Highlights From the 2013 New York Auto Show

The 2013 New York Auto Show kicks off its 113th anniversary in the Big Apple this week, as car companies from all over the world will be on hand at Manhattan's Jacob Javitz Center to give eager auto enthusiasts a hearty sampling of some of their most sumptuous new offerings.

While these aren't "concept cars," they undoubtedly mix the imaginative spirit of some of today's cutting edge design minds with the comfort, utility and first-class luxury amenities drivers have come to expect of some of the automobile industry's most respected brands.

The 900,000-square-foot showroom is expected to showcase an estimated 1,000 vehicles from March 29 to April 7, but here we pull back the curtain and give you a preview of the cars that are almost certain to have any red-blooded car lover clamoring for a test drive.

Read ahead to see some of the 2013 show's most exciting highlights.

Unveiled in Geneva earlier this month, Bentley's Flying Spur, the most powerful automobile in the auto brand's "entry-level" category—with a 6-liter, twin-turbo 12-cylinder engine supplying even more horsepower and torque than its predecessor—is set to make its North American debut at this year's auto show.

Despite a decision to ditch the word "continental" from its name, Bentley promises a more fuel-efficient vehicle with all of the decadent stylings drivers have grown accustomed to. Most notably, the Flying Spur's dignified interior boasts even more customizable options, with five additional color choices for both the leather upholstery and wood veneer. If that's not enough, the upgrade comes with the choice of either a four- or five-seat configuration.

While the price has not yet been announced, Car and Driver expects the new edition to retail in the neighborhood of $200,000.

Porsche celebrates the 50th anniversary of its iconic 911 model with the North American debut of its 5th edition 911 GT3 at the auto show this year.

The new 911 GT3, which debuted in Geneva earlier this month and will go on sale in the states later this year, contains a 3.8-liter boxer engine that yields 475 horsepower and can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds on its way to a top track speed of 195 mph. The 911 GT3 is also the first Porsche production model with active rear-wheel steering and features optional full LED headlights.

Developed and fine-tuned on the racetrack, Porsche says it hopes the new GT3 brings the exhilaration of a sports car to everyday driving.

Porsche says the new model will be priced at around $130,400, not including a $950 destination charge.

It looks like "bigger is better" for Rolls-Royce. A two-door behemoth at close to 5000 pounds, the new Wraith, which also debuted in Geneva, is being dubbed by Rolls-Royce its fastest production model yet. The carmaker, never one to shy away from hyperbole, is also calling the Wraith "the most potent and technologically advanced" in the brand's storied history.

Its 624 horsepower V12 engine allows the car to go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, and its GPS-enabled eight-speed transmission allows for real-time adjustment to varying road conditions. So don't be fooled by the car's heft. The Wraith is apparently capable of downshifting the instant a hill or curve is approached.

The car's refined interior showcases light-colored wood grains with a ceiling liner dotted with fiber optic lights that give the illusion of a star-filled night sky.

The new 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, which will compete in a crowded class with the likes of the Ford Explorer, Dodge Durango and Chevrolet Traverse, is Nissan's first-ever hybrid crossover. The new edition is being offered in both two-wheel and four-wheel drive models and comes equipped with a 2.5-liter gasoline engine capable of producing up to 250 horsepower and 243 lbs-ft of torque.

The new hybrid will have an estimated fuel economy of 26 mpg—an impressive 24 percent increase over the standard Pathfinder, according to Nissan. Despite the efficiency upgrades, the new Pathfinder will maintain its predecessor's seven-passenger interior, and the car's towing power shouldn't be compromised. The new model will be able to tow up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped.

The new Pathfinder is scheduled to hit Nissan dealerships in late summer.

Volkswagen apparently decided to give audiences a look into the future with the North American debut of the brand's 2015 VW GTI. Bigger, lighter and more fuel efficient than its predecessor.

Assembled in Pueblo, Mexico, alongside the Beetle coupe and convertible, the all-new GTI rides on VW's modular MQB platform, which accounts for a weight savings of almost 100 pounds. Under the hood, it packs a 2.0 liter turbo-four engine capable of producing 220 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

The new model will also come equipped with a host of new safety features, including collision avoidance and lane departure systems, and an updated multimedia system will also be added to the cabin.

The company expects to roll out the new model in the first half of 2014.

Following the launch of the Forte sedan and Forte 5-door, the all-new two-door Forte Koup SX is the third and final member of the completely redesigned Kia Forte lineup. The new Koup SX boasts a sleek European-inspired design along with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine capable of generating upwards of 201 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque.

