2016 New York Auto Show: A Preliminary Guide to What’s Coming

Presented in press conference order, Toyota to Spyker.

byThe Drive Staff|
2016 New York Auto Show: A Preliminary Guide to What’s Coming
Share

0

Geneva may have the chocolate and Detroit the ruin porn, but for our money there ain’t no auto show like the New York Auto Show. Then again, we may be a little biased. It is, after all, the only auto show that The Drive staff can ride to on the subway and which allows us to sleep in our own beds between media previews.

And as it’s our hometown show, we figured we ought to inform you as only locals can. Here's everything we know about the debuts the car makers have planned for the 2016 New York Auto Show, in the order that the press conferences will be held. In case you want to see the spectacle of an auto show press conference yourself, here are the ones we’ll be livestreaming on Facebook. Sometimes, "spectacle" isn't hyperbole—one year at the New York Auto Show, Infiniti brought out Cirque du Soleil. Mon dieu.

Toyota

The Scion lineup is being absorbed into the Toyota showroom, so expect to see the FR-S, iM, and iA reborn as the Toyota 86, Toyota Corolla iM, and Toyota Yaris iA. A facelifted Highlander will show up, too. There’ll also be a new Prius model, though we don’t know much about it beyond the vague image Toyota sent out, posted above. Then again, we're not exactly dying to.

Nissan

There will be yet another update to the R35 GT-R. Probably not a major one. But who cares. The GT-R will still be sweet and a little scary. The production version of the non-XD version of the Nissan Titan is also expected to show up.

Hyundai

“Ioniq” may sounds like the name of some super-villain who fought Green Lantern back in the ‘90s, but it’s actually Hyundai’s new Toyota Prius competitor. Fresh off its world debut in Geneva, the Ioniq comes with a choice of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or fully-electric powertrains, as well as the odd-yet-bland styling you’d expect from a car hoping to steal Prius sales.

Lincoln

Ford’s been mum about their plans for their luxury division, but word on the street is that Lincoln will unveil a new SUV—quite possibly the next-generation Navigator. If so, it’s expected to be based off the same aluminum platform as the F-150, which means it could be hundreds of pounds lighter than the current ‘Gator. Plan on seeing something with 2016 Continental-inspired styling, too.

Acura

The latest and greatest version of the Acura MDX will pop onto the stage, complete with “advanced new powertrain technology.” Which is presumably P.R. speak for “hybrid.” It’ll also be wearing a fresh, updated design inspired (at least in the front grille area) by the Precision Concept seen in Detroit.

Mercedes-Benz 

The Drive’s Facebook livestream starting at 11:45am, 3/23

Mercedes usually puts on a pretty big show at the NYIAS, and this year looks to be no exception. In addition to the new GLC Coupe, the show will be the U.S. debut for the C43 coupe and convertibleGLC43 and E43 AMG models, as well as the facelifted CLA250 and CLA45 AMG. On top of all that, we’ve heard a rumor that there may be other AMG models making a surprise debut...

Subaru

The all-new 2017 Impreza will make its world debut at the show, but you might not realize it. Based on the sole photo Subaru has released—plus the Impreza concepts the car maker has dropped in recent months—the "new" car will probably look a lot like the old one. Underneath that familiar skin, though, lies Subaru’s new Global Architecture platform—a new skeleton that’ll be the basis for many of their models going forward.

Audi 

The Drive’s Facebook livestream starting at 1:20pm, 3/23

Audi reportedly has a surprise planned for the NYIAS. Based on what we’ve seen of Audi’s 2017/2018 product plan, and what’s currently missing from its lineup, we’re betting on a new S4. But it could be anything. Maybe even that R8 Spyder we saw zipping around Namibia not long ago.

Maserati

The pug-fugly Levante will make its first American appearance at NYIAS. Alfa Romeo—which doesn’t have a press conference scheduled—usually shares a space with Maserati, so don’t be surprised to see the Levante sitting next to the U.S. spec Giulia. Also, the new Fiat 124 Abarth—which Fiat says will be called the 124 Spider Elaboration Abarth here, because if there's one thing Americans like, it's long foreign words—will be percolating nearby.

Porsche

Is America ready for a four-cylinder Porsche SUV? Hope so, because the base Macan will be showing up in all its 2.0-liter turbocharged glory. Speaking of four-cylinder Porsches, the all-turbo all-the-time 718 Boxster and 718 Boxster S will also be making their U.S. debuts. We’ll probably be too busy salivating over the 911 R to notice, though.

Kia

The latest version of the Korean Buick Century, known as the Kia Cadenza, is expected to show, featuring a mildly-lifted face to bring it more in line with the current Optima. Kia makes some great cars these days, but we’re not gonna lie—we’ll probably be taking a siesta during this press conference.

Jeep

Don’t expect to see the Patriot/Compass replacement, which will slot between the Cherokee and Renegade, at the New York Auto Show—it’s scheduled to show its face in Brazil later this year. Instead, look for the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk to make its world debut. Before you get too excited—no, that's not the Hellcat-powered one.

Jaguar Land Rover

The F-Type SVR will make its U.S. debut in all its huevos grandes glory. Start warming up your salivary glands now.

Genesis 

The Drive’s Facebook livestream starting at 4:25pm, 3/23

Hyundai’s luxury brand scores its own booth this year, and it’ll probably need the room. The “New York Concept” they’re debuting is expected to be a look at their upcoming BMW 3 Series-fighting model. Based on this teaser, it’ll probably be quite the looker.

Chevrolet

ZL1! ZL1! The maximum ‘Maro will make its official debut in NYC, presumably to a cacophony of applause and small-block exhaust roar. There will also be an updated Chevy Spark with a face like a guppy, should you care about such things.

Mitsubishi

The plug-in hybrid version of the Outlander will make its debut, which does exactly nothing to ease the pain we feel now that Mitsubishi is putting the Evo to sleep.

Volvo

The long, luscious V90 wagon should make its U.S. debut at the New York Auto Show. Just think about all the meatballs and lutefisk you could stuff in there.

Mazda

The Drive’s Facebook livestream starting at 11:20am, 3/24

The motoring world is pretty much in agreement that Mazda will show off a new version of the MX-5 Miata at NYIAS. But will it be a fixed-roof coupe, or a roadster with a retractable hard top? That would be the $64,000 question...but we’re talking about the Miata, so it’s more like the $24,915 question.

Honda

The hatchback version of the tenth-generation Civic will show its pretty little face in “prototype” form...which is basically Honda-speak for “production-spec-with-bigger-wheels.” Don’t expect it to look all that novel, as the sedan version already looks an awful lot like a hatchback. But Honda will announce that it, and all Civics with the turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, will offer a stick shift going forwards.

Koenigsegg 

The Drive’s Facebook livestream starting at 12:45pm, 3/24

The Swedish supercar builder is bringing their hybrid pride n’ joy, the Regera, to the New York Auto Show. Presumably because this city is one of the few places where there are people who can afford a $2 million car.

Spyker

Remember Spyker? The Dutch sports car company that made the Audi-engined cars with steampunk interiors? They’re back, with a new car called the C8 Preliator. Yes, it has an Audi engine. And a steampunk interior.

stripe