Trio of sporty new cars introduced at 2019 Chicago Auto Show
Show floor at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show.
The Chicago Auto Show blows into the windy city this weekend. The 118-year-old event is set to have nearly 1,000 vehicles on display — including 20 new vehicle introductions — covering 1.1 million square-feet of exhibit space. In advance of the public opening, here are our top sporty car debuts from CAS 2019.
Mazda MX-5 30th Anniversary Edition
The cover was thrown off the original Miata at CAS three decades (!) ago, so it’s only fitting that the special 30th Anniversary Edition be revealed in Chicago. Now, more than a million units sold later, the MX-5 rolls off the assembly lines in both soft-top and retractable hardtop form — wearing gorgeous Racing Orange paint and forged aluminum Rays wheels.
Limited to a run of 3,000, the roadster also features unique badging complete with serial number, orange accented brake calipers, seats, door trim and shift lever, Recaro seats and Bilstein dampers on manual transmission-equipped models. The motor is the same one that launched as part of the 2019 update: a 181-horsepower SKYACTIV-G 2.0-litre.
The 30th Anniversary Edition MX-5 will be available at Mazda Port Moody when released.
2019 Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series
Lexus’ LC 500 is already quite the head turner boasting crazy curves and a one-of-a-kind silhouette. The Inspiration Series ups the ante by offering a vibrant Flare Yellow paint job, 21-inch alloys wheels and carbon fibre roof and grille insert. The regular LC powertrain remains unchanged. A total of 5000 will be produced, each bundling a matching leather Lexus garment bag. The 2019 Lexus LC 500 is available at both our Richmond and Port Moody locations.
2019 Volkswagen GLI
It’s been a minute, but Volkswagen’s performance version of the Jetta is back, based on the sixth generation platform launched last year. Enthusiasts can expect the trademark red stripe across the honeycomb grille, red emblems and red stitching in the interior. The GLI sits 15 millimetres lower, on an all-round independent suspension system.
A 2.0-litre turbocharged TSI engine under the hood produces 228 horses and 258 lb-ft of torque. To manage the increased output, this top-of-the-line Jetta borrows the huge brakes from the Golf R, and a VAQ torque-sensing limited-slip differential helps put the power to the ground efficiently. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, or buyers can opt for a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
The 2019 VW GLI will be available at OpenRoad VW Burnaby when it’s released.
