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Chicago Auto Show – 2025

This year is off to a bang! So far 3 great events and its only the first part of 2025!

The Chicago Auto Show will not disappoint this year if you attend. There are so many fun things to see, from the Ford Bronco hill, to the special edition Fiat and the new BMW i7… Oh yes! That car has some ROOM in the back! The show started back in 1901 and has come a long way to 2025, the EV – electric vehicles section has doubled and there are quite a few options on the economy and luxury side, more on that later. Did you also know that the show is over 1,000,000 square feet and has over 4,000 people working to make this show come to life.

Something I thought was also interesting is that cars.com has been around for 25 years! The internet, and/or electric power has really changed the auto industry in my opinion for the better. You, as the consumer, have the power to research anything and everything about a car even before you go to a dealer to see it in person. I know that when I bought my new car in 2023, I did A LOT of internet research and still went to I don’t know how many dealers and tried I don’t know how many cars, but I am happy with my choice. A 2023 Hyundai Venue in bright red! My Grandma always said that if she bought a brand new car it would be red!

That color red is what drew me to the next cars! There are sooooooo many red options at the auto show! Some more expensive than others, and also some that are made of LEGOs which was a first for me. I love looking at all the new options and models.

 

Next up was my test drive with the all new Ford Bronco. My driver was a part of a team of specially trained race car drivers. To me this added an extra element of excitement because I felt like I was with someone who knows how to really handle the vehicle and take it to the extreme. The other test drive was with Jeep and WOW! They took it to the next level with a full 42-degree climb up a man made hill inside of a showroom! Crazy and amazing at the same time.

Chevrolet showed off the new Corvette ZR1, and then I was invited to an event with BMW and introduced to the all new i7.

The i7 is in my top 5 cars at the show! Speaking of that, here are my top 5!

5. Jeep Grand Wagoneer – CAS 2025 custom paint and interior

The 2025 Jeep Grand Wagoneer has a luxurious interior with premium materials, a 12-inch touchscreen, along with the ability to customize not only the exterior color but also the interior.

4. BMW i7

High-Performance Electric Powertrain: The i7 offers multiple powertrain options to suit different performance preferences:
eDrive50: Features a single electric motor producing 449 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, enabling acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. bmwblog.com
xDrive60: Equipped with a dual-motor setup delivering 536 horsepower and 549 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. bmwblog.com
M70: The most powerful variant, producing up to 660 horsepower and 1,015 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds. bmwblog.com

3. Fiat Topolino

Available in markets outside the United States, the all-electric quadricycle is ready to contribute to the expansion of urban electric mobility, providing an accessible and all-electric version that encloses all the freshness of the Fiat 500.

This famous and evocative name is the one that opened the way to urban mobility and immediately evokes the first Fiat 500. Produced by FIAT from 1936 to 1955, the Fiat 500, commonly known as the “Topolino”, literally invented the idea of mobility for people.
The new Topolino perfectly embodies the Dolce vita and the Italian spirit of FIAT. As a vehicle that aims to bring a smile to a smile, the Topolino brings to the streets a new conception of the Dolce vita, joy, optimism and fun. The Topilino is a new electric mobility device that has been designed for a wide audience, including younger customers, families and city lovers.
It fits perfectly with FIAT’s democratic mission to provide sustainable and accessible urban mobility solutions for all.

2. 2015 Lamborghini Huracan with a custom paint job from Snagzart, this brought out the kid in me with the Rugrats design on the car.

1. 2025 Rolls-Royce Phantom – The best thing I can say to describe this car is that it is a car you want to be driven in not drive yourself.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom is the epitome of luxury and craftsmanship, representing the pinnacle of the British automaker’s offerings. Here are some key details about the Phantom:

Unmatched Luxury and Craftsmanship:

– The Phantom features exceptional attention to detail, with hand-crafted materials such as wood veneers, leather upholstery, and hand-stitched elements. Every car is tailored to the owner’s specifications, including unique color choices, embroidery, and custom finishes.