The lower, longer and wider new Koup is also highly customizable, offering drivers the option of two trim levels, EX and SX, as well as two engine and transmission choices.

According to Kia, the new Koup is expected to go on sale in the fourth quarter, with pricing to be announced closer to the car's launch.

The all-new 2014 Jaguar XJR is expected to be the highest performance XJ sedan in Jaguar's line. The new XJR sports a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine that delivers 550 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque and allows the car to go from 0 to 60 in 4.4 seconds.

That's a big upgrade from Jaguar's previously most powerful sedan, which also had a 5.0-liter V8 but maxed out at 503 hp.

The car will also include chassis and suspension enhancements that will provide drivers with improved braking and handling. The XJR will also feature improved aerodynamics via a new front air splitter, improved rocker sills, an added rear spoiler and hood vents.

The base price for the standard XJR will be $116,895.

The new Land Rover Range Rover Sport arrives on the heels of Land Rover's all-new 2013 Range Rover, and the company promises that the updated SUV, which sports an aluminum body, will be a lower, trimmer and sportier take on the classic Range Rover formula.

Smaller than the standard Range Rover and bigger than the entry-level Evoque, the new model, while built for city driving, is still capable of going off-road if necessary. The state-of-the-art four-wheel drive vehicle also comes equipped with the Terrain Response 2 system that allows the Range Rover Sport to detect what kind of terrain it's rolling over and automatically select the best driving mode to handle it.

Powertrains come in a 3.0-liter V6 and 5.0-liter V8 version, the latter of which is capable of producing up to 510 horsepower and 461 lbs-ft. of torque. Both conform to a standard eight-speed automatic transmission.

According to Cars.com, "a full revision of the instrument panel makes the Range Rover Sport look even more opulent, with stitched leather covering the dashboard and an optional 12.3-inch fully electronic gauge cluster."

The base price is expected to be about $63,495, according to Cars.com

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG, the "little brother of the CLS four-door coupe," according to Car and Driver, is expected to be the brand's least expensive offering at an anticipated base price of just $48,375.

Under the hood, the car's M133 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is capable of generating up to 355 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful four-cylinder model in Mercedes-Benz history.

Inside, the CLA45's standard column-mounted shifter will be replaced with one on the center console, in a nod to past rear-wheel-drive AMG models. The dashboard will also feature a woven-carbon-fiber structure, and add-ons such as highly bolstered front sports seats will also be available.

The CLA45 will be in dealers starting November 2013.

The last North American 3-Series diesel that was on the market was the last-generation BMW 335d. After a brief break, BMW has now introduced the 328d to be added to the continuing growing 3-Series family for North America.

The 2014 BMW 328d sports a 180 horsepower, 280-lb-ft of torque 2.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine capable of reaching a 0 to 60 mph in about 7.2 seconds. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it is expected that the 328d would well exceed the 40 mpg range on the highway.

Production of the new BMW 328d will begin over the summer and is expected to be in showrooms soon after that. Pricing of the new 328d has not been announced.

The all-new, seven-passenger Acura MDX offers improved ride comfort, a more versatile and luxurious cabin and increased fuel efficiency. The new MDX packs a 24-valve 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine capable of producing 290 horsepower and 267 lb.-ft. of torque. Tuned and tested on the grueling Nuerburgring racing circuit in Germany, the lighter and more dynamic MDX also eclipses the previous model's lap time by eight seconds.

And while drivers can expect greater fuel efficiency, the new model will still maintain all of the characteristics of a true driver's SUV, including quicker acceleration, responsive braking and precise steering.

The new MDX will also come equipped with a range of Acura signature technologies, including Acura Jewel Ey LED headlights, Acura/ELS Studio premium audio system, and the next-generation AcuraLink connectivity system with AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic, featuring freeway traffic and surface street conditions.

The new Camaro Z28 is being called the "most track capable Camaro ever." The new Z28, an update on the original Z28 introduced in 1967, features a revised exterior design that integrates high-performance aerodynamics for more efficient cooling and stability at high speed in a nod to the original Z28, which was created to compete in the Sports Car Club of America's Trans-Am 2 class.

While the new Camaro Z28 is not intended to compete in a specific race series, track capability remains a strong focus of the redesign. In initial testing, the Camaro Z28 is three seconds faster per lap than the Camaro ZL1.

The 2014 Camaro is also a fusion of the old and the new, coming equipped with only a manual transmission but offering air conditioning as an add-on feature..

The new Z28, which has yet to be priced, should arrive at Chevrolet dealers in late 2013 and will also make appearances at various track events across the country in Spring 2014.