2008 Crosse Super 2008 Buick LaCrosse Super
New top-tier versions of the Buick LaCrosse and Lucerne sedans resurrect the brand’s 50-year-old “Super” moniker from its heyday. They highlight a reinvigorated strategy to associate Buick's most premium, powerful models more with the kind of luxury and refinement associated with high-end carmakers like Infiniti and Lexus. Visual differences between Super Buicks and their base-model equivalents include more-aggressive bumpers, bolder grilles and more chrome. The LaCrosse gets front and rear fascias that have been lowered about an inch and have “chins” along the bottom that jut out for a more aggressive look. Buick also deploys a row of small, side-mounted portholes, used on many of its classic models, as a way to evoke its rich design heritage, and denote the use of a more powerful engine. The LaCrosse Super’s 5.3-liter small-block V8 boasts 300 hp (approval of the Society of Automotive Engineers pending), which can push the sedan from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. To support the increased power, engineers specially tuned the suspension, steering and brakes. The front-wheel-drive sedan has a four-speed automatic transmission. New interior features include increased seat-back bolstering, woven-embossed leather on each seat and simulated wood grain accents. The new LaCrosse rolls into dealer lots this summer.
2008 Buick Lucerne Super
Like the LaCrosse Super, a Super version of the Lucerne gets design elements meant to recall Buick’s storied past. Here those touches include a bolder chrome “waterfall” grill, a real wood shift knob and wood-leather steering wheel, and the chrome insignias on the bottom sills of the passenger and driver side doors. The Lucerne Super features a more powerful 4.6-liter Northstar V8 engine, rated at 292 hp (pending Society of Automotive Engineers certification), which is 6 percent, or 17 hp, more than that of the Lucerne CXS’ V8. GM’s performance division also gave the Lucerne Super a specially calibrated Magnetic Ride Control suspension system meant to boost smoothness and handling. The Lucerne’s transmission is an electronically controlled four-speed automatic, which seems rudimentary compared to most other premium sedans’ five-, six- and seven-speed transmissions. Luxurious touches in the Lucerne Super’s interior include a leather-wrapped instrument panel, heated steering wheel with real wood trim and leather seats with synthetic suede inserts. The Lucerne Super arrives at dealerships in spring 2008.
2008 Cadillac STS
The new STS from
Cadillac looks almost exactly like the ’07 model it replaces. The overall dimensions of the vehicle have been slightly increased, and minor changes to trim have been made both inside and out. The big news for the STS is on the inside: The standard model will be the first from General Motors to be equipped with the company's new 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 engine, which delivers 298 hp (up from 255) and 268 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The exterior now features a dual-textured, multifaceted grille and side air extractors similar to those on the Escalade, as well as chrome-plated door handles. Inside, the car includes new wood trim, the option of a heated steering wheel and a head-up display on V6 models that projects driving information directly onto the windshield. Also available on V6 models are Intellibeam headlamps, which gradually and automatically switch from high to low beams when the vehicle approaches taillamps of a car ahead. A new performance handling package is optional. Advanced safety features include lane-departure warning and blind-spot alerts. The STS is expected to arrive at dealerships by mid-summer and will be available with either a V6 or a V8.
2007 Callaway C16 Convertible
2007 Callaway C16 Convertible
Custom Corvette maker Callaway Cars unveiled the C16 Convertible, the cabrio version of the boutique car builder’s limited-production C16 supercar. The C16’s platform is modeled on the current C6, or sixth-generation, Corvette. The engine is essentially a Corvette LS2 with an added Eaton/Magnuson roots-type, intercooled supercharger. The C16’s 560-hp engine, producing 529 pound-feet of torque, comes standard. Buyers can opt for a 616-hp powertrain, which produces 582 pound-feet of torque, which propels the paddle-shifted convertible from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. A six-speed manual or paddle-shift automatic is available for both engines. The supercharged 6.0-liter engine achieves a maximum speed of just over 200 mph and attains consistent 11-second quarter-miles in acceleration tests, says founder Reeves Callaway. “My contention is that this is the highest-performance cabrio in the world,” Callaway said. The C16 Convertible was drawn and modeled by 20-year Callaway designer Paul Deutschman. The optional “Deutschleder” package includes a mix of German leather and Alcantara-made material, with seats made by Recaro. The C16 is the 16th made-to-order car that the Old Lyme, Conn.-based company has produced in its 30-year history.
