Nissan’s new Serena ProPILOT technology

ProPILOT :

ProPILOT is a revolutionary autonomous drive technology designed for highway use in single-lane traffic. Nissan is the first Japanese automaker to introduce a combination of steering, accelerator and braking that can be operated in full automatic mode, easing driver workload in heavy highway traffic and long commutes.

Employing advanced image-processing technology, the car's ProPILOT system understands road and traffic situations and executes precise steering enabling the vehicle to perform naturally. ProPILOT technology is extremely user-friendly, thanks to a switch on the steering wheel that allows the driver to easily activate and deactivate the system. ProPILOT's easy-to-understand and fit-to-drive interface includes a personal display showing the operating status.

System Configuration:

The accelerator, brakes and steering are controlled based on information obtained through a mono camera equipped with advanced-image processing software. The ProPILOT camera can quickly recognize in three-dimensional depth both preceding vehicles and lane markers.

Functions:

Once activated, ProPILOT automatically controls the distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle, using a speed preset by the driver (between approximately 30 km/h and 100 km/h). The system also keeps the car in the middle of the highway lane by reading lane markers and controlling steering, even through curves.

 

If a car in front stops:

The ProPILOT system automatically applies the brakes to bring the vehicle to a full stop. After coming to a full stop, the vehicle will remain in place even if the driver's foot is off the brake pedal. When ready to resume driving, ProPILOT is activated when the driver touches the switch again or lightly presses the accelerator.

BMW X2 to launch at the 2016 Paris Motor Show

The BMW X2 SUV will launch at the upcoming 2016 Paris Motor Show in late September. The new addition to the X family – the X2 – will come to market next year and will be priced closer to the X3 than to the X1.

BMW’s X2 will be built on the X1 front-wheel drive platform and will follow the example of the larger X4 and X6 in receiving a uniquely styled steel body. It will feature a five-door layout, with its tailgate set at a more extreme angle than that of the more practical X1 to give it a coupe-like silhouette.

The X2 will separate itself from the X1 by having a higher rear belt line and smaller rear window as well as a more aggressively swept roofline. The interior is expected to be largely shared with the new X1.

BMW X2 is planned to be sold exclusively with three-cylinder and four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, along with the choice of either front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. They will be mated to either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox in combination with front or four-wheel drive.

The X2 will be produced alongside the new X1 at BMW’s Regensburg factory in Germany.

Production of Jeep 551 (Jeep C-SUV) to start in Jan 2017

Production of the Jeep 551 will commence on January 30, 2017. The Jeep 551, commonly referred to as the Jeep C-SUV, will be first built in Toluca, Mexico. Later on, production will be extended to Brazil as well as the Tata-Fiat JV plant in Ranjangaon, Maharashtra in India. 

The Jeep 551 C SUV is based on the Jeep Renegade and 500X’s front-wheel drive platform. And since the vehicle will be launched in several international markets including India, it will have both right & left hand drive versions. While there is nothing official about its engine options, we expect it to come in both petrol and diesel mills. While the petrol engine could be the 2.0-litre Tigershark, the diesel will be the 2.0-litre Multijet II diesel . Both the engines could get a 6-speed manual and a 9-speed automatic gearboxes.

Kia Picanto 1.2 LS launched in South Africa

The Kia Picanto 1.2 LS is priced from ZAR 139,995 (INR 6.45 lakhs)

Kia Motors South Africa has introduced the Kia Picanto 1.2 LS, which offers the bigger 1.2L four cylinder engine in the LS grade, thus bridging the gap between the base 1.0 LS and 1.2 EX models.

The 1.2 LS is powered by the same motor from the 1.2 EX grade; a 1.2-litre Kappa MPI engine producing 65 kW (87 hp) of power at 6,000 rpm and 120 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. It is paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard, while an automatic transmission is optional.

Tata Xenon Evolve Limited Edition launched in South Africa

Accordion Investments, authorized distributor of Tata Motors in South Africa, has introduced a limited edition Tata Xenon Evolve. It is priced from ZAR 269,995 (INR 12.33 lakhs) for the 4×2 variant, while a 4×4 model is also available, but on a made-to-order basis.

The exterior of the Evolve Special Edition has a number of important, added value features including a roll-over bar behind the cab, side steps, a front nudge bar and a tow bar as well as unique badging and a special decal package. The alloy wheels have been revised as an additional distinguishing feature.

