> All 2008 New York Auto Show Articles
2008 NYIAS Preview
The timing for this year’s New York International Auto Show couldn’t be more appropriate. With a crush of negativity currently hitting the market, how does the auto industry maintain, or better yet increase, sales from the previous year? Historically the answer has been to break open the car wax...
New York International Auto Show - Day One
New York City in the springtime is a romantic setting equal to any in the world. A similar feeling arises as you walk beneath the canopy of the Jacob. K. Javits Convention Center. Spring fever hits the show floor and spotlights reveal your next true love. It is a great sight for anyone passionate about automobiles...
New York International Auto Show - Day Two
Sometimes big is small and small is really big. A case in point, I recently test drove the 2008 Hummer H2 through busy downtown streets and found it to be much smaller on the road and more maneuverable than I expected. From the outside it looks enormous, but drive the H2...
Saleen S5S Raptor
Anyone thinking that Steve Saleen's departure from the company that bears his name would result in the end of supercars such as the famous S7... would be wrong. That's because Saleen, now based in Troy, Michigan, as opposed to its former headquarters in Irvine, California...
Kia Koup Concept
This stylish entry level 2-door coupe concept from Kia is powered by a twin-turbo direct-injection 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine which pumps out 290 bhp and 289 lb.-ft. of torque. Based on the subcompact Rio platform, the front- drive Koup is directly aimed at such sporty coupes as the Honda Civic Si. The front of...
2009 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
With rear-wheel-drive architecture and powerplants that include a 223-bhp turbocharged 4-cylinder and a V-6 producing more than 300 bhp, the all-new 2009 Genesis Coupe — expected to hit dealers next spring — represents Hyundai's first foray into the rear-drive sports- coupe market that includes the...
Suzuki Concept Kizashi 3
This is the third and final of the Kizashi concepts, the previous two were seen at the 2007 Frankfurt and Tokyo shows. Besides the Concept Kizashi 3 being the best-looking of the trio (all three were on hand in New York), it's also the most important because Suzuki says it will produce a sports sedan based...
2009 Porsche Boxster RS60
To commemorate the 1960 Sebring win by Hans Herrmann and Olivier Gendebien in a Type 718 RS 60 Spyder, Porsche is building a limited run of Boxster RS 60 Spyders. Using the same front-end treatment as Porsche's SportDesign package, the RS 60 Spyder has a more aggressive stance...
2009 Nissan Maxima
Conceived using a new “liquid motion” approach to design, the 2009 Nissan Maxima has flowing new bodywork, aggressive fender flares and a muscular stance, thanks to its shorter wheelbase and overall length and increase in front and rear tracks. The revamped front-drive sedan...
Nissan Denki Cube EV Concept
Nissan has already promised to launch its next-generation Cube, a boxy urban-oriented runabout, to compete with the likes of the Scion xB sometime next year. In anticipation of that launch, it has taken the current Cube and outfitted it with a pure electric drivetrain...
2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8
Following closely on the launch of the 2008 Challenger SRT8 come the rest of the Challenger family, bowing this fall as 2009 models. The two new siblings are the Charger SE and R/T, the former powered by a 250-bhp 3.5-liter V-6 and the latter by a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 making 370 bhp. The entry-level SE is equipped...
BMW Concept CS
The CS, which would be properly viewed as more of a competitor for the upcoming Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide, measures 200.8 in. in overall length and is a further refinement of chief designer Chris Bangle's "flame" surfacing that features strong character lines and sculpted body panels...
2009 Honda Fit
Although the redesigned Honda Fit made its international debut last fall at the Tokyo Motor Show, American Honda decided to keep its version of this small city car under wraps until New York. While the basic car is similar to the Japanese-market model, the U.S. version sports...
2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560/4
On display in New York, the refreshed Gallardo will come with the designation LP560/4, which describes its beefed-up V-10 (now at 5204 cc) that delivers 560 horsepower (an increase of 40) and its all-wheel drive. Lamborghini claims it will run to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.7 seconds, while its top speed...
Pontiac G8 GXP
In New York Pontiac unveiled the hottest version of its new G8 sedan, called the GXP. It will become the flagship of Pontiac's performance series — which includes GXP versions of the Solstice, G6 and Torrent — when it goes on sale late this year. The two main differences that make this G8 a GXP...
GMC Denali XT Hybrid Concept
This GMC sport-utility truck (SUT) borrows its unit-body construction from the General Motors' Australian Holden unit, which is the prime mover on GM's global rear-drive Zeta platform. While the design is rugged and futuristic, the concept it self harkens back to such car-based pickups as the GMC Caballero...
Pontiac G8 Sport Truck
You know we hate to brag, but if we must: In the November 2007 issue's "Future Shock!" cover story, we showed you a photo-illustration of what we thought was going to be the 2009 Chevy El Camino. But instead of being a Chevy, this Australian-built car/truck wears Pontiac badging, because...
2009 Acura TSX
Have a hankerin' for a sedan in the Honda/Acura family that's bigger than a Civic, smaller than an Accord and arguably sportier and more high-tech than either? Then the new TSX, based on the smaller, Japan-market Accord, may be the ticket. It's 3.0 in. wider and 2.4 in. longer than the car it replaces...
Saab 9-X BioHybrid Concept
Looking to become a serious player in the upscale compact market against competitors like Mini, Saab introduced the 9-X BioHybrid Concept 3-door hatchback. The sleek design is inspired by Saab's Aero X and 9X concepts. This long-roof hatchback (or shooting brake) has the wheels...
