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Big Apple showcase [Virginian - Pilot](Virginian - Pilot Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) For most people, cherry blossoms are the first sign of spring. For auto enthusiasts, it's the New York International Auto Show, one of the three most important new-car shows in the United States. And it's little surprise that one of the country's biggest and richest car markets witnessed the introduction of a few performance and luxury models. But surprisingly, most of the cars introduced were concentrated at the heart of the market, the sort of cars most of us would consider buying and enjoying every day. Check out the latest in automotive haute couture from the streets of Manhattan. Acura MDX Looking much like the old model, the seven-passenger 2014 MDX is built on a new platform and uses a new 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and six-speed automatic transmission, matched with front-wheel drive or Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive. Thankfully, Acura finally reduced the number of buttons on the instrument panel from 41 to nine. Audi A3 Looking to boost sales of its entry-level model, the 2015 Audi A3 will be offered early next year as a four-door sedan close in size to the original A4 from 1994. Engine choices will include a 170- horsepower gas engine, 150-horsepower diesel engine or a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the high-performance S3. The current A3 Sportback will return as the A3 Sportback e-tron plug-in gasoline electric hybrid. Bentley Flying Spur The four-door Continental returns as the Flying Spur, slotting below the Mulsanne, Bentley's flagship sedan. The Flying Spur draws its power from a 616-horsepower 6.0-liter, twin turbo W12 engine coupled to an eight-speed transmission. Expect the car to arrive in showrooms by summer, with a base price of $200,500. BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo Given the slow sales of the unpopular 5 Series Gran Turismo, it's mystifying to see BMW release a smaller version of the same vehicle. Based on the BMW 3 Series, the 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo features a longer wheelbase and more rear seat room than the 3 Series. A 240- horsepower four-cylinder or 300-horsepower six-cylinder engine will be available. Cadillac CTS Longer, lower and lighter, the 2014 CTS returns to do battle against the BMW 5 Series. Engine choices range from a 272- horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four or a 321-horsepower 3.5- liter V6 to a new twin-turbo V6 that produces 420 hp and 0-60 mph times of 4.6 seconds on the new Vsport model. Both six- and eight- speed automatic transmissions are offered. Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 If you desire the ultimate track-worthy Camaro, this is it. In GM tests, the Camaro Z/28 was three seconds faster per lap than the mighty Camaro ZL1, which is about 300 pounds heavier. A 500- horsepower 7.0-liter V8 and six-speed manual is standard. All Camaro models receive revised front ends for the new model year. Dodge Durango While Dodge's three-row crossover receives a freshening this year, with LED tail lamps similar to those on the Dodge Dart and Charger, its fuel economy gets a major boost thanks to a new eight- speed automatic transmission that cuts fuel delivery to the engine when the vehicle is coasting. Fuel efficiency improves as much as 9 percent, according to Dodge. Honda Odyssey How many times have you vacuumed up your toddler's Cheerios from the minivan floor Honda can help. The refreshed 2014 Odyssey Limited minivan features an integrated vacuum in the cargo area. Developed with Shop-Vac, the vacuum has a replaceable filter and canister bag and tools to clean up after the messiest child - or adult. Hyundai Equus Hyundai has dramatically upgraded the Equus' cabin. Hedonists may mourn the loss of the Equus' reclining rear seat, but they'll applaud the redesigned instrument panel, center console and the added features. Hyundai says that the Equus' driving dynamics have been upgraded as well, although the V8 engine carries over unchanged. Infiniti QX60 Hybrid Formerly known as the 2013 Infiniti JX, the 2014 QX60 three-row crossover will be offered as a hybrid, just like its cousin, the Nissan Pathfinder. The company expects the new hybrid to return 26 mpg in combined city/highway driving - a 24 percent increase over standard QX60 models. Expect to pay a $3,000 price premium versus V6 models. Jaguar XJR Combining supercar performance with British opulence, the XJR returns with a 550-horsepower supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Reaching 60 mph takes 4.4 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 174 mph. The new model is available on both standard and long-wheelbase models. Jeep Cherokee The name is familiar, but the new Cherokee's dramatic styling is a departure for Jeep. Loyalists will hate the headlights, but they may appreciate the nine-speed automatic transmission, which improves fuel economy by more than 45 percent versus the Jeep Liberty. Buyers can choose from three four-wheel-drive systems, and a four-cylinder or V6 engine. Kia Soul Alert the hamsters: There's a new Soul for 2014. Riding on a new chassis that's stiffer, longer and wider, the new Soul retains its hip design aesthetic. The new interior goes even further and offers integrated Pandora Internet radio and an optional eight-inch touch screen. There are still four cylinders under the hood, so power remains unchanged. Land Rover Range Rover Sport The best-selling Land Rover model in North America gets a new look that evokes the Evoque and an aluminum body structure that weighs about 800 pounds less than the old model. The new Sport will offer a choice of a 340-horsepower supercharged V6 or a 510- horsepower supercharged V8 engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Prices start at $63,495. Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive Based on a conventional gas-powered model sold outside the United States, this sub-compact electric car arrives in early 2014. Mercedes-Benz says that the B-Class will travel 115 miles before needing to be recharged, which will take less than four hours. Its motor generates 134 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque. Mitsubishi Mirage This subcompact five-door hatchback is expected to deliver hybrid- like mileage, even though it's conventional. According to Mitsubishi, the Mirage returns 37 mpg city, 44 mpg highway, although the EPA hasn't certified the results. Those numbers may come at the expense of performance, given that the Mirage's 1.2-liter engine produces just 74 horsepower. Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid For Nissan's new seven-passenger, three-row hybrid, the Pathfinder's 260-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 is replaced by a new supercharged 2.5-liter gasoline engine and a 15 kW electric motor. The hybrid driveline gives up just 10 horsepower to its conventional sibling, but returns fuel economy of 25 mpg in city driving, 27 mpg highway, according to Nissan. Rolls-Royce Wraith The graceful presence of this two-door fastback is in contrast to the rest of the Rolls-Royce line. What the Wraith does share with its siblings is generous gobs of horsepower, 624 to be precise. This moves it to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. A new satellite-aided transmission uses GPS mapping to ensure the correct gear is pre- selected for the road ahead. Scion tC If one car best symbolizes Scion, it's the tC, which receives a face lift in June. The front end has been reworked, and the tC now wears new, standard 18-inch alloy wheels. A 6.1-inch LCD touchscreen is now standard. Toyota says that the tC's improved automatic transmission shifts nearly twice as fast as the 2013 model. Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid The brand's first hybrid vehicle will go on sale by year's end with all-wheel drive and 8.7 inches of ground clearance. A 2.0- liter four-cylinder engine with a 13.4-horsepower electric motor is mated to an automatic transmission that returns an EPA rating of 28 mpg city, 34 highway. That's not much better than the non-hybrid Crosstrek, rated at 25 mpg city, 33 highway. Toyota Highlander For the first time, the Highlander loses its generic looks for a more dynamic design. But elsewhere, much remains familiar, with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models and a choice of a 2.7- liter four cylinder engine or a 3.5-liter V6. The 2014 Highlander also receives new safety technology. It goes on sale early next year. Volkswagen Golf The 2015 Golf is not only lighter than the current Golf, it's 2.2 inches longer and 1.1 inches lower than the current car. Three models will be offered: a standard 170-horsepower gas model, a thrifty 150-horsepower turbo-diesel and the sporty 210-horsepower GTI. VW says that all Golfs will see their fuel efficiency improve by as much as 15 percent when compared to current Golf models. Volvo S60 R-Design wagon For those who adore Volvo station wagons, the news has been a long time in coming: the V60 wagon will return to the U.S. market in early 2014. Pricing and specifications were not announced. However, Volvo did show a sporty V60 R-Design wagon at the show. With its sleek lines and sporting attitude, it's meant for those who like to haul and haul. Larry Printz, 757-446-2220, [email protected] BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo Given the slow sales of the unpopular 5 Series Gran Turismo, it's mystifying to see BMW release a smaller version of the same vehicle. Based on the BMW 3 Series, the 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo features a longer wheelbase and more rear seat room than the 3 Series. A 240- horsepower four-cylinder or 300-horsepower six-cylinder engine will be available. Cadillac CTS Longer, lower and lighter, the 2014 CTS returns to do battle against the BMW 5 Series. Engine choices range from a 272- horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four or a 321-horsepower 3.5- liter V6 to a new twin-turbo V6 that produces 420 hp and 0-60 mph times of 4.6 seconds on the new Vsport model. Both six- and eight- speed automatic transmissions are offered. Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 If you desire the ultimate track-worthy Camaro, this is it. In GM tests, the Camaro Z/28 was three seconds faster per lap than the mighty Camaro ZL1, which is about 300 pounds heavier. A 500- horsepower 7.0-liter V8 and six-speed manual is standard. All Camaro models receive revised front ends for the new model year. Dodge Durango While Dodge's three-row crossover receives a freshening this year, with LED tail lamps similar to those on the Dodge Dart and Charger, its fuel economy gets a major boost thanks to a new eight- speed automatic transmission that cuts fuel delivery to the engine when the vehicle is coasting. Fuel efficiency improves as much as 9 percent, according to Dodge. Honda Odyssey How many times have you vacuumed up your toddler's Cheerios from the minivan floor Honda can help. The refreshed 2014 Odyssey Limited minivan features an integrated vacuum in the cargo area. Developed with Shop-Vac, the vacuum has a replaceable filter and canister bag and tools to clean up after the messiest child - or