The Xenon range blends modern styling, comprehensive safety features which includes ABS as well asdual front airbags, plus a host of convenience features such as GPS navigation and Bluetooth compatibility. Other items that are standard equipment include electric windows, power steering, an audio system with an MP3 player and a tilt-adjustable steering column.

The Evolve is powered by a new generation 2.2-litre turbo Tata diesel engine with variable valve timing, variable turbine technology and direct injection with a common fuel rail. It develops 110kW of power and a peak torque figure of 320Nm. Double cab variants also benefit from rear diff-lock for those tough situations. 

Volkswagen Ameo launched in Bangalore at INR 5.33 Lakh

 

The VW Ameo range includes three trim levels: Trendline, Comfortline and Highline, priced (before taxes and other on-road costs) at INR 5,33,620, INR 6,10,616 and INR 7,18,450 respectively. Body-coloured bumpers, body-coloured door handles, body-coloured door mirrors with integrated turn indicators, single-folding rear seat backrest, tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel, ABS and dual-front airbags are standard features.
The Volkswagen Ameo is powered by a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder MPI petrol engine that produces 74bhp of maximum power and 114Nm of peak torque. This engine comes mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Volkswagen India also has plans to launch a diesel variant that will be powered by a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder TDI diesel engine. The diesel variant of the car is expected to be launched during the festive period around Diwali. Recently, the diesel variant of the Volkswagen Ameo has been spied while being tested near Pune, Maharashtra.

The Volkswagen Ameo is equipped with first in class features like cruise control, centre arm rest, rain sensing wipers, static cornering lights and anti-pinch power windows. On the safety front, the Volkswagen Ameo comes equipped with ABS and dual front airbags as standard across the variants. Volkswagen has also developed an exclusive app for the Ameo wherein customers can access additional information about the car. The ‘Volkswagen Ameo’ app can be downloaded through the Google PlayStore and the Apple App Store.

Land Rover Discovery Sport now available in petrol

What’s better than a Land Rover Discovery Sport? A petrol-powered Discovery Sport, that’s what. The iconic 4x4 vehicle manufacturer has taken cognisance of the volatile situation surrounding diesel engines and has launched the petrol version of the Discovery Sport. Available only in the HSE trim. As a refresher, the Sport comes in four grades namely: S, SE, HSE and HSE Luxury.

Power will come from a new 2.0-litre inline-four engine capable of pumping out 237bhp with power sent to the wheels via the 9-speed automatic transmission. It will be sold alongside the 2.2-litre HD4 and SD4 diesel units that have been on sale since September 2015.

The Discovery Sport is the most affordable SUV in the company’s Indian lineup. Being the most affordable does not mean that it is not well equipped. For its part, the petrol version is lavished with grained leather seats, panoramic sunroof, rear-view camera, adaptive xenon headlamps and the popular Park Exit & Perpendicular Park feature.

It goes without saying that Land Rover’s renowned “All Terrain Capability” is also present with systems like Hill Descent Control (HDC), Roll Stability Control (RSC), Electronic Traction Control (ETC) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC).

Rolls-Royce Next 100 concept

Rolls-Royce showed off its Vision Next 100 concept today in London, giving a look at what its vehicles might look like a century years from now. Each BMW brand will show its own concept this year; BMW's Vision Next 100 concept was an interesting mix of textile-like patterns with stretchy fenders and a very 2010s four-door coupe shape, but this Rolls-Royce concept looks more like a luxury version of a World Solar Challenge racer.

The car's official title is 103EX, following the convention of recent Roller concepts. Whereas its BMW counterpart was perhaps a safe, predictable vision of the future, the Rolls is a striking vehicle and a big departure for the brand. Whether it works as a whole for you or not, it represents the kind of stylistic provocation that made ex-BMW stylist Chris Bangle a household name. While the early Bangle cars were extremely controversial, this Rolls concept is clearly the heir of his penchant for sharply creased character lines. Call the rocker panel crease flame surfacing if you want.

The floating headlamps and blade-edged verticality of the fenders are classic Rolls: imposing and visually heavy, without necessarily being classically beautiful. The square, flat grille is, to my eyes, much less successfully integrated. It seems like Rolls had the perfect opportunity to evolve the trademark grille into something more contemporary. In 100 years, the brand will still need to lean on this sort of anachronism? That seems short-sighted.

