2008 New York Auto Show

Finally, Pontiac's Sport Truck, with a 361-horsepower V-8 under its hood, takes the G8 sedan as a foundation for a specialty vehicle that brings to mind the old Chevrolet El Camino, a blend of passenger car and pickup truck. The not-yet-named Sport Truck is scheduled for production as a 2010 model. "Pontiac now stands for seductive performance," Lutz suggested.

Still Subcompact: 2009 Honda Fit
Despite a slight increase in wheelbase and a wider track dimensions, the redesigned Fit remains strictly a subcompact. Honda has moved the windshield forward by five inches. Wheels are an inch bigger, and the suspension has been retuned. Honda's available automatic transmission is one of the few five-speeds in this class. Styling focuses on what Honda calls a "more expressive face." All Fits have antilock braking and six airbags.


More than two million Fits have been sold since the model went on sale for 2007. Year-to-date sales for 2008 are up 87 percent, according to the company. "Small has become smarter, once again," said executive vice-president Dick Colliver, noting that the Fit is "truly a world car," made in five countries. "Buying a Fit is a choice, not a compromise." Sales start this fall.

Crossover Safety: 2009 Volvo XC60
Unveiled for the first time at the Geneva (Switzerland) Motor Show, Volvo's latest model made its North American debut shortly afterward, in New York. Volvo has long been known for safety, and the XC60 crossover is billed as the Swedish automaker's safest model ever. In fact, it will be the first vehicle in the world to have a collision avoidance system as standard equipment. Volvo's City Safety system can help the driver avoid, or reduces the effects of, low-speed impacts that occur in urban traffic.


Considered a compact, the XC60 is 7.9 inches shorter than Volvo's XC70 wagon. Volvo will begin sending XC60s to U.S. dealers early in 2009. Only one engine will be offered in U.S. models: a turbocharged T6, developing 281 horsepower. All-wheel drive with Instant Traction will be standard.

BlueTECs Are Coming: 2009 Mercedes-Benz Diesels
Mercedes-Benz has a long history with diesel power in the U.S. market, which began a revival not long ago. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, more than 520,000 diesels were sold in America. Then, due in part to more stringent emissions, the "diesel disappeared," according to president/CEO Ernst Lieb.


Now, the diesel engine is "celebrating its dazzling comeback as BlueTEC," said communications director Geoff Day. Mercedes-Benz's latest BlueTEC diesels, fitted with urea injection, can be sold in all 50 states. At New York, the company announced the forthcoming sale of the GL320, R320, and ML320 diesel models. Close to one-quarter of ML-Class SUVs are expected to have the diesel engine. BlueTEC Hybrids also are planned for the near future. Mercedes-Benz also hosted the North American debut of its 2009 SL-Class models, plus the new super-performance SL63 AMG.

Third in a Series: Suzuki Concept Kizashi 3
Suzuki revealed a trio of Kizashi concepts in New York, including one that made its first-ever appearance. Marketing vice-president Gene Brown advised that Kizashi "will be the launching pad for the next generation of Suzuki vehicles," adding that Suzuki needed three separate designs to express its entire vision. The original Concept Kizashi, unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show last fall, is an imposing creation that "reflects an athlete in his Olympic period," according to Brown. Concept Kizashi 2, first seen at the Tokyo show, is a sport crossover wagon.


Concept Kizashi 3, unveiled in New York, brings the idea "one step closer to production," Brown said, noting that it shows "the direction we intend to take." Fitted with a 300-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 that incorporates plated cylinders, the Kizashi 3 mates with a six-speed paddle-shifted automatic transmission and "intelligent" all-wheel drive.

Mitsubishi and Subaru Go Electric
Could small electric cars be making a comeback? That's possible, in view of the New York presentations from Mitsubishi and Subaru. Mitsubishi revealed a group of small cars that are slated for production in Japan and being considered for U.S. sale. Each had been seen at prior auto shows; but the two MiEV models suggest a modest resurgence of electric power. The egg-shaped i MiEV goes on sale in Japan next year, and will be tested in the U.S. this fall. "This is very, very real," said Tetsuro Aikawa, managing director of the product development group. Also on display was a cute little i MiEV Sport Concept coupe with triangular windows. Mitsubishi also exhibited a cX concept with a turbodiesel engine, noting an intention for "serious study" of sale in the U.S.


Subaru exhibited its R1e electric car, announcing that two of them are being donated, for evaluation purposes, to the New York Power Authority.


EVs may also be coming from Nissan, which produced its first electric car way back in 1947 and has been testing lithium-ion batteries for the past decade. Nissan's EV is expected by 2010, and may reach the U.S. two years later.