2007 New York Auto Show

April 2, 2007

Preview: 2007 New York Auto Show

2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Click image to enlarge

By Greg Wilson

Photo Gallery: 2007 New York Auto Show

Though it's one of the last major auto shows of the season, the New York auto show (April 6th - April 15th) always provides a few major vehicle premieres, and this year is no exception. The following overview is a preview of the production and concept vehicles already announced, and some speculation about the vehicle reveals we don't know about.

2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Featuring refreshed styling and five available engines including a new 3.0-litre V6 diesel and an all-new 4.7-litre V8 engine with 24 percent more horsepower, better fuel economy and the ability to run on E85 ethanol fuel, the 2008 Grand Cherokee will offer such new features as Sirius Backset TV, MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System, rear backup camera, ParkSense rear backup system, and iPod connectivity. It will also feature 18-inch chromed wheels, and optional Hill Descent Control, Hill Start Assist and Trailer Sway Control. The '08 Grand Cherokee goes on sale this Fall.

2008 Jeep (unnamed)

All we can tell you about this Jeep is that it's been completely redesigned.

2008 Infiniti G37 coupe

2008 Infiniti G37 coupe. Click image to enlarge

The stylish Infiniti G35 Coupe gets a sexy new shape and a larger 3.7-litre 330-hp V6 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters behind the steering wheel - or a manual six-speed tranny - along with a new name to reflect the new motor. The chassis, though not entirely new, has been stiffened for better vehicle dynamics, and four-wheel steering will be available.

2008 Cadillac STS

Highlights of this redesigned full-size luxury sedan include new exterior and interior styling and a standard 298-horsepower 3.6-litre V6 engine with direct injection. It will also include StabiliTrak with enhanced variable effort steering, a new lane departure warning system with blind spot warnings, and Intellibeam headlamps that switch from high to low beam automatically. The '08 STS will go on sale this summer.

2008 Buick LaCrosse (Allure) Super

2008 Buick Allure Super. Click image to enlarge

Reviving the 'Super' name that debuted in the 1940 model year, the new LaCrosse Super (Allure in Canada) will get a 300-horsepower 5.3-litre V8 with Active Fuel Management that deactivates four cylinders under light load to save fuel. The 2008 Allure will also have new front-end styling with Buick's fender portholes, and more luxury features. The larger Buick Lucerne will also get the 'Super' treatment.

2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR

Inspired by the 1968 KR (King of the Road) Mustang, the 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR model features a supercharged 5.4-litre V8 with a power boost to an estimated 540 horsepower. The GT500KR has a custom carbon composite hood with air scoops and stainless steel hood pins, a front air dam with functional brake cooling ducts and large 14-inch Brembo front brakes. Only 1000 will be produced and they will go on sale next spring.

2008 Ford F-150 Foose Edition

Ford F-150 Chip Foose Edition (top) and Ford Expedition Funkmaster Flex Edition. Click image to enlarge

Penned by custom street rod designer Chip Foose, the 2008 Ford F-150 Foose Edition has a new grille with horizontal bars, big 22-inch wheels, bold racing stripes, and a unique leather-wrapped centre console and serial number plate showing the VIN and build-sequence numbers. Power comes from a supercharged 450-hp 5.4-litre V8. It'll go on sale early in 2008 and plans call for a limited production run.

2008 Ford Expedition Funkmaster Flex Edition

On sale this fall, the 2008 Ford Expedition Funkmaster Flex Edition is based on an Expedition concept vehicle created by hip hop DJ Funkmaster Flex. The Expedition FMF will feature a two-tone Colorado Red-and-Black paint scheme with orange pinstriping and special chrome badging, a custom front end with integrated fog lamps, side skirts, rear fascia and 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels.

2008 Lexus LX 570

Lexus' biggest SUV will make its world debut in New York on Wednesday. Replacing the LX 470, the LX 570 is expected to offer the 5.7-litre V8 also offered in the Tundra. Little else is known about it except what Lexus' news release says: "The LX 570 will reach new heights in performance, with a powerful new V8 engine, while achieving elevated levels of comfort, style and safety."

