Top 20 Vehicles at the New York Auto Show

By Matthew de Paula of MSN Autos

 

Over the past few days, the 2013 New York Auto Show has been a hive of activity as automakers continue to unveil record numbers of new cars. But despite all of the important announcements, which include Cadillac's all-new CTS, an unexpected electric vehicle from Mercedes and a radically designed Jeep Cherokee, the mood has been subdued. Two years ago, we would have blamed it on the economy; today it's a sign that the industry is chugging along at a brisk pace, with everyone hunkering down to launch all these great new vehicles. Click through for a roundup of top debuts from the Big Apple.

2014 Acura MDX

Acura's new midsize MDX sport utility is built on a completely new platform. It drops 275 pounds compared with its predecessor and offers front-wheel drive for the first time, in addition to all-wheel drive. Its V6 engine puts out 290 horsepower. Combined fuel economy is 23 mpg with front-wheel drive and 21 mpg with all-wheel drive. Testing was done on the Nürburgring, so this big SUV should have a pretty tight suspension and steering. It will go on sale this summer.

2015 Audi A3 and S3

Audi has sold the subcompact A3 hatchback in Europe for years and is finally bringing a new sedan version to the United States in early 2014 to battle the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class subcompact with a premium sedan of its own. The A3 sedan will offer three 4-cylinder engines: two gasoline and a diesel, all of which are turbocharged. The S3 will have a higher-output gasoline engine. A hatchback version called the A3 Sportback e-tron will have a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

 http://autoemporiummagazine.blogspot.com/2013/03/2015-audi-a3-sedan-makes-world-debut.html

2014 BMW 328d

BMW is bringing back a diesel to its vaunted 3-Series. But instead of a 6-cylinder engine, which it offered in the past, the new one gets a turbocharged 4-banger. BMW estimates that the 328d will deliver 45 mpg highway. It puts out 180 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, and will be offered in both sedan and wagon body styles. The 328d sedan will come with rear-wheel drive as standard and offer all-wheel drive as an option. The 328d wagon will come only with all-wheel drive. Production will begin in July, with sales set to kick off in July or August.

2014 Cadillac CTS

Cadillac's new CTS is larger but lighter than before, thanks to more use of aluminum in the structure and front suspension. The current CTS straddles the compact and midsize segments, but the 2014 CTS pushes squarely into midsize sedan territory now that the smaller ATS has joined the lineup. A new Vsport trim level gets an impressive all-new twin-turbo V6 engine whose 420-horsepower output rivals some V8 engines in competing sedans. A turbocharged 4-cylinder and regular V6 engine will also be available. It will go on sale this fall.

2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28

The Chevrolet Camaro gets subtle styling changes for 2014, but the big deal with this muscle car is the return of a legendary Z/28 version with enhancements designed to make it perform better on a racetrack while keeping it street-legal. It ditches a bunch of equipment to save weight — 100 pounds versus the Camaro SS and 300 pounds versus the Camaro ZL1. The Z/28 gets the 7.0-liter LS7 V8 engine from the C6 Corvette Z06, enhanced to produce 500 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. Redesigned bumpers and body panels create added downforce for aerodynamic stability at high speeds. It will go on sale later this year.

http://autoemporiummagazine.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-unveiling-of-camaro-z28.html

Infiniti QX60 Hybrid

The new hybrid version of Infiniti's 7-passenger midsize crossover uses a 2.5-liter supercharged 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor to produce a combined 250 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque. It is the same powertrain used in the Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, also announced at the show. Nissan/Infiniti kept the price premium of these new hybrids to around $3,000 over the conventional equivalent by using a small lithium-ion battery. The tradeoff: It does not have the capacity to offer a low-speed electric-only mode. The Infiniti QX60 Hybrid will be available with front- and all-wheel drive when it goes on sale this summer.

 http://autoemporiummagazine.blogspot.com/2013/03/green-cars-to-be-unveiled-at-new-york.html

Jaguar XJR

Jaguar ups the performance of its largest sedan with a supercharged V8 engine that produces 550 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque. It will do zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds on to a top speed of 174 mph. The suspension and 8-speed transmission have both been tuned to be more responsive. The exterior gains subtle aerodynamic improvements that help keep this large cat stable at high speeds. Development testing was conducted at the punishing Nürburgring racetrack in Germany, among other challenging venues. The standard variant starts at $116,000; a stretched version costs $3,000 more.

Jaguar XKR-S GT

This is a special limited-edition of the Jaguar XKR-S designed for improved performance on the racetrack. Only 25 will be sold in the United States and five in Canada. It features carbon-fiber enhancements to improve downforce, and revised suspension and steering systems for better stability at high speeds. The brakes have been upgraded as well. The XKR-S GT uses the same 550-horsepower supercharged V8 engine as the standard XKR-S. It will do zero to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and has a top speed of 186 mph. It will go on sale in August with a starting price of $174,895. Good luck trying to find one.

