By defanged, we mean, of course, that the 2013 Nissan 370Z no longer sports vampish extensions of its front fascia. We don’t mean to imply that its down on power – the carryover 3.7-liter V6 still puts out 332 horsepower, and the NISMO’s 3.7-liter is still blessed with 350 horses. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: Kia Track’ster concept is a self-contained 250-hp AWD track star
It’s not like we needed any more reason to like the Soul, but Kia went ahead and debuted the Track’ster concept at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show anyway. The Track’ster is a three-door, all-wheel-drive, 250-hp version of the cute and quirky urban Soul that we hope gets green lights all along its road to production. That’s wishful thinking, but follow along to find out why we want the Track’ster made so badly. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: 2013 Bettle TDI debuts as Volkswagen’s sportiest diesel
Volkswagen unveiled an oil-burning variant of its new, but not New, Beetle at the Chicago Auto Show today and under the hood is the automaker’s familiar turbocharged 2.0-liter diesel engine sending power to the front wheels. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI revealed ahead of Chicago Auto Show
Volkswagen has released details on its upcoming 2013 Beetle TDI before the vehicle gets an official unveil at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. The oil-burning Beetle will bow with the same turbocharged 2.0-liter diesel engine found in the Jetta TDI and Passat TDI, and Volkswagen projects the engine should help it net 39 miles per gallon highway and 29 mpg city. Funk Flex
(Video) 2011 Ford Explorer plays on seesaw at Chicago Auto Show
Ford has set up a display to show off the multiple Terrain Management modes on the 2011 Explorer at this year’s Chicago Auto Show. As you may recall, the tech keeps an eye on a laundry list of parameters, including specs like engine speed, throttle position, transmission shift patterns and the stability and traction control systems. @funkmasterflex
