2006 New York International Auto Show Preview

Yep, it is that time of year again. The annual New York Auto Show is the last major international gathering of new production and concept cars until September, which means the Big Apple always offers a last look at the hottest new models for 2007 and beyond. Preliminary information reveals many exciting new concept and production models hitting the Jacob Javits Convention Center floor during the media preview days on April 13 and 14. Expected debuts range from a conceptual Acura MDX replacement (pictured above) to a new seven-passenger SUV from Suzuki, with many other interesting sets of wheels in between including a stretched version of the Chrysler 300, a four-door Jeep Wrangler, and concept car called the Scion Fuse. Check back with us next week for in-depth commentary and photos of vehicles such as the 2007 Audi TT, 2007 Honda CR-V, 2007 Infiniti G35, and 2007 Lexus LS 600h Hybrid. You’ll also be able to get more information on the 2007 Mazda CX-9, 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander, 2007 Nissan Altima, and 2007 Nissan Maxima. Saturn is planning several big debuts, including the 2007 Saturn Aura, 2007 Saturn Sky Red Line, and 2008 Saturn Outlook, while Suzuki is introducing the 2007 Suzuki SX4 and 2007 Suzuki XL7. We’ll be reporting right from the show floor starting on April 12, so check back then to get the latest information on these new models, and more, straight from New York City. Until then, take a bite out of this Big Apple preview.

Acura MDX Concept

Acura plans to debut a concept version of the all-new MDX luxury SUV at the New York International Auto Show. The new 2007 Acura MDX will be the first redesign of Acura’s popular SUV, and the vehicle will be manufactured exclusively in North America. Acura has historically debuted concept versions of new production vehicles, so while the MDX Concept isn’t ready to hit the road, you can bet at least 75 percent of what you see here will land in showrooms for 2007.

Audi A4 Cabriolet

For 2007, the Audi A4 Cabriolet gets a restyle employing the corporate single-frame grille to bring it into line with the rest of the A4 lineup. Two new engines featuring FSI direct fuel injection will also debut. The first is a 200-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and the other is a 255-horsepower, 3.2-liter V6. All-wheel drive is standard on the 2007 Audi A4 Cabriolet 3.2 and optional on the 2007 Audi A4 Cabriolet 2.0T. The A4 Cab also gets a four-link front suspension and self-tracking trapezoidal-link rear suspension for 2007.

Audi S4 Cabriolet

The revamped 2007 Audi S4 Cabriolet gets a 340-horsepower, 4.2-liter V8 putting power to the ground through a Quattro all-wheel-drive system. The S4 Cabriolet gets the same grille, larger air intakes, V8 badges, four oval exhaust tips, and 18-inch wheels as the S4 sedan.

Audi TT

The new 2007 Audi TT might appear to be no more than a freshening of the existing sports coupe, but this a complete redesign that is 5.4 inches longer and 3.1 inches wider than the original TT. Audi has employed its ASF Space Frame architecture to the new TT, but in a 69/31 blend of aluminum and steel for optimum balance. Shaped to reflect the original TT’s design vocabulary, the 2007 version clearly employs current Audi styling cues which are clearly seen in the car’s face. At the rear, a spoiler automatically deploys at 75 mph to increase downforce and high-speed stability. Inside, the circular metallic elements that made the first Audi TT a breakthrough in interior style are retained, though the cabin is all new. Most buyers will fold the small rear seats and use the 2007 Audi TT as a two-seat sports car with a giant 24.7 cubic foot trunk. Under the hood, your choice of two engines is offered. The standard powerplant is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 200 horsepower, a six-speed manual transmission, and an acceleration time to 60 mph of 6.4 seconds. If that’s not fast enough, try the 3.2-liter V6 good for 250 ponies and a 0-60 time of 5.7 seconds. The 2007 Audi TT V6 comes with Quattro all-wheel-drive, while four-banger turbos are front-drive only. Audi’s DSG transmission is an option for those who cannot operate a clutch pedal. Other upgrades for the 2007 Audi TT include an all-new “self-steering” suspension with optional magnetic ride dampers, adaptive front headlights that swivel to illuminate around curves, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, and a new range of audio systems.

Bentley GTC

Bentley will debut the much anticipated GTC convertible at this year’s New York International Auto Show. The 2007 Bentley GTC is a drop-top version of the Continental GT coupe, which means Paris Hilton is already in line to snag one for her boyfriend to wreck during a late-night escape from the paparazzi. Bentley is auctioning off the first GTC available in the United States to benefit the East Side House Settlement.

Chrysler 300 LWB

Watch out, Lincoln. Chrysler is looking to snag your Town Car business with this extremely attractive six-inch stretch of the popular 300 sedan. With 46 inches of rear seat legroom and an additional 10.2 cubic-feet of interior space, the 2007 Chrysler 300 Long Wheelbase would make a swell ride from Midtown to JFK. Options to make the ride more comfortable include lighted rear writing tables, two 12-volt power ports for computers or cell phones, footrests, illuminated vanity mirrors, directional reading lights, and custom paint colors. The Chrysler 300 Touring Long Wheelbase will be powered by a 3.5-liter V6 with 250 horsepower. The Chrysler 300C Long Wheelbase will have the 5.7-liter V8 Hemi engine with 340 horsepower and a fuel-saving Multi Displacement System. Don’t expect an SRT-8 version anytime soon.

Jeep Patriot

Believe it or not, this boxy little Jeep is based on the Dodge Caliber, so while it like the old Cherokee, it’s not anywhere close to matching its off-road capabilities. No, this one’s a soft-roader, a wannabe SUV made for trips to the mall, not the mountains. Like the Jeep Compass with which it shares just about everything under the sheetmetal, it’s got a four-cylinder engine under the hood, whipping up 172 ponies that are barely able to keep this little guy in the flow of traffic. We like this one better than the ugly-duckling Compass, but not by much.

Jeep Wrangler 4-Door

Miss your old Cherokee? The new Commander ain’t cuttin’ it? The Patriot can’t climb a parking block let alone that two-track to the cabin? Jeep’s got just the remedy, and we think it’s gonna be a huge hit. Rumor has it that a four-door version of the venerable Wrangler will debut at the New York International Auto Show. Expect all the upgrades that are going into the 2007 Wrangler’s redesign, along with extra room for passengers and cargo.

Lexus LS 600h

Lexus isn’t releasing much information on the debut of its new luxury hybrid sedan except to say that it will “introduce impressive new standards in styling, engineering, technology, safety and performance.” Our experience tells us that any styling modifications of the LS 460 pictured above will be subtle, and based on drives in other Lexus hybrid vehicles we have no doubt that the new 2007 Lexus LS 600h will be everything the automaker claims…and more.

Mazda CX-9

Mazda isn’t screwing around. The paint is barely dry on the new CX-7, and the company is cranking up the heat on the competition with the introduction of the seven-passenger 2007 Mazda CX-9. The new CX-9 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine running power through a six-speed automatic transmission – the same powertrain going into the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX. Standard features will include stability control, a roll stability system, and four-wheel ventilated antilock disc brakes. Options for the all new Mazda CX-9 include an all-wheel-drive system and a power liftgate with one-touch open and close.