2014 New York Auto Show Archives

April 20, 2014

2015 Alfa Romeo 4C: 2014 New York Auto Show

Marking the Italian brand’s highly anticipated return to North America, the all-new 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C makes its New York Motor Show debut – a mid-engine design inspired by the brand’s state-of-the-art carbon fiber monocoque, all-aluminum turbocharged engine influenced by Formula 1, advanced technological solutions and revolutionary racing history, all for delivering supercar-level driving exhilaration and performance.

Harald Wester, CEO and President at Alfa Romeo said “The all-new Alfa Romeo 4C delivers supercar-level performance in its most elemental form.” “With its technological solutions and ultra-lightweight materials derived directly from motorsports, a mid-engine proportion for purposeful styling cues and maximum agility to enhance performance – the all-new 4C coupe marks Alfa Romeo’s return to sportscars and the brand’s return to North America.”

For the Alfa Romeo brand, the all-new 4C symbolizes the essential sportiness embedded in the brand’s DNA: Italian performance, technical excellence and style, for maximum driving pleasure in complete safety.

Acronym 4C

The Alfa Romeo 4C is inspired by the century-old tradition of Alfa Romeo and projects the brand’s authentic values into the future: Italian performance, engineering excellence and style, delivering maximum driving satisfaction in total safety. The “4C” name recalls Alfa Romeo’s great sporting tradition: the acronyms 8C and 6C in the 1930s and 1940s distinguished road and racing cars equipped with powerful 8 and 6 cylinder engines. The 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C model’s designation continues this tradition with the latest all-aluminum 1750cc 4-cylinder engine.

A Tradition Of Essential Beauty And Function

The inspiration for 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C dates back to the 1967 33 Stradale, the homologated version of the racing Type 33 that’s considered one of the most beautiful cars of all time. Like the 33 Stradale, which combined extreme functional and mechanical requirements with undeniable Alfa Romeo performance and style – the 4C coupe shares its body forms and follows this performance tradition with a state-of-the-art aluminum and carbon fiber structure, a high-performance turbocharged powerplant and an undoubtedly Italian-styled composite body “clothing”.

With a purpose-built cockpit inspired by the legendary 1967 33 Stradale, entering the interior of the all-new Alfa Romeo 4C means entering a world derived from motorsport – only essential components for performance are integrated. Two composite-framed sport seats, exposed carbon fiber monocoque and thermoformed dashboard emphasize the coupe’s technical uniqueness.

Ultra-Lightweight: Carbon Fiber, Aluminum And Composites Structures

To create an ultra-lightweight architecture needed for dynamic efficiency and maximum performance, the engineers looked to Formula 1 and only the most advanced supercars for state-of-the-art materials. The result is a monocoque made entirely of carbon fiber that delivers extraordinary strength and stiffness. Attached to the Alfa Romeo 4C’s exotic monocoque are roof reinforcements, lightweight aluminum engine-mounting frame and front and rear cell structures.

Finally, two sport seats feature a fiberglass and carbon fiber reinforced-composite structure for delivering the seating position and strength needed for performance driving.

High-tech powertrain for exceptional track performance and drivability

Powering the 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C is 1750cc direct-injection aluminum engine, which is good for churning out 237 horsepower with 258 pound feet of torque. To ensure exceptional drivability and performance on the racetrack or city streets, this new engine features cutting-edge technical solutions, including intercooler, dual (intake and exhaust) direct-injection, eight counterweights, continuous variable-valve timing (VVT) and intake and exhaust systems optimized for Alfa Romeo 4C’s mid-engine layout.

The engine is mated to a paddle-shifting Alfa TCT dual-clutch transmission that has been specifically designed for the 4C. With its distinctively calibrated software, which adjusts with the Alfa DNA selector system, the Alfa TCT’s gearshifts are engineered to become most aggressive in the Race and Dynamic modes.

Alfa DNA selector offers advanced technological solutions

The 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C features the brand’s pioneering Alfa DNA selector with “Race” mode – enabling the driver to optimize the right level of performance through four modes.

Natural – allows smooth drivability and grand touring comfort for Alfa TCT gearbox

All-weather – allows special engine and brake control logic and gentler accelerator input to prevent skidding and match road speed and engineered to ensure maximum control under adverse weather conditions

Race – One of the most extreme performance modes, putting the driver in total control of the car under race conditions. Anti Slip Regulation and ESC are deactivated to allow the driver to control traction through the accelerator pedal.

