The 2019 Chicago Auto Show was a fun time, even though there were some notable brands that did not show up. This show was my first chance to see cars like the new Porsche 911, Subaru WRX STI S209, and Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. Some of my favorite cars on display were exotics that are not new models.
There were some notable brands that were not on display. Mercedes-Benz and BMW both decided not to participate in the show this year. The supercar display, sponsored by Wintrust Bank, helped fill in for some of the premium brands that do not do the show circuit.
The Bugatti Chiron was a nice surprise. Only 500 of these cars are going to be made during the production run, so it is quite rare to see one in person. Visually, the Chiron is a huge improvement over the bland blob that the Veyron was.
Mazda had three previous generation Miatas on display, but the cars that were getting the most attention were the 30th Anniversary Editions. These cars are going to be quite rare, as only 500 models are going to be sold in the United States (with only 3,000 available worldwide). The Racing Orange paint and the Rays ZE40 RS30 wheels are the most obvious changes on this model. The car is mechanically very similar to a regular model; this will just be the only model available with all those orange bits.
Toyota had a bright red GR Supra on display. This was a preproduction model, so they didn’t let us get inside it. People were going crazy and getting up on the platform, and one guy even licked the car. The exterior had the level of quality that I expect from Toyota, but I was disappointed to learn that most of the slats and vents on the car were non functional.
At the Lexus section, there was a new RC F Track Edition on display. The Nebula Matte Gray color of the car really made it stand out. The carbon fiber pieces (like the spoiler and hood) were of impeccable quality. I wonder how hard-core this car really is, on the track.
Subaru has been creating hard-core S-Series cars for years, but the 2019 STI S209 is the first model to come to America. The S209 tweaks things like the exhaust, brakes, and suspension to make the best performing STI to come from the factory. The wider stance, 19″ wheels, and spoiler are noticeable changes from the standard STI. A number of S209 badges inside and out let people know that this is a special mode.
This show was my first chance to see the new 992 Porsche 911. This new model doesn’t look very different, but the car still looks very sharp. The one-piece headlights and LED headlights look very sharp.
Ford had a few sporty models on display, but the Ford Edge ST was a new addition. The model on display at the show was tuned by Blood Type Racing. The car is wrapped in an eye-catching blue that is similar to the Nitrous Blue Quad used on the Ford Focus RS.
I ended up taking hundreds of pictures of cars over two days. Some of by favorite cars are below, but you can see the full set here: 2019 Chicago Auto Show
