Go, go, Chicago

US carmakers try making a comeback with these at the Chicago Motor Show

X-citing

The Ford Taurus might be the average American sales rep's car, but the Taurus X certainly demolishes that image for good. Previously known as the Freestyle, the X is based on the new range of crossovers being developed by Ford.

Poweredby a 3500cc V6, this soccer mom wagon produces a generous 260 bhp of peak power while an on-demand electro coupler transfers 100 per cent power to either the front, rear or all wheels.

On the inside, there's enough space for kids to spill their milk and cookies and even play catch with their Golden Retriever. Oh, more importantly, the Taurus brand is back.

Mercury rising

If Ford has rekindled the Taurus, they've gone one step ahead and brought back the Sable from the dead. The 500 and Montego could not do what the Sable has done for Ford.

Using the same engine, gearbox and power rating as the Taurus X, the car uses Ford's Sync infotainment system developed in conjunction with Microsoft. Hope the car doesn't crash as often as Microsoft's Windows operating system!

Astra la vista

First, there was the Opel Astra. Then the Vauxhall Astra. And now there's the Saturn Astra! Nothing wrong with Opel and Vauxhall, but Saturn certainly gets you to fall off your bed at 2 am. After all, the Astra is as European as the Corvette is American.

Using the same 1800cc Ecotec powertrain as the Europeans, this one produces 140 bhp of peak power. Saturn believes that by bringing in European cars, they want to give Americans "fun oriented" machines. Which is okay by us, unless they want to badge the 'Vette as a Daewoo.