Volkswagen wants to sell three million electric cars by 2025

Speaking at the launch of VW’s ‘Strategy 2025’ in Wolfsburg this morning, Müller also revealed that the wider VW Group would make a “big reduction” in the number of model variants it produces - currently around 340 - as well as slashing the number of individual modular architectures from 12 to just four.

As Autocar predicted at the start of the year, this platform cull could cause future large Audis based on Porsche’s MSB platform and Audi’s unusual, longitudinally engined, MLB architecture to be dropped altogether. VW’s stand-alone NSF platform - which underpins the Up - could also be killed off.

In future, there will be just four platforms: small, medium, premium and sports car.

Mitsubishi Montero to be relaunched in September

Mitsubishi Motors is set to bring back its Montero SUV to India in September 2016. Bookings for the SUV are open now and can be made at Mitsubishi dealerships for Rs 10 lakh. 

Deliveries though are expected to start from October, however officials mention that they are striving to advance the date. The car will be brought in via the CBU route which could explain the steep pricing of Rs 70.43 lakh . 

• what’s new on the Montero? The soon-to-be-launched Montero will be the third facelift of the car. The platform and the engine remain the same, but now makes 10hp less than the old motor. The torque figure and the five-speed automatic gearbox remain unchanged.
•  The car's styling is a departure for that of the 2012 model which was sold here. The front bears the most changes, with a new bonnet, chrome grille, reworked headlamps and front bumper which now houses an LED strip too. Besides these modifications, the SUV also gets new alloys, revised side cladding, and a spare wheel mounted on the tailgate.  The Montero’s ground clearance has gone down by 10mm and weight has gone up by 25kg.

BMW unveils transparent Mini concept car

German automobile major BMW unveiled its transparent concept car 'Mini Vision Next 100' in London on Thursday. The car's most notable feature is the option of changing the exterior colour or pattern anytime as per a user's desire. The electric car also features a steering wheel which can slide across between passengers.

Next-Gen Chevrolet Beat Revealed In Its Production Guise

Chevrolet India has released the first images of the new Beat and its sister cars. They provide one with the idea as to how the cars will look in the real world. Though, in its new avatar, the Beat takes up an evolutionary approach rather than a full-blow aesthetic upgrade. Chevrolet plans to bring five cars this year, out of which three will be derivatives of the Beat namely -- the Beat, The Beat Essentia and the Beat Activ. The other two can be the Trailblazer facelift and the next-generation Cruze. 

Royal Enfield unveils two custom motorcycles

   

• The Mo’ Powa’ is based on Royal Enfield’s Classic 500, which the company claims is its rendition of ‘a Dragster-meets-Mad Max motorcycle’. The most significant change that the Mo’ Powa’ gets over the standard motorcycle is the turbocharged engine. The motorcycle’s custom-built exhaust has been fabricated by hand at Harris Performance.

  

•  The Dirty Duck, is based on the Continental GT. Inspired by off-road vehicles like the Land Rover Defender and Jeep, the Dirty Duck gets the addition of a snorkel that has too been handcrafted at Harris Performance. The motorcycle also features a fuel tank that has been naturally rusted to give it more of an off-roader look.

Nikola Motor Company unveils its electric truck

Here is unveiling of Nikola Motor Company’s electric long-haul rig concept. The Nikola One, as it’s called, has “6×6 all-wheel drive,” with 800-volt AC motors and regenerative braking at all wheels. And a whopping 2000 horsepower, compared to the 400-500 hp that most trucks have.

It also has a tank that holds 150 gallons of compressed natural gas, which powers a turbine that charges the 320 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The idea is that drivers would not have to stop to charge; the CNG plus regenerative braking would be able to power the truck for 1200 miles of driving. It’s similar to how the Chevy Volt works, where the gasoline tank recharges the batteries. The Volt and the Nikola One are both electric vehicles in that electric power from the batteries turns the wheels, but the batteries are most often charged by an on-board generator or turbine.

That’s not the only similarity to another company that Nikola Motor Company has. You may have noticed that it uses the first name of inventor Nikola Tesla; the last name has already been used. NMC makes no bones about its admiration for Tesla Motors, but where Tesla started with a wee roadster and worked toward the midsize sedan, NMC is coming at the problem from the opposite—and much larger—side of the equation. It hinted at more vehicles for other markets to come in the future on its website, but NMC is likely hoping to get the Nikola One onto the road before tackling passenger vehicles.

