NEW YORK - Like other auto shows, the annual New York event has called itself an "international" show before. This year, for the first time, that designation is official. The 2008 New York International Auto Show, which opened to the public on March 21, has been sanctioned by the Organisation Internationale Des Constructeurs D'Automobiles (OICA).

More than a thousand cars and trucks went on display at the Javits Convention Center, occupying some 846,000 square feet of exhibit space. Close to 30 global and North American vehicle debuts took place during the two-day press period, as journalists attended nearly 20 major news conferences.

Are electric cars dead? Most observers seem to think so, yet several small EVs turned up in New York. They might never reach the U.S. market; or if they do, could be limited to fleet sales. Then again, as fuel prices continue to escalate, there could be a resurgence of interest in battery power for commuter cars.

Performance didn't get as much of a push in New York as it did at the Detroit and Chicago auto shows. Oh, Porsche revealed a trio of more-potent-than ever models. And Saleen displayed a 650-horsepower supercar. On the whole, though, the range of vehicles was somewhat subdued, at least in terms of raw power.

Here's a rundown of vehicles that were introduced in New York:

Acura: Honda's luxury division unveiled the second-generation TSX sport sedan. A bit larger this time around, the TSX exhibits European-themed styling and a new signature "power plenum" grille, which is said to identify all future Acura products. "We believe it sets a new benchmark," said Richard Colliver, executive vice-president of auto sales.

Longer and wider this time around, with a wider track dimension, the 2009 TSX gets a revised 2.4-liter VTEC four-cylinder engine that develops 201 horsepower. Acura claims quicker acceleration, as well as reduced emissions and greater fuel economy. Roomier in its second generation, the TSX promises to seat five adults comfortably. A moonroof is standard, and a Technology Package is available. By year's end, Acura also will have a redesigned TL sedan on the market.

Bentley: Considering how few Bentleys are sold in the entire world, the British luxury automaker's impact on global warming and worldwide fuel usage has to be fairly negligible. Even so, emissions and gas mileage were the twin topics of the company's New York news conference.

"The consequences of climate change cannot be ignored," said Stuart McCullough, board member for sales and marketing. Therefore, even Bentley needs to act. McCullough outlined a series of strategic steps, starting with a 15-percent reduction of tailpipe-emitted carbon dioxide by the year 2012. This can be accomplished, he explained, by such measures as enhanced engine management and weight cuts. Also by 2012, Bentley expects to have a new powertrain that consumes 40 percent less fuel. All Bentley engines will be compatible with renewable fuels by that time. It is "undeniable that fuel demand in the future will outstrip supply," McCullough concluded.

More than half of the Bentleys now sold in North America are "Speed" models, which are the most powerful ever. Bentley now has 46 North American dealers.

BMW: After unveiling its new vehicles at the Geneva (Switzerland) Motor Show earlier in March, BMW had nothing totally fresh for New York. Most notable was the four-passenger Concept CS, billed as a "four-door Gran Turismo."

Chairman/CEO Tom Purves noted that BMW has a "clean" diesel coming - one that blends performance with diesel operation. The diesel-engine 335 promises torque output comparable to that of the company's 760 sedan with its V-12 engine. The new X6 goes on sale in April, and an Active Hybrid version is expected in 2009.

New York also served as the North American debut of BMW's M3 convertible, which goes on sale this spring for $65,725. Whipping up 414 horsepower, the M3 engine can rev all the way to 8400 rpm. A new M Double Clutch Transmission "shifts gears without the slightest interruption to the flow of power," Purves said.

Dodge: Launched in February at the Chicago Auto Show, in high-performance SRT8 form, the retro-styled Challenger - built to resemble a famed Dodge hardtop coupe of the 1970-74 "muscle car" era - added a pair of less-dramatic variants in New York. Specifically, Dodge introduced an SE model with V-6 power, along with an R/T that uses the latest version of Chrysler's 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine. The new Hemi produces 7 percent more horsepower, with 5 percent better fuel economy.

Pricing for the Challenger SE coupe will start in the "low twenties," said vice-chairman Jim Press. A brawnier-yet 6.1-liter rendition of the Hemi goes into the SRT8, generating 425 horsepower. Press also announced that a six-speed manual transmission, with a pistol-grip shifter and "short, precise throws," will be available for the Challenger SRT8.

