2006 Chicago Auto Show

Kermit the Frog turned up, perched atop the Ford Escape Hybrid, to promote "Being Green." To the media audience's surprise, Kermit was joined by basketball great Magic Johnson, a Lincoln spokesperson. Twin 2007 Lincoln Navigators grabbed attention, including the extended-length Navigator L, which has 25 more cubic feet of space behind its third-row seat. Lincoln also announced the 2007 Zephyr, which has been renamed MKZ and gets a new 3.5-liter V-8.


International introduced the mighty MXT pickup, which can haul two tons and tow eight and is meant for personal rather than commercial use. Built "for the image-conscious truck buyer," the MXT can manage 13-15 mpg, according to International.

Entry Lux
Toyota's luxury division unveiled the redesigned 2007 ES 350 sedan. Bob Carter, Lexus Group vice-president and general manager, called it a "striking and seductive new approach to the entry-luxury segment." Wheelbase is two inches greater, and rear legroom has grown in what Carter called a "pulled-back cabin." For the first time, the ES has a panoramic glass roof over the entire cabin. A new 272-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine works with a six-speed automatic transmission.


Because Nissan's Quest minivan hasn't been quite as successful as hoped, a long list of modifications marks the 2007 version. "Almost every single interior trim panel has been revised," explained assistant chief engineer Carla Bailo.


Costumed kids participated in a skit mimicking a PTA meeting to introduce Hyundai's first minivan. Equipped with six airbags and a 242-horsepower V-6, the Entourage has stability control and a "hideaway" 60/40 fold-flat third-row seat.