2009 Ford Flex
Inspired by the Ford Fairlane concept that debuted at the 2005 Detroit auto show, the new Flex is a seven-passenger vehicle Ford is aiming at the “modern American family.” That is, a family too hip for a minivan. From the front, this full-size vehicle resembles a low-slung SUV or beefy wagon, with Ford’s now-signature chrome horizontal three-bar grille; the side view looks a bit like the joining of a hearse and a station wagon, thanks in part to the Flex’s elongated profile and contrasting roof color and chrome trim. The interior houses three rows of seats, a refrigerator, second-row footrests, a communications/entertainment system, a multisection skylight and LED mood lighting. The Flex is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to a six-speed transmission. It is expected to deliver more than 260 hp and 245 pound-feet of torque, with a 4,000-pound towing capacity. Safety features include a high-strength steel body structure, rear backup camera, stability control, driver and front passenger airbags as well as Ford’s Safety Canopy side-curtain airbag system for all three rows. The Flex comes with front-wheel drive standard and the option of all-wheel drive. It goes on sale in summer 2008.
2008 Ford Expedition Funkmaster Flex Edition
Ford Expedition Funkmaster Flex Edition
Set to arrive at dealerships in fall 2007, this limited-production, short-wheelbase SUV is a collaboration between Ford and DJ Funkmaster Flex, who the company calls the “hip-hop guru of car customization.” The Expedition FMF differs from the standard Expedition in styling touches alone, which means it still houses a 300-hp 5.4-liter V8 engine, a six-speed automatic transmission and the choice of either rear- or all-wheel drive. The Flex Edition features a two-tone red and black paint job with orange pinstriping and chrome badging, and a custom front fascia with integrated fog lamps, side skirts and rear fascia. It rides on 20-inch chromed aluminum wheels. The interior features a red instrument panel and four black leather chairs with red stitching and FMF red logo headrests. Sirius satellite radio and a numbered dash plaque signed by the artist are also in the mix. Other interior features include a standard 340-watt sound system, power-folding third-row seating, heated and cooled front seats, an optional navigation system, a power liftgate and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system.
2008 Ford F-150 Foose Edition
2008 Ford F-150 Foose Edition
Custom street rod designer Chip Foose has put his own personal touch on the Ford F-150 to help the automaker create what will be the most powerful half-ton truck on the market, powered by a 450-hp supercharged V8 that puts out 500 pound-feet of torque. Ford approached Foose to design a “tough, muscular street rod” in “boulevard-cruiser spirit” based on the F-150 FX2 Sport pickup. The Foose Edition has been lowered and sports 22-inch wheels with larger flares and bold racing stripes. Foose gave the F-150 a new grille with horizontal bars and rocker moldings that help make the vehicle look lower. Inside are Chip Foose signature headrest and floor mats, as well as a leather-wrapped center console and a specially designed plate that displays the build-sequence number. The F-150 Foose Edition is being produced in a limited run and will be available in early 2008.
