2005 New York Auto Show Preview

Scion t2b Concept

Auto show season is just halfway through — and next up is New York's auto show, which opens to the media on March 23. Among the introductions set for the New York show is a new concept from Toyota's Scion arm. The concept, dubbed t2b, shows off the brand's "style, versatility and surprise," a release said in sufficiently vague prose. No photos were released to accompany the announcement. While media days start on Wednesday the 23rd, the Scion press conference will be held on Thursday morning, the 24th, at 8:30 a.m. at New York's Javits Center.

Toyota to Overtake DC in U.S.? by Joseph Szczesny (1/3/2005)
Momentum puts Toyota on a pace to topple Chrysler in the U.S. and GM around the world.

 

Nissan Sport Concept Could See Production

Is it simply a "design exercise," in the words of one senior Nissan official, or are there production plans for the new Nissan Sport Concept, the edgy little show car that will officially make its public debut in New York next week? The three-door Sport Concept is arguably the most aggressive design exercise to emerge from Nissan's design studios in recent months, the trio also including the Azeal sports coupe and the Actic, a crossover/SUV. Like the Azeal, the Sports Concept was developed by Nissan's newly expanded design center in suburbanDetroit. The prototype's wedge design was heavily influenced by the U.S. tuner market, noted Nissan Senior Vice President of Design Shiro Nakamura. The high-tech cockpit boasts an assortment of digital touches, including its large video screen. The race-style seats emphasize the sporty nature of the design. Yet if it were to go into production, an admittedly less edgy version of the Sports Concept would be targeted "below the Sentra price range," said Nakamura, and targeted at "first-time car buyers." A decision on which, if any of the three concepts to build will be made in the near future, Nakamura hinted, adding that "otherwise, it will be too late." He said he believes a vehicle like the Sports Concept might be seen as niche right now, but is likely to appeal to the mainstream as the so-called Millennium Generation grows older. — TCC Team

2005 New York Auto Show Preview by TCC Team (3/16/2005)
What you'll find on the ground at the Javits Center next week.

 

Hyundai Brings Two to New York

Hyundai's stand at the New York Auto Show will feature two brand-new vehicles, one at the top of the Korean automaker's lineup and the other at the entry level. The first car will be a big four-door sedan that replaces the XG350. A new 3.8-liter V-6 with 265 horsepower will be under the hood of the new vehicle, called Grandeur in its home market, and the sedan will be outfitted with stability control and eight airbags.

The other vehicle on the Hyundai stand will be the new Accent. The 2006 model comes with six standard airbags and, Hyundai promises, an even longer list of standard features than before.

 

Kia Rio5

The New York show also will host the North American debut of the Kia Rio5, the new five-door version of the Rio sedan shown earlier this year. Like the Rio four-door, the 5 is taller, wider, and shorter than the last Rio lineup, and the new five-door model gets only the 1.6-liter four-cylinder in the U.S. market. Kia execs promise two trim levels, manual or automatic transmission, and an extensive range of option packages. 

2005 Chicago Auto Show, Part II by TCC Team (2/14/2005)
The return of the Civic Si, Kia Sedona, and International RXT.

 

Lexus GS450h

Toyota's luxury arm, Lexus, plans to roll out a second hybrid-electric vehicle with a media preview scheduled during the New York Auto Show. The GS450h will be the first luxury sedan with a hybrid powertrain, and the first HEV in any form on a rear-wheel-drive platform. Its Big Apple unveiling is scheduled to occur about the same time the first Lexus hybrid, the RX400h crossover, hits showrooms. Company officials are being tightlipped about specific details, but Lexus will start with the new GS430, and mate a version of its Synergy Drive system to the sedan's already beefy V-8. Where early hybrids, such as Toyota's breakthrough Prius, focused on delivering maximum mileage, Lexus is taking a different tack. The RX400h will trade off a bit of fuel economy to increase acceleration. And in the GS450h sedan, the emphasis will be on "pure performance," hinted Lexus General Manager Denny Clements, noting that electric motors deliver maximum torque during initial acceleration. Expect to see the hybrid roll onto the market about a year after the launch of the new, gasoline-powered GS models. — TCC Team

2005 Toyota Avalon by John Pearley Huffman (1/26/2005)
Build a better Lexus, and possibly get fired?

 

Cadillac XLR-v

2006 Cadillac XLR-V

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2006 Cadillac XLR-V

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GM's Performance Division is putting the final touches on the 400-horsepower XLR-V, powered by a supercharged 4.6-liter Northstar V-8 and shown briefly in ads during this year's Super Bowl. Besides the supercharged engine and other performance-related features, the V-Series XLR also sports a unique hood, ten-spoke wheels, and high-performance tires. The XLR V-Series is expected for the 2006 model year, or possibly as an early 2007-model offering.

 

 

Jeep Commander

2006 Jeep Commander

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2006 Jeep Commander

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You've heard it referred to as the Grand Wagoneer, or maybe even by its codename YK. But it's practically official — Jeep's upcoming seven-passenger luxury ute with three rows of seats will be called the Jeep Commander. Powered by a 4.7-liter V-8, or an optional 5.7-liter HEMI, the super-sized Jeep will reach dealerships in time for the 2006 model year. Expect the Commander to be in the $40,000 range.

 

 

 

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