CHICAGO - Compared to Detroit's auto show in mid-January, the Chicago Auto Show comes across as somewhat pale. While Detroit hosted some 50 global and North American debuts, presented in 28 news conferences, journalists visiting Chicago this year got to see far fewer unveilings. Such familiar makes as Toyota/Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Mazda, Subaru, and Nissan/Infiniti sat out the Chicago show with no new models on tap.

Nevertheless, Chicago's annual event continues to be an enticing extravaganza for car-shoppers, who flock to the show after the journalists are gone. Of all the major American auto shows, Chicago's has the most massive venue: the sprawling McCormick Place, along the lakefront south of downtown. This year, the show opened to the public on Friday, February 8.

Here's a rundown of vehicles that were introduced in Chicago:

Acura: Honda's luxury division featured the next-generation RL sedan, which gets a bigger (3.7-liter) engine and a 300-horsepower rating. Aerodynamics have improved, and the RL leads off with a new "Power Plenum" grille. Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system has been enhanced for use on the RL sedan. Executive vice-president Richard Colliver said the RL uses "customer-relevant technology [that] legitimately enhances the owner's personal life."

BMW: Not long after unveiling its new 1 Series coupe and convertible - in Los Angeles and Detroit, respectively - BMW is back with a design study based upon that model. Dubbed the Concept 1 Series tii, it's meant to remind enthusiasts of the BMW 2002 tii of the 1970s. In fact, an orange 1970 model stood right next to the Concept 1 Series tii as it was unveiled.

Chevrolet: Traverse is the name of the latest Chevrolet model, seen for the first time in Chicago. Related to the GM crossover trio - Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook - Traverse "hits the sweet spot in our lineup," said Chevrolet general manager Ed Peper. Seating seven or eight, the Traverse has a six-speed automatic transmission and can tow up to 4,500 pounds.

Vehicle line director Sue Wilson brought her own family onstage to help reveal the Traverse. Styling cues are said to be inspired by Chevrolet's Malibu sedan. Sales begin later in 2008.

Dodge: Anyone betting on which automaker would "steal" the show would have lost by wagering against Dodge. With an authentic automotive icon waiting in the wings, excitement was inevitable - indeed, almost palpable. As the modern-day Challenger was revealed, resemblance to the original 1960s version was unmistakable. No, it's definitely not a replica. But Dodge wants to attract the same sort of ardent enthusiasts who flocked to the first Challengers during the "muscle car" era.

With its 425-horsepower, 6.1-liter Hemi V-8 engine, the Challenger SRT8 can accelerate to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, and make a quarter-mile run in 13.3 seconds. Sales begin in spring, with prices that start at $37,995.

Ford: Following up on its introduction of the 2009 F-150 pickup truck at Detroit's auto show in January, Ford announced a new Work Solutions option group for commercial users of that vehicle. Ford claims four "industry-first" features, including:
* a broadband-capable in-dash computer, whicn can print invoices and access documents at a job site;
* Tool Link, which is a radio-frequency identification sytem for keeping track of tools and equipment in the cargo box;
* Crew Chief, a fleet telematics and diagnostic system that can swiftly dispatch workers to job sites;
* Cable Lock, a security system to discourage theft of expensive tools.

Ford also revealed a Transit Connect compact van. Available in Europe since 2003, the van goes on sale in the U.S. in 2009, serving as a fuel-efficient alternative to full-size commercial vans.

GMC: General Motors' truck division had two vehicles onstage: one ready for production, and the other strictly a show vehicle. GMC's Sierra Hybrid pickup truck is the latest model to adopt the corporation's 2-mode hybrid powertrain. GMC also featured a Denali XT concept - essentially a highly stylized four-door pickup truck.

Hyundai: Following up on the debut of the production-ready Genesis "flagship" sedan in Detroit, Hyundai hit Chicago with a "triple threat." First came the moderately reworked 2009 Sonata, ready to intensify its battle for sales with the likes of the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. The four-cylinder engine gains 13 horsepower, and earns an EPA fuel-economy rating of 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway. Ready for sale in late February, starting at $18,795 (including destination charge), the 2009 Sonata is produced at the company's plant in Alabama. Hyundai's first navigation system may be installed.

