Car highlights from efficient hybrids to sexy sports cars.
 |
| © Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience |
By Perry Stern, AutoNXT
In 1900 the New York International Automobile Show became the first automotive exhibition in North America, and since then the Empire state has been hosting an auto show for more than 100 years, and it has grown in importance to become one of the most significant auto shows on the continent. This year the show focused more on production cars rather than ephemeral concepts, featuring a wide range of new models that consumers can purchase and drive. Affirming that crossover SUVs haven’t quite deep-sixed passenger cars, here’s a look at car highlights from the 2018 New York International Auto Show.
In 1900 the New York International Automobile Show became the first automotive exhibition in North America, and since then the Empire state has been hosting an auto show for more than 100 years, and it has grown in importance to become one of the most significant auto shows on the continent. This year the show focused more on production cars rather than ephemeral concepts, featuring a wide range of new models that consumers can purchase and drive. Affirming that crossover SUVs haven’t quite deep-sixed passenger cars, here’s a look at car highlights from the 2018 New York International Auto Show.
2019 Audi RS 5 Sportback
 |
| © Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience |
The latest member of Audi’s high-performance lineup, the RS 5 Sportback made its debut at this year’s show in the Big Apple. With styling similar to the larger RS 7, the RS 5 offers a roomy interior and the added versatility of a fastback design teamed with the extreme performance associated with Audi’s RS variants. The RS 5 gets a new 2.9-liter biturbo V6 engine that produces 444 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque available at a low 1900 rpm. With the additional grip of the RS 5’s standard quattro all-wheel drive, the result is some outstanding performance figures: zero to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds, with a top speed listed at 174 mph when equipped with the optional Dynamic Plus package.
2019 Audi RS 5 Sportback
 |
| © Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience |
The RS 5 sets itself apart from the A5 and S5 models with a large, flat singleframe grille, unique honeycomb air intakes, high-gloss black side sills, and matte alu-optic front spoiler and mirrors. At the back is a high-gloss lip spoiler, a unique diffuser and larger oval exhaust outlets. The interior also gets specific RS 5 treatment with RS-embossed sport seats, a flat-bottomed sport steering wheel, and stitched leather seats front and back. The RS 5 has room for up to five with plenty of space for luggage, making it an excellent everyday high-performance car. The new RS 5 will be in showrooms later this year.
Bugatti Chiron Sport
 |
| © Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience |
The new Bugatti Chiron is already one of the most extreme sports cars available, but in New York the company showed an even higher-performance Chiron — the Chiron Sport. The Sport gets the same powerplant as the “regular” Chiron: an 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16 engine producing 1500 horsepower and an insane 1180 lb-ft of torque, available as low as 2000 rpm. The Sport features a dynamic handling package that provides a stiffer suspension and torque vectoring while reducing weight by around 40 pounds. In an effort to reduce weight to every last ounce, the Chiron Sport has carbon fiber windshield wipers — the first time carbon fiber has been used on wipers for a production car.
Bugatti Chiron Sport
 |
| © Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience |
Acceleration figures haven’t changed — the Chiron Sport still sprints to 62 mph in less than 2.5 seconds and 124 mph in around 6.5 seconds with a top speed of 261 mph. The primary advantage of the Sport is improved handling and much greater agility. According to Bugatti, the Chiron Sport was able to complete a lap of the Nardo handling circuit 5 seconds faster than the standard Chiron. Chiron Sport also gets new wheels and a new four-pipe exhaust deflector. The price for the Chiron Sport in America is set at $3.26 million. Deliveries are expected to start at the end of 2018.
2019 Cadillac CT6 V-Sport
 |
| © Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience |
Cadillac refreshed the look of its flagship CT6, and as part of that update it introduces the high-performance CT6 V-Sport in New York. Following the tradition of the extreme ‘V’ trims of the ATS and CTS, the CT6 V-Sport is the first time Cadillac has created this type of high-powered variant of its top-level sedan. Under the hood is a 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 550 horsepower and a plentiful 627 lb-ft of torque. Teamed with a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission, the new V-Sport offers a nice balance of ultra-luxury with extreme performance.
