Ford, Chrysler and GM ready family cars for Chicago

(Ford Motor Company)

Detroit giant Ford is believed to be readying a greener version of its Edge SUV ahead of the Chicago Auto Show, which kicks off next week.

The 2011 Ford Edge is reported to include a 2.0 liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine that delivers the same power as the current 3.0-liter V-6 with significantly better fuel economy, as well as the new Ford MyTouch entertainment system which was debuted at the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show. According to The Detroit News, the model reflects the company's European styling, a trend kicked off with the launch of its new Focus at the North American International Auto Show in January.

Ford has made itself somewhat the darling of the show in previous weeks by announcing that the larger Ford Explorer, the firm's best-selling midsize SUV, will be manufactured in Chicago from later this year, bringing 1,200 jobs to the region.

Chicago is traditionally a smaller show in terms of debuts, featuring family cars and mid-size vehicles aimed at middle-America car buyers. Although automakers remain tight-lipped about what may or may not be happening next week, Chrysler is also thought to be finally launching its 2011 Grand Cherokee, which was first shown almost a year ago at the New York Auto Show. Sales are expected to start in spring of this year.

Among the more powerful debuts, General Motors is also rumored to be taking the wraps off an updated Chevrolet Silverado HD, a heavy-duty pickup truck which will compete with the Ford F-Series.

The show is open to the public from February 12 - 21.

Website: www.chicagoautoshow.com