Special editions. Special editions everywhere.
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| © NurPhoto via Getty Images |
By Chris Tsui, The Drive
Being set in a city that isn't as quite grabby as New York or Los
Angeles and coming just a couple weeks after Detroit, the Chicago Auto
Show may not be on your radar as an event that delivers big automotive
debuts. Perhaps it should, though, because McCormick Place in 2019
played host to a couple of brand new sedans as well as special editions
of three already-well-liked sportier machines. In no particular order,
here are the five hottest cars from this year's show in the Windy City.
2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
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| © Volkswagen |
Volkswagen has blessed its Jetta compact sedan with 228 horsepower,
independent sport suspension, a limited-slip diff, and some snazzy red
trim to make the GLI.
Often seen as a neglected, frumpier middle child in VW's performance
lineup, the GLI's biggest hurdle will likely continue to be overcoming
the envy-inducing amounts of attention its iconic, Golf-based GTI
brethren gets among sport compact enthusiasts.
2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata 30th Anniversary Edition
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| © Mazda |
"It's time to move out of our basement and settle down like a big boy," is what the MX-5 Miata's
parents would say if the MX-5 Miata, er, had parents. Yes, Mazda's
acclaimed roadster is celebrating the big 3-0 this year but thankfully,
it isn't trading in any of the fun it had in its younger years for an
office job, a mortgage, or a stable partner. Instead, it threw on an
orange suit, Rays shoes, and had a party for 3,000 of its most hardcore
fans.
Bugatti Chiron Sport "110 Ans Bugatti"
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| © Bugatti |
While the Miata celebrates its 30th, Bugatti is trotting out a
birthday cake with quite a few more candles on top. Built to commemorate
the company's 110th anniversary, the Chiron Sport "100 ans Bugatti"
will be limited to just 20 units and come with the colors of the French
flag stamped on the underside of its huge air brake-slash-spoiler.
It'll likely be the most special Chiron money can buy...until the next
"special" edition comes along, that is.
2020 Subaru Legacy
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| © Subaru |
Subaru's midsize sedan is all-new for 2020 and brings with it an
11.6-inch vertical touchscreen as well as the model's first turbo in
years. Par for the Subaru course, the new Legacy comes with all-wheel
drive and a Boxer engine. Aesthetically, it sort of looks like a 2020
Camry from an alternate reality in which Toyota never found its pulse. Let's move on to the mid-engined Italian two-seater, shall we?
2020 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider Italia
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| © Fiat Chrysler Automobiles |
At just 15 units, the special edition 4C Spider Italia is, technically
speaking, the most exclusive car on this list. The privilege of owning
one—with its Italia-only blue paint and green-white-and-red badges in
and out—will set you back $5,000 more than a regular 4C Spider. Whether
or not it's worth the premium is up to you, honestly, considering the
Italia gets zero performance or equipment upgrades. Thankfully for Alfa
Romeo, it only has to sell 15 of 'em to call it "mission accomplished."
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