For those who aren’t quite ready to plunk down $1500 for a reservation on a $350,000 electric tractor-trailer, NMC also announced a dune-buggy-esque 4×4 off-road vehicle called the Nikola Zero. For a $750 reservation ($42,000 MSRP), you can get in line for 520 hp of all-electric, waterproof driving. The Zero plugs in like most EVs do to recharge the 440-volt lithium-ion batteries rather than using CNG and a turbine, though it does have solar panels on the roof to power the 12V battery.

2017 BMW 3 Series GT

German auto giant BMW updated the 3 Series sedan globally last year and the same was launched in our market at the 2016 Indian Auto Expo. 

It now comes with revised mechanicals and subtle cosmetic changes as well. The updated 3 series GT range will come with three new petrol engines and five new diesel engines internationally. The three new petrol engines’ power outputs will range from 187PS to 330PS whereas the refreshed diesel mills will produce from 152PS to 318PS, depending on the variant you choose. The same will be available with a RWD (rear-wheel ride setup) or BMW’s much famed xDrive all-wheel drive setup. However, we expect the Gran Turismo to be only launched with one diesel and one petrol variant in India.

The new BMW 3 Series GT will also be more efficient than the outgoing model. It will have features like auto start-stop, brake energy regeneration, on-demand operation of ancillary units and the eco pro mode which will help in improving the fuel economy and reducing emissions.

The cosmetic changes start from the updated front grille and the headlamps which come with adaptive LED tech. The front bumper has also been revised and the new GT will also get a new set of chunkier wheels which will most likely sport 17-inch rims. At the rear, the 3 GT will have refreshed taillamps which have been redesigned along with a new sportier rear bumper. On the inside, the 3 GT will come with added chrome accents along with the latest 5.0 version of the BMW iDrive infotainment system with navigation.

We can expect the new BMW 3 Series GT to be launched in India by the end of 2017 and it will be priced close to the 50 lakh rupee mark.

Mercedes to unveil all-new electric SUV concept in Paris

Mercedes-Benz will unveil an electric-powered SUV concept, which high-ranking insiders describe as its first step into an elaborate electric vehicle strategy, at the Paris motor show in October 2016.

The new concept, currently undergoing construction at Mercedes' prototype workshop on the outskirts of Stuttgart in Germany, is said to provide a clear insight into the appearance, interior appointments, technical layout and overall dimensions of the German carmaker’s first truly dedicated electric vehicle. This uniquely styled SUV will take on the Tesla Model X as well as new electric SUVs planned by Audi and Jaguar.

The new zero-emissions SUV, tentatively planned for 2019, is the first in a series of a new electric vehicles currently under development by Mercedes, which includes an advanced upmarket sedan rival to the Tesla Model S and the recently unveiled Chinese LeEco LeSee, conceived around the very latest in autonomous driving technology.

Up until now, Mercedes had based its limited number of production electric vehicles around existing models, namely the Smart Fortwo and Mercedes B-class. With the unveiling of the new SUV concept, Mercedes will make public its plans to offer alternatives to its existing range of more traditional petrol, diesel and hybrid models.

Jaguar XE Prestige launched at Rs 43.69 lakh

Jaguar has added a third petrol variant to its XE sedan line-up in India. Priced at Rs 43.69 lakh.

In terms of features, the Jaguar XE Prestige gets a sliding sunroof, memory function for the driver seat, Taurus leather appointments, a rear-view camera, interior mood lighting option and a 380W sound system by Meridian.

As in the base Pure trim, power comes from a 2.0-litre turbo petrol motor that delivers 197hp and 320Nm of torque. The base trim is priced at Rs 39. 9 lakh, while the top-spec Jaguar XE Portfolio with a more powerful 237hp petrol engine is priced at Rs 47.99 lakh.

The XE rivals the likes of the recently reintroduced BMW 320i petrol and the Mercedes C-class. Jaguar is yet to launch the XE diesel in India. 

First Electric Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Launch by 2020?

The announcement from Harley-Davidson comes at a time when its rival Victory Motorcycles is also focusing on electric bikes and it has already participated in events like Isle of Man TT and Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. In fact, Victory had applied to trademark the “Victory Charger” moniker hinting the fact that an electric bike is under works and could hit production soon. Victory brand purchased Brammo’s electric motorcycle business. During the acquisition it had announced that it would be building a new electric motorcycle at the company’s facilities in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Harley-Davidson officials had announced that the LiveWire wouldn’t go in production soon as the production cost for the bike comes to $50,000 (Rs 33.4 lakh) currently which is considerably higher than conventional internal combustion motorcycles.

