By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

Well, Ford's sole ownership of the small cargo van market with the Transit Connect is under fire. Nissan displayed the commercial version of its compact NV200, which was recently chosen to be the next-generation taxi vehicle for New York City.

Like the Transit Connect, the NV200 is based on a small front-wheel-drive platform with MacPherson struts up front and a space-saving leaf-spring setup out back. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and continually variable transmission (CVT) will be familiar to Sentra owners, and while no specific output was confirmed, expect it to peak around 150 horsepower.

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

Back at the Chicago Auto Show in 1992, Ford revealed the first fruits harvested from its all-new Special Vehicle Team (SVT): a bright-red Mustang Cobra R. The R was pared of weight by ditching the rear seats and most of the comfort and convenience features, and had adjustable Koni shocks, bigger brakes and stickier tires designed more for the racetrack than commuting. SVT only made just over 100 of the original hardcore R and never offered them for sale in Canada.

Since then, SVT grew to be one of the most respected badges - a `domestic` version of BMW`s M or Mercedes-Benz` AMG - especially into the late `90s and early `00s. Besides the obvious continued efforts with the Mustang, the skunkworks quickly moved across the rest of Ford`s product. The F-150 got two generations of Lightning and now the current Raptor off-road race truck, while the Contour and Focus versions had some Euro snob appeal thanks to quickened reflexes and increased power. SVT's crown jewel is certainly the Ford GT, which even seven years later still looks sexy and drives like a dream.

SVT`s latest baby is the updated Mustang Shelby GT500 Convertible, with a 650-horsepower supercharged V8, six-speed manual transmission, and available Bilstein adjustable shocks, giant Brembo brakes, and upgraded oil and transmission coolers. While the Coupe will run unleashed to over 330 km/h, Ford has put an electronic leash on the drop-top so it only runs to 250 km/h.

So what`s your favourite SVT model? I owned a '98 Contour SVT - silver with a purple interior - that was entertaining and a real sleeper. Unlike other performance arms that add radical body kits, flashy wheels and huge wings, few of SVT's road-oriented projects had them. But there`s only so often that you can answer, No, it`s not a Taurus, "No, it's not a Taurus," before part of you wishes for just a bit of flash...

By Greg Migliore, AutoWeek

The Elantra is one of Hyundai's strongest launches in recent memory, which is saying something considering that the Sonata and the Genesis have been rather well received in mainstream and enthusiast corners.

With that in mind, Hyundai is extending the Elantra line with a sporty coupe variant and a practical five-door hatch. The cars are being revealed on Wednesday at the Chicago auto show.

The Elantra two-door will fight coupes such as the Honda Civic and the Kia Forte Koup and promises 40 mpg on the highway from a fuel-efficient, 1.8-liter four-cylinder. Hyundai is packaging slinky styling and a roomy interior in hopes of capturing young buyers, a common theme for automakers at recent auto shows.

Though it will be hawked as a fun-to-drive option, the front-wheel-drive Elantra coupe will be marketed to a slightly different audience than the more enthusiast-oriented, rear-drive Genesis coupe.

The Elantra coupe will produce as much as 148 hp and 131 lb-ft of torque. It will get up to 29 mpg in the city with the manual and 40 mpg in highway driving. Fuel economy is 28/39 mpg city/highway with the automatic.

The base version checks in at a reasonably lithe 2,687 pounds. The styling continues Hyundai's fluidic sculpture theme with a flowing beltline, prominent headlights and slightly flared wheels.

The coupe continues the momentum started by its sedan sibling, which won North American Car of the Year honors in January.

"It has really surpassed our expectations," Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik said.

By Jake Lingeman, AutoWeek

Acura unveiled the production version of the 2013 ILX compact sedan at the Chicago auto show on Wednesday, saying the vehicle will be an entry point into Honda's luxury brand.

The five-passenger sedan will offer three engine choices, including Acura's first gasoline-electric hybrid.

The base ILX will be powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 150 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque. The only transmission offered is a five-speed automatic. Fuel economy in that model is rated at 24 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.

By Dale Jewett, AutoWeek

Kia is exploring what might happen if you turbocharged the dancing Hamstars with the Track'ster concept car for next week's Chicago auto show.

The Track'ster is based on the Soul. Changes include bigger wheels and a narrower, sporty window opening along the side.

By Greg Migliore, AutoWeek

Hyundai will reveal an Elantra coupe in February at the Chicago auto show as the company tries to capitalize on continuing sales momentum by fortifying its product line.

Hyundai Motor America chief executive John Krafcik showed reporters the Honda Civic-fighting car at an event near Ann Arbor, Mich., though photography was not allowed.

By David Menzies for MSN Autos

Soccer moms the world over might adore the inherent utility of the de rigueur minivan. But alas, most guys look upon a boxy Magic Wagon as the white flag of suburban surrender. Put another way, a Dodge Caravan will never be confused for a Dodge Challenger.

The folks at Chrysler fully realize this, too, so in order to boost sales in the somewhat flaccid minivan category, Chrysler is showcasing its “Man Van” Dodge Caravan R/T at the Chicago Auto Show.

Indeed, in an effort to eschew the estrogen factor, the Man Van (as the vehicle is being called internally by the Chrysler people) will undergo an interior overhaul (black with red accents) and will feature a new engine and suspension. The more-manly Dodge Caravan R/T will also boast a kickass sound system consisting of nine speakers and a 506-watt amplifier.

By Greg Migliore, AutoWeek

The most closely guarded secret of the Chicago auto show broke cover Tuesday morning in the form of the king of all Camaros: the 550-hp ZL1.

The name recalls a Chevy racing engine dropped into just 69 Camaros in 1969, making them highly coveted among enthusiasts.

This new version will offer a six-speed manual transmission paired with the 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that pushes out 550 lb-ft of torque. The car has been fortified with a host of aero enhancements, including a front fascia and angry splitter. There is also added cooling capability for the gearbox and differential.

By Greg Migliore, AutoWeek

Convertibles have a small yet iconic footnote in the lineage of great Shelby Mustangs. They turn up, but not all that much. Now comes the 2012 GT350 convertible, which was revealed on Wednesday at the Chicago auto show.

This car comes in three colors--white, red or blue--all accented by Le Mans stripes. There also are three engine choices--a 430-hp V8 and supercharged 525-hp or 624-hp versions.

Shelby builds the cars as post-title packages, and the base V8 starts at $26,995, followed by the blown version, which starts at $33,995. Prices don't include the cost of the donor Mustang.

This is the first GT350 convertible since 1970, and just 350 copies will be built for the 2012 model year. It all harks back to 1966, when Shelby built four convertibles to augment the main run of fastbacks.

By Greg Migliore, AutoWeek

With the car world still buzzing about the Super Bowl commercial starring Eminem, Chrysler unveiled a car in Chicago with real arrogance--the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8.

With apologies to the Chrysler 200, the Dodge delivers an exceptionally mean version of its flagship sedan to the tune of 465 hp from an even larger Hemi V8. That mill grows from 6.1 liters to 6.4 liters and now pumps out 465 lb-ft of torque.