2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR
Ford once again teams up with legendary Mustang tuner Shelby Automobiles to produce the Shelby GT500KR in honor of the 40th anniversary of the original 1968 Shelby Cobra GT500KR. This is the third production high-performance vehicle brought to market by the collaborative efforts of these two companies, and follows on the heels of the 2007 Shelby GT500. Crafted in the vein of the original Shelby muscle car, the “King of the Road” Mustang houses a 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine that produces 540 hp — making it the most powerful production Mustang to date, 40 hp more potent than the Shelby GT500. The rear-wheel-drive racer has a six-speed manual transmission with a short-throw shifter. It will be produced in a limited edition of 1,000 coupes and will go on sale in spring 2008. Cosmetic touches include exterior “40th Anniversary” badges, unique striping as well as a numbered dash plaque and seat headrests embroidered with Carroll Shelby’s signature. The car also features a custom composite hood with bulging scoops, which indicate the extra horsepower teeming below. Shelby-designed 20-inch, forged polished aluminum wheels with custom center caps round out the show car's extra upgrade (production models will have 18-inch wheels).
2008 Honda S2000
Honda unveiled the 2008 Honda S2000 CR, an all-new trim level version of its club-racer-inspired S2000 line. The new S2000 CR is powered by a “racetrack ready” 2.2-liter, 16-valve VTEC four-cylinder engine, delivering 237 hp at 7,800 rpm, and 162 pound-feet of torque at 6,800 rpm. The two-seater CR will come standard with a removable hardtop: Designers pulled out the soft-top of previous models to free up space in back, which otherwise would have to house the retractable cover. Structural bracing in the rear, aimed at significantly increasing the car’s stiffness, gives it “a better feel and performance on the track,” said Honda’s Gary Robinson, the product planner for S2000 CR. New front and rear spoilers were specially designed to reduce lift. The car is 90 pounds lighter than the current S2000 with the top off, but achieves optimal aerodynamics when the hard cover is attached. The shifter of the six-speed manual transmission is smaller with shorter throws, and the prior model’s standard leather seats have been swapped out for cloth and suede-like material, designed to keep drivers more firmly planted in the vehicle when motoring enthusiastically. The vehicle on display is a near-production prototype; the finalized version should go on sale this fall.
2008 Hummer H2
In updating its
Hummer H2 SUV for 2008, GM kept the rugged SUV’s exterior much the same but added more power under the hood and spruced up the interior. Perhaps the biggest improvement inside is a newly available third-row seat that boosts seating capacity from five to seven. Luxurious touches include an all-new instrument panel, better heating and air-conditioning vent controls for the rear seats, an overhead DVD entertainment system and a choice of various stereos. The 2008 Hummer H2’s new 6.2-liter V8 engine delivers more power and efficiency, achieving 393 hp and 415 pound-feet of torque, and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. This monster’s towing capacity has been increased to 8,000 pounds, but the engine features an aluminum cylinder block and other lightweight materials, which GM says helps reduce its overall mass and improve balance. New standard safety features on the H2 include electronic stability control with rollover mitigation, panic brake assist — which senses emergency braking and helps to stop the vehicle faster — and head-curtain side airbags with a rollover sensing system. Front seat belt pre-tensioners are also new and standard on the H2. An H2 SUT version with a small pick-up bed remains available.
2008 Hummer H3 Alpha
The second member of Hummer’s performance-bred Alpha series (following the now-discontinued H1 Alpha), the 2008 Hummer H3 Alpha is what the company bills as “the ultimate” version of its smallest offering. The new H3 Alpha cures one of biggest problems of the existing H3: not having enough power. The H3 Alpha features a 5.3-liter small-block V8 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission that delivers 295 hp and 317 pound-feet of torque, enabling the vehicle to tow up to 6,000 pounds. Several different packages and factory options can be chosen for the H3 Alpha, including a Luxury package, a Chrome Appearance package and other customizable accessories. The interior of the H3 Alpha is the same as on all H3 models. Safety features include electronic stability control, four-wheel antilock brakes with traction control, dual front airbags and future compatibility with Vehicle-to-Vehicle, a GM safety system under development (read about it
here). GM’s OnStar also comes standard. A rearview camera and navigation system are optional. Similar to the H2, the H3 Alpha's engine features an aluminum cylinder block to reduce overall mass. The H3 Alpha goes on sale this summer.
