Toyota draws interactive show interest

CHICAGO | Toyota's youth brand Scion brings thunder to a new exhibit that centers on the 2013 Scion FR–S compact sports car at this year's auto show.

A multi–media "Thunderdome" theater features a series of 15–foot tall overhead LED screens and an enhanced sound system that ignites the display with action–packed videos and luminous graphics.

Scion's Thunderdome replaces the Matchbox–style vehicle curios shown at the Chicago Auto Show over the past five years.

"We think Chicago-area visitors will enjoy the modifications that we've made to our exhibit," says Steve Hatanaka, auto show and special events manager at Scion. "It remains true to Scion's roots of authenticity, personalization and youth."

The 200–horsepower 2013 Scion FR–S goes on sale this spring.

Other Scion vehicles on display include the Scion iQ micro sub–compact and Scion sX that immerses show–goers in a participating brand contest and information sharing.

Power-packed supercars

Toyota's premium luxury brand Lexus brings a first to the nation's auto show circuit with the exclusive display of four LFA Supercars at the Chicago show.

Showcased is the 2012 Lexus LFA generating 552 horsepower from its V-10 engine and the 2013 LF-LC Concept with racy lineage traced to LFA's design theme.

Lexus brand's GS vehicle line is represented by the 2013 GS 350 with optional F Sport Package and the highly-modified Lexus Project F Sport that debuted at the 2011 Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas.

"This quartet of Lexus Supercars serves as an exhibit centerpiece where visitors can witness Lexus's ongoing design and brand transformation through many other dynamic vehicles," says Lexus National Manager, Paul Rohovsky.

Active participation is instrumental in the creation of this year's Lexus exhibit with several interactive displays that illustrate Lexus brand's engineering and craftsmanship vision.

Toyota track/contest

Toyota and game board king Hasbro have created an eco–friendly course patterned after the iconic Monopoly game board in the South Hall of McCormick Place.

Professional drivers and trained product specialists take guests on a fun and informative demonstration ride along the mock game board in the Toyota Prius, Prius V, Camry Hybrid and Highlander Hybrid models.

Hasbro's Mr. Monopoly greets visitors, poses for photos and passes out faux Monopoly money.

Chicago and Northwest Indiana Toyota dealers offer residents a chance to enter and win a Toyota Camry Daytona 500 Pace Car replica.

Interested contestants can stop by local Toyota dealerships to take a picture of the replica Camry "SnapTag" to obtain access to the official entry web page.

Auto show attendees can also access the SnapTag at the Toyota exhibit during the Chicago Auto Show.

For more information on contest rules and eligibility visit www.drivechicago.com . Deadline for entries is Thursday.