2011 Chicago Auto Show: Lots of flashy sporty trim, but no new models

The Chicago Auto Show opened to the media today, lacking the type of forward-looking new products we expect from most auto shows. The emerging theme is one of updates, variants, and (mostly-)American performance, appropriately released in the Midwest.

Chevrolet and Dodge each introduced new versions of the Camaro and the Challenger, furthering a decades-old rivalry at time when most show introductions focus on fuel economy.

A modern take on a legendary, aluminum-engine classic, the Camaro ZL1 is a reprise of the highest-performance Camaro ever offered from the factory. The ZL1 takes its name from a legendary, aluminum-engine coupe sold in 1969. Today's Camaro ZL1 boasts a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 good, Chevrolet says, for "at least" 550 horsepower.

Not quite as exciting as a new halo car, Dodge enthusiasts are treated to a Challenger slathered in Green With Envy paint and black stripes. The name doesn't quite resonate like "Sublime," a classic green color for Mopar muscle. The Green With Envy is a bright new paint scheme with black stripes. It is available in 5.7-liter V8 R/T or 6.4-liter V8 SRT8 trimlines. The black leather seats inside get green piping to match the paint.

Chrysler also introduced a whole line of other performance-upgraded Dodge-branded  R/T models, including the midsized Journey car-based SUV, as well as the eight-passenger Durango, and the Grand Caravan minivan.

And it wasn't just Detroit flexing its muscles. Volkswagen introduced a performance-oriented GLI version of its new 2011 Jetta sedan. The GLI is the only Jetta sedan that uses the fun and efficient turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine from the GTI.

Mazda developed a new special-edition Miata to celebrate the roadster's 900,000-unit production milestone. It has a special gray interior and gray or black paint, along with some otherwise optional performance packages. Hopefully, the 1-million milestone will yield a more memorable tribute.

Hyundai introduced a more powerful version of its flagship Genesis luxury sedan with an enlarged V8 engine. And it went one step beyond sporty, showing off a race-prepped version of its new Veloster to mark its entry into World Rally Cup racing. On sale next summer, the regular Veloster will start in the $17,000 to $18,000 range.

Several of these new special performance edition models sound fun. But most will sell in very small numbers. Factoring in the long development times in the industry, the lack of any truly new models in Chicago may reflect lean development during 2008 when several automakers were fighting just to stay alive. But whatever the reason, it's good to see that fun is back.

—Eric Evarts