2010 New York Auto Show Highlights
By Stephen Oyoung, Photography by Joey Leh
Even though the glory days of car sales and financing have taken a backseat to closures and cutbacks, many OEMS displayed at the NYIAS with the standard extravagant booths and new releases. And if the New York International Autoshow (NYIAS) was any indication, auto manufacturers only have two things on their minds right now – hybrids and racecars.
With even Ferrari going the hybrid route, many new electric and combination vehicles were on display. Nissan showcased their Leaf all-electric zero emissions cars, which was ironically parked just nearby the fuel-swilling, horsepower-rich GT-R. Lexus created a multi-video display-equipped rotating stand, which held its CT200h premium compact hybrid.
Flanked by a high-production video starring The Boondock Saints’ Norman Reedus, the CT200h was reaching out to the young, successful urban business types that surely thrive in New York’s bursting financial and business sectors. That is, if the constant casting in TV shows is to be believed.
With Mercedes-Benz displaying its insane 600hp+ SLS AMG GT3 racecar, we had to turn to respectable ‘ole Chevy to find the next green car. The 2011 Chevy Volt is an all-electric car that they claim will do up to 40 miles a day without any gas. Zero emissions indeed but that range leaves something to be desired. For many Los Angeles residents, driving 40 miles won’t even get you to the bus station.
Chevy did have its more conventional Cruze on display, which is their standard passenger car sedan. The Cruze is the type of car that rental fleets make you ponder versus a Pontiac G6 but they did have one ace up their sleeves. A World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) Chevy Cruze was on display, which was ironic since the series doesn’t race in the US and the Cruze is probably not going to be raced at all in the US by Chevy.
Still refusing to beg for handouts, Ford put on a big show with a large showcase displaying their new Focus, Fiesta and updated Mustang line-up. A presentation with Microsoft showcased Ford’s new Hohm software, which will allow drivers to manage the recharging at home of their electric car. Ford announced five new electric cars by 2013, including the Transit Connect van and Focus Electric.
Balancing out that “green” is Ford’s revised 2011 Mustang. The big news for the ‘Stang is the revised engine line-up, which now includes a Camaro-busting 3.7-liter DOHC V6 that makes 305hp and a 5.0-liter V8 for the GT that makes 412hp. Both run on 87-octane fuel and Ford claims the V6 can get up to 30mpg on the highway.
The Ford Shelby GT500 gets the 5.4-liter all-aluminum V8 out of the Ford GT, although it’s now supercharged to the tune of 550hp. It still gets 23mpg on the highway. Say what you will about the Mustang’s interior quality and ergonomics; these are impressive powerplants for the price. We can see a lot of people having a lot of fun doing burnouts in rentals.
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