Think in-car tech is just for snowboarders who currently drive a Focus, dream of owning a 3 Series and rock the faux-hawk? Think again. At the Chicago auto show, Ford unveiled some powerful tools for those who take the idea of a work truck very seriously.

One of the most compelling options in the Ford Work Solutions lineup is an in-dash computer that's outfitted with Microsoft software, Garmin navigation, Bluetooth and a wireless printer interface.

Sprint Mobile broadband lets you connect to the Internet. The system works via touchscreen or a wireless keyboard.

DeWalt's Tool Link lets you use that dash-mounted computer to keep track of your tools. The kit comes with radio frequency ID tags which you stick on each tool. As you head to the job site or back home you can instantly check to see that all the needed tools are on board. The Work Solutions package will be available on various 2009 Ford trucks including the F-150 and E-Series vans.

Hang on, wasn't it just last year that Ford didn't even have a simple Bluetooth interface? I think they're outdoing themselves. -- Brian Moody, Road Test Editor

The new must-haves are tech features like navigation, premium audio, satellite radio and live traffic -- many of which the otherwise adequate Hyundai Sonata lacks. Not for long. For 2009 the Sonata gets a nav system, a USB port so you can play music through an iPod or memory stick plus a revised and more interesting XM radio interface including a voice command. Tech geeks will know that both the Accord and Altima have similar options but the voice control for XM is an interesting addition -- that Microsoft Sync system's got 'em all thinkin. -- Brian Moody, Road Test Editor

As a nice break from all the new cars and concepts, here's a few semi-oldies that have been aged to perfection:

BMW 2002 Tii

Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3

Mitsubishi Galant GTO-R73X

New models and new concepts are fine but these three automakers obviously think there's something to be said for heritage. We agree. -- Brian Moody, Road Test Editor

With the two photos here and the sentence that I am right now writing, we have fulfilled our duty to cover the Nissan GT-R. Good night and fare thee well. -- Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit

The prospect for actually selling any of these is anybody's guess. If the 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid follows the example of GM's hybrid SUVs and is $6 or $7 grand more than the conventional truck, we're not seeing much hope.

The truck buyers who are really serious about fuel economy spend their $6,000 to buy the Duramax diesel. It's an investment in a known quantity. Which would you buy -- a diesel with gold-standard residual value, or a hybrid powertrain with absolutely no track record in the resale market?

A lotta "green" feel-good here -- after all, GM is the first to market with a hybrid in an exclusively American segment -- but this is mainly PR smoke. -- Bill Visnic, Senior Editor, AutoObserver

OK, you've gotta respect anybody with the engineering pluck to take a front-drive Audi TT and turn it into a proper rear-drive sports car. Funke and Will's young engineers should have mixed in some art appreciation with their technical studies, 'cause the YES! (Young Engineers Sportscar) is dreadful to look at, even by bad-Deutsche-tuner standards.

Three-point-nine seconds to 60 notwithstanding, you'd have to really want "exclusivity" to part with Porsche 911 money for this. -- Bill Visnic, Senior Editor, AutoObserver

Hyundai's been selling a wagon in Europe, but this is the first time the Korean company will offer a wagon based on the current-generation Elantra in the U.S.

Under the hood is a 141-horsepower DOHC 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox.

For fun, Hyundai also showed a customized version of the new Elantra wagon done-up by K-Daddyz Kustomz in Bakersfield, California. -- Kelly Toepke, News Editor

Two years. That's about as long as we'll have to wait for an entirely new Mitsubishi Galant, which should look a fair amount like the handsome Concept-ZT from the Tokyo auto show. Meanwhile, Mitsubishi offers this 2009 version with new front and rear styling. And we can honestly say the new rear with quasi-Lancer taillight is a genuine improvement. The rest is, you know, meh. The company is touting the new sedan's high level of equipment for the price, which is usually what carmakers do when the basic product is deficient. Read our full story on the '09 Galant here.

In somewhat more attractive news, Mitsubishi has given the Eclipse a bigger maw and a dual-exit exhaust. It looks better. Read our full story on the '09 Eclipse here. -- Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit