Peter Palmer: 5 Awesome Rides at the New York International Auto Show

From The Big Apple

The 2016 New York International Auto Show is underway with Press Days while the public show runs March 25th through April 3rd. Official opening day is Saturday, March 26th, with festivities beginning at 8:30am and the show floor opening at 10am.

Auto shows are always exciting; they are fun to attend on a date or with your family. Plus, those shopping for a vehicle can see what’s new and get lots of information.

Our favorites so far are the Chevy Camaro ZL1 and Honda Civic Hatchback. Here are 5 other exciting vehicles on display in The Big Apple. We like them all but are probably the most thrilled about #5!

2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit

The 2017 Grand Cherokee Summit brings a sculpted exterior, plush interior, and more standard features to those looking for a luxury SUV. The Summit is a direct response to Jeep customers asking for more premium amenities and craftsmanship. The exterior has a new front fascia, grille, LED fog lamps, and 20 inch polished aluminum wheels. Inside, a Nappa leather-wrapped dashboard and Laguna leather seats greet drivers.

All Summit models are equipped with a suede premium headliner, lighted door sills, acoustic windshield, full side glass, Active Noise Cancellation, Berber mats, and a Harmon/Kardon 19-speaker audio system.

Jeep’s Quadra-Drive II 4×4 technology with ELSD is standard on all Summit models, as is Grand Cherokee’s Quadra-Lift air suspension and Selec-Speed Control. In addition, the Grand Cherokee holds best-in-class towing of 7,400 pounds with a crawl ratio of 44.1:1. The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6, powering the Grand Cherokee, claims a driving range of more than 730 miles.

The new Jeep is expected in showrooms later this summer.

2017 Infiniti QX70 Limited

Available in rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, the Infiniti QX70 Limited hits retailers this summer.

LED daytime running lights replace the standard QX70 fog lights while a new grille design compliments body-color side air vents, dark-finish outside mirror housings, dark finish rear combination lamps, and a stainless steel rear bumper protector.

Inside, the QX70 Limited features a special high-contrast Graphite and Stone-colored interior theme: a dark-color headliner, open pore wood trim with aluminum flake trim on the console, deep pillow quilting on the center console, and aluminum-trimmed pedals are part of the decor.

The new QX70 Limited features a 3.7-liter V6 with VVEL, or Variable Valve Event & Lift. The 325 horsepower engine is matched with a 7-speed automatic transmission featuring Adaptive Shift Control.

2017 Subaru Impreza

Subaru of America, Inc., coming off eight consecutive years of sales growth, has swung for the fences with the all-new 2017 Impreza. The Impreza sedan is joined by a 5-Door, both riding on Subaru’s Global Platform architecture. The new architecture is engineered for significantly higher levels of driving pleasure, ride comfort, and occupant protection.

The automaker sought new refinements for ride and handling, aiming for a benchmark in the compact segment. And Subaru took full advantage of the new stiffer platform with the Impreza 2.0i Sport. Exclusive suspension tuning, 18-inch machine-finish alloy wheels, and Active Torque Vectoring are part of the package. Sport models come well equipped, with upgrades over the Impreza Premium, like an 8.0-inch touchscreen and Harman/Kardon audio.

The instrument panel incorporates special Sport gauges while Subaru STARLINK allows for Bluetooth connectivity and other multimedia goodies.

The new platform underpinning the 2017 Impreza improves crash energy absorption by 40 percent. Subaru’s EyeSight technology provides added safety and security with Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Pre-Collision Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Sway Warning, and Lane Keep Assist.

True to form, every Impreza is equipped with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

Expect the new Impreza late this year.

2017 Lincoln Navigator Concept

Showcasing the next-generation Navigator in New York, Lincoln is targeting modern and sophisticated drivers wanting better performance, more space, and ultimate comfort. Lincoln’s design team, inspired by sailboats and yachts, delivered the classy Storm Blue paint seen in these photos. The grays and blues of the sea and sky are evident.

The Navigator Concept’s engine delivers more than 400 horsepower via an EcoBoost variant. Drivers can choose several modes to change ride, handling, and overall dynamics to fit their mood. Each mode is accompanied by a matching digital animation in the cluster. Inside, six Perfect Position Seats adjust up to 30 ways, allowing occupants of all sizes the support they need.

The driver’s seat, for instance, includes independent thigh supports.

The Navigator Concept is accessed through power gullwing doors and deployable steps. A touch of class is added through a “welcome” lighting sequence. While we are certain it’s a powerhouse on the open road, a 360-degree camera and enhanced park assist features make it easier to move in tighter spaces. The system uses four cameras for easy entry and exit, especially in congested parking lots.

The Lincoln Navigator first appeared in 1997.

Acura NSX GT3 Racecar

Okay, so this is just sweet! The Acura NSX GT3 racecar features custom bodywork and aero components like a large deck wing spoiler, underbody diffuser, and enlarged hood vents for engine cooling. The NSX GT3 runs a 3.5-liter, 75-degree, twin turbocharged DOHC V-6 engine with the same design specifications as the engine in the production 2017 Acura NSX: the block, heads, valvetrain, crankshaft, pistons and dry sump lubrication system, for example.

The engine is paired with a 6-speed, sequential-shift racing gearbox, delivering power to the rear wheels.

Initial development of the NSX GT3 was conducted by the company’s Japanese race engineering team. Testing was done on race circuits in Europe and Japan. Additional development and final approval for FIA GT3 global racing specifications is being handled by the North American race engineering group (Honda Performance Development – Santa Clarita, California).

The Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio remains the exclusive home of the new Acura NSX. Look for it this spring as production begins later next month.

The 2016 New York International Auto Show is held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. You can see updates from the show on their Twitter page while additional detials, including ticket information, can be found on their homepage.

If you end up going, drop us a line and let us know how it went.

*Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.