2019 Cadillac CT6 V-Sport
 |
| © Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience |
As part of the update to the CT6, the luxury sedan inherits a number of styling cues seen on the elegant Escala concept. To differentiate the V-Sport, this high-performance CT6 rides on 20-inch unique V-Sport wheels shod with performance tires. New 19-inch Brembo brakes were developed specifically for the CT6 for supreme stopping power. There’s also a unique sport suspension, tuned exhaust and added aero components. “The V-Sport gave us the opportunity to accentuate the aggressive dynamics of the architecture,” said Andrew Smith, executive director of Cadillac Design. “The CT6 is the first entry that incorporates cues for the new Sport and V-Sport model strategy, which allowed us to make the car look as powerful as it drives,” Smith noted.
Genesis Essentia Concept
 |
| © Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience |
With stunning looks and a futuristic interior, the Essentia Concept was a favorite at this year’s show. Following the debut of a Genesis SUV concept last year, here’s to this incredibly sexy Essentia concept also being a peek at a future Genesis product. The Essentia is a pure electric vehicle with multiple motors that would drive all four wheels. Performance would match the sleek styling — it’s estimated that a vehicle such as this would be able to sprint to 60 mph in a mere 3 seconds. The Essentia’s silhouette emphasizes classic GT styling with its long, low hood and swept back cabin. Butterfly doors allow for easy ingress and egress. With no internal combustion engine to work around, designers were able to give the Essentia a very low hood which flows into the windshield.
Genesis Essentia Concept
 |
| © Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience |
Inside, the front seats look like modern furniture, trimmed in cognac leather with herringbone quilting. Oxford Blue leather swathes the rear seats, while the roof pillars get trimmed in blue velvet. The gauges and other driving information gets presented in front of the driver on an 8-inch widescreen display. A larger display fills the entire dashboard, providing infotainment, climate, communication and other details for both driver and passenger. Currently the Essentia is only a concept vehicle with no production plans. However, Genesis will likely carry over some Essentia technology and styling cues to a future GT car that fits well within the Genesis brand.
2019 Genesis G70
 |
| © Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience |
Genesis added a third entry to its growing lineup with the introduction of the all-new G70 sedan. Making its U.S. debut at the New York show, the G70 represents the first Genesis in the popular entry-level luxury market. “The G70’s U.S. debut is a very important milestone for Genesis,” said Manfred Fitzgerald, global head of the Genesis brand. “The G70 is all about the driver’s experience. We look forward to how our youngest and most dynamic sedan will connect with our clientele through refined performance and athletic elegant design,” Fitzgerald noted.
2019 Genesis G70
 |
| © Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience |
A sporty 4-door sedan, the G70 is available with a choice of powertrains: a 252-horsepower turborcharged 4-cylinder engine or a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 that produces 365 horsepower. Both powerplants can be teamed with rear- or all-wheel drive, and in a surprising move, Genesis will offer a 6-speed manual gearbox on the G70 with the 2.0-liter engine and rear-wheel drive. The interior is driver-oriented with nappa leather and brushed-aluminum trim as well as premium soft-touch materials throughout the cabin. As with other Genesis models, the G70 is available with the latest in active and passive safety technology. The new G70 will arrive in Genesis showrooms this summer.
2019 Honda Insight
 |
| © Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience |
Back in 1999, the Honda Insight was a small 2-seat hatchback that held the honor of being the first hybrid car ever sold in America. The Insight name was used on another hybrid model until a few years ago, and at this year’s New York show the latest hybrid to wear the Insight name made its world debut. This is the fifth electrified model in the Honda lineup, joining the Clarity series and Accord Hybrid. Positioned between the Civic and Accord, this latest Insight features more mainstream styling than the previous Insights.
2019 Honda Insight
 |
| © Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience |
The new Insight is powered by a hybrid system consisting of a 1.5-liter Atkinson-cycle engine teamed with an electric motor delivering a total of 151 horsepower and 197 lb-ft of torque. Under most driving conditions, the gasoline engine produces electricity that drives the electric motors or charges the lithium-ion battery pack. When cruising at highway speeds, a lock-up clutch can connect the gas engine to the drive axle for more efficient operation. Fuel economy is expected to come in around 55 mpg in city driving.
