2012 New York Auto Show Preview

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

Among journalists, the New York Auto Show is consistently a favorite on “the circuit”. Is it the interesting product size of the Javits Center? Of course not. It’s the chance to have an OEM fly you out to New York, put you up at a luxury hotel, wine you, and dine you. Unless you’re TTAC, in which case your base of operations is the Super 8 Motel in Bergen County, New Jersey.

Nevertheless, the debuts at this year’s NYIAS are interesting, and beyond that, they are not ridiculous, six-figure hypercars or “mobility concepts”. New York is where most of the mainstream product, the cars that really matter, make their debut.

Acura: The RLX concept, set to replace the RL, will debut. Honda Canada actually presented a series of renderings to a group of assembled journalists back in January, and they looked like you’d expect. A bigger, blander blend of the TL and and the Hyundai Genesis. Interior room is said to rival the BMW 7-Series despite an exterior footprint that’s closer to the 5-Series. A V6 engine is said to deliver V8 power, and although the SH-AWD electric all-wheel drive/hybrid system will be featured, it will apparently not be standard. Like all Honda/Acura “concepts” this should be 99% of the final design.

BMW: The M6 convertible will bow, alongside a facelifted BMW X1, which will finally debut for the U.S. market in 2013. The M6 features identical mechanics to the M6 coupe and M5, while the X1 will serve as BMW’s rival to the Range Rover Evoque, right down to the 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.

Buick: Buick’s big crossover, the Enclave gets a refresh, along with its siblings the Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia.

Chevrolet: Along with the Traverse facelift, the 2014 Impala debuts. The long-running fullsize has stagnated so long that it’s getting bed sores, and a new look both inside and out along with the well-received LFX V6 and 6-speed automatic should help inject some excitement into the Impala. GM debuted the 2013 Malibu at NYIAS last year, and that car’s 4-cylinder only lineup should help give the Impala some breathing room.

Fisker Nina: Everything is going wrong for Fisker right now, but the company will unveil their next car, known as “Project Nina”, said to be a smaller version of the Karma.

GMC: A Denali version of the Terrain SUV will debut, along with a 3.6L 301 horsepower V6 with virtually no trade-off in fuel economy.

Honda: A “concept” of the next-generation Crosstour will be revealed. We can’t possibly imagine what direction Honda will go in from the current, ill-received car.

Hyundai: The new Santa Fe will replace the long-in-the-tooth current generation Santa Fe. A dramatic new exterior, interior and a modern powertrain lineup should bring Hyundai’s mid-size crossover back up to its fighting weight.

Infiniti: An EV concept from Infiniti will debut. It will supposedly be larger and more luxurious than the Leaf, but Infiniti has been very tight-lipped about details.

Lexus: With a new Camry comes a new Lexus ES. A hybrid version is said to debut for the first time, and styling will likely ape the larger GS, right down to the new corporate face.

Mercedes-Benz: A big show for the three-pointed star brand, as three new products debut. Facelifted versions of the GL (with new AMG G63 and G65 models, including a twin-turbo V8) and GLK (as well as a diesel option for the small SUV) will debut alongside the SL65 AMG.

Mitsubishi: The Outlander Sport gets a facelift and a new CVT gearbox.

Nissan: A next-generation Altima bows at New York, with styling closer to the Maxima and all-new powertrains. Unlike previous Altimas, this car will be sold globally.

SRT: The 2013 SRT Viper will debut after a long, drawn-out series of teasers.

Subaru: A new Legacy and Outback with a facelift and updated powertrains will share the stage with the new XV crossover, which is a raised-up Impreza similar to the previous Outback Sport.

Toyota: Along with a facelifted Venza, an all-new, radically styled Avalon will debut.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Iamwho2k Iamwho2k on Mar 31, 2012

    "Like all Honda/Acura “concepts” this should be 99% of the final design." Why does Honda even bother with the 'concept'? They would save a ton of yen just showing the real thing. As for the refreshed Crosstour, driving one into a brick wall would help the styling.

  • Harshciygar Harshciygar on Mar 31, 2012

    Maybe I'll bump into some of you guys there...if the hoards of photogs don't crush me underfoot.

  • CoastieLenn No idea why, but nothing about a 4Runner excites me post-2004. To me, they're peak "try-hard", even above the Wrangler and Gladiator.
  • AZFelix A well earned anniversary.Can they also attend to the Mach-E?
  • Jalop1991 The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged due to suspected improper assembly by the supplier. Over time, partial engagement can cause damage to the intermediate shaft splines. Damaged shaft splines may result in unintended vehicle movement while in Park if the parking brake is not engagedGee, my Chrysler van automatically engages the parking brake when we put it in Park. Do you mean to tell me that the idjits at Kia, and the idjit buyers, couldn't figure out wanting this in THEIR MOST EXPENSIVE VEHICLE????
  • Dukeisduke I've been waiting to see if they were going to do something special for the 60th Anniversary. I was four years old when the Mustang was introduced. I can remember that one of our neighbors bought a '65 coupe (they were all titled as '65 models, even the '64-1/2 cars), and it's the first one I can remember seeing. In the '90s I knew an older gentleman that owned a '64-1/2 model coupe with the 260 V8.
  • SCE to AUX "...the complete Mustang model lineup to peruse"Will the fake Mustang show up, too?
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