[Timgt5]

Hello here are few tasty items from this weeks NY Auto show

2013 Nissan Altima



The styling has been brought more into line with it's more expensive cousin the Maxima with the now signature "L" headlights, the big news is that the standard 2.5L 4 Cylinder is going to be rated at 38 MPG making it the best in class for a standard petrol powered non hybrid midsizer, prices to start at 21K.

2013 SRT Viper



The Viper is back! This time the Dodge badge is being dropped. Under Fiat's direction all super high performance vehicles from the Chrysler corp will the from its new SRT division. Look for 640 hair raising, chest thumping HP-if you have to ask about the starting price or the fuel economy...well... uh



2013 Ram 1500-It looks about the same but some major changes are afoot underneath. Chryler's new 8 speed Auto is available which should give it some good fuel economy and an air suspension for extra comfort debuts.



2013 Toyota Avalon, a much better styled set of wheels for this coming year. Toyotas big crusier gets a new interior as well. Hopefully the Blue Haired and Country Buffet Crowd will still appreciate the soft ride and stitched leather dash.



2014 Chevy Impala, Now moved the the Epsilon II platform along with the Malibu, Lacrosse, Regal, and Cadillac XTS. The styling is a mix of Camaro, Lacrosse and even VW Passat. Chevy's full sizer boasts a new DI 4 cylinder that will get it up to 35MPG which is tremendous for a full sized car. For those who want a bit of go fast, there is GMs ubiqutous 3.6 Liter V6 packing 303 HP.



2013 Hyundai Sante Fe

This 3 row Crossover will fill the slot in the line from the current Santa Fe and replace the aging Vera Cruz as well. Engine Choices will include a 2.0L Turbo 4 Cylinder Rated at 264 HP and 25 MPG.

Of course what Auto Show would be complete without something a little wierd:



George Jetson, your car is ready meet "The Transition" a two seater car than can transform into a fully functional small aircraft at the touch of a button.

Styling disappointments all. Evolutionary styling . . . nothing innovative. I am especially disappointed with the generic looking Impala. Manufacturers are focusing their efforts on fuel efficiency, new engines, new transmissions and alternative fuel sources. I am especially disappointed with the Chevy Spark. I would not like to be seen in one. And, it only has 85 HP and the auto transmission has only 4 speeds.

I do like the new BMW 3 Series very much - and the reviews have been spectacular even though the base model engine is a turbocharged i4:



And, I really like the Toyota NS4 concept - a Prius based sports car?!!

[madisgram]

thanks for the pics, buying a new car soon. love the auto shows too. think i like the car and plane concept the best. never know when you might wanna get outta here fast.

[Timgt5]

Originally Posted by unhappyguy

Styling disappointments all. Evolutionary styling . . . nothing innovative. I am especially disappointed with the generic looking Impala. Manufacturers are focusing their efforts on fuel efficiency, new engines, new transmissions and alternative fuel sources. I am especially disappointed with the Chevy Spark. I would not like to be seen in one. And, it only has 85 HP and the auto transmission has only 4 speeds.

I do like the new BMW 3 Series very much - and the reviews have been spectacular even though the base model engine is a turbocharged i4:



And, I really like the Toyota NS4 concept - a Prius based sports car?!!

I have to agree with your assesment, that family cars are getting more and more bland. Blame CAFE, new Safty Regs (Domed hoods), and an aging demographic who seek out safe, conservative and bland. which is the poor old Mazda6 with its energetic design and great driving dynamics sits collecting dust in showrooms, while there are lines out the door for the vanilla Camry.

If you want a new 4 door car under 30K with any semblance of style, this is your basic option:



The Passat CC, its based on the European Passat platform (as opposed to the current dumbed down "camryfied" version of the standard Passat now being sold here) and It retains the former car's fiesty powertrains and sharp reflexes.

The Altima's front end is much better looking than before and more smoothly intergrated into the shape. The Avalon is also an improvement over the current model, which was a bunch of mis-matched styling elements.

The new BMW 3 is very sweet. The 4 banger trades some of the legenday straight 6's refinement for high mpgs and better balance around the curves.

I really like the functionality of my Passat Wagon, but I find myself wanting something else now...

