New York Auto Show: Big Engines Not Dead in the Big Apple
March 17, 2008

By Bill Visnic

In relation to the mainly heavyweight environmental message emanating from the Geneva Motor Show, this week’s New York auto show practically delivers a let’s-dirty-a-little-air counterstroke.

After all, the 2008 New York show, bringing the international auto show circus back to U.S. domestic automakers’ soil, is headlined by seemingly desperate V8 volleys from General Motors Corp.’s Pontiac and Chrysler LLC, the latest twist on BMW’s V8-toting M3 and some big-bore but low-volume fireworks from the likes of Lamborghini and Toyota Motor Corp.’s Lexus.

V8s and V10s — yep, we’re back in the States.

Chrysler gets double déjà vu points in New York with the uncloaking of the ’09 Challenger: First, we feel like we’ve been seeing this industriously previewed car for years; and second, the Challenger is yet another ’60s remake, don’t forget.

Only those still paying attention will note it was the ’08 SRT8 version of the Challenger revealed at February’s Chicago auto show; New York gets the “standard” 2009 Challenger with an uprated 5.7-liter Hemi V8 rather than the SRT8’s huffed-on 6.1-liter Hemi. Chrysler hopefully will desist from further unveilings before journalists’ employers are forced to recognize “Challenger Fatigue” as a work-related injury.

With gasoline prices rising daily, Pontiac seems to be grasping at brand-resuscitating straws with a yet-more-powerful GXP variant of its new G8 sport sedan. If the G8 and its 361-hp 6.0-liter V8 weren't polarizing enough, the GXP inserts the Corvette’s 6.2-liter V8, which is good for 402 hp.

Pontiac also will unveil the 2010 G8 Sport Truck, which effectively could be called the new-age El Camino were it not for its disco-age V8 power plant. GM also plans to conserve some gray matter by baiting consumers to generate the final production name for the car/truck hybrid.

Europe and Japan haven’t given up on the cylinder count just yet, either.

BMW will show the convertible version of its M3, replete with the potent new 4.0-liter V8. But the notable news here is the debut of BMW’s seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, dubbed M DCT Drivelogic. This is BMW’s answer to Volkswagen Group’s acclaimed dual-clutch automated manual that has energized the transmission sector.

The Concept CS, meanwhile, is BMW’s tilt at the emerging segment of curvy four-door coupes that are becoming all the rage in Europe. BMW’s CS likely will turn into a 7 Series–sized flagship. Large volumes apparently are not part of the equation.

Lamborghini will show up in New York with a revised version of the Gallardo supercar. The LP560-4 has a 5.2-liter V10 that makes in excess of 550 hp and is hooked to all-wheel drive; the name only works on the other side of the pond where they measure horsepower the old-world way.

And like Chrysler with the Challenger, Lexus just won’t give up with the LF-A concept car. This time the concept car has no top, though the 5.0-liter V10 remains. A production supercar from Lexus seems to make less sense with each new release of the LF-A concept.

Fuel-Saving Sideshow
The New York auto show won’t be all about cylinder count, however. Variety of an economical nature comes from:

• Honda with an all-new and highly anticipated Fit subcompact, and yes, it’s larger and has more engine. Even so, we’ll gamble on better fuel economy than the G8 Sport Truck.

• Toyota’s Scion division, in the form of the Hako coupe concept. Few details at press time, but it’s likely the replacement for the current TC.

• Word is Nissan will make an announcement about North American availability of the popular but Sino-weird Cube subcompact.

Nissan’s blockbuster for New York, though, is the all-new ’09 Maxima — a car that needs to be very good to erase the creeping blight that’s beset one of the company’s most hallowed nameplates. And important play comes from Nissan’s already-announced intention to use the Maxima to introduce diesel power for the U.S. market.

• Diesel also plays a role in two other important introductions this week at New York: Mercedes-Benz confirmed the restyled ’09 M-Class crossover, as well as the GL-Class and R-Class models, will offer the company’s fine 3.0-liter turbodiesel enhanced by the Bluetec emissions system that enables nationwide emissions compliance. Until now, Mercedes diesels could be sold only in 42 states.

And Honda’s upscale Acura division will introduce its ’09 TSX, the company’s popular entry-level sport sedan. The TSX always has been a lively drive, but may become even more enticing if rumors are true that Acura plans at some point to bestow on the TSX the new version of Honda’s highly regarded i-DTEC 4four-cylinder turbodiesel.

Photos by manufacturers
1 — 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
2 — 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8
3 — 2010 Pontiac G8 Sport Truck
4 — BMW CS Concept
5 — LamborghiniLP560-4
6 — 2009 Acura TSX

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