2 Must-See Cars from the 2016 Chicago Auto Show for the Aspiring Automotive Technician
The Chicago Auto Show, known as “the largest auto show in North America,” is also one of the most visited by industry professionals and auto enthusiasts alike. This year marked the show’s 108th edition, and there were close to 1,000 vehicles on display. Among these vehicles were various special edition models, debuts, performance models, hybrids and a few classics, by automakers from North America and the rest of the globe.
If you’re planning to enroll in automotive courses, or you’ve already started your program, read on to learn about a few noteworthy cars that were on display at this year’s Chicago Auto Show.
2017 Camaro 1LE: The Comeback of a Classic Auto Technician Favorite
Automotive professionals know that the Camaro 1LE bundle was originally introduced in 1988, as a performance package option, and was offered until 1999. During that period, the Camaro 1LE remained a low-volume specification, with only about 100 units sold each year. Chevrolet brought the model back in 2013, adding a variety of sporty features to its fifth generation Camaro.
Students pursuing auto careers will be excited to learn that the Camaro 1LE package will be available once again, as the automaker announced an upcoming 2017 version. Automotive experts know that the 1LE package is capable of turning the Camaro into a track-ready car. It offers various suspension parts, bigger brakes, and wider tires, and will be available on both the Chevrolet Camaro V6 and V8 models.
The Camaro V6 is powered by a 3.6-litre, all-aluminum engine that produces 335 horsepower and 284 lb-ft of torque. Under the hood of the V8 is a naturally aspirated, 6.2-litre LT1 that puts out 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque.
Both models will receive coolers for the engine oil and transmission with the 1LE package, and complex Brembo brakes that are 7 per cent larger than what comes in a standard Camaro. The 1LE models will also feature a few upgrades to the interior, including wider tires that have more grip, and a matte-black hood, which gives the model its signature look.
Check out the 2017 Camaro 1LE here:
2017 Kia Niro Hybrid Boasts a Design that will Surprise Pros in Auto Careers
Kia Motors unveiled its first dedicated hybrid at the Chicago Auto Show—the 2017 Niro crossover SUV. Unlike other compact hybrids, the body design of the Kia Niro is actually very sleek and stylish. In fact, in a recent press release, Kia Motors America Vice President of Product Planning Orth Hedrick stated that this car has a “stunning design that doesn’t shout ‘hybrid.'”
Students who have taken an automotive course about hybrid technology know that hybrids are powered by the combination of a gas engine and a battery-powered motor for improved fuel efficiency. The same is true for the Niro, and it also features a system that boosts efficiency by recovering heat from the exhaust to warm the engine up much faster.
The car’s engine is a Kappa 1.6-litre four-cylinder, which produces 103 horsepower. Along with a 43-horsepower motor called “transmission-mounted electric device” (TMED), the vehicle is able to deliver a total of 146 horsepower. The power is routed to the front wheels by a six-speed, dual clutch transmission.
The Kia Niro is rumored to be able to get 80km per 3 litres of fuel, making it an especially attractive alternative to other hybrids. It will also come with a feature called “The Coasting Guide” in its display, which helps drivers maximize fuel economy by coaching them on when to coast and brake.
See the 2017 Kia Niro here:
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