Another bottleneck faced by the American bikemaker is the range of the battery which stands at 80km and they want to double it before the bike hits production. The Harley-Davidson LiveWire is powered by a three-phase induction motor producing 75PS of power and 71Nm of torque.

Hyundai reveals RM16 concept

Hyundai says its new RM16 concept offers a glimpse of the future of its N performance range, which will open with the i30N hot hatch next year.

The new RM16 is Hyundai’s third mid-enginedVeloster concept. It evolves the technical thinking of the RM14 and RM15 into a more potent form.

Behind the front seats of the RM16 sits a 2.0-litre, turbocharged engine that produces 300hp. This is about 36.5hp more than the predicted output of the i30N, which uses the same basic 2.0-litre motor. The RM16 indicates that the unit could produce close to 304hp in future N performance applications.

The concept uses a six-speed manual gearbox, like its concept predecessors. This emphasises Hyundai’s preference for a manual gearbox in its N cars. The i30N will also feature a manual ’box at launch, although an automatic transmission will be offered as an option in 2018.

The RM16 has an electronically controlled limited-slip differential (LSD) and electric supercharger, which are both said to preview the sort of technology that future N models will employ. The i30N will feature an LSD, but there’s no word yet on whether it could inherit the additional engine boost at a later stage.

The bodywork of the RM16 concept is visually striking. The exterior has been developed to create genuine downforce at speed and includes an activerear wing and carbonfibre-reinforced panels. Hyundai says this also previews what’s to come from the N brand, suggesting forthcoming N models could get track-focused aero and lighter bodywork.

In fact, insiders expect the i30N to be offered with a performance pack that will be focused on track driving and outright performance. The pack could be homologated for road use and applied to a model aimed at setting a Nürburgring lap record, much as Seat did with its Sub8 pack on the record-breaking Leon. This theory is backed by the extensive amount of testing Hyundai has been doing with its i30N at the ’Ring.

Aside from its RM concepts, Hyundai has produced the N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo concept to indicate its intentions for its new performance brand.

BMW to launch M2 Gran Coupé in 2019

BMW is to launch the M2 Gran Coupé and the 2-series Gran Coupé line-up in international markets by 2019.

As for the body style of the new BMW, until recently, senior BMW officials were undecided whether to follow a traditional four-door design as seen on the 4-series and 6-series Gran Coupés or to adopt a more radical five-door liftback proposal for the 2-series Gran Coupé. Insiders admit that the four-door option would be the best choice for structural rigidity. However, they have also confirmed that certain officials are holding out for a liftback format, suggesting it would provide the new BMW with greater practicality than its rivals.  

The wheelbase is set to be halfway between the 2,690mm span of the 2-series Coupé and the 2,810mm of the existing 3-series sedan, to accommodate two conventional front-hinged rear doors and sufficient rear-seat legroom. The 2-series Gran Coupé will also get a new interior that will be adopted by the successors to today’s 2-series Coupé and Cabriolet, which are due in international markets in 2020.

The M2 Gran Coupé will be powered by the same 370.06hp, 3.0-litre, turbocharged, in-line six-cylinder engine as the M2 Coupé. BMW will offer the car with either a standard six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

BMW is also reportedly planning a plug-in hybrid model of the 2-series Gran Coupé that will use its turbocharged 1.5-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine mated to an electric motor mounted within the forward section of a standard eight-speed automatic gearbox. This, in combination with a lithium-ion battery pack, is intended to provide the new 225e Gran Coupé with an electric range of up to 49.88km. 

Cheers To Finger Power!

Mind you, this is not a “Green” concept and neither does it claim to be “Eco Friendly”. It’s just a helpful solution for a tricky situation. The situation being: you running out of juice on your mobile phone. So what do you do? Remove the battery from the back of the phone; give it a few good turns around your index finger and its gathered enough power to last you a conversation or a safe trip to your charger and electric point.

Designers: Song Teaho & Hyejin Lee

Innovative concept Smartbook

And then I’m ready to go to Geek Heaven! One of the reasons why devices like iPad and other tablets exist is to satisfy this urge in us to stay connected to the web world. Latest touchscreen phone also carry the same incentive, but somehow both the devices have one flaw: tablets lack an external keyboard and phones lack the screen real estate. To bridge the gap we have the really innovative Smartbook; a Smartphone that flips open to become a QWRTY keyboard and syncs with its personalized PCTablet.

