2007 Chicago Auto Show

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The 2007 Chicago Auto Show is in the books and although it was hardly a blockbuster show in terms of new products, there was still enough to make it interesting.

Over 20 new vehicles were unveiled at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, traditionally the site of introductions for production cars, not concepts. Nevertheless, many of the concept cars first seen at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show and 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show were on the floor.

About 1 million visitors are expected during the 10 days of the show. McCormick Place's 1.3 million square feet of exhibit space enables the car manufacturers to present very comprehensive displays of their model lines. Jeep's now famous indoor test track was there and it even featured an ice-covered section to try out the traction control.

Here are the new vehicle highlights that made news in Chicago:

2007 BMW Alpina B7: BMW's introduction of the Alpina nameplate to the U.S. begins with this supercharged special edition of the BMW 7 Series sedan.

2008 Dodge Dakota: A face-lift up front and more power for the optional V8 should help this midsize pickup compete better against its import rivals.

2008 Ford Taurus X: It was called the Freestyle last year, but now this three-row crossover has adopted a new name and a new look.

Nissan: Some bodywork revisions for Nissan's big trucks — including the Armada sport-utility, Pathfinder sport-utility and Titan pickup — were revealed.

2008 Pontiac G8: General Motors has reworked the Holden platform from Australia and created the G8, a full-size, rear-wheel-drive sedan for the Pontiac lineup.

2008 Saturn Astra: The Astra is the newest Saturn, a replacement for the slow-selling Ion. A derivative of the Opel Astra, this German-designed hatchback continues Saturn's move toward adopting a new European-style identity.

2008 Scion xB and 2008 Scion xD: Scion showed off two new members of its three-vehicle lineup.

2008 Toyota Highlander: After undergoing the first full redesign in its short lifetime, the Highlander is back with more room, a stronger V6 and a more advanced hybrid version.

2008 Volkswagen R32: Sold here from 2003-'05, the all-wheel-drive version of the GTI returns with an autobahn-tuned chassis and a luxurious interior.