Texas Auto Writers Get First Glimpse of New Cars

State Fair of Texas Auto Show

by Jo Ann Holt

Members of Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) and a few visiting car journalists were treated to a press day at the great State Fair of Texas Auto Show in Dallas, which manufacturers say is the biggest show in the country.  Since we usually expect anything in Texas to be not only the biggest but the best, none of us were surprised.  It doesn’t hurt that the State Fair runs quite a bit longer than most auto shows, including those in Detroit and NYC, since they are only three or four days long while the fair’s show runs slightly over three weeks (Sept. 30-Oct. 23, 2011).

The Texas State Fair’s Auto Show is a 300,000 square foot extravaganza that includes more than 400 vehicles spread over  the Automobile Building (domestic vehicles), the Centennial Building (foreign vehicles such as Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Mazda, etc.), and since Texas is the truck capital of the world, a separate outdoor Truck Zone.  TAWA members started off their day at the fair at the Ram Truck exhibit, where they were introduced by President and CEO Ram Truck Brand Fred Diaz to the new RamBox that expands their heavy duty pickup trucks.  In keeping with the “bigger is better” theme, the new 6’4” RamBox (previously available only on Ram’s 1500 Crew Cab models in a 5’7” size) is available for the larger truck beds.  “The 6’ 4” RamBox if the definition of ‘more of a good thing,’” Diaz said.  More good news:  2012 buys will find pricing has been reduced, not increased, for both size RamBoxes, now only $1,295.  The 2011 Ram was voted Texas Truck of the Year by the Texas Auto Writers in October, 2010.

Not to be outdone, Ford introduced the 2012 F-150 SVT Raptor they boast is “set to deliver a new level of the no-compromise off-road performance the truck is famed for and, with a variety of new technologies and interior and exterior updates, it won’t disappoint.”

“A major element of the SVT Raptor program is our work to continuously expand the capabilities it offers to customers. We want to cover all dimensions of off-roading – from desert running to rock climbing,” said Raj Sarkar, Ford F-150 Marketing manager. “We always aim to keep the product fresh and exciting, and all of our changes for 2012 reflect that.”

Additional capability for the 2012 F-150 SVT Raptor comes from a new Torsen front differential. The system increases grip significantly for the front end of the truck and allows it to pull itself over obstacles and up steep grades, even when the traction is split between the front tires. 

The 2010 Raptor was voted Texas Truck of the Year by TAWA members in October, 2009.  It’s certain this month’s 2011 Truck Rodeo will find the Raptor and the Ram trucks top contenders once again for Truck of the Year.

Launched just this summer, the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is called the “ultimate performance SUV” that offers luxury and refinement, innovative advanced technologies in the best performing Jeep® vehicle ever, obtaining 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds with its new 6.4 liter HEMI V-8 engine delivering 470 HP and 4645 lb.-ft. of torque. 

The new SRT brand led by President and CEO Ralph Gilles will continue to build benchmark high-performance vehicles for the Chrysler Group.  Designed and built using the proven SRT formula, the SRT8 can cover a quarter mile in the mid-13 second range with a top speed of 160mph and brakes from 60-0 mph in 116 feet.

Standard fuel saver technology and a new active valve exhaust system allows four cylinder operation for improved fuel efficiency and an extended range of 450 miles on one tank of gas.  Drivers can choose from five different modes for specific driving conditions:  Auto, Sport, Tow, Track and Snow modes. 

Celebrating their 100th anniversary this year, Chevrolet is bucking the “Bigger is Better” trend to tout a smaller vehicle with their new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, as “a small car with a large array of amenities.”  The Sonic is offered in two body styles: a four-door sedan and a five-door, each with distinctive design elements, including motorcycle-inspired round headlamps. Sonic also delivers class-leading rear-seat roominess and connectivity features that enhance the driving experience.  Equipped with power-dense four-cylinder engines, including an Ecotec 1.4L turbo, it is designed to be one of the safest vehicles in the segment, with 10 standard air bags.

Production of the Sonic takes place at the General Motors Orion Assembly Center in Michigan, making it the only subcompact built in the U.S. The plant received a $545-million investment in upgrades and retooling, and will help restore approximately 1,000 jobs in the metropolitan Detroit area.

Chevrolet also brought a surprise exhibit to this year’s State Fair Auto Show, a 1913 still-running roadster from their museum in Detroit.  Chevrolet celebrates the countdown to its 100th birthday on November 3 by encouraging its customers and fans to tell their Chevy stories, vote for their favorite Chevrolet cars and trucks, and take the birthday party to their communities with the help of Chevrolet and its dealers. 

Other standouts in the Centennial Building include the Toyota Camry XLE and the Toyota Yaris, the Hyundai Velostar, Lexus CT 200h, Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet, and the Subaru Impreza.  Also new to the Centennial Building this year, visit the Texas Museum of Automotive History exhibit.  The museum will return to their regular spot at Fair Park following the State Fair, and in 2012 plan to move to the newly vacated Museum of Natural Science Building.

Jo Ann Holt is a car writer and columnist based in Dallas, Texas, and a member of the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA).

State Fair of Texas (Sept. 30-Oct. 23) www.bigtex.com.

To contribute comments to Chevrolet’s 100th anniversary, visit www.Chevy100.com.

Texas Museum of Automotive History www.tmoa.org.