The 2009 New York Auto Show
The times they are a changing--it sounds more like a much-needed slogan for any one of the ailing Big 3 than a throwback anthem from an era when they were infallible giants. The New York Auto show opens its doors to the public this holiday weekend to an ever more economy conscious public.
Click ahead to see what they have to offer.
[Electric] Fisker Karma
A visitor checks out the 2009 Fisker Karma, with plug-in hybrid technology called Q DRIVE, developed by Quantum Technologies exclusively for Fisker Automotive.
The Karma's Q DRIVE configuration consists of a small gasoline engine that turns the generator, which charges the lithium ion battery pack, powering the electric motor and turning the rear wheels.
Estimated price starts at $80,000.
You've Been Tagged
Ford says its Transit Connect Family One Concept is targeted to moms, who desire a highly customizable, kid-friendly, transport vehicle. The vehichle at the show was equipped with a set of walkie-talkies and charging station, compartments in the seat backs for kids bookbags and dispensers for hand sanitizer.
Here, a Ford IT rep explains the RFID tagging system, which the company claims the vehicle's dashboard computer can help track tagged items such as strollers, sports equipment and yes, even your own kid.
Pricing has yet to be set.
Bio Bentley
The 2010 Bentley Continental Supersports, aka the "Bio Bentley", is an E85-capable, 621-horsepower luxury vehicle scheduled for release this spring.
Although Bentley says US models still need regulatory approval to run on North American E85 pumps, the British motor company expects full ethanol certification by August.
Base price for the Supersports starts at $267,000.
GMC Terrain
General Motors' 2010 GMC Terrain compact crossover vehicle has a base price of $25,000-$30,000.
Updated Porsche 911 GT3
Europe gets the new 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 in May, but the US drivers will have to wait until October. The car will be priced at $112,200 when it hits the States, $4,700 over the current model.
2010 Chevrolet Camaro
The long -awaited pony car is back . On sale now, the base model Camaro LS is capable of achieving 17 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. Prices starts at $22,995.
Feel like splurging for the top of the line Camaro? The SS manual or automatic version starts at $30,995.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Built on a chassis sharing the same underpinnings as the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the company's luxury SUV. Pricing for the 2011 model has not been set yet.
Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG
Mercedes-Benz Cars presents the new 2010 E63 AMG, which will make its U.S. sales debut in November 2009. No price available at this time.
2010 Acura ZDX Concept
Set to go on sale in the fall, Acura revealed its ZDX luxury four-door sports coupe. No price available at this time.
2009 Mini John Cooper Works Convertible
This Cooper Mini packs a power punch with a 208 hp, 1.6 liter, 4-cylinder engine. Capable of going 0 to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds (manual engine), the Mini John Cooper Works Convertible has fuel-efficiency rates of 26-mpg city and 34-mpg highway. Base price starts at $34,950.
Cadillac Converj Concept
GM says its Cadillac Converj will get up to 40 miles of gas and emmission-free electric driving with extended-range capability of hundreds of miles, thanks to the company's Voltec electric propulsion technology.
There's no price available at this time, but Motor Trend magazine estimates it will be $60,000-$70,000.
2010 Toyota Prius
With a May 2009-release date, the third generation 2010 Toyota Prius claims a 50-mpg combined fuel economy.
2009 BMW Z4 Roadster
New for 2009, the BMW Z4 Roadster has a 300-horsepower, turbocharged inline, six-cylinder engine that has more torque than previous ones and better fuel economy. Base price starts at $45,750.
[Electric] Mini Cooper E
Part of a pilot project, the 500 Mini Cooper E will only be available to select private and corporate customers in California, New Jersey and New York. Powered by a 201 hp electric motor that is fed by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, the Mini E has a range of 156 miles and a maximum speed of 95 mph. No price available at this time.
2010 Mercedes ML450 Hybrid
The 2010 Mercedes ML450 Hybrid, designed specifically for the US market, will deliver 'city' fuel consumption of 21 mpg and 'highway' consumption of 24 mpg. No price has been set yet, but Car and Driver magazine expects the ML450 Hybrid to be priced around $50,000.
2010 VW Golf GTI
Boasting better emissions and fuel economy than its predecessor, the 2010 VW Golf GTI will be available across Europe just after Easter. North America and Asia will follow in late summer. No price has been annouced by the manufacturer, but Car and Driver magazine estimates a base price of $25,000.
BMW X6 M
Making its world debut at the 2009 NY Auto Show, the new BMW X6 M (and BMW X5 M) sports, twin-turbocharged 555 hp engine, squaring it precisely against the Porsche Cayenne. No price has not been determined by BMW, but Car and Driver magazine expects the price to be lower than the 500-hp Porsche Cayenne Turbo, which is priced at $98,515.
2010 Ford Taurus SHO
After more than a decade of hibernation, the SHO is back in town. Outfitted with a 365-horsepower, twin-turbo EcoBoost, 3.5-liter V6 engine, the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO will have all-wheel drive and loads of upgrades. The base price is $37,995.
2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet
Making their debut at the 2009 New York Auto Show, the new Audi A5 and Audi S5 Cabriolet (pictured) has a top speed of 155 mph and a 0-to-60-mph time of 4.9 seconds. According to Car and Driver, base price for the Cabriolet will be $60,000.
2010 Kia Soul
The 1.6 liter, 4-cylinder manual version of the Kia Soul starts at $13,995 and offers more than 50 accessories, making it competitive with the Scion xB. The estimated fuel economy for the 1.6 liter engine is 26 mpg for city and 31 mpg for highway. The 2010 Kia Soul is available in show rooms now.
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