2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe
Infiniti unveiled the all-new 2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe, pitched forward with a sportier look than its predecessor, the 2007 G35. The second-generation coupe is powered by a 3.7-liter V6 engine estimated at 330 hp. Mark Igo, Infiniti VP and general manager, said the G37 is the first Infiniti to come with this stronger version of Infiniti’s “VQ37” V6 engine. Quartz-sliver headlamp boxes, beveled lines that run the length of the coupe’s sides, and raised, inward-curving fenders evoke an edgier posture. The car will arrive at dealerships in August in three available types — the base G37 Coupe, the G37 Coupe Journey (a higher trim level) and the performance-oriented G37 Coupe Sport. The Coupe Sport comes with a six-speed manual transmission and big 19-inch wheels and tires, while the base coupe and Journey include a five-speed automatic transmission and run on 18-inchers. Despite the increased power and torque, the latter estimated at 270 pound-feet, Infiniti says it expects the 2008 G37 Coupe’s fuel ratings to beat by 2 mpg those of the 2007 G35, due to the larger displacement in the new engine and what Infiniti calls variable valve event and lift (VVEL), a system meant to optimize fuel consumption for performance regardless of rev range. Noteworthy available interior features include touch-screen navigation and a 9.3-gigabyte “Music Box” hard drive to store music from CDs to play through the stereo.
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Jeep's 2008 Grand Cherokee, expected in dealerships later this year, will come with an all-new, 4.7-liter V8 engine, rated at 305 hp with 330 pound-feet of torque, as one of five available engine choices. Others include a 3.0-liter diesel; a 3.7-liter V6; a 5.7-liter heavy V8; and for the Grand Cherokee SRT8, a 420-hp 6.1-liter V8. Chrysler says the new 4.7-liter engine will boast a 5 percent improvement in fuel economy and is E85 flex-fuel capable (E85 is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline). For the first time, Grand Cherokee models will have the optional 3.0-liter diesel, which Chrysler says can improve fuel economy by as much as 30 percent and provide a driving range of approximately 450 miles with towing capability of up to 7,400 pounds. Interior changes include a new floor console, armrests, two-tone instrument panel and bright accents with soft-touch surfaces and updated styling. “Sirius Backseat TV,” the first-ever in-vehicle streaming video technology, will be launched as an available feature on the
Jeep Grand Cherokee and
Chrysler minivans. The technology will also become available on 2008 Jeep Commanders, the Chrysler 300 and
Dodge Chargers and Magnums. Exterior styling for the Grand Cherokee is unchanged for 2008.
2008 Jeep Liberty
The 2008 Jeep Liberty, which occupies the slot between the Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee SUVs, has been redesigned from the ground up, said Frank Klegon, Chrysler Group’s EVP of product development. The new Liberty has a flatter clamshell hood, a taller seven-slot grill, encased round headlamps and trapezoidal wheel flairs over 18-inch wheels and tires, as well as a feature Chrysler calls the “sky slider roof” — a retractable, acrylic cloth that creates a roof which, Klegon said, is quiet, leak-proof and weather resistant. The truck offers two available “trail-rated” all-wheel-drive choices — a new Select-Trac II system, which is a full-time, active, on-demand AWD module built to anticipate and prevent wheel slip; and the part-time, shift-on-the-fly, AWD Command-Trac (the latter is more than enough for most motorists). The Liberty is powered by a 3.7-liter V6, which delivers 210 hp and 235 pound-feet of torque, and fuel economy of 18 mpg city/23 mpg highway. The Liberty boasts an all-new independent front suspension, five-link rear suspension and power rack-and-pinion steering. Chrysler stretched the Liberty’s wheelbase and overall length slightly and tucked its spare tire underneath the vehicle to improve second-row legroom and boost the cargo area's length. As an option, the 2008 Liberty offers the “MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System,” which integrates audio, navigation and entertainment with hands-free or touch-screen communication.
