Cars of Future At NY Auto Show
Brand new production and concept vehicles from all over the globe will be showcased from March 25 to April 3, at the 105th New York International Auto show.
WCBS-TV tech editor Brett Larson offers a sneak preview of what's hot this year from the floor of Javits Convention Center.
The following are some of the vehicles featured on The Early Show:
2005 BMW 635i Convertible
Although the 6 Series designation was last applied to a BMW in 1989, the company introduced a new two-model 6 Series for 2005.
The 6 Series models are the 645Ci Coupe, at $70,595 including destination charge, and the 645Ci Convertible at $77,595. Each is powered by the 4.4-liter, 325-hp Valvetronic V-8 that already is a feature of the 745i/Li and 545i models.
2006 Subaru Tribeca B9
This large cross-over, SUV-type vehicle joins Subaru's Forester, which has been named by Car & Drivers and Consumer Reports magazines as best small SUV; Impreza WRX, named top fun car by Consumer Reports; and the Lagacy/Outback, which has been included on several lists of top sedans and wagons.
Updated, but based on the WX-01 Concept from the Tokyo Motor Show, this vehicle will be the first in the lineup to carry Subaru's new signature styling grille, as first seen on the B9SC Roadster Concept. The new aeronautical face has air intakes, which are supposed to suggest a fuselage and wings. (Subaru's parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries, manufactured aircraft in the past). The premium wagon was shown in consumer clinics in southern California, and had received positive feedback.
The B9 Tribeca, which will be built in Lafayette, Ind., will retail for more than an Outback 3.0 L.L. Bean wagon, which starts at $32,870.
2006 Dodge Magnum Srt8 Wagon
Dodge has brought back the family station wagon in a whole new package with an SRT-tuned 425-horsepower 6.1-liter HEMI engine.
A five-speed automatic channels the vehicle's brute force rearward, and braking comes courtesy of 13.8-inch rotors in the rear and 14.2-inchers up front. A few touches distinguish the SRT-8 from lesser Mags, including a revised front fascia and body-color grille inserts, mirrors and door handles; and satin front and rear bumper inserts. And don't forget the SRT badges:sport seats with red stitching, "carbon fiber" leather trim on the steering wheel, and a 180 mph speedometer.
And with all that, the car still has a covered back and fold-down back seats to be able carry almost anything.
The car also features a MP3 Player and Navigation in One System. When equipped with UConnect™, the REC navigation radio becomes compatible with the hands-free module within the system. This feature enables the user to place voice-activated, hands-free calls to "Points of Interests" such as restaurants, banks or other public addresses within the navigation system's information database. Phone numbers and call times appear on the system's screen for incoming calls.
2005 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid Pick Up
Introduced last year, Chevy Silverado Hybrid models promise up to 13 percent improvement in fuel economy.
The hybrid option is available on two- and four-wheel-drive Extended Cab Silverado and Sierra models (the GMC counterpart to the Chevy). They are available to retail customers in California, Washington, and Oregon for the 2005 model year.
GM Sequel Fuel Cell Vehicle
A fuel cell harnesses the electricity created in the chemical reaction that occurs when hydrogen and oxygen are combined. Hundreds of fuel cells are "stacked" together, combining their electrical outputs into enough electricity to power a car.
This machine is the latest development of GM's fuel-cell concept that places all of the vehicle's major mechanical and electrical bits in a foot-thick platform at the bottom of the vehicle.
The technologies embodied in Sequel, such as fuel cells, by-wire and wheel hub motors, have developed so fast that GM has been able to double the range and halve the 0-60 mph acceleration time, according to Larry Burns, GM vice president of research and development and planning.
The Sequel, with a range of 300 miles, has a practical-looking SUV body atop the platform. The hydrogen to power the Sequel is stored in three large cylinders, about five feet long and perhaps 10 inches in diameter. Pressurized to 10,000 psi, they hold just 18 pounds of hydrogen. Compressing hydrogen to 10,000 psi requires about a third of the energy that liquefying it does, but the ultra-pressure tanks are large and expensive.
Ford Synus Concept Vehicle
The architecture of the SYNUS comes from the Ford Fiesta. Smaller than the Ford Focus, Fiesta is what is known as a B-car, popular overseas because of the way it handles narrow streets and dense traffic.
Taking its inspiration from bank vaults and armored cars, this concept's exterior design includes protective shutters that can be lowered over the windshield and side glass, small, non-opening windows on the flanks and roof and a rear hatch with no window at all.
The powertrain of the SYNUS is taken from the Mondeo sedan - a turbocharged, intercooled 2.0-liter, four-cylinder Duratorq diesel engine with 134 horsepower and 236 foot-pounds of torque.
The concept shares the Fiesta's MacPherson strut front suspension and semi-independent torsion-beam rear suspension. The SYNUS concept also features a wider stance than the production car, and 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in P225/50-18 performance tires.