NEW YORK–Though the Detroit auto show usually boasts of having the most world debuts of concept and production vehicles, the annual exhibition in the Big Apple in some ways is becoming more relevant.
Because it falls on Easter each year, the New York show lands during prime time for automakers to debut new vehicles for the forthcoming fall model year turnover – and it's the starting gun for the spring car-selling season.
Although Detroit may have all the glitz (however diminished recently), this gig is all about the business of selling cars, which is considerably more important in these troubled economic times. Given a couple of the new model announcements, there's added interest this year for those worried about Ontario's economy.
In Canada, one automaker that has been all business is Subaru. In a market that was down more than 15 per cent last month on a year-to-year basis, Subaru posted a sales gain of almost 15 per cent.
Most of the Japanese automaker's gains revolve around the newer Impreza and Forester. So the debut of its new 2010 Legacy sedan and Outback wagon – the oldest vehicles in its lineup – are welcomed.
With an eye to matching the physical growth of midsize rivals like Mazda6 and Honda Accord, both of Subaru's offerings are wider and taller, with rear seat legroom and cargo space the main beneficiaries.
There's no longer a Legacy wagon. But as before, all-wheel drive is standard across the board, with naturally aspirated and turbo versions of the 2.5 L flat-four boxer engines. A new continuously variable transmission is available on the base four-cylinder. The optional six is the 3.6 L unit from the Tribeca.
Expect them to arrive in showrooms by late summer.
With sales growth even better than Subaru, Mercedes-Benz (up 26 per cent last month) is sailing through these bad times.
Adding to the 2010 E Class midsize sedan and coupe models, the German carmaker unveiled a high-performance version of the four-door and a concept for a smaller diesel engine.
The 2010 E 63 AMG sedan, which goes on sale this fall, gains 11 hp (now 518 hp) using a hand-built V8 similar to last year's iteration. Also new is the adoption of the seven-speed Speedshift autobox from the SL 63 AMG Roadster that not only aids in making quicker shifts, but also gives 12 per cent better fuel economy. More relevant, the Benz new sedan can go 0-to-96 km/h in only 4.4 seconds.
The E 250 BlueTec Vision is a precursor to a potential production E sedan with a 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that produces 204 horsepower and 354 lb.-ft. of torque – slightly less than the 210 hp/385 lb.-ft. ratings from the current six-cylinder $68,100 E 320 BlueTec.
Mercedes claims 8.4 L/100 km (33.6 m.p.g.) city and 6.04 L/100 km (46.8 m.p.g.) hwy., compared to 10.5/7.4 L/100 km (27/38 m.p.g.) for the old E 320 diesel.
While 2009 may be the year of the E Class for the automaker, its Smart Fortwo micro-car may soon get competition from an unlikely rival.
In anticipation of a spring 2010 launch of Toyota's Scion brand in Canada, a pimped-out concept version of its iQ sub-subcompact debuted in NYC. With a 93-hp 1.3-litre four-banger driving the front wheels, the iQ allows you to cram a couple of (small) humans in the back, unlike the two-seat Fortwo.
Right now, Toyota is not saying if a production iQ will get the nod.
Nissan unveiled the convertible version of its recently updated 370Z two-seat sports car.
For a premium over the Coupe that starts at $39,998, the 2010 370Z Roadster shares the hardtops' 332-hp 3.7-litre V6 engine, choice of a six-speed stick or seven-speed autobox and is expected in Canadian showrooms this summer.
Despite new-car buyers' rapid shift to small cars, SUVs and crossovers are still a big part of most automakers' lineups. And this year's New York show had plenty of utility vehicles making their debuts.
GMC's new 2010 Terrain crossover will be built at the automaker's facility in Ingersoll., just like the Pontiac Torrent that it ostensibly replaces. Like the old Torrent, the five-passenger Terrain is based on a Chevy – this time the already released Equinox.
GM says a new 2.4 L four-cylinder engine with direct injection is expected to deliver best-in-segment highway fuel economy of 7.8 L/100 km (36 m.p.g.). An optional 3.0-litre V6 will also be available.
The 2010 Terrain goes on sale in late summer in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions.
Amid the distraction of trying to complete a deal with Fiat for small car technology and negotiating with auto unions to reduce labour costs, Chrysler unveiled its next generation 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee midsize SUV.
Based on the current Mercedes M Class, the new Grand Cherokee's crisp new clothes hearken back to the 1999-2004 model.
Fresh hardware includes a new five-mode air suspension (that can raise the Jeep to a maximum 280 mm) and a centre-console dial that allows the driver to choose from five driving conditions (Sand/Mud, Sport, Auto, Snow, Rock) to achieve "the best driving experience" on various terrains.
The new five-passenger Grand Cherokee also introduces Chrysler's new corporate V6, which is set to replace up to seven existing powerplants. In the Jeep, it comes as a 280-hp 3.6-litre unit.
While early teaser images suggested the Acura ZDX as a near clone of the other crossover-cum-sports coupe – BMW's four-seat X6 – except for its headroom robbing roofline, the new vehicle actually goes its own way.
Based on the MDX seven-seat crossover, the ZDX seats five and doesn't sit as tall as its larger sibling or the Bimmer.
Like the MDX, the ZDX will come with a V6 and AWD. It gets an all-new six-speed automatic gearbox, though.
Honda said its New York show vehicle is very close to the production model that will be manufactured at the Japanese automaker's plant in Alliston, and goes on sale this fall with a price speculated to be just below the $52,900 MDX.
Another new crossover concept was here from Hyundai, but this one is a little greener.
Using the anticipated hybrid drivetrain that will be in Hyundai products starting next year in the Sonata, the Nuvis gull-wing compact crossover hints at a future production model.
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