Hyundai also unveiled a 2009 variant of the Elantra called the Elantra Touring. Scheduled for sale late in 2008, the five-door Touring gets tauter front and rear suspensions than other Elantras. Finally, Hyundai further demonstrated its commitment to alternative-fuel development with a concept vehicle called the i-Blue. It uses the company's third generation of fuel-cell technology, with the fuel-cell stack mounted under the floor.

International: Now part of the Navistar organization, International has a long history as a manufacturer of commercial trucks. Chicago served as the launch pad for a new Lone Star semi-tractor, which edged forward onto the stage under its own power, looming above the heads of the assembled journalists. Driver comfort over long hauls is a big issue, and International offers a sleeper section that even includes a couch.

Mitsubishi: Mildly reworked 2009 Eclipse coupes and Spyder convertibles made their debut at Chicago, wearing jet fighter-inspired grilles like the one installed on the recently-introduced Lancer Evo high-performance sedan. GS four-cylinder and GT V-6 models will be offered again.

Also unveiled in Chicago was the 2009 Galant sedan, which gets a fresh front end, wider rear blass, and new taillamps. Four trim levels are offered: ES, Sport, Sport V6, and Ralliart. In the Ralliart edition, the 3.8-liter V-6 generates 258 horsepower, versus 230 hp under other Galant hoods. Heated front seats and mirrors are standard on the three upper trim levels. A 7-inch touch-screen navigation system is available.

Porsche: It's not exactly something new, but to Porsche aficionados it's likely to be something special. Porsche has taken its Cayenne sport-utility vehicle and come up with a new version. Dubbed the Cayenne GTS, it gets a 4.8-liter V-8 engine that evolves from the one installed in the Cayenne S, with 20 additional horsepower (rated at 405). A six-speed manual gearbox will be available, as an alternative to the six-speed Tiptronic transmission. A special sport-tuned air suspension is installed, and the GTS sits 20 millimeters lower than other Cayennes. Touch the Sport button and throttle response sharpens, the exhaust opens up, and the suspension settings change.

Suzuki: Pickup trucks have not been part of Suzuki's repertoire in the past. That's changing for 2009, but not because Suzuki has begun to build such a model. Instead, the new Equator is the offshoot of a new joint venture between Suzuki and Nissan. Based upon Nissan's midsize Frontier pickup, the Suzuki Equator has some strictly Suzuki design touches.

Why a truck? Partly because of Suzuki's prominence in the motorcycle market. There are "tens of thousands of Suzuki owners hauling our products in their trucks every day," said Gene Brown, vice-president of marketing and public relations, who drove onstage on one of the company's two-wheelers.

Rather than show a production model, Suzuki revealed three distinct concept trucks built upon the basic Equator. Named to remind motorcyclists of a Suzuki model, the RMZ-4 concept truck includes a custom built-in motorcycle mount. Equipped with a front skid plate and safari-style bumper, the Quad concept has a long bed and is "for people with a passion for the great outdoors." Version three, the Quay, emphasizes towing capability and is inspired by Suzuki's line of outboard motors.

Volkswagen: No, it's not a modern-day Microbus, as some diehard VW fans have hoped ever since a Microbus-related concept van debuted several years back. Rather than go retro, Volkswagen has chosen to create its own version of an existing minivan - specifically, one of Chrysler's. Named Routan, the minivan will start under $25,000.

Volkswagen needs to go "from a niche to a volume player in this market," said Stefan Jacoby, president of Volkswagen of America. The VW brand is "part of the fabric of American culture."

YES!: That's the name of the company, not a commentary on the product. Based in Germany, the YES! organization unveiled its limited-production roadster at the Chicago show, saying it would go on sale in the U.S. later in 2008. Already on sale in 14 countries, the YES! roadster comes with a normally-aspirated or turbocharged engine, producing 255 or 355 horsepower, respectively.

Troy Clarke, president of GM North America, led off Chicago's Press Days at the media breakfast co-hosted by the Midwest Automotive Media Association and the Chicago Automobile Trade Association. GM's platform today is "energy solutions," Clarke said. Fuel efficiency "is a main driver for General Motors." But manufacters "have to produce cars and trucks that people will want to buy." Clarke echoed Robert Lutz's comments at Detroit's auto show in January, calling for a big increase in flex-fuel vehicles that run on an ethanol/gasoline blend. "We need to think about many solutions," Clarke suggested.

The Chicago Auto Show opened to the public on Friday February 8, and runs through the 17th. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens (62-plus), and $5 for children ages 7-12.