NEW YORK CITY - As the oldest auto show in the country, the annual New York event has quite a heritage to look back upon. The show also generates high expectations.
As this year's show opened to the media on Wednesday, April 21, those expectations were particularly strong. Show organizers were claiming there would be 56 new-model introductions. Quite a few were global, though other vehicles were appearing for the first time in North America, having been seen previously elsewhere.
Compact cars scored well at the auto show, with seven freshly redesigned models getting their first appearance to the public. Fiat introduced the new Cabrio (convertible) version of its 500 microcar. Rather than a conventional convertible top, the 500 Cabrio has a sliding fabric roof, virtually identical to the sliding roofs used on Fiats (and other European small cars) back in the 1950s and '60s.
Fuel-efficiency was a prominent topic, with many claims for increased gas mileage from the latest models. Yet, only a couple of new Hybrid models debuted, and electric vehicles almost disappeared from sight. Mitsubishi announced the $27,990 price of its forthcoming i-MiEv electric (now renamed Mitsubishi i), but the only new electric vehicle was a race car based on Nissan's Leaf. BMW held no news conference, but exhibited its ActiveE electric car, based on the 1 Series coupe, which had debuted at the Geneva (Switzerland) auto show in March.
At the World Car Awards held on the second of two auto-show Press Days, however, that Nissan Leaf was named World Car of the Year. Chevrolet's Volt got the nod as World Green Car of the Year.
Vying with fuel-efficiency for attention, though, were a number of performance-packed vehicles, plus a few sizable SUVs. All-new models were in particularly short supply, exhibited mainly by Land Rover (the new compact Range Rover Evoque crossover) and Infiniti (a new JX sport-utility vehicle). Of course, several sports-car makers had new products on display, including the 800-horsepower Shelby GT500 Super Snake. Fuel-efficiency wasn't much of an issue at the Shelby stand.
Audi also was one of the few manufacturers to show a brand-new model in New York: the A7. Actually, information on the A7 had already been available for some time, and the car is now at dealerships. As might be expected, the sedan fits between Audi's A6 and A8, but with a sleek, low-roof profile reminiscent of the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class. TV comedian Stephen Colbert appeared to get considerably more notice than the A7, as he spoke of his sailing exploits and their tie to the Audi company.
Bentley says the Supersports ISR convertible that debuted in New York is the most powerful motorcar ever made by the company. Getting prepared for limited production, the car recently set a speed record of more than 205 mpg - on ice.
BMW had three North American debuts on the show floor in New York: the ActiveE electric, 6-Series coupe, and Z4 sDrive 28i with a new twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Though BMW hosted no news conference, its Mini division had one that drew plenty of attention. Special-edition cars were the big attraction, but that was because they were inspired by the rock band KISS, and four members of that group took to the stage to entertain the audience on the second Press Day.
Chevrolet introduced the 2013 Malibu in New York, though the car had first debuted a day earlier at the Shanghai Auto Show. Nearly 3 inches wider than the current model, the next Malibu is said to be influenced by Chevrolet's Camaro. The Malibu lineup includes an Eco sedan, promising an estimated 38 mpg on the highway. Mark Reuss, president of GM North America, described the new E-Assist package as "light electrification of a conventional powertrain."
Chrysler introduced a new Executive Series for its 300 sedan, as well as a dechromed "S" edition of both the 200 and 300. Billed as a "street machine," the 300S presents an "attitude that comes through loud and clear," said Chrysler-brand chief Olivier Francois. Also unveiled was the next version of the 300 SRT8, exhibiting "just the right amount of menace" and holding a new 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 engine.
Like its Chevrolet archrival, Ford introduced a redesigned 2013 model in New York, rather than a 2012. Specifically, it was the 2013 Taurus, along with the high-performance Taurus SHO. Two EcoBoost engines will be available, plus active grille shutters that promise up to a 20-percent fuel-economy boost. The 2013 Taurus is expected to achieve best-in-class mileage: at least 31 mpg for its most thrifty model.
Honda revealed its full line of redesigned ninth-generation 2012 Civic models: sedan, coupe, new thrift-oriented HF sedan, sporty Si coupe and sedan, and fourth-generation Civic Hybrid, which substitutes a lithium-ion battery pack for the prior nickel metal hydride setup. All 2012 Civic models go on sale in late April or May, except for the Natural Gas sedan that will reach dealerships this fall.
Hyundai introduced the next-generation Accent four- and five-door subcompacts, making their U.S. debut. Sales begin in May, and the Accent's direct-injected 1.6-liter engine promises 40-mpg fuel economy on the highway,. For the first time, four of the South Korean automaker's 40-mpg cars were displayed together. John Krafcik, the head of Hyundai of America, also revealed details of Hyundai's forthcoming resale-value guarantee, as part of the company's Assurance program.
