2005 New York Show, Part IV

2005 New York Auto Show Index by TCC Team (3/21/2005)

 

Make Room for Diddy

New York is the obvious location for carmakers to hook up with business titans to promote their wares. And while Volvo’s deal with Richard Branson and Cadillac’s giveaway to Donald Trump gave this year’s New York show an ample splash of eau de celeb, the introduction of Sean “P. Diddy” Combs’ new line of aftermarket wheels showed how the new generation of mogul is doing it aftermarket-style. Combs’ wheels are a new line built by Weld Wheel Industries in Kansas City, Mo. A specialty maker of custom wheels, Weld and president Greg Weld were lacking only in one thing, according to Combs: “[He’s] missing a little sexy in his life,” the rapper turned music and fashion mogul told press audiences. Combs, who kept the press waiting 45 minutes, was on hand for the debut of the resulting Sean John wheels, multi-spoke designs to be sold through the Sean John Web site and select retail outlets. "Wheels have become a fashion statement--a badge of taste and style,” said Combs.  “We see an opportunity to bring excitement to the wheel category by delivering the Sean John sophisticated design with the best quality production.”

 

Scion t2b

Scion’s out-of-the-box success in the U.S. has left even Toyota a little surprised—but having sold 140,000 units since the debut of the brand in 2003, and counting on 120,000 sales this year, Scion isn’t slowing down its quest to grab the Gen-Y crowd by the wallet. At New York , Scion chief Jim Farley introduced the t2b concept, a five-seater wagon that could predict the future of Scion’s xB and certainly indicates that Scion is looking for ways to produce its future lineup more efficiently. The t2b was shown in full-size concept form, but Scion also sculpted two additional small-scale models that show what the t2b could look like in cargo-carrier and fastback form. The t2b concept on the show floor sports far-out features like a power-sliding side door on one flank and suicide doors on the other, an MP3-player dock, twin skylights over the back seats and a tickertape-style dash readout that also shifts its color. A new 2.4-liter powerplant is anticipated for the design.

While Scion chief Jim Farley gives no indication on the production potential of the t2b, he did emphasize the future of Scion lies in spinning more vehicles off common platforms. As for hybrids, they are “getting a lot of traction,” but until they become more cost-efficient they can’t appeal to Scion’s budget-conscious buyers, who don’t spend much for the vehicles despite an average income of about $60,000 a year. A hybrid that used electric power to provide four-wheel drive would be one way to bring Scion buyers hybrid power, he noted.

 

Subaru Forester

Subaru’s 2006 model year will bring a new Tribeca seven-seater SUV. But it also brings updated versions of the mainstay Forester wagon, which continues in the ’06 model year in 2.5X, 2.5 XT turbocharged and L.L. Bean configurations. Revised styling with a more prominent front grille marks the new models, as do power bumps for both available engines. The non-turbo models now produce 173 horsepower, an increase of 5 percent, while the turbocharged XT models get 20 more horsepower for a total of 230 hp. Subaru sold 187,402 cars in 2004, and sees the potential for 200,000 sales this year with the introduction of the Tribeca.

 

Hyundai Accent

Yesterday Hyundai unveiled their new flagship sedan, the Azera. On Thursday in New York , the Korean carmaker unveiled their new entry-level Accent.

Bob Cosmai, president and CEO of Hyundai told TCC earlier this morning: “We believe consumers will once again embrace this new Accent with its segment-leading standard safety features, increased interior space, and content that is typically not available in this segment, all of which should accelerate this new model to the front of the pack.”

With great styling and crisp modern lines, the new Accent is bigger than the outgoing model: it’s longer, wider, and taller than the outgoing ‘05 model. It comes with a new 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 110 hp and 107 lb-ft torque, coupled to a five-speed manual or an optional four-speed automatic tranny.

Standard equipment includes six airbags. And of course, the new Accent comes equipped with Hyundai’s limited powertrain coverage of 10 years or 100,000 miles, plus their limited bumper-to-bumper coverage for five years or 60,000 miles, plus their 24-hour roadside assistance for five years as well.

 

Suzuki Concept X2

After more than a year of consecutive months of rising sales and the launch of four all-new vehicles in less than 24 months, Suzuki unveiled its second new SUV concept in three months, the compact Concept-X2. The Concept-X2, Suzuki says, is a customer-focused SUV for adventure-seekers unwilling to sacrifice capability, power, performance, safety or style in a right-sized sport-utility package.

Along with a distinctive design and a sophisticated interior, the X2 comes equipped with a V-6 DOHC engine with a five-speed automatic transmission expected to deliver 185 horsepower. The Concept-X2 also offers up full-time four-wheel drive with a locking center differential and a four-wheel independent suspension. Four separate 4x4 traction modes – high-range, high-range lock, low-range lock and neutral – enable the vehicle to match its off-road capability to any terrain.

Other key features include dual front and side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags, ABS and stability control. Optional features include a keyless start system, AM/FM/XM CD stereo with seven speakers, HomeLink® wireless remote control system and automatic climate control. A production version of the X2 concept is expected to share much with the Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent SUVs.