2014 Jeep Cherokee

The Jeep Cherokee has sparked controversy with styling that is a radical departure for the brand. In person, this midsize sport-utility actually looks — lacking a better term — handsome, especially in the Trailhawk edition with beefy body cladding and larger wheels and tires. It features two new engines, a 184-horsepower 4-cylinder and a 271-horsepower V6. An all-new 9-speed transmission is standard. Three new 4-wheel-drive systems offer different levels of capability, from improving traction in everyday driving to tackling tough terrain off-road. The new Jeep Cherokee will go on sale in the third quarter.

2014 Kia Forte Koup

This sporty 2-door is the third and final member of the redesigned Kia Forte family, following the previously unveiled new sedan and 5-door hatchback. It boasts attractive new styling and two 4-cylinder engines: a 2.0-liter version with 173 horsepower and a 1.6-liter turbocharged unit putting out 201 horsepower. Typical of Kia, the Koup comes loaded with standard features, including Bluetooth connectivity, a touch-screen interface and backup camera. It is expected to go on sale in the fourth quarter; pricing has yet to be announced.

2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Land Rover's midsize Range Rover Sport gets a complete makeover and loses 800 pounds. It grows a bit in length and adds an optional third row only large enough for small kids. A new 340-horsepower supercharged V6 engine replaces the base V8. The Range Rover Sport Supercharged comes with a 510-horsepower supercharged V8 engine. Both engines have start-stop technology. The Terrain Response system gains a Dynamic mode that tightens up the suspension and improves steering and throttle response. It will go on sale in the third quarter.

2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive

This one was a surprise, first because Mercedes previously hasn't offered the B-Class in the United States, and second because it's an electric vehicle. This subcompact hatchback has an electric motor that drives the front wheels and generates 134 horsepower and more than 228 lb-ft of torque. The lithium-ion battery is under the floor, giving the diminutive eco-mobile an estimated range of about 115 miles in the city. The Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive will go on sale in the U.S. in early 2014.

Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG

The high-performance AMG version of Mercedes' new CLA-Class has the world's most powerful 4-cylinder engine in a production passenger vehicle. It sends 355 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission to all four wheels. The CLA45 will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 155 mph. The suspension and steering have been upgraded as well. It will go on sale in November with a starting price of $47,450.

2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid

Nissan kept the price down on its new Pathfinder Hybrid by using a small lithium-ion battery. The hybrid version of the popular SUV will cost only about $3,000 more than a standard Pathfinder and get 24 percent better fuel economy for an estimated 26 mpg overall. The battery is under the third-row seat and does not cut into the passenger compartment at all. But its lower capacity precludes having a low-speed, electric-only mode. A 2.5-liter supercharged 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor produce a combined 250 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque. It will go on sale in late summer.

2013 Shelby American Raptor

Shelby American Inc., a Las Vegas-based performance shop founded by automotive legend Carroll Shelby, isn't just upgrading Ford Mustangs anymore. It now offers a 575-horsepower supercharged V8 engine in Ford's Raptor. The Raptor is a beefed-up version of the F-150 pickup designed for high-speed off-road driving. The package costs $17,995 and includes a custom interior, among other minor embellishments. Custom wheels and bumpers are part of a long list of options. The company expects to build about 100 per year.

2014 Subaru XV CrossTrek Hybrid

Subaru's first-ever hybrid pairs the company's well-known 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with a 13.4-horsepower electric motor. The system uses a nickel-metal hydride battery under the floor of the car. Subaru re-engineered the chassis to handle the 300 pounds of extra equipment. The system has an EV mode that can propel the car with the gas engine shut off in certain low-speed situations. It will go on sale in the fourth quarter.

2014 SRT Viper TA

SRT will offer a Track Attack package for the Viper starting in the third quarter. As the name suggests, it includes suspension, brake and aerodynamic upgrades designed to improve performance on racetracks, but even with the performance goodies, it manages to stay completely street-legal. A carbon-fiber structural brace in the engine bay replaces the standard aluminum one. Ultralightweight wheels are part of the package, too. Output for the V10 engine stays the same at 640 horsepower. A bright orange paint job will be available on 33 units.

2014 Toyota Highlander

The all-new Toyota Highlander grows in size and gets beefier styling. It can now seat up to eight passengers, thanks to a third row that accommodates three occupants. Cargo space behind the third row is up an impressive 34 percent. Three engines will be offered: a base 4-cylinder, a V6 and a hybrid that pairs an electric motor with the V6 engine. It will go on sale in early 2014.

Volvo V60

Volvo announced that it will bring the V60 to the United States, restoring its well-loved wagon line to America. Volvo has not offered a compact wagon in the U.S. since it killed the V50 in 2011. The V60 immediately replaced it in Europe and other markets, but has remained absent from the U.S. until now. The V60 will go on sale in early 2014. Pricing and specs have not been announced.

2015 Volkswagen Golf and GTI

Volkswagen unveiled the U.S.-spec versions of its hot hatchbacks in New York. They closely mirror versions already on sale in Europe. The new Golf is longer, wider and lower than the previous model. It will come in three flavors: a base trim with a 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, a TDI version with a 2.0-liter turbodiesel, and the racy GTI with a 220-horsepower turbo 4-banger. All three will go on sale early next year.