2008 Lexus LX 570
Lexus introduced the 2008 Lexus LX 570, the third generation of its full-size SUV, restyled with a front end reminiscent of the LS sedan. The exterior of the all-new LX 570 retains the big, blocky silhouette and similar proportions from the previous model, but the styling is smoother and more refined. Inside, the three rows of seating feature a split, tumble-forward second row and a third row that splits in two and folds to the side to increase cargo capacity. The restyled LX 570 gets a 110-hp upgrade from the previous model to 381 hp and adds 2,000 pounds of towing capacity for a total of 8,500 pounds. Options include a 19-speaker Mark Levinson audio system linked to a hard disc drive capable of storing up to 2,000 songs. Also offered as part of a luxury package will be a steering wheel trimmed in Bubinga wood, which Bob Carter, Lexus Group VP and general manager, joked, “shouldn't be confused with the Bada-bing tree of northern New Jersey.” The 2008 LX 570 will go on sale in early 2008.
2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series
2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series
For at least one company at the New York Auto Show, it was a black Wednesday. But in a good way. Mercedes-Benz premiered a more-powerful version of its 2008 CLK63 AMG — which it is calling the Black Series. This new version packs 500 hp, up from 475 hp for the existing CLK63 AMG. It’s good for 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds and an electronically controlled top speed of 186 mph. While a convertible version of the CLK63 AMG is already available, the Black Series version only comes as a coupe. Only 500 will be made and 350 of those are slated for the U.S. The new coupe features a more-aggressive front apron with larger air intakes under the front bumper and lateral air outlets in the front fenders. The trunk lid has a carbon-fiber spoiler for improved aerodynamics, and there is a beefier suspension calibrated for, as the company puts it, "the demands of more intense track driving." (The Black Series coupe is a street-legal version of the company’s official Formula One safety car.) Inside, the rear seats have been removed to pare weight. Special touches include silver AMG logos embroidered on the leather seats, aluminum shift paddles and carbon-fiber trim on the center console and instrument panel. The vehicle joins a full line of high-performance Mercedes-Benz AMG models, including the E63 AMG, CL65 AMG (recently unveiled), S65 AMG and several others. Mercedes-Benz's AMG line competes with Audi's S line of vehicles, BMW’s M line and Cadillac’s V line.
2007 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG
2007 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG
Mercedes-Benz unveiled a high-performance version of its largest, most luxurious coupe: the redesigned 2007 CL-Class, tuned by its elite AMG division. It will be called the CL65 AMG and feature AMG’s 6.0-liter V12 twin-turbo engine controlled by a five-speed automatic transmission. The car’s powerplant generates an astonishing 604 hp and 738 pound-feet of torque, which rockets the car to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds. The CL65 AMG’s styling offers a muscular rework of the CL-Class shape, boasting a prominent grille, massive, twin-spoke 20-inch wheels and an athletic-looking rear apron. Like all AMG models, the CL65 will be relatively rare to begin with, but those seeking ultimate exclusivity should hold out for one of 40 CL65 AMG 40th Anniversary edition models, an even more elite version of the new CL65 AMG with special trim and a unique, advanced paint job called “Alubeam” which has a liquid metal-like sheen and has previously only seen on concept cars. Mercedes-Benz has yet to release pricing information for the new CL65 AMG and the 40th Anniversary edition. Both models should go on sale later this year. To read more on the CL65 AMG click here.