Dynamic – allows enhanced driving performance through less intrusive electronic stability control setting and a more aggressive powertrain calibration

Limited To 500 Serialized Units: 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Edition

For “Alfisti” in North America, a special 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Edition will be made available this June. These first 500 Alfa Romeo 4C coupe models will be serialized and include the following appointments:

Bi-xenon headlamps with LED illuminated daytime running lights

Alfa Red, Rosso Competizione or Madreperla White exterior paint

Aluminum rear diffuser

Carbon fiber rear spoiler and mirror caps

Racing exhaust

Race suspension tuning with front- and rear-sway bars and performance-tuned shock absorbers

Red lacquered brake calipers

Staggered 18-inch (front) and 19-inch (rear) forged wheels painted in Dark Gray

Sport seats with black microfiber

Leather-wrapped instrument and door panels

Serialized “Launch Edition” plaque

Red or White interior accent stitching on the instrument panel, steering wheel, handbrake, floor mats and door handles

April 20, 2014

2015 BMW Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe Debuts at New York Auto Show

Alpina always made way for the classics whenever it was introduced – the time has remained its witness. The new more powerful official Bimmer from the engineers at Alpina introduced the B6 xDrive Gran Coupe at the 2014 New York Auto Show. It is based on stunningly beautiful 6 Series Gran Coupe featuring xDrive.

The B6 xDrive has that same engine of the 6-Series coupe 4.4-liter Bi-Turbo V8, but it is now tuned to deliver the dominating 540 horsepower, which is 20 hp less than the M6, but additionally more by 40 lb-ft of torque.

xDrive mean all-wheel drive, so the race to 0-60mph a bit quicker than the conventional version. 8 speed Sport Automatic Transmission complementing it further. The Alpina B6 has a top speed of 198 MPH.

Overall, the reformed BMW is bolstered with the Alpina goodies, where one could be named is 20″ Alpina Classic 21-spoke wheels.

On interiors, the steering had hand stitched Alpina exclusive Lavalina leather, door sill are highlighted with an illuminated Alpina logo and exclusive Alpina Myrtle wood or Piano Black trim covers the rest.

Those who wish more can further indulge into the customization with added personalization options.

Alpina B6 Gran Coupe body is reported to be manufactured in BMW 6 Series factory (Plant Dingolfing) and powertrain components and interior equipment at the Alpina factory in Buchloe, Germany.

it is expected to go on sale soon after the New York Auto Show ends. Pricing starts at $118,225 including $925 destination and handling in US.

April 18, 2014

The New BMW X4 Has Its World Debut: 2014 NYIAS

The latest addition to the X family, the BMW X4, made its world debut on Wednesday, April 16th at the 2014 New York International Auto Show. The new BMW X4 provides the premium midsize segment its first taste of the SAC (Sports Activity Coupe) concept. Like its larger sibling, the BMW X6, the X4 offers an unmistakable and unique presence on the road. It delivers a unique combination of driving dynamics, all-road capability and style, which can only be available by a BMW Sports Activity Coupe. The X6 has demonstrated the appeal of the Sports Activity Coupe concept with 250,000 sold to date.

The color palette is pretty standard on BMW X4, similar to the other X models. The second Sports Activity Coupe can be available in Glacier Silver, Mineral White, Melbourne Red, Mineral Silver, Sophisto Grey, Deep Sea Blue, Black Sapphire, Sparkling Brown and Alpine White and Black. Inside the cabin, customers also have a wide selection of leathers and trims to choose from. It can also be ordered with two predefined packages, M Sport and xLine.

Prices for the 2014 BMW X4 start at €45,600 for the X4 xDrive20d trim with its B47 engine generating 190 horsepower. Then at €46,100 base price we have the gasoline powered X4 xDrive20i with 184 horsepower. 61 hp more beneath the hood of X4 xDrive28i will set you back at least €51,700. For the top line 6-cylinder petrol powerplant with 306 horsepower BMW asks €58,000. The 258-horsepower BMW X4 xDrive30d costs a minimum of €55,100, whereas the xDrive35d has a price of €60,100.

In United States, the BMW X4 will be available with a choice of two TwinPower Turbo engines. The X4 xDrive28i, with a MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) of $45,625 (including handling and destination), will feature the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder 240 horsepower engine, whereas the range-topping X4 xDrive35i with an MSRP of $48,925 (including handling and destination) will output 306 horsepower.