2008 Bentley Brooklands coupe

2008 Bentley Brooklands (top), 2008 Hummer H2 and 2008 Hummer H3 Alpha. Click image to enlarge

A stylish new two-door luxury coupe, the Bentley Brooklands will offer Bentley's most powerful V8 ever: a twin turbocharged 6.7-litre V8 with 530 hp and 775 lb-ft of torque. Production will be limited to 550 cars and it will go on sale in the first half of 2008.

2008 Hummer H2

The 2008 Hummer H2 and H2 SUT feature a more powerful 393-hp 6.2-litre V8 with six-speed automatic transmission, increased towing capacity, all-new interiors and a third row of seats on the H2. New features include rear-seat DVD entertainment system, a remote starting system, navigation system, rearview camera and heated windshield washer fluid.

2008 Hummer H3 Alpha

This new, more powerful H3 Alpha model features a 295-horsepower V8 engine for increased performance and towing capacity.

2008 Ford Flex

Rumour has it that Ford will unveil a seven-passenger 'crossover' vehicle based on the Ford Fairlane concept shown at the 2005 Detroit auto show. It's likely to be built in Oakville, Ontario and replace the Freestar minivan. It may go on sale as early as this fall.

2008 BMW 5-Series

2008 BMW 5-series (top) and 2008 Volkswagen Jetta wagon. Click image to enlarge

Unveiled at the Vancouver auto show last week, the new BMW 5 Series sedan features minor styling updates and BMW's newly developed inline-six cylinder engines and a choice of transmissions, including BMW's new Sport Automatic Transmission with shifter paddles. Six cylinder models will be available with xDrive (AWD). The 2008 BMW 5 Series goes on sale this month.

2008 VW Jetta Wagon

Also revealed in Vancouver last week, the stylish new 2008 VW Jetta wagon features a 2.5-litre inline five-cylinder engine with 170 hp and a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. It will go on sale in Canada in September starting at $24,975.

2008 Honda S2000 CR

This club racer-inspired S2000 will be available as a new trim level this fall as a 2008 model. Honda promises performance will rise "to an entirely new level".

2008 Suzuki SX4 sedan

The four-door sedan version of the compact Suzuki SX4 was unveiled in Geneva last month and will go on sale in Canada later this year. It's powered by a 143-hp 2.0-litre four cylinder engine with a choice of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions.

2008 Subaru Impreza/WRX

The next generation Subaru Impreza and WRX are rumoured to be making their debut in New York, but no info is available yet.

Concept vehicles

Hyundai Concept Genesis

Hyundai Genesis concept (top), Saab BioPower 100 concept and Dodge Demon concept. Click image to enlarge

A new luxury car concept from Hyundai, the Concept Genesis is a rear-wheel drive car with a 300-hp plus V8 engine and six-speed automatic transmission. Hyundai says the car will include adaptive cruise control, electronic stability control, eight airbags, pushbutton start, navigation system and rear backup camera, XM Satellite Radio and electric parking brake.

Infiniti Concept EX

A new crossover based on the G platform, the Concept EX features the new 3.7-litre V6 found in the 2008 G37 coupe, all-wheel drive, and a new blind-spot warning system. This concept looks like it will go into production.

Chevrolet Trax

One of three minicar concepts to be unveiled, the Trax microcar is designed and built in South Korea and features a fuel-efficient 1.0-litre engine. GM will ask show-goers to vote online for the microcar concept they like the most.

Saab BioPower 100 Concept

First unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show last month, the Saab BioPower 100 Concept features the first production-based turbocharged engine to use pure, bioethanol (E100) fuel. The Saab concept offers both high performance and reduced C02 emissions from its 300-hp 2.0-litre engine.

Dodge Demon concept

Designed to be an affordable sports car, the Dodge Demon roadster features a 172-hp 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, classic sports car proportions, and a lightweight chassis.

2007 New York Auto Show - Where & When

Friday, April 6th through Sunday, April 15th; 11am - 10:30 pm, Monday through Saturday and 10 am - 7 pm Sundays, at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, 11th Ave between 34 & 39 Streets.

Special Public Sneak Preview:
Friday April 6th, 11am - 10:30pm

Official opening day: Saturday April 7th, 11am

Ticket prices:
Adult: $14.00; Children: $4.00 (12 years and under)

Web site: AutoShowNY.com

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