– The interior is like a private sanctuary, with options such as bespoke seating, advanced sound systems, and advanced climate control to ensure maximum comfort.

Powerful V12 Engine:

– The Phantom is powered by a 6.75-liter V12 engine, which provides a smooth yet powerful driving experience. With around 563 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, it can accelerate with effortless grace, despite its size and weight.

Advanced Technology and Comfort Features:

– It features advanced technology, including the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Audio system, night vision cameras, and a custom infotainment system that integrates seamlessly with its luxurious interior.

– The car also comes with high-end soundproofing, making it one of the quietest vehicles on the road, offering a serene driving experience.

Presence and Exterior Design:

– The Phantom’s exterior design is unmistakable with its large imposing grille, the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, and meticulously designed lines that create an aura of elegance and grandeur.
– The car’s design is timeless and remains one of the most recognizable luxury vehicles in the world.

Price and Exclusivity:

– The Rolls-Royce Phantom is priced at over $450,000, depending on customization, making it one of the most expensive cars in the world. Its exclusivity, and the level of personalization available to buyers further cement its status as a symbol of wealth and sophistication.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom isn’t just a car; it’s a symbol of unparalleled status and a testament to fine British engineering and design.

 

Windy City LIVE

The historic Chicago theater across the street from the studio.

Last week I had the opportunity to visit the set for Windy City LIVE and also be in the audience for the show. Whether you are a resident of the City of Chicago or a tourist visiting YOU can also do the same thing! I have been in the audience for shows in the past but man has the game changed on how it all works! First of all is that its all done via an app that you download called 1iota. Weird name I know but my Aunt Linda told me about it when she was here in Chicago visiting family. She has used it to be in the audience for various shows in the Los Angeles area. To download the app just type the name 1iota in the app store and it should come up. Once you register you can see all the different cities and shows.

After you get a notification that you have a reserved ticket for the show you will arrive and wait in line until 11:30am when they start the process to get people checked in and through security. You are allowed to bring your camera and take as many photos as you would like. They actually encourage it for their social media. At 12:30 you are then led into the studio and seated by the shows staff. I ended up sitting in the front row but I will say that studio is pretty small and the audience can’t be more than 75 people.

The shows director I’m assuming then comes out and talks to you for a bit, he is trying to make the audience feel more comfortable and looking happy to be there. The hosts come out and read a short 15 second monologue to talk about whats coming up on the show. We were there for about an hour and a half total but they also asked at the end about us staying to film another segment for a show at a later date. They ask more in the hey … your sitting here and we are going to film this and your not really going to leave until we are done. I say that because I want you to know that you are on the show and production staff’s time. If you would like to know more about the process you can also check out their website here for more audience info. 1iota.com/show/388/Windy-City-LIVE

 

Chicago Cubs Game

Chicago Cubs Game 2016 Wrigley Field 01

When I booked my flight to Chicago the first thing I checked was to see if the Cubs were playing at home while I was there. They were and so I called one of my best friends who still lives there and we planned a whole day of it. When I used to live in Chicago and I was a very broke college student I would look online and find tickets for $2 and $4 and Chicago Cubs Game 2016 Wrigley Field 02go to the games after I got off work. I can say I have spent a lot of time at that park when the Cubs … for a lack of better words sucked. But I still went and cheered them on. Something about that park and that team has always made me feel at home. As you can see from the photo above the storm clouds were rolling in and 3 rain delays later we won the game and it was a day that I will never forget! This could be the year … I know we say that every year but there was an awesome feeling in the air! I am also a fan that rain or shine I will be sitting there with my beer in hand and happy to watch as long as they are playing! But as you can see the weather didn’t know what the heck it was trying to do and the sun was out enough to make my glasses transition into sunglasses. I’m happy I was able to see the Cubs win this year and who knows … I might be back in August when Scott and I have to make our cross country journey!