Honda: Only two seasons back, Honda debuted its latest small car: the 2007 Fit. Already, the Fit has undergone some major surgery as a redesigned 2009 model. Slightly longer than before, with a wider track dimension, the Fit has a windshield that's moved 5 inches ahead. Wheels are bigger: 15-inch for the regular model, 16-inch alloys for the Sport. Honda's 1.5-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder engine has gained a bit of power, and the suspension has been retuned. The Sport model with automatic gets "more aggressive" paddle shifters.

"Small has become smarter, once again," said executive vice-president Richard Colliver, adding that the Fit is "truly a world car," made in five countries. More than 2 million Fits have been sold. "Buying a Fit is a choice," Colliver said, "not a compromise."

Hyundai: By summer, Hyundai expects to have its new Genesis "flagship" sedan on sale. Earlier this year, the South Korean automaker also unveiled a Genesis coupe - albeit in concept form. Now, for New York, Hyundai was ready with a production version of the coupe, which will go on sale next year as a 2010 model.

Kia: A KOUP concept took center stage at Kia's New York press conference. Beneath its hood, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger and new direct injection generates 290 horsepower. Kia places a "premium on simplicity and precision," said chief designer Tom Kearns. Inside the KOUP, the "dash leans inward to accentuate a sense of speed." Carbon fiber details finish out the cockpit. This is a "production-ready design," Kearns explained, "that could find its way to "Kia dealerships" at some point.

Kia also revealed the 2009 Optima sedan, which has been granted a facelift in response to allegations that the prior-generation model was insufficiently stimulating. Kearns call this version a "more expressive" design. "Sharper" headlamps are installed, above a lower bumper grille. The new decklid gets a spoiler-like edge. New gauges are installed, and Sirius satellite radio is standard. The Optima's four-cylinder engine gains 13 horsepower, and the available V-6 also is more powerful.

Lamborghini: Capable of topping 200 mph, and accelerating to 62 mpg in 3.7 seconds, the latest Lamborghini model made its North American premiere at the New York Auto Show. The Gallardo P560-4 contains a transmission that reduces shift times by 40 percent. Carbon-dioxide emission has been cut by 18 percent, according to the Italian sports-car maker.

Mercedes-Benz: Diesel power is "celebrating its dazzling comeback at BlueTEC." Those are the words of Geoff Day, Mercedes-Benz's communications director, referring to the new diesel models that were announced at the New York show.

BlueTEC is Mercedes-Benz's term for its new diesel engines, which run with urea injection and can be sold in all 50 states. Previously, diesels were prohibited in states with more stringent emissions standards. Soon, Mercedes-Benz will offer new GL320, ML320, and R320 diesel models. Nearly one-fourth of ML-Class SUVs are expected to be diesel-powered. BlueTEC Hybrids are coming soon, too.

Diesel engines were popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s, a period during which Mercedes-Benz sold more than half a million of them at U.S. dealership. Then, diesels suddenly faded away, victims of stricter emissions standards. Mercedes-Benz began the diesel revival for 2006 with its E320 BlueTEC sedan.

As early as 1963, said Ernst Lieb, president/CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, an American journalist drove a diesel car from San Francisco to New York. His total fuel cost: a frugal $34.64. Of course, gasoline didn't cost much in those days, either.

Mercedes-Benz also presented the North American debut of its reworked SL-Class roadsters, including the SL63 AMG, which gets a multi-clutch transmission that changes gears within a hundred milliseconds.

Mitsubishi: Each of them had been seen previously at other auto shows, but Mitsubishi placed four small cars onstage in New York. Two of them were electric-powered. Ready for sale in Japan soon, the egg-shaped i MiEV could conceivably become a U.S. model as well. So might the i MiEV Sport concept that stood alongside it. Mitsubishi is now evaluating the merits of electric cars in Japan, working with power companies.

Nissan: "In this business," said Nissan vice-president Al Castignetti in New York, "success brings imitators." Now, with the redesigned 2009 Maxima, "the original four-door sports car is back."

Scheduled to reach dealerships in early summer, the 2009 Maxima gets a revised three-mode Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT). Its 3.5-liter V-6 engine gains 35 horsepower - now rated at 290.

Nissan is even working on electric cars, and expects to have them available in the U.S. by 2012 - two years after they go on sale elsewhere in the world. Way back in 1947, when the company was called Datsun, it produced electric cars.