April 14, 2014

2015 Chevrolet Cruze Revealed Before New York Debut

Chevy’s diesel rocket, the Cruze, is now given a new attire for the 2015 make, which was slated to debut at 2014 New York Auto Show. But before making to the official paddock, the carmaker had revealed its relevant details with images on the internet, which seems concerning more excitement at the venue.

The new Cruze gains revised exterior styling, enhanced interior convenience with greater connectivity – including new Text Message Alerts, Apple Siri integration and OnStar 4G LTE with available Wi-Fi hotspot. A New voice-controlled feature is also introduced that enhance safety when responding to text messages in the vehicle.

For the outers, inspirations are taken from the 2014 Malibu and Impala, with abundance of chrome and more sophisticated yet sporty styling cues. The front grille becomes edgy with the LED and DRLs available on the LT and LTZ trims. The sweptback headlamps and are then complemented by the aforesaid LEDs.

“We’ve simply made a great, versatile car even better,” said Steve Majoros, Chevrolet director of passenger car and crossover marketing. “Chevrolet continues to design, build and sell the most compelling small cars in its history and the 2015 Cruze offers more of the features, connectivity and efficiency that are important to today’s customers.”

The new 2015 Cruze is only available to the list of LS, LT, RS and LTZ models buyers.

2015 Chevrolet Cruze comes with several options of new interior and exterior colors.

The standard updates inside the cabin includes, revised cupholders, trunk release relocated to the center console, door lock switches relocated from the center console to the front doors. 10 standard air bags – including side-impact and knee air bags for front passengers – and side blind zone alert, rear cross traffic alert, rear park assist and a rearview camera also made their way to the list.

Other standard and available features include: seven-inch-diagonal color touch screen on central console, additional USB ports, built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, Next-generation OnStar and MyLink (4G LTE) enhancements with natural language voice recognition.

“Cruze remains a strong entry in the compact segment, with features that continue to bring new customers to Chevrolet,” said Majoros. “Along with Spark, Spark EV, Sonic and Volt, Chevy’s lineup of efficient, technologically advanced small cars is one of the industry’s most compelling.”

Though, the engine specifications are yet to be announced, the Detroit based carmaker had made official, the 2015 Cruze will be producing 151PS/387Nm from a 2.0-litre motor.

The new Chevrolet car will be launched in September 2014 over the North America, with price kept under wraps.

“These new customers are discovering the fun, value and durability Chevy stands for,” said Paul Edwards, U.S. vice president, Chevrolet Marketing. “In fact, Chevrolet is second among buyers under 25, as the brand continues to grow share in the small-car segments.”

“The diversity of Chevrolet’s small-car lineups, from the efficiency of the Cruze clean diesel and the pure electric performance of the Spark EV, offers a driving solution for everyone,” said Edwards. “With Cruze sales up 17 percent in the first quarter of 2014, the updated styling and greater connectivity of the 2015 Cruze will accelerate Chevy’s small-car momentum when it goes on sale this fall.”

March 8, 2014

2015 Hyundai Sonata Teased: Ahead Of New York International Auto Show

When it was introduced for 2011 model year, the current-gen Hyundai Sonata made quite a statement with its Fluidic Sculpture styling. The automaker can’t rest on its laurels, though, so there is a new Sonata due for 2015. The first official photos of 2015 Hyundai Sonata have been released ahead of the saloon’s launch at 2014 New York International Auto Show. Hyundai Motor America said in a tweet, “An image of the interior offers a preview of refined, contemporary and driver-focused cabin.” The darkened image shows the exterior of the vehicle, arguably the most important vehicle in the company’s lineup. On the contrary, the all-new Sonata has been a standout in the tough category, competing against such heavy hitters like Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Honda Accord and Ford Fusion.

About Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America, situated in Fountain Valley, California is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are marketed and serviced through more than 820 dealerships across the nation. All Hyundai cars marketed in the United States are covered by Hyundai Assurance program that includes 60,000-mile/5-year fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty, 5 years of complimentary Roadside Assistance and Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty.

Hyundai Assurance includes Assurance Connected Care, which provides owners of Hyundai models equipped with Hyundai Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care services complimentary for 3 years. These services include Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, Monthly Vehicle Health Report, in-vehicle service scheduling and Vehicle Diagnostic Alert.