2019 Kia K900
 |
| © Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience |
Kia debuted the next generation of its K900 flagship at this year’s New York show, featuring fresh styling and an array of new high-tech features. “The all-new 2019 K900 is much more than a generational redesign, as it takes on a whole new look, feel and character over its predecessor,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning at Kia. Most noticeable is the K900’s new grille, made up of 176 jewel-like cells fit into the signature Kia grille, flanked by all-new headlights with dual LED running lights. The new K900 borrows its powerplant from the sporty Stinger: a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque teamed with a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission. All K900s have Kia’s Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control all-wheel-drive system.
2019 Kia K900
 |
| © Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience |
Inside the K900 is a new level of luxury for Kia, featuring fine leather, metal veneers and a choice of open pore matte wood decor. A 12.3-inch touchscreen display is the focal point of the dashboard, providing information on navigation, audio, climate controls and more. With Kia’s UVO telematics system, the K900 can be accessed via the UVO phone app, which allows for remote starting or setting the cabin temperature. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and K900 comes with a wireless phone charger. The K900 also has a 900-watt 17-speaker Harmon Kardon/Lexicon audio system with 17 speakers. The all-new K900 is expected to reach showrooms toward the end of this year.
2019 Mercedes-AMG C63
 |
| © Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience |
A few weeks ago an updated Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan made its world debut. For New York Mercedes went further with the all-new AMG C63, showcased in sedan, coupe and cabriolet form. Standing out via an AMG-specific grille, the C63 carries a more muscular appearance than the standard C-Class, thanks to side skirts, additional air inlets, quad exhaust outlets, a rear lip spoiler and aerodynamically optimized AMG light-alloy wheels. Inside are performance seats with integrated head restraints and available heating and cooling. The cabriolet adds the innovative Airscarf neck-level heating. The C63 also gets a new AMG steering wheel as well as an available digital cockpit.
2019 Mercedes-AMG C63
 |
| © Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience |
Under the hood of the C63 lurks a handcrafted AMG 4.0-liter biturbo V8 engine that generates 479 horsepower, or 503 horsepower in the C63 S. The powerful engine is hooked to a 9-speed AMG Speedshift transmission. For improved driving dynamics, the C63 uses an electronically-controlled rear-axle limited-slip differential that reduces slip on the inside wheel during cornering, providing improved traction when accelerating out of the corner. The quickest of the three body styles, the C63 coupe can reach 60 mph in less than 4 seconds.
AMG GT Four-Door Coupe
 |
| © Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience |
As the high-performance tuning group associated with Mercedes Benz, AMG is best known for producing more muscular versions of existing Mercedes-Benz vehicles — AMG versions can be found on model lines ranging from the C-Class to the highly capable G-Class. AMG has produced two standalone sports cars, the SLS AMG and the current AMG GT, but the brand has never produced a 4-door sports car — until now. The all-new AMG GT 4-Door Coupe made its North American debut at this year’s New York show, offering impressive performance and gobs of power in a sleek 4-door configuration. Joining the ranks of vehicles such as the Porsche Panamera and Audi A7, the newest AMG GT is a fastback design. This not only provides a sleek silhouette but also adds to versatility with considerable cargo space.
Rimac C2
 |
| © Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience |
Full power is a lot in the C2 — the four motors combine to produce a
mind-boggling 1914 horsepower and almost 1700 lb-ft of torque. With
power at all four wheels, acceleration to 60 mph is accomplished in a
mind-blowing 1.85 seconds, reaching 100 mph in only 4.3 seconds. Even
more impressive: in a bit under 12 seconds the C2 will be at 186 mph,
having passed the quarter-mile mark in a mere 9.1 seconds. While the
stats are beyond exotic, the C2 carries its passenger like a true GT car
with high-quality materials in the spacious cabin as well as a usable
trunk. Rimac expects to build 150 of these EV rockets.
COMMENTS