New York showgoers also got to see the redesigned Infiniti FX crossover wagon, which made its debut at the Geneva (Switzerland) Motor Show earlier in March. Infiniti intends to bring the next-generation "Q" sedan to the Los Angeles Auto Show, this fall.

Pontiac: Robert Lutz, GM's outspoken vice-chairman for global product development, did the honors at New York, introducing three new Pontiac models. First up: the Solstice coupe, which will join the existing two-door roadster. Both body styles come with either a 173- or 260-horsepower engine. Pontiac Number Two: the performance-packed GXP rendition of the forthcoming G8 sedan, with more than 400 horsepower and a six-speed manual gearbox on tap.

Finally, Lutz unveiled the Sport Truck, noting that there is "nothing else like it on the market." Equipped with a 361-horsepower V-8 and six-speed automatic, the stylized pickup is intended to go on sale as a 2010 model. No official model name has been selected, but Pontiac is taking recommendations.

Assisting Lutz onstage with his Pontiac presentation was rapper 50 Cent. "You know, Fifty, that's a great point," Lutz said as part of his remarks.

Porsche: Three super-powered models led the list of debuts from Porsche. The special Boxster holds an engine that generates more than 300 horsepower. Special Cayenne and 911 models are rated beyond 400 and 500 horsepower, respectively.

Saab: Earlier in March, Saab had debuted its 9-X BioHybrid concept at the Geneva (Switzerland) Motor Show. So, a New York appearance served as the concept's North American debut. Details will be posted shortly.

Saleen: Now a part of the ASC organization, Saleen hosted the world premiere of a concept model called the S5S raptor. Its 5-liter engine develops 650 horsepower, running on cellulosic-based ethanol. Saleen also announced a Dan Gurney Signature Edition, commemorating the racing Mustang that Gurney drove back in 1969. Only 300 will be built: 100 each in red, white, and blue.

Scion: Toyota's youth-oriented division exhibited a flamboyantly styled, boldly hued Hako Coupe concept model. Based upon the xB, as redesigned for 2008 in a larger form with more curves to its boxy profile, the Hako Coupe emphasizes the possibilities for customization that are a hallmark of the Scion brand.

Finished in bright orange, the Hako Coupe flaunts an eye-catching "geometric" profile, with flared fenders topping deep-dish wheels. A vertical windshield mates with the "chopped" and darkened "greenhouse," which wraps around the rear of the Hako's body. Production isn't likely, but the Hako could suggest more ways for xB owners to personalize their own vehicles.

Subaru: Electric power was the big news from Subaru, which exhibited a little R1e model in New York. Quick-charging capability is one of the R1e's main attractions. Two of the electric cars were presented to the New York Power Authority, for testing and evaluation. Could the R1e ever reach American shoppers? Perhaps not at retail dealerships, anytime soon; but the prospects for fleet buyers look more promising.

Suzuki: Kizashi is the word for Suzuki's trio of concept cars, each of which appeared at the New York show. The first version, called Concept Kizashi, had been unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show last fall. That was followed, at the Tokyo Auto show, by the Concept Kizashi 2 - a crossover wagon. Now, in New York, it was time to reveal the Concept Kizashi 3, which is said to be a "launching pad" for an upcoming Suzuki vehicles. Equipped with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine that incorporates plated cylinders and develops 300 horsepower, the Kizashi 3 uses a six-speed automatic transmission (with paddle shifters) and features "intelligent" all-wheel drive.

Volvo: After unveiling the new XC60 crossover wagon at the Geneva Motor Show in early March, Volvo brought the coming-soon model to New York for a North American debut. Safety is the byword. In fact, Volvo says the XC60 is its safest model ever. A new standard City Safety system can help the driver avoid low-speed urban impacts.

Measuring nearly 8 inches shorter than the XC70 wagon, the all-wheel-derive XC60 is considered a compact model. In the U.S., only one engine will be available: a turbocharged T6, rated at 281 horsepower.

Robert Nardelli, the new chairman of Chrysler, presented the keynote address at the auto show's opening breakfast, co-hosted by the International Motor Press Association.

The 2008 New York Auto Show opened to the public on Friday March 21, and runs through the 30th. Tickets are $14 for adults and $4 for children.