Skoda Superb to get Dynamic Chassis Control

The all-new Skoda Superb that was launched in February will soon come with DCC or Dynamic Chassis Control in India. The DCC adjusts the Superb's steering weight, its engine responsiveness and gearbox reaction time and also firms-up or softens the car's dampers to suit the desired driving situation. The system enables drivers to choose from three different driving modes – Comfort, Normal and Sport.

The Superb currently sold in India, has the three settings but applicable to the engine, gearbox and steering only. With the India car getting a ‘rough road’ suspension setup with a higher ground clearance, engineering and tuning the specific dampers for adaptive control is an added cost that Skoda had previously avoided. However, Skoda will now introduce the adaptive dampers to complete the DCC suite of controls for the Indian Superb. Fine tuning the suspension system will take some time and thus it may take until 2017 for the tech to roll out.

In India, 

Mercedes C 300 cabriolet India

Mercedes is working towards bringing the C-class cabriolet, which was recently unveiled at the Geneva motor show 2016, to India later this year. The India-bound model will be a fully imported unit.  The cabriolet borrows its styling and much of its dimensions from the C-class Coupe which is sold in international markets, but sits taller than its sibling. 

The C-class cabriolet will be a halo car for Mercedes in India and will rival the likes of the Audi A3 cabriolet. It comes fitted with a fabric roof that can be opened and closed at speeds of up to 50kph and folds into the boot when not in use. The car’s interior is almost akin to the C-class Coupe's, though it uses heat-reflecting leather and gets the addition of a button on the centre console to control the roof mechanism. 

The C-class cabriolet for India will come in the C 300 guise, powered by a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine good for 245hp and 370Nm of torque. The cabriolet comes equipped with a nine-speed automatic gearbox as standard, with the option of Dynamic Select which allows the driver to choose from five transmission modes. The C-class cabriolet’s safety package includes an attention assist system, collision warning and autonomous emergency braking with add-on options including 360deg camera, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control with steering assistance.

The C-class cabriolet is one of  the 12 launches Mercedes has planned for this year, from which a few have been launched already. In the wake of the recent ban on diesel cars in certain parts of the country, the carmaker has been pushing its petrol portfolio with the introduction of a number of petrol-engined models like the recently launched GLC 300.

19 cars debuting at the 2016 New York Auto Show

ACURA MDX

Acura teased the next-gen MDX with an illustration that shows a lot of promise, but beyond that, there isn’t much to go on for this one. The spy shots help to give us a vague idea what the rest of the car might look like, but the interior is pretty much a mystery at this point. However, we do expect a new nine-speed automatic transmission and AWD system, while an update to the existing 3.5-liter V-6 engine isn’t out of the question, either.

MERCEDES-AMG GLC43 4MATIC

This is the first time AMG has offered a pumped-up mid-size SUV, and its job is simple – bridge the gap between the GLA45 and GLE63 with standard issue plus-sized performance. Glossy black and chrome adorn the exterior, while bolstered seats and a flat-bottomed steering wheel sit inside. Most interesting is the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine under the hood, which produces 362 horsepower, 384 pound-feet of torque, and launches the GLC43 to 60 mph in less than five seconds.

BUICK ENCLAVE SPORT TOURING EDITION

With every auto show comes the special editions,and first on our list is the Enclave Sport Touring. Unique features found here only change the crossover’s appearance, and include a Satin Black Ice finish applied to the grille, the spokes of the 20-inch wheels, and the interior lighting scheme. The Sport Touring also includes a standard heated steering wheel, 4G Wi-Fi, and a rear backup camera. The 3.6-liter V-6 continues unaltered.

SUBARU IMPREZA

Subaru’s multipurpose and omnipresent Impreza compact has been going strong since 1992, currently sitting in its fourth generation. Now, Subaru has confirmed the fifth gen will appear for the first time in New York. We’ve already had a few glimpses at what’s in store, including the Impreza 5-Door Concept renderings, a teaser image, and a few spy shots of a test mule, and it’s probably safe to assume a new 2.0-liter flat-four engine under the hood with a higher quality build in the cabin, not to mention standard AWD.

MERCEDES-AMG E43

Mercedes dropped the new E-Class sedan in Detroit at the start of the year, which gaveAMG just enough time to perfect the more aggressive E43. Destined to slot below theuber-E-Class AMG E63, the E43 comes with all the traditional trimmings, like a more assertive aesthetic inside and out, sportier adaptive suspension, and a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 with 396 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. A run from standstill to 60 mph takes 4.5 seconds.