2007 Nissan NISMO 350Z
Though it first took a bow in January at the Tokyo Motor Show,
Nissan gives the officially sanctioned tuner version of its 350Z a North American premiere in New York. The alterations are by NISMO, a high-performance aftermarket parts supplier, and include improved handling along with a special body. The NISMO 350Z gets a more-aggressive front fascia and an extended rear fascia with a rear wing for improved aerodynamics which aids cornering and handling. Structural rigidity is improved with additional body welds, and body dampers are used to control vibrations for driving at high speeds. NISMO performed upgrades to the suspension and braking systems, and tuned the exhaust “for a more authoritative tone,” says Nissan. On the inside, the NISMO is outfitted with red and black cloth seats and a serialized etched aluminum plaque on the center console. A six-speed manual transmission and Brembo-branded brakes, both options on the base 350Z, are standard on the NISMO version. The engine is the same as in the standard 350Z, a 306-hp 3.5-liter that puts out 268 pound-feet of torque. The NISMO 350Z is available in four colors: Redline Red, Magnetic Black, Silvery Alloy and Pikes Peak White, none of which are options for the base 350Z. The NISMO 350Z will go on sale in the U.S. in July 2007.
2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i and Impreza WRX
Subaru unveiled both the new 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i and its rally champ cousin, the 2008 Impreza WRX. Both Imprezas go on sale late this summer and are available in four-door and five-door versions with standard AWD, as on all Subarus. The 2008 Impreza 2.5i shows off new styling and grown proportions. The four-door is slightly longer, taller and wider than its predecessor and delivers 170 hp and 170 pound-feet of torque via Subaru’s boxer four-cylinder engine. The 2.5i has a double-wishbone suspension meant to provide an optimal mix of comfort with handling precision. The five-door version is two inches wider but two inches shorter than its predecessor. “That means reduced overhang for better handling,” said Tim Colbeck, VP of sales for Subaru North America. The WRX model, known for winning off-road rallies, has a diehard tuner following: Colbeck linked “hacking attempts on our websites” to rabid excitement and desire for details about the 2008 WRX. The enthusiast-minded WRX has increased interior dimensions and new styling like the 2.5i, but it comes with a 224-hp 2.5-liter, turbo boxer four-cylinder engine, which puts out 226 pound-feet of torque. It has an improved, sharper suspension, performance-designed seats and the well-known WRX hood scoop. The WRX will be available for less than $25,000, said Colbeck.
2008 Subaru Tribeca
Subaru unveiled the 2008 Tribeca, redesigned and powered by a new 3.6-liter, 256-hp engine. Available early this summer for less than $30,000, the automaker expects that the new Tribeca will help raise the profile of the Subaru brand, particularly in the U.S., where 2006 sales brand-wide measured just over 200,000. The SUV seats seven and is aimed at the active family. Its new 3.6-liter boxer six-cylinder engine has larger displacement, produces 247 pound-feet of torque and is matched to a revised five-speed automatic transmission, which features a new “torque lock-up converter” and control unit meant to enable faster, smoother shifts with quicker response — or less lag. Subaru expects a 5 percent to 10 percent improvement in real-world fuel economy and now recommends regular fuel (the previous model ran only on pricey premium). A reinterpreted exterior design includes a wider, taller grille, meant to reflect the Tribeca’s increased power and performance, as well as new bumpers, hood, lights and fenders. All body panels from the windshield forward are new. The rear quarter windows are also larger, meant to improve rear visibility for driver and passengers.
2008 Suzuki SX4
Suzuki's big news at the show is a sedan version of its 2008 SX4. The company, better known for its sport and high-performance motorcycle and boat engines, is trying to “infuse the same passion, excitement, edginess, engineering excellence and fun” into its growing auto segment, said Gene Brown, Suzuki VP of marketing. The SX4 is powered by a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder, 16-valve engine rated at 143 hp and 136 pound-feet of torque. The engine is mated to an available automatic or five-speed manual transmission. Suzuki describes the sedan as “sport-tuned,” with rear stabilizer bars and a rigid, steel “unibody” buttressed by a chassis engineered to supply responsive handling, braking and minimal body roll. Such elements were taken from Suzuki’s performance-oriented Swift sub-compact, Brown said. The exterior, with its fiercely grinning grill, was inspired by a Japanese Kabuki mask. The sedan is meant “to add some excitement to a traditionally staid and boring segment,” said Brown. The SX4 arrives at Suzuki dealers this fall.
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