Jaguar unveiled its entire 2012 lineup, including a new super-powered XKR-S coupe and a 510-horsepower XFR sedan. Jaguar is introducing a new four-cylinder diesel engine for the XF, but that one won't be coming to the U.S. Jaguar also focused on 2011 as the 50th anniversary of its legendary E-Type, first seen at the New York Auto Show back in 1961.
Two special Jeep models appeared in New York. Billed as offering "extreme performance capability," the Grand Cherokee SRT8 is called "the ultimate performance SUV," now with a "more aggressive race-inspired design." The new 6.4-liter Hemi yields 465 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque in a midsize SUV. Also unveiled was a special-edition, desert-themed Wrangler Mojave.
Following up on the global debut of the next-generation Rio5 hatchback earlier this year, Kia used New York as the launch pad for the companion Rio four-door sedan. Also onstage was the 2012 Soul crossover model.
Land Rover was one of the few companies with a brand-new model: the stylish Range Rover Evoque compact crossover SUV. Also introduced: a new special Autobiography Ultimate Edition of the regular Range Rover.
Lexus held no news conference, but introduced its LF-Gh Hybrid concept at an offsite event. Lotus launched its Evora S and Evora IPS sports cars
New technology was the byword from Mazda. Specifically, the redesigned 2012 Mazda3 made its first appearance, using new SKYACTIV technology. Also onstage was the Minagi concept (which has been seen before),.
Mercedes-Benz emphasized high-performance from its AMG division. The C63 AMG coupe made its world premiere, along with the larger E63 AMG sedan. Also on display was a Concept A-Class, which is hopefully a possibility for the U.S. market at some point. Mercedes-Benz also hosted the North American debut of the next SLK roadster.
In addition to stating the price of the "i" electric car that's coming soon, Mitsubishi showed a special edition of its Eclipse coupe. That model is expected to disappear after the 2012 model year.
Nissan introduced its redesigned Versa subcompact (right) to the New York audience, along with a Leaf-based electric race car. Also in New York, showgoers got to see the brand-new Infiniti JX full-size, three-row SUV.
Porsche revealed its Panamera Hybrid for the first time in the U.S., along with a Panamera Turbo.
Because Porsche claims to have built the first hybrid in the world, more than a century ago, the German automaker also brought that huge vehicle to the auto-show floor.
Rolls-Royce revealed a special Spirit of Ecstasy edition of its Phantom sedan. Only 100 will be available for sale, worldwide.
Though it was first seen at the Geneva (Switzerland) auto show in March, the PhoeniX concept coupe presented by Saab was just as striking for its New York appearance. Though the future of Saab has been in doubt lately, the company announced that the underpinnings of this lushly-curved concept will be found in the next-generation 9-3 series.
One of the few manufacturers to unveil a concept car in New York was Toyota's youth-oriented Scion division, which revealed an FR-S sport coupe concept, painted bright red, accompanied by an overblown commentary. Lightweight, on a short wheelbase, the FR-S was inspired by Toyota's old 2000GT sports car and is said to foretell a new Scion model that's coming out in 2012.
Shelby, the legendary high-performance sports-car maker, brought out an 800-horsepower GT500 Super Snake coupe (just what everyone needs for morning commutes). Also introduced was a new GTS model.
Subaru unveiled the redesigned 2012 Impreza four-door sedan and five-door hatchback (right), claiming up to 36 mpg on the highway with the continuously variable transmission (CVT). That would be a 30-percent boost. Sales chief Tom Doll calls it the "most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive car in America." The Impreza's new hexagonal grille is said to be "the keystone of all new Subaru designs."
Suzuki brought two concept cars based on the Kizashi platform, but hosted no news conference to promote them.
Volkswagen introduced its reworked Touareg sport-utility vehicle, including the company's first Hybrid. No doubt, many showgoers took greater interest in the redesigned 2012 Beetle (left), also at Volkswagen's display space. "Unless you've good reason," said Jonathan Browning, head of VW in America, "you don't mess with an icon." Still, the 2012 model is called "a Beetle for these times: sleeker, sportier, and it's more aggressive." As before, no one will mistake the Beetle, with its distinctive profile, for any other car on the market.
All told, only one auto company can truly claim to have generated the kind of enthusiasm that was once expected at nearly every auto show. That was BMW's Mini division, with its group of KISS-derived special editions - plus having the heavy-metal musicians right onstage to promote them.