adult. Hyundai Equus Hyundai has dramatically upgraded the Equus' cabin. Hedonists may mourn the loss of the Equus' reclining rear seat, but they'll applaud the redesigned instrument panel, center console and the added features. Hyundai says that the Equus' driving dynamics have been upgraded as well, although the V8 engine carries over unchanged. Infiniti QX60 Hybrid Formerly known as the 2013 Infiniti JX, the 2014 QX60 three-row crossover will be offered as a hybrid, just like its cousin, the Nissan Pathfinder. The company expects the new hybrid to return 26 mpg in combined city/highway driving - a 24 percent increase over standard QX60 models. Expect to pay a $3,000 price premium versus V6 models. Jaguar XJR Combining supercar performance with British opulence, the XJR returns with a 550-horsepower supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Reaching 60 mph takes 4.4 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 174 mph. The new model is available on both standard and long-wheelbase models. Jeep Cherokee The name is familiar, but the new Cherokee's dramatic styling is a departure for Jeep. Loyalists will hate the headlights, but they may appreciate the nine-speed automatic transmission, which improves fuel economy by more than 45 percent versus the Jeep Liberty. Buyers can choose from three four-wheel-drive systems, and a four-cylinder or V6 engine. Kia Soul Alert the hamsters: There's a new Soul for 2014. Riding on a new chassis that's stiffer, longer and wider, the new Soul retains its hip design aesthetic. The new interior goes even further and offers integrated Pandora Internet radio and an optional eight-inch touch screen. There are still four cylinders under the hood, so power remains unchanged. Land Rover Range Rover Sport The best-selling Land Rover model in North America gets a new look that evokes the Evoque and an aluminum body structure that weighs about 800 pounds less than the old model. The new Sport will offer a choice of a 340-horsepower supercharged V6 or a 510- horsepower supercharged V8 engine mated to an eight speed automatic transmission. Prices start at $63,495. Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive Based on a conventional gas-powered model sold outside the United States, this sub-compact electric car arrives in early 2014. Mercedes-Benz says that the B-Class will travel 115 miles before needing to be recharged, which will take less than four hours. Its motor generates 134 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque. Mitsubishi Mirage This subcompact five-door hatchback is expected to deliver hybrid- like mileage, even though it's conventional. According to Mitsubishi, the Mirage returns 37 mpg city, 44 mpg highway, although the EPA hasn't certified the results. Those numbers may come at the expense of performance, given that the Mirage's 1.0-liter engine produces just 74 horsepower. Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid For Nissan's new seven-passenger, three-row hybrid, the Pathfinder's 260-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 is replaced by a new supercharged 2.5-liter gasoline engine and a 15 kW electric motor. The hybrid driveline gives up just 10 horsepower to its conventional sibling, but returns fuel economy of 25 mpg in city driving, 27 mpg highway, according to Nissan. Rolls-Royce Wraith The graceful presence of this two-door fastback is in contrast to the rest of the Rolls-Royce line. What the Wraith does share with its siblings is generous gobs of horsepower, 624 to be precise. This moves it to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. A new satellite-aided transmission uses GPS mapping to ensure the correct gear is pre- selected for the road ahead. Scion tC If one car best symbolizes Scion, it's the tC, which receives a face lift in June. The front end has been reworked, and the tC now wears new, standard 18-inch alloy wheels. A 6.1-inch LCD touchscreen is now standard. Toyota says that the tC's improved automatic transmission shifts nearly twice as fast as the 2013 model. Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid The brand's first hybrid vehicle will go on sale by year's end with all-wheel drive and 8.7 inches of ground clearance. A 2.0- liter four-cylinder engine with a 13.4-horsepower electric motor is mated to an automatic transmission that returns an EPA rating of 28 mpg city, 34 highway. That's not much better than the non-hybrid Crosstrek, rated at 25 mpg city, 33 highway. Toyota Highlander For the first time, the Highlander loses its generic looks for a more dynamic design. But elsewhere, much remains familiar with front- wheel drive and all-wheel drive models and a choice of a 2.7-liter four cylinder engine or a 3.5-liter V6. The 2014 Highlander also receives new safety technology. It goes on sale early next year. Volkswagen Golf The 2015 Golf is not only lighter than the current Golf, it's 2.2 inches longer and 1.1 inches lower than the current car. Three models will be offered: a standard 170-horsepower gas model, a thrifty 150-horsepower turbo-diesel and the sporty 210-horsepower GTI. VW says that all Golfs will see their fuel efficiency improve by as much as 15 percent when compared to current Golf models. Volvo S60 R-Design wagon For those who adore Volvo station wagons, the news has been a long time in coming: the V60 wagon will return to the U.S. market in early 2014. Pricing and specifications were not announced. However, Volvo did show a sporty V60 R-Design wagon at the show. With its sleek lines and sporting attitude, it's meant for those who like to haul and haul. Larry Printz, 757-446-2220, (c) 2013 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |