Aimed at hard-core off-roaders, each features unique suspension enhancements and cosmetic tweaks created by the automaker?s renowned Toyota Racing Development operation. The most advanced TRD truck packages ever, the new Pro-spec kit is highlighted by a number of common core elements that include Bilstein high-performance shock absorbers with remote reservoirs, custom-tuned springs, a unique grille, TRD-designed front skidplate and black wheels along with TRD floormats, shift knobs and bespoke badging

2015 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro

Big gun of the TRD Pro contingent, the Tundra's package also starts off with softer, more off-road friendly springs and a 2.0-inch front lift kit but features 18-inch alloys wearing Michelin ORP tires. Toyota's full-size pickup also gets a TRD dual exhaust system and TRD Pro quarter panel bed stamping plus unique interior seating trim

2015 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro

Building off of the aforementioned basics, the TRD Pro Package on the 2015 4Runner rolls on 17-inch alloy wheels and features a 1.5-inch front lift kit plus an additional inch of wheel travel

2015 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro

Boasting an even finer-focused off-road character, the TRD Pro upgrade for the 2015 Tacoma bring this compact pickup recalibrated springs, a 2.0-inch front lift kit, TRD exhaust system and 16-inch beadlock-style wheels wrapped in 265/75 BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires

The exterior color palette of three 2015 Toyota TRD Pro variants will consist of Black, Super White or a new Inferno red seen here. Pricing for each will be announced closer to their actual on-sale date

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SRT Satin Vapor Editions 2014

The Chrysler Group's go-faster operation made its own bit of news in Chicago by showing new SRT Satin Vapor Edition packages for its 2014 Chrysler 300, 2014 Dodge Challenger and 2014 Dodge Charger models. While all three retain their standard 470-horsepower/6.4-liter Hemi V8, wear common 20-inch forged alloy wheels finished in Black Satin Vapor Chrome and carry a unique gray "Hemi" badge, each boasts unique cosmetics and content

Offering a choice of Bright White, Billet Silver and Granite Crystal - with or without an optional  black accent stripe - the 2014 SRT 300 Vapor Edition's exterior features Satin Black trim on the roof, mirrors and rear spoiler. Inside, the seats are covered in black Nappa Leather with ultra-suede inserts set off by matte-carbon and piano black accents

The 2014 SRT Challenger Vapor Edition complements a Bright White, TorRed, Header Orange or Graphite exterior with Satin Black mirror housings and fuel door plus red-trimmed calipers for its Brembo brakes. Its cabin recasting pairs charcoal-colored Nappa leather with ultra-suede while a carbon instrument bezel rounds out the mix

While sharing the Challenger's exterior color choices, the 2014 SRT Charger Vapor Edition sports a Satin Black finish on its roof, hood, rear spoiler and mirror housings as well as a Satin Black Super Bee tail graphic. Seat trim reprises the black Nappa leather/ultra-suede combo found in the SRT 300 Satin Vapor Edition and this distinctive 4-door also comes with the primo Uconnect Media Center with an 8.4-inch LED touchscreen display

Adding a Satin Vapor Edition package to the 2014 SRT 300 will bump its base price by $2,300 while moving up to Satin Vapor status raises the cost of a 2014 SRT Challenger and 2014 SRT Charger by $1,700 and $2,330, respectively. All three Satin Vapor Edition variants go on sale this spring

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Nissan Frontier Diesel Runner concept 2015

Presented as a concept, the Nissan Frontier Diesel Runner powered by Cummins bowed at the Chicago show loaded with real-world potential. Styled by Nissan Design America in San Diego, California, in conjunction with Nissan Global Design Center in Atsugi, Japan, tis show truck is based on a 2014 Frontier Desert Runner 4x2 pickup. Power for the Frontier Diesel Runner comes from a 2.8-liter/4-cylinder Cummins turbodiesel engine that makes nearly 200 horsepower but over 350 lb-ft of torque and is backed by a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. That pairing allows this fully-engineered design exercise to deliver exceptional performance and up to 35 percent better fuel economy than the current V6 4x2 Frontier

To ensure it won't get lost in a crowded parking lot, the decidedly high-profile exterior of the Nissan Diesel Runner is finished in Arrest Me Red and Matte Silver set off with carbon fiber and carbon-fiber-film accent elements. Highlighting its unique body bits are a deep front splitter, mesh grill insert, aerodynamic bed cover, rear spoiler and a custom hood with a semi-transparent acrylic insert that allows a glimpse of what resides underneath. Culled from a Frontier PRO-4X, the Diesel Runner's 16-inch wheels carry on the look with a two-tone treatment that pairs satin black with Matte Silver on the front rims and Arrest Me Red on the rears

The motif carries over to the cabin where carbon-print leather covers the seats and a carbon film-wrapped dash houses custom red-tinted main gauges. In fact, everything from the steering wheel to the custom floor mats does its color-keyed part to reinforce the distinctive appearance

So will we really see a Cummins-powered Nissan Diesel Runner in the showroom? While remaining understandably non-committal, Fred Diaz, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing, Parts & Service, U.S.A, Nissan North America, Inc, did concede his company is "definitely looking to explore what is possible for the next-generation Frontier." Similar sentiments were expressed by Pierre Loing, vice president, Product Planning, NNA who noted the organization is "looking to the future and the changing demands of mid-size pickup buyers." And then there's the confirmed fact that Nissan and its technical partner Cummins, which is on tap to supply a new 5.0-liter turbodiesel V8 for the next-gen Titan pickup, are already hard at work on another unnamed "development vehicle that's currently undergoing rigorous real-world testing." Stay tuned

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