Scion Hako Coupe concept
Scion is calling the Hako Coupe concept "the sporty version of a box." This vehicle was clearly inspired by Scion's own xB, but officials told us that Tokyo Design Division, which penned the shape, studied global, youth-inspired trends as well. Looking at the concept's high beltline...
2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe
Way back in 2002, when the Pontiac Solstice was introduced as a concept at the North American International Auto Show, there were actually two versions of the car, the current roadster and a coupe. Now, at the New York Show, that vision has been fully realized with the introduction...
Road Rage Remedy
Your daily commute is a grind. Slow traffic, long hours behind the wheel. It's enough to drive even the most laid-back motorist mad. The solution? These five new models promise respite for weary road warriors everywhere. "Comfort" and "quiet" describe the new Lincoln MKS, the upcoming...
Over-the-Top
Or in other words, what would a billionaire drive? Fortunately for the megabuck crowd, there is a wide choice of offerings depending on whether they want to flaunt it or flog it. Here are five hot cars to appeal to your inner Trump. What better way to strut your stuff than in a Maybach Landaulet...
Worst in Show
Sometimes a dream in the harsh light of reality just isn't so dreamy anymore. The same holds true for dream cars. While the designer's vision might look good on paper, when translated into metal, it just doesn't work. Here, then, are five beasts that could have been beauties. Hoping to recapture the glamour...
Showroom Sizzle
What makes a hot car? Great styling. Brilliant performance. Exclusivity. If that's the case, 2008 has a bumper crop of these beauties, but they're just not for everyone. Here are our picks for what's steaming up the windows at the nation's new-car dealerships. How about a sexy Italian? The Alfa Romeo 8C Spider...
2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
When we recently tested the 2008 Mercedes- Benz ML550, we were surprised by how good an SUV the M-Class still is in a very competitive segment. In New York next week, Mercedes-Benz will unveil an updated version of the M-Class that promises to improve upon this sleeper of an SUV...
2009 Mercedes-Benz Diesels
Mercedes-Benz is jumping full-tilt into the clean diesel game. Its three newest diesel models — the R320, ML320 and GL320 Bluetecs — will be sold exclusively in the United States starting this fall and will meet the toughest emissions rules in the country. Powering the models is a diesel V-6...
2009 Cadillac CTS-V
Following closely on the heavy foot falls of Corvette’s ZR1, the next- generation Cadillac CTS-V is walking softly, but carries a serious punch. The previous car’s LS6 V-8 pumped out a more than useful 400 horsepower. This engine is up to a monstrous 550 bhp! That’s sure to give the BMW M5...
Cadillac Provoq Concept
This show car actually made its debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas a week before coming to the Detroit show as a means of showing off GM's hybrid fuel-cell technology to the high-tech set. This version of GM's E-Flex platform employs two 10,000-psi cylinders holding 13.2 pounds...
GMC Denali XT Hybrid Concept
This GMC sport-utility truck (SUT) borrows its unit-body construction from the General Motors' Australian Holden unit, which is the prime mover on GM's global rear-drive Zeta platform. While the design is rugged and futuristic, the concept it self harkens back to such car-based pickups as the GMC...
Land Rover LRX Cross-Coupe
Amid strong speculation that Land Rover (and Jaguar) soon would be sold off by Ford, the Land Rover folks took the wraps off the LRX Cross-Coupe, only the second concept vehicle in the English company's history. With an emphasis more on on-road prowess than the mountain-goat abilities we...
Lexus LF-A Roadster Concept
The tease continues. Lexus, which introduced its LF-A supercar two years ago, was thought to be bringing the final production version to Detroit. Instead, it showed a roadster version of the concept and revealed more details about the vehicle’s mechanical package. While Lexus was cagey...
2009 Lincoln MKS
When we last saw the Lincoln MKS, it was introduced as a concept at the North American International Auto Show in January 2006. Since then, the car has undergone quite a metamorphosis in both styling and performance. The MKS concept, which rides on a 114.4-in. wheelbase and measures 203.8 in...
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart
Mitsubishi’s Lancer Ralliart bridges the gap between the economy-car-like Lancer and the ultra-hyper Lancer Evolution. The Ralliart uses the same 4B11 2.0-liter 16-valve turbocharged and intercooled 4-cylinder as the Evolution, but with a more modest (and estimated as of this time) 235 bhp and 253 lb.-ft. of torque...
2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
Volkswagen rolls out a diesel version of its popular small 4-door that is emissions-compliant in all 50 states. Even more remarkable, the company's new diesel engines require no urea injection (a fairly common approach by many auto manufacturers to clean diesel exhaust)...
2009 Volkswagen Passat CC
The Volkswagen Passat CC might be the so-called missing link between the regular Passat and the Mercedes S-Class- competing Phaeton, which had to be withdrawn from the U.S. market due to poor sales. Slightly larger than the current Passat, the CC measures 188.8 in. overall, but true to its 4-door coupe styling...
2009 VW Routan
Starting in 2008 Volkswagen will be selling a minivan in the U.S. again. But it's not a micro-bus, instead it's a re-skin of a Chrysler. Built by Chrysler in Windsor, Ontario Canada, for VW, the Routan will forgo the base model and offer only the 197-bhp 3.8-liter V-6 or 251-bhp 4.0-liter V-6. It's claimed...
