2013 Chicago Auto Show: Top cars

Pickup buyers have a lot to look forward to. The Ram 1500 is already new, and new Chevrolet and GMC pickups are scheduled for release this summer. At Chicago, Toyota revealed a redesigned Tundra pickup boasting more chiseled looks yet holding a refined interior. The engines carry over, and towing capacity continues at a very capable 10,400 pounds. Unique among full-size pickups, the Tundra will come standard with eight airbags, Bluetooth connectivity and a rearview camera. A new Southwestern-themed 1794 edition with saddle-brown upholstery tops the range. Watch for it this September.

Watch Video:  Toyota Tundra's refined ride

Read:  Toyota Tundra rolls into Chicago

The Volkswagen Jetta is the only compact sedan with a diesel engine in the American market; the Chevrolet Cruze will be the second. Starting this summer, the Cruze will add a 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine that makes 148 horsepower and as much as 280 lb-ft of torque. Complete fuel economy numbers aren't available, but the Cruze diesel's 42 mpg highway figure matches the Cruze Eco and the Jetta TDI. Starting at $25,695, the Cruze 2.0 Turbodiesel comes with leather upholstery and Chevy's MyLink infotainment system, as well an Aero Performance package and a two-year maintenance plan.

Watch Video:  Chevrolet Cruze 2.0 Turbo Diesel

Read:  Chevy offers a Cruze diesel in Chicago

Kia is thinking about upscale vehicles. After showing the GT Concept, a rear-drive grand touring sedan, in 2011, Kia unveiled the Cross GT in Chicago. A large all-wheel-drive crossover, this concept seats four on "floating" bucket seats and features rear suicide doors and Internet access for rear-seat passengers. A plug-in hybrid powertrain pairs a 3.8-liter V6 engine with an electric motor to make 400 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. While the Cross GT will likely never be built, the concept's hybrid system and styling — and a play for the large crossover segment — could be in Kia's future.

Read:  Kia shows Cross GT Concept in Chicago

Watch Video:  Kia's Superman Optima Hybrid

Volkswagen likes building special edition cars, and the latest is the 2014 Beetle GSR. "GSR" stands for gelb schwarzer Renner, or yellow black racer, which originally was a sporty model sold in Germany in the 1970s. The Beetle GSR is available as a coupe, and its 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine adds 10 horsepower more than the current engine, for a total of 210. Styling cues include a yellow and black finish, the R Line front bumper, a large rear spoiler and 19-inch wheels. Inside it gets yellow stitching on the leather steering wheel and sport seats. The GSR will be limited to 3,500 units when it goes on sale this fall.

Read:  VW Beetle GSR adds color to Chicago

The fourth annual model from Chrysler's in-house parts division, the Mopar '13 Dart will be offered in a limited run of 500 units. It comes in gloss black with a pair of Mopar Blue stripes, and the body features a ground-effects kit. Performance upgrades include a lowered suspension, sporty steering calibration and a premium brake kit with slotted rotors. Under the hood, a 1.4-liter 184-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The interior features a custom-trimmed leather driver's seat, wireless charging for smartphones, bright pedals and a navigation system with an 8.4-inch touch screen.

View Pictures:  Mopar '13 Dart

Nissan adds a fourth model to the Juke lineup with the sporty Nismo. More than 100 modifications make it faster and sportier than other versions. A revised grille improves engine cooling, and exterior changes improve down force by 37 percent. An extra nine horsepower brings the total to 197, and the available automatic transmission is sport-tuned. Handling improves, thanks to a lower ride height and firmer steering. Suede sport seats highlight the revised interior. Pricing will be available closer to the release in spring.

Read:  Nissan goes Nismo in Chicago

When it was part of the Mercedes family, Chrysler offered the Sprinter van as a Dodge from 2004 to 2010. Now that it's under Fiat leadership, Chrysler's commercial brand, Ram, is introducing the ProMaster vans. Based on the Fiat Ducato architecture, these vans will be offered with three wheelbases, two roof heights, and 1500, 2500 and 3500 models. Chassis cabs and passenger versions with seating for up to seven will be available as well. Engine choices include Chrysler's 3.6-liter 280-horsepower V6 or a 3.0-liter 4-cylinder turbodiesel that makes 174 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Look for them in the third quarter of 2013.

Read:  Ram ProMaster van hauls into Chicago

Dodge introduced the V6-powered Challenger Rallye Redline for the 2012 model year, and now it's the V8-powered R/T's turn. The look is enhanced by red and graphite stripes along the sides, a body-color grille surround and 20-inch black chrome wheels with red outlines. The cabin features cloth or leather performance seats and a dark, slate-gray color scheme. When ordered with the automatic transmission, it also gets bright pedals, a T-handle shifter and remote engine starting. The Redline package runs $1,995 and will be available in April.

Read:  Challenger Redline heads to Chicago

The Nissan GT-R is an exclusive performance machine. The new GT-R Track Edition delivers even more performance and exclusivity. The suspension has been tweaked by Nurburgring circuit development driver Toshio Suzuki, though the 3.8-liter 545-horsepower turbocharged V6 engine is unchanged. The body gets a front spoiler with carbon-fiber air ducts and better brake cooling. Inside, Nissan has removed the rear seat and outfitted the front seats with leather and fabric upholstery that provide more grip. The GT-R Track Edition will be limited to 150 units in the U.S. when it goes on sale in May.

Read:  2014 Nissan GT-R Track Edition takes off in the Windy City

Ford introduced the Fiesta ST late last year at the Los Angeles Auto Show, and in Chicago the Blue Oval unveiled the Fiesta ST Rally Car. To be built by Olsbergs MSE, the car will be driven in Global RallyCross and Global X Games events by Tanner Faust, Brian Deegan and gymkhana sensation Ken Block. The production Fiesta ST features a 1.6-liter 197-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, but the race car will make 585 horsepower from a custom-built version of Ford's 2.0-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder. The race car will also have 4-wheel drive instead of front-wheel drive, and be stripped of nonessential equipment to reduce weight to about 2,400 pounds.

Read:  Ford Fiesta racer set for Chicago

The Kia Forte debuted in 2010, but Kia is already reworking it. The new hatchback version is longer, lower and wider than the outgoing car, and it will come in two trims, EX and SX. The EX will be motivated by a 2.0-liter 173-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, while the SX will get the Forte's first turbocharged engine, a 1.6-liter 201-horsepower 4-cylinder unit. Both will come with a 6-speed automatic transmission, and the SX will also offer a 6-speed manual. Look for the new Forte hatchback in the third quarter of 2013.

Read:  Kia Forte 5-door debuts in Chicago

Kirk Bell has served as the associate publisher for Consumer Guide Automotive and editor of Scale Auto Enthusiast magazine. A Midwest native, Bell brings 18 years of automotive journalism experience to MSN, and currently contributes to JDPower.com and Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com.