Perhaps that Viper can be my "Retirement" car--LOL

[Timgt5]

Originally Posted by madisgram

thanks for the pics, buying a new car soon. love the auto shows too. think i like the car and plane concept the best. never know when you might wanna get outta here fast.

If you need any advice on your upcoming purchase you are welcome to contact me. I would be more than happy to help.

The flying car is really cool, I would love to see it in operation.

Look for Top Gear's Jeremy, James and Richard to try to build their own. LOL

[madisgram]

tim, what's your input on the 2013 Z? more of the same?
nizmo?

[Timgt5]

Originally Posted by madisgram

tim, what's your input on the 2013 Z? more of the same?
nizmo?

Except for some minor cosmetics the 370z remains pretty much the same. The next major update will likely occur for 2015.

The Z is an undenibly good driver's car. With 332 HP and Nissans very balanced FM chasis, it is a real winner on the track and down a curvy road. The Nismo package gives you another 18 HP and more hardcore handling.

The cars only downsides is a hard ride and Nissan's 3.7 like all high po V6s makes some rather ugly noises. In its Infiniti cousins its buried under a ton of sound insulation.

Alternatives:

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe packs 348Hp if you go for the DI V6 and it has back seats



Its also several grand cheaper.

If top end and zero to sixty do not matter as much there are the new FRS and BRZ twins from Scion and Subaru





Both are considerably cheaper and with lighter weight they are highly agile rear wheel drive handers. Both Scion and Subaru will introduce tuning packages for these cars in the future for the "fast and Furious" crowd.

Here's the prototype for the next Mazda 6:



And, it will feature Mazda's new skyactive engine technology that features a very high compression ratio like a diesel. Skyactive will deliver very good mileage as well as performance. A car worth waiting for.

I support the CAFE requirements - they are in the best interest of our nation and the environment. CAFE requirements encourage manufacturers to build aerodynamic car bodies but, even with that requirement, it is possible to build exciting looking cars. The temptation to buy a Camry is great - it's a high quality product.

Enjoy the Viper while you can. I doubt the next one will have a 10 cylinder engine. I really like the new Scion / Subaru twins and the Hyundai Genesis Coupe! I would buy a VW CC anyday - especially with a diesel engine!

[Timgt5]

Originally Posted by unhappyguy

Here's the prototype for the next Mazda 6:



And, it will feature Mazda's new skyactive engine technology that features a very high compression ratio like a diesel. Skyactive will deliver very good mileage as well as performance. A car worth waiting for.

I support the CAFE requirements - they are in the best interest of our nation and the environment. CAFE requirements encourage manufacturers to build aerodynamic car bodies but, even with that requirement, it is possible to build exciting looking cars. The temptation to buy a Camry is great - it's a high quality product.

Enjoy the Viper while you can. I doubt the next one will have a 10 cylinder engine. I really like the new Scion / Subaru twins and the Hyundai Genesis Coupe! I would buy a VW CC anyday - especially with a diesel engine!

Very sharp, I like the current one and this one even more as it has hints of current gen Jaguar in the shape, I just hope they do not dilute it for production.

In terms of an appliance, there is nothing really wrong per sae with the Camry. It checks all of the consumer report's boxes and this past redesign addresses to poor quality interior of the last model very nicely.

If you are looking for a reasonably priced car that gets down the interstate comfortably there are none better for the money, just don't show any corners. My issue with the Camry is that is boring to look at and drive, and seeing myself 50 times a day going down the road is a turn off so I would never buy one.

I agree that an aerodynamic car can be very good looking. The Jaguar XF and XJ are show stoppers and both have low Cfs. It is just a matter of car makers finding a set of "grapefruits" when it comes to car design for the average joe. The Mazda gives me a bit of hope in that regard.

The only problem with trying to meet CAFE requirements is that carmakers have to weight the average by selling little A class vehicles no one will buy. Fiat can't give away the 500, and I can count the number of "Smarts" I have seen on one hand. The extra engineering efforts also push up the price of cars as well. High strength steel is not cheap and neither is Carbon Fiber. As for me, my next car will likely be a used near luxury class machine, I really love the G37 sedan, its a brilliant driving machine, that is reliable and comfortable as well. I just have to talk my wife into selling her Civic and buying a CRV LOL