12 most important and influential new vehicles

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
This supercharged 625-horsepower Corvette rumbles its way to the New York Auto Show for the first time. The ride and handling was tuned at Germany’s grueling Nürburgring racetrack, and carbon ceramic brakes are fitted to haul this heavy-hitting Vette a neck-straining stop. Set to go on sale in early-2015, the Z06 will be the fastest production Corvette ever built once it hits the street


2015 Alfa Romeo 4C
Alfa Romeo is back, and this time we hope the Italian automaker really means it. After years of
promised returns, the gorgeous and mid-engine 4C sports car is finally on its way to the U.S. Sales are scheduled to begin later this year, so look for Alfa to announce pricing here in N.Y.C.

2015 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG Coupe
Hold on tight, because this mega-Mercedes packs a twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8 that delivers 577-horsepower. This ultra-luxury coupe won’t stop accelerating until it hits 186 mph. Standard equipment includes an AMG SpeedShift 7-speed gearbox, all-wheel-drive, and a price that’s expected to start around $150-grand.

 

2015 Jeep Renegade
Jeep has had a rocky road when it comes to smaller, cutesy models. The off-roading brand might have hit a sweet spot with the Renegade, however. It still looks tough and capable, even though it’s on a much smaller scale. The engine lineup includes a choice of two 4-cylinder engines, and all-wheel-drive is optional.

  2015 Chrysler 200
It has been a long time since Chrysler had a car to compete with the Camry, Altima and Accord. Believe it or not, the 200 sedan meets (and sometimes exceeds) these potent rivals head on. With a starting price of approximately $21,000, and long list of tempting options and powertrain choices, the handsome Chrysler 200 puts the American brand back into contention in the midsize market.

 

2015 Honda Fit
The Honda Fit has always been zippy and economical. But Honda’s chirpy sub-compact was starting to show its age, at least in terms of cabin trim and materials. The fun-to-drive nature remains, as does the Fit’s perennially cool and functional "Magic Rear Seat" - the seat bottom cushion can fold upwards.This freshening is all the Fit needed to stay at the sharp end of the sub-compact market.

 

2015 Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai  appears to be aiming at a more mainstream audience with the updated Sonata. The styling is more conservative than the outgoing model, though it’s still plenty handsome. The 4-cylinder-only engine lineup emphasizes economy, but turbocharging makes certain performance isn’t forgotten here.

  2015 Audi A3
Like an A4 that’s been left in the dryer too long, the Audi A3 is attractive and feels much more substantial than its compact dimensions suggest. Aimed directly at the Mercedes-Benz CLA, the A3 is available with a choice of two inline-4s, along with all-wheel-drive. Starting around $30,000, this wee A# sedan is a great entry-point to the Audi brand.

 

2015 Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 has been the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for more than 30 years. That didn’t stop Ford from putting this truck on a massive diet, courtesy of a lightweight aluminum chassis. You can configure an F-150 from bare bones construction-site grade, to leather and wood-trimmed gentleman farmer spec. We’d be surprised if Ford didn’t use the NY Auto Show to officially announce the new F-150’s long-awaited EPA fuel mileage figures.

 

2015 BMW i8
It’s still hard to believe this hybrid-powered sports car is actually a production model. The dream car exterior of the i8 is wrapped around a combination of front-mounted electric motor, and turbocharged 3-cylinder engine located behind the passenger compartment. Capable of driving up to 22 miles solely on electric power, the$135,700 i8 scoots from 0 to 60 mph in only 4.4 seconds.

 

2015 Toyota Camry
Toyota is ready to give the Camry sedan a modest update, before an entirely new model debuts in about 3-4 years time. We think the refreshed Camry is going to borrow the smoother design seen on the NS4 Plug-In Hybrid concept, though Toyota hasn’t offered any sneak peeks. The lineup of 4 and 6-cylinder engines will likely feature a slight bump in power and overall economy – the 4-cylinder Camry already returns 35 mpg on the highway.

 

2016 Mazda Miata MX-5
This is a long shot, but there’s a chance Mazda will pull the wraps off the 2016 model year Miata here in New York City. The Japanese automaker is already using the 2014 NY Auto Show to celebrate the 25th birthday of this nimble little roadster. Mazda will keep the same basic proportions, though the Miata's front will feature slimmer headlights and a bolder chrome-trimmed grille. Under the pert hood will lurk a SkyActiv-tuned 4-cylinder engine, of between 1.5 and 2.0-liters in capacity.