2009 New York Auto Show: Day Two
Media days at any auto show are a funny thing. Sometimes it is impossible to find a seat as standing room only is the right of passage to take in an event. Other times, front row space is easy to locate with no one seemingly interested in sitting at the head of the class.
Day two of the 2009 New York International Auto Show was a front row sort of event.
Outside the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, brilliant sunshine filled the sky and the Big Apple was a particularly appealing place to be. Inside, bright lights turned up the heat as new vehicles were introduced by Subaru, Mitsubishi and Kia to name a few. Here are several of the highlights we experienced sitting in the good seats up front.
World Performance Car of the Year
Accolades continue to pour in for the Nissan GT-R as it was presented with the 2009 World Performance Car award on the morning of day two. The GT-R was chosen from a field of 23 cars that included the Porsche 911 Carrera and the Corvette ZR1. A total of fifty-nine World Car jurors from twenty-five countries make this a truly global award.
Featuring an all-new 3.8L bi-turbo V-6 providing 480 horsepower and 430 lb.-ft. of torque, the Nissan GT-R is capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. Comfortable, reliable and well priced when you consider the competition, the waiting list continues for what may be the world’s premium “affordable” sports car.
Hyundai Nuvis concept
It is generally easy to see which car companies are healthy and those who struggling by the vehicles they introduce at a show. Concept cars demonstrate the direction a particular automobile manufacturer plans to take with vehicle design over the coming years. As a company, Hyundai is on a roll. With one new concept unveiled here in New York and a premium luxury sedan from South Korea on display to gauge North American interest, good things continue to happen for the seventh largest retailer of automobiles in the U.S.A..
The Nuvis concept is a look at what lies ahead for crossover design at Hyundai. Though rounder and smaller in size than the somewhat similar Acura ZDX Concept introduced on day one, it appears this style of 4-door “sedan” will be with us for many years to come.
Technology is a sure way to separate a new vehicle from the competition. Hyundai’s proprietary parallel hybrid drive system mates a fuel-efficient 2.4-liter Theta II engine to a 6-speed automatic transmission and a 30kW (205 N-m) electric motor for maximum fuel economy.
The Hyundai Nuvis concept is powered by a hybrid system which employs a 270 volt lithium polymer rechargeable battery to store the electrical charge. In Hyundai’s opinion, this technology supersedes both nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion applications. Space efficiency and the opportunity to shape the batteries to accommodate various platforms are two additional factors why they believe this is the best solution for hybrid vehicles.
Exterior styling cues are designed to reflect the reaction of water as it comes in contact with the bow of a boat. Flowing down the hull, it creates a wake as the boat continues to move forward across the water. Motion is the desired visual goal and the Hyundai Nuvis succeeds without sacrificing passenger comfort and storage.
Gull-wing doors open to reveal a dynamic interior with four executive seats and blue ambient lighting. Sculpted seats are custom woven with a graduated fabric finished in a silver-to-black sunburst. The Nuvis fabric is made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled polyester reclaimed soda bottles.
Scion iQ Concept
To capture and hold the attention of several hundred journalists for more than five minutes is a goal few car companies achieve. Scion chose to introduce the iQ Concept by dropping it down on stage from the ceiling suspended on four ropes, one at each corner. As if to further increase awareness, the iQ was painted a bright yellow color that quickly morphs to lime green depending on the interaction of light on the body panels. Needless to say, everyone in the room was transfixed.
The Scion iQ features a prominent high beltline and in-your-face styling. Body lines are aggressive and smooth. Custom 18” wheels with nickel finish and wide tires fill the wheel wells to overflowing. The iQ’s custom front air dam, aero headlamps and high-intensity LED driving lamps signal urban road readiness.
This is not your typical two-door sport coupe. Instead, it offers sportiness and comfort in a stylized package designed for easy parking, urban maneuverability and attitude. Seating inside is for three with a little extra room for cargo.
The Scion iQ also places a great deal of emphasis on safety. It is equipped with Vehicle Stability Control, anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Brake Assist. A total of nine airbags protect occupants. This includes the world’s first rear window curtain airbag. Supplementary protection consists of driver and front passenger front, seat-mounted side, side curtain; a driver’s knee and a front passenger seat cushion airbags.
Conclusion
Additional highlights on day two included the introduction of the new Subaru Outback and Legacy models. Kia nearly stole the morning with the launch of the new Forte Koup in bright red with black accents. Mitsubishi provided a look at what is most likely the next generation Outlander showcasing a GT concept vehicle. And Honda sees the future going to the dogs as they demonstrated a canine friendly Element Concept.
The 2009 New York International Auto Show proved there is much good news in an industry fraught with unprecedented change. What lies ahead is anyone’s guess, but the vehicles being designed to meet the needs of consumers continue to improve with each passing year. I can’t wait to see what’s in store at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Of course, we’ll be there covering all the details.
