Concept And Technology Garage Whets Media Appetites at 2023 Chicago Auto Show – Videos!

Jules Stayton
Senior Editor
The Auto Channel

Author's Note: Excitement in the auto industry comes in many forms. Each new model year arrives with new trends and predictions. It’s an exciting time as vehicles have become more than just transportation, they transport the consumer into a future filled with talk of autonomous vehicles, safety, fuel economy, electric propulsion, government regulations and learning curves. Begin your adventure with me through hot topics, new trends and deep thoughts about everything autos…JulesOnWheelz.

CHICAGO IL February 9 and 10, 2023; Great efforts have been made to return to normal worldwide and the Chicago Auto Show’s attempt delivered as well. Poised in its traditional position as the first show of the year, the show is always held in February and provides the initial push into the foray of new model year releases from manufacturers. I attended the Wednesday afternoon event highlighting concepts and tech along with other journalists in the F2 area of the West Hall in McCormick Place along a chilly Lake Michigan in Chicago, IL.

Arriving by Amtrak, my train came into the station early. If you’ve ever taken Amtrak to Chicago’s Union Station, you know how easy it is to head up the escalator after a short walk from the gate to grab a cab on Canal St. Fifteen minutes later, I’m looking at cars.

First to come into view is a massive Toyota Tundra concept beefed up into a TRAILHUNTER edition that one can expect to possibly cross over into Tacoma territory as well according to Toyota representatives at the show. Instead of adding after market items to a stock vehicle, order your add-ons through Toyota and have it delivered complete.

Enjoy this walk around of the TRAILHUNTER…

Toyota TRAILHUNTER walk around

Stellantis brought an assortment of off road Jeep beauties.

The Alfa Romeo Tonale plug-in hybrid (PHEV) was a concept back in 2019 but is now a production addition to Alfa Romeo’s move into an electrified future with the 2024. It boasts 285 horsepower from a 1.3-liter turbo-charged four-cylinder engine running alongside a 15.5-kWh lithium ion battery with a 90 kW electric motor. Engineering genius calibrates the two to work turbo in the front and battery in the back. It’s electric range is 30+ miles.

News flash: “In a world exclusive, the Alfa Romeo Tonale is the first car on the market equipped with a NFT (non-fungible token) digital certificate. Based on blockchain technology and uniquely linked, the Tonale NFT certifies the car upon purchase, then evolves to represent its use during the car’s life cycle, with major benefits in terms of protecting residual value” – via Alfa Romeo media

If you’re into buying an experience, learn about NFTs here.

Gleaming in red, the Dodge Charger Daytona concept car was a sight to behold. Curiosity brought eager journalists to gather around the EV muscle to see if it was real. It made it’s appearance at the SEMA show in Las Vegas in October, but this was my first time laying eyes on it.

The most distinctive element to this beauty was the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust that produced a very authentic rev.

Revving…

Rounding out the offerings in the Concept and Technology Garage came the long anticipated Ram Revolution EV concept truck. Beginning production in 2024, this EV truck will go up against the likes of the already popular Ford Lightning. Waiting to enter the EV truck market may have been a good move by Stellantis/Ram Trucks. We shall see. Take a look around in the video below.

Stay tuned for more stories about big reveals and puppies in the days to come. Thanks for tuning into JulesOnWheelz.net