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2007 New York International Auto Show
![]() ![]() New York show brings out best and brightest
By Bill Roebuck
![]() But first, I want to tell you about the venue. I've driven around New York City -- downtown Manhattan specifically -- a few times (and quite capably, according to my friends who live there). But on my pre-Easter visit, my mode of transportation was by taxi. That's partly because I wanted to maintain my calm, which it's hard to do when you drive in the city.
You might think it's odd that the most-attended car show in the North America is held in Manhattan. It's a town where parking is nearly impossible and astronomically expensive when you find it. And many of the drivers zoom around in their cars and trucks like they're insane, honking madly at the slightest delay in traffic, despite a law against it. With the narrow lanes and congestion, I'm surprised any car still has its side mirrors intact.
Traditionally, the NYIAS sees lots of expensive vehicles highlighted, mainly because such models specifically appeal to the money-makers on Wall Street and its environs. The show also typically launches several models in North America that have only been seen before in Europe, particularly at the Geneva Auto Show that takes place a few weeks earlier.
The show was expected to attract more than 1.2 million visitors this year, although there were few dramatically exciting models to really draw out automotive enthusiasts.
Over the two days of previews, several brand new models were shows, including debuts presented by Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, Infiniti, Kia, Lamborghini, Lexus, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Saab, Subaru, Suzuki, Volkswagen and Volvo.
These debuts included the world reveal of the 2008 Infiniti G Coupe; world premieres of six production models from General motors, plus 11 future production models; the launch of the Jeep Liberty by DaimlerChrysler; and the world debut of the all-new Lexus LX 570 luxury utility vehicle.
![]() The 2008 Impreza introduces a redesigned chassis, body construction and drivetrain, as well as substantially improved overall performance. It has more interior room and more distinctive rear-end styling compared to the model it replaces. The same goes for the new WRX sports model, which is basically similar in design to the base Impreza but boasts distinctive tail-lamps in addition to its extra power and handling features.
During its other product launch, Subaru admitted its Tribeca SUV had the lowest consumer awareness of any of its products. It intends to fix that with a refreshed body style, mainly a new front end and revised rear.
The 2008 Tribeca also gets a new, larger displacement, 256-hp 3.6-litre H6 engine, for a boost in power and performance, in an attempt to solve a complaint about the first generation model being underpowered. Fuel economy was another often-cited criticism, so the new model will provide better fuel efficiency and now uses less-expensive regular-grade gasoline instead of premium.
There were many other highlights at the NAIAS.
The BMW 2008 5 Series premium sedan was revealed for the first time in the U.S. It features a wide range of driver assistance features, including active steering, night vision, active cruise control with stop and go functions, and lane departure warning.
![]() The German automaker also announced the Black Edition AMG CLK63. The Black Edition is the official safety car for Formula One racing circuits, as was revealed so equipped. Then the car was converted to a street spec model simply by removing the rooftop light bar and F1 stickers on the door panels and hood.
It was a fairly spectacular presentation, with huge flames shooting high out of tubes on either side of the sedan as it was unveiled. I guess we were supposed to think it's a pretty hot car.
Nissan also held a North American debut , this time for its Nismo 350Z sports car. The 350Z isn't new, but the new Nismo iteration features a long list of unique equipment and a special aerodynamic body package that improves handling.
Other models seen for the first time in North America were Suzuki's all-new 2008 SX4 sedan and Ford's unique 2008 Flex, a full-size crossover model that the company says it will build at its plant in Oakville, Ont.
![]() General Motors garnered quite a bit of attention when it showed concept models of its Beat, Groove and Trax mini cars. But will they build them? No word on that yet.
Fuel economy was the focus of some other concepts, including the Ford Airstream Concept hydrogen-electric vehicle; the Chevy Volt that uses electricity, gasoline, E85 ethanol or biodiesel (I like that idea a lot); the Mazda Nagare hydrogen-powered three-seater; the 400-hp Toyota FT-HS hybrid sports car; and the Saab BioPower 100 Concept that runs on E100 bioethanol fuel.
![]() Bill Roebuck is the Editor of CarTest! (c) 2007
Posted April 12, 2021
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