2017 Fiat 124 Spider Elaborazione AbarthFCA
The New York International Auto Show begins with press-only days on Wednesday and Thursday, with spotlights beaming on SUVs and CUVs (surprise!) and pepped-up sports cars.
In these days of tanked gasoline prices, hybrids and electric vehicles have become the cousins on the other side of the tracks. Shhhh. They're not to be talked about out loud. Nonetheless, Toyota is expected to introduce a plug-in Prius with greater range and a dramatic taillight configuration. Mitsubishi is bringing the plug-in hybrid Outlander that sells not badly in Japan and Europe.
So much for the environmentally responsible section of this report.
Sports cars
In recent years, auto makers have leveraged their presence in the United States media capital to make news and on Tuesday, FCA announced that it will debut the 2017 Fiat 124 Spider Elaborazione Abarth. Inspired by the European Rally Championship Fiat from the 1970s, the latest version of the Spider roadster features rear-wheel drive with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, 160 horsepower, six-speed manual or automatic gearboxes.
General Motors is showing muscle, with the 640-horsepower Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and its new 10-speed automatic transmission.
Mercedes-Benz presents a performance-version AMG E43.
The Maserati Levante, unveiled in Geneva, makes its North American debut.
The Nissan GT-R received a facelift. New Yorkers get to see it this week.
Mazda is holding firm to secrecy against wide speculation about a retractable hardtop for its popular MX-5 (Miata) – and possibly a new model.
Audi had the R8 coupe front-and-centre at the recent Toronto show. In New York, it is said to be presenting the sexy convertible version.
Toyota spiked the Scion brand recently. Now the updated FR-S sports coupe, renamed the 86, makes its first appearance in New York.
Porsche presents the 718 Boxster and Boxster S.
The tantalizing Aston Martin DB11 lands on the North American shore.
Acura displays the NSX racing version (see Mark Hacking's review of the NSX, on globedrive.com).
SUVs
We have a few.
Porsche is presenting a less powerful, and less expensive Macan, with a four-cylinder engine.
The luxurious Infiniti QX70 gets a new front grille, LED daytime running lights, side vents and painted wheels.
The Acura MDX crossover reportedly gets a facelift and a new powertrain.
Will Lincoln present an updated Navigator?
To the Highlander, Toyota introduces an new eight-speed automatic transmission, a 3.5-litre V-6 engine, front fascia, taillight and grille redesigns. The Hybrid is adding the LE and XLE grades to its existing Limited and Platinum models for a total of four in the lineup.
BMW's Mini keeps getting bigger. Along comes the Clubman All4, with four-wheel drive.
Though it's selling well, the upgraded Buick Encore has reportedly made a trip to the style salon.
Otherwise in New York:
Subaru's Impreza hatchback; the Kiz Cadenza full-size sedan, Nissan's next Titan, a half-ton pickup; the BMW Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo,sedan that goes from zero to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds; and there's the Buick Cascada soft-top convertible you may have seen in TV commercials recently, a four-seater with a four-cylinder engine.
Oh, and Bloomberg reports that Swedish auto maker Koenigsegg will display a supercar, the Regara, yours for $2-million (U.S.). In less than three seconds, it will reach 100 km/h.