MERCEDES-BENZ CLA

In the three years it’s been on the market, the four-door coupe baby Benz CLA has been quite successful. Now it’s time for a refresh, which means the new model gets tweaked styling with updated bumpers front and back, new trim inside, and a thinner 8-inch infotainment display. U.S. buyers get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, while diesels and smaller gas powerplants are offered overseas.

MERCEDES-AMG CLA45

 With the release of the new CLA comes its bodybuilding twin – the AMG CLA45. The DTM-inspired exterior gets a lower coefficient of drag, LED headlights are now standard, the thinner infotainment screen is in the cabin, and there are new options for smartphone integration. Meanwhile, the turbo 2.0-liter is unchanged, producing 375 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, and a 4Matic AWD system is standard.

SCION TC SERIES 10.0

 If you haven’t heard the news, Scion is going away.Toyota is absorbing the youth-oriented brand and moving forward with its model lineup as rebadged Toyotas. To giveScion a proper sendoff, there will be one last special edition tC called the Release Series 10.0, which comes dressed in a new body kit, Barcelona Red paint, and gets red contrast stitching in the interior. The model is also equipped with lowering springs and a new exhaust.

CHEVROLET SONIC

 It’s been six years since we first saw the current-generation Sonic, which means this latest update is most welcome. Chevy is bringing significant changes to the exterior look and interior technology, including a new front and rear fascia for the former, and a 7-inch touchscreen for the latter. However, the drivetrain is unchanged, offering a 1.8-liter four-cylinder with 138 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque.

MAZDA MX-5 HARDTOP

 Mazda has big plans for New York, but it isn’t sharing what exactly it has in mind. Many are guessing a hardtop variant of the new-generation MX-5, or possibly a folding roof version called the MX-5 Roadster Coupe. Of course, those predictions could be wrong, and it’s quite possible the big surprise is a brand new model altogether. Did someone saynext-gen RX-7?

CHEVROLET CAMARO ZL1

Following up on last year’s debut of the sixth-generation Camaro, the Bowtie is gearing up to unleash the new ZL1, and simply put, it’s the most powerful factory-built Camaro ever created. Output is rated at a staggering 640 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque thanks to a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8. Throw in a lightened platform and track-ready suspension package, and the ZL1 is surely a force to be reckoned with.

NISSAN GT-R

Earlier this week, Nissan released a teaser image of what appears to be the obscured backend of a GT-R. What it means is anyone’s guess, but there are a few obvious possibilities at play. The first is a refreshed 2017 model year for the Japanese supercar, while the second is some kind of special edition model. While it could be a next generation, it’s unlikely given the current R35’s lifecycle. But, you never know…

TOYOTA 86

With the demise of Scion, the FR-S will now solider on as an official member of theToyota family here in the U.S. With the name change comes a few alterations to the body, with a new fascia, plus LEDs in the daytime running lights and taillights. There are also a few changes to the cabin, and the suspension was refined for better dynamics. Maddeningly, the drivetrain gets a paltry five-horsepower, five-pound-feet upgrade, rather than the turbo boost we’ve all been waiting for.

TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

To help it continue its success in the ultra-competitive crossover segment, Toyota has decided it’s time to update the Highlander. Presently in its third generation, the refresh brings new styling in the front fascia, newly available leather upholstery in the cabin, and a new 3.5-liter V-6. We’re expecting around 290 horsepower and more than 21 mpg combined. Pricing should stay around the $30,000 mark.

Toyota Yaris iA

The Mazda2 Sedan’s North American version, currently called the Scion iA, will be sold as the Toyota Yaris iA starting from the 2017 model year.

Toyota Corolla iM

The second generation Toyota Auris, currently sold as the Scion iM stateside, will be rebadged into the Toyota Corolla iM starting from the 2017 model year.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk will be the most off-road capable Jeep Grand Cherokee. With an increased ground clearance, grippier tyres and other such enhancements, the Trailhawk variant will be another pillar in the Jeep Grand Cherokee range after the SRT variant.

GENESIS NEW YORK CONCEPT

Hyundai’s luxury brand is bringing a new concept to New York, but you probably guessed as much from the car’s title. All we have at this point is the above teaser image and a short video, but we do know it’ll showcase Genesis’ upcoming design language. Expect a complete look at the four-door next week.