2009 New York Auto Show

Following are our favorites for the most significant highlights of the show:

Common-Sense Crossover: 2010 GMC Terrain

General Motors' GMC truck division took the spotlight in New York, with the world premiere of the Terrain. Built on the same platform as the Chevrolet Equinox, GMC's new five-passenger crossover SUV promises 30-mpg fuel economy on the highway with its 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. A 3.0-liter V-6, producing 264 horsepower, also will be available. Both engines mate with a six-speed automatic transmission and either front-drive or all-wheel drive. Sales begin in late summer.


GMC also revealed a hybrid-powertrain rendition of its big, luxurious Yukon Denali SUV. Seating eight and capable of towing 5,800 pounds, the Yukon Denali Hybrid gets an estimated 21 mpg in city driving, courtesy of the 2-mode hybrid system. Buick-Pontiac-GMC vice-president Susan Docherty promoted GM's Total Confidence Plan, including 9-month guaranteed loan payments for customers who lose their jobs. Trade-in protection up to $5,000 aims to minimize the risk of going "upside-down" (owing more on a car than it's worth).

Re-Raising the Performance Bar: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Sedan

In addition to exhibiting the redesigned E-Class coupe and sedan for the first time in North America, Mercedes-Benz hosted the world premiere of the high-performance edition. Named the E63 AMG, the performance-packed sedan contains a 518-horsepower V-8 engine that provides "hair-raising response," according to AMG chairman Volker Mornhinweg. Yes, gas mileage is said to be 12 percent better than the last AMG edition of the E-Class. Regular E-Class sedans come in E350 (V-6), E550 (V-8), and E320 BlueTEC (diesel) form, each with 11 airbags and a seven-speed automatic transmission.


Also shown was a new hybrid-powertrain version of the ML450 sport-utility vehicle. Mercedes-Benz's first "full" hybrid, it uses two electric motors and has combined output of 335 horsepower. Consuming nearly 50 percent less fuel than a comparable V-8 model, the ML450 gets an EPA gas-mileage estimate of 21-mpg city/24-mpg highway. Mercedes-Benz also exhibited the Vision E250 BlueTEC four-cylinder diesel model, which promises up to 44 mpg if it were placed on sale.

New Compact Sedan's Companion: 2010 Kia Forte Koup

After launching a four-door Forte compact sedan at the Chicago Auto Show, as a successor to the Spectra, Kia used New York to unveil a two-door equivalent. Claimed to be "very true" to the concept coupe shown last year, the Koup flaunts large rear quarter windows. Chief designer Tom Kearns calls the two-door "a Kia with attitude," warning: "Get used to that phrase."


Side-impact and curtain-type airbags are installed. Antilock braking and Electronic Stability Control are standard. Kia's 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, rated at 173 horsepower, achieves an EPA gas-mileage estimate of 22-mpg city/36-mpg highway with a six-speed manual gearbox, or 23/31 mpg with a five-speed automatic transmission. The smaller (2.0-liter) four earns an estimated 25/34 mpg, with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Coupes reach dealerships in late summer.

Shapely Performance: 2010 BMW X6 M

Launched as a late 2008 model, BMW's X6 "four-door coupe" gets a high-performance companion, ready for sale during 2009. As revealed in New York, the M-edition of BMW's sports activity vehicle holds a 555-horsepower twin-turbo V-8 engine that develops 500 pound-feet of torque. This is BMW's first M-edition model with a turbocharged engine, as well as the first with all-wheel drive. Acceleration to 60 mph takes just 4.5 seconds. Like the German automaker's other "M" models, the X6 edition gets a special suspension, brake hardware, and steering set-up. An ActiveHybrid version of the X6 goes on sale late in 2009, promising up to 20 percent improvement in fuel efficiency.


BMW also displayed the latest 5 Series sedan and 6 Series two-doors, which feature the current version of the iDrive system.