New York Auto Show 07

Must see Highlights

 

Audi RS 4

The Audi RS 4 was honored as World Performance Car of the Year. Developed by Audi’s Quattro GMBH performance tuning division, the RS 4 drew the most votes among 17 World Performance Car of the Year contenders, including fellow finalists BMW 335i and Porsche 911 Turbo. Its high-revving, direct-injected, naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 channels 420 horsepower through Audi’s asymmetric torque distribution Quattro all-wheel drive and can propel this lightening-quick small sedan from zero to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds.

While the design of the Audi A5 forms a balanced synthesis of sportiness and elegance, the Audi S5 displays the more vigorous features of a powerfully built athlete: the radiator grille possesses the specific look of an Audi S model – painted in platinum grey and fitted with vertical chrome inlays. The front and rear bumpers have a more pronounced outline and the air inlet grilles are more striking. The aluminium-look exterior mirror housings make an overtly sporty impression, as do the colour-keyed door sill trim and the dual-branch exhaust system with four oval tailpipes. Nevertheless, the model’s sporty attributes always have a functional aspect: for instance, the more pronounced spoiler in the boot lid yields additional aerodynamic downforce. The six-speed manual gearbox with its very precise guiding of the gear lever and short throw action makes every gear change a pleasure. The quattro permanent four-wheel drive of course provides perfect traction with variable torque distribution from its basic setting of 40 percent to the front and 60 percent to the rear axle. Within a fraction of a second, the dynamic drivetrain system adapts to the current driving conditions and constantly delivers the ideal distribution of drive torque.

 

Dogde Viper STR 10

The new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 arrived at the New York Auto Show boasting more of what performance aficionados crave: kick-in-the-pants, throw-back-in-the-seat power, combined with benchmark braking, world-class ride and handling, a race-inspired interior and bold exterior styling. While every SRT vehicle offers balanced, overall performance, the heart and soul of the new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 is its standout powertrain. For 2008, SRT ups the ante with a new, 8.4-liter aluminum V-10 engine that produces an astounding 600 horsepower and 560 lb.-ft. of torque.
“With 600 horsepower – 90 more than before - and 0-to-60 performance in less than four seconds, the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 sets a new benchmark for the ultimate American sports car.”The new Dodge Viper SRT10’s deep-skirted V-10 aluminum engine block was revised for a 1-millimeter larger bore, raising the displacement to 8.4 liters from 8.3 liters. With strengthened bulkheads and improved water jackets for better cooling, the block includes pressed-in iron cylinder liners and cross-bolted main bearing caps for strength and durability. The Viper SRT10’s 8.4-liter engine breathes through new cylinder heads equipped with Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC)-shaped combustion chambers, larger valves and Variable Valve Timing (VVT). VVT electronically adjusts when the exhaust valves are open and closed according to engine speed and load, allowing the engine to “breathe” cleaner and more efficiently.

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Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 KR

It was 40 years ago that Carroll Shelby pipped Chevy by appropriating the KR (King of the Road) moniker for a high-output version of his GT500 that made its debut at the 1967 New York auto show. Shelby reportedly had caught wind that Chevy was preparing a marketing campaign heralding the Corvette as the King of the Road. History repeats itself as the KR appellation returns to the GT500 for the 2008 model year. Just like its 1968 namesake, the 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR builds on the strong foundation of the Shelby GT500. Packing 40 more horses under its custom-designed carbon composite hood, the GT500KR is the most powerful production Ford Mustang ever produced. The Ford SVT-engineered 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 is treated to a Ford Racing Power Upgrade Pack that boosts horsepower to an estimated 540 and torque to 510 ft.-lbs., thanks to revised ignition and throttle calibration and a cold air intake system that replaces the stock unit. Calibration modifications include advancing the ignition timing as well as re-mapping of the electronic throttle settings to provide quicker throttle response for better off-line and mid-range acceleration. Increased throttle response will be met with a sharper roar from the Ford Racing-inspired exhaust system.

Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission and 3.73:1 rear axle ratio, upgraded from the standard GT500’s 3.31:1. Gear selection is courtesy of an all-new Ford Racing short-throw shifter making its debut on the KR. Topped with a white ball, the new shifter is 25 percent shorter than the unit on the GT500 providing for crisper, sharper shifts. Ford SVT, Ford Racing and Team Shelby worked together to develop the KR’s suspension tuning. Based on initial work by Ford Racing and the team at Shelby, often at Shelby’s own facility on the grounds of Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Ford SVT chassis engineers will apply fine tuning techniques to prepare it for the streets.

 

 

 

Subaru Impreza WRX

Subaru took the covers off of the much-anticipated Impreza WRX at the New York auto show. Two body styles were unveiled, a sporty 5-door hatchback and a more conventional-looking sedan. But if you expect the WRX has gone soft, think again, because the car will be quicker than the model it replaces. Power comes from a turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-4 that produces 224 bhp and 226 lb.-ft. of torque, which is about the same as the previous car; however, the new WRX is 50 lb. lighter, so expect its 0-60-mph times to be at least a tenth of a second quicker. The new WRX will also ride better than the past model, thanks to a stiffer chassis and retuned suspension.

Technologically speaking the Impreza WRX will be an evolution and not a revolution. Previous generations of WRX have borrowed most of their technology from the WRC rally-cars, but there are still a lot of elements to be upgraded in order to allow the production car to match the performance of the racer. The engine will be the same 2.5 liters supercharged 4 cylinders boxer, but with an updated turbo, that will offer up to 330 bhp and even more on some markets (in Japan the power of the production vehicle is restricted by a gentleman agreement to 280 bhp). Also updated should be the high-performance four-wheel drive system featured on the WRX with new active differentials. It is not excluded that some components to be made out of aluminum, as most manufacturers these days try to save weight in order increase performance without raising the fuel consumption. A launch date for the new Impreza has not been officially announced, but judging on the level of development of the current test cars, they should be ready for production as late as 2008.

 

Callaway C-16 Cabriolet

Following up on the launch of the C16 coupe, Reeves Callaway has commissioned a drop-top version of his supercharged Corvette-based 2-seater. The C16 is powered by a supercharged 6.0-liter V-8, which produces 560 bhp. In addition to using the Corvette’s power soft top, the C16 Cabriolet also introduces the 6-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission. Callaway estimates that his latest entry can acceleration from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds, cover the quarter mile in 11.2 sec. and has an estimated top speed of 200 mph. Like the coupe, the convertible version sports its own bespoke bodywork that has its power bulge and headrest fairings painted blue to match the leather and Alcantara interior.

 

NIssan Nismo 350Z

For the first time ever in the Nissan Z’s 37-year history, a high-performance NISMO 350Z is part of the extensive Z lineup. The new 2007 Nissan NISMO 350Z, which makes its North American debut at the 2007 New York International Auto Show, features an extensively developed list of unique equipment – including a special body package and improved handling equipment.

 

Honda S2000CR

The S2000 CR has the same 2.2-liter 237-hp engine as other S2000s, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's just a dress-up job. The most dramatic changes involve springs and shocks that Honda calls "significantly stiffer." Although no figures are available, our experience with Uehara's other creations like the Acura Integra type R tells us that he knows the meaning of "significant." Thicker anti-roll bars round out the suspension changes. A quicker steering ratio will allow drivers to avoid shuffling hands in tight corners. A limited slip differential and defeatable electronic stability control carry over from the regular S2000.

A ludicrously large body kit and a rear cowl fairing behind the seats are claimed to smooth airflow over the S2000 CR. But the most over-the-top aerodynamic modification is the massive rear spoiler. The wing has three distinct horizontal surfaces: the upturned outside sections produce downforce while a flatter center section smoothes airflow over the car. The whole affair is affixed with black supports that look more like a back yard racer's weekend concoction than factory pieces, but who are we to argue if it works? Honda claims overall downforce on the rear axle at speed, a rare trait for a street car.