Scion Hacked Coupe Concept: Follow the Orange-Brick Road (cars 2008)

...back to the drawing board. If there’s one car at this year’s New York Auto Show that won all of our negative votes for its appearance, that’s definitely the Scion Hako Concept. Part hot-rod, part box, the Hako shares more similarities with an orange brick on wheels than it does to a coupe. Having that in mind, we decided to photo-hack Scion’s concept by dressing its body with what else, but bricks! Let’s all pray that Scion’s design team doesn’t get any weird ideas from us… -One more pic after the jump Pictures: Carscoop

Has the Detroit Motor Show Lost its Mojo?

With the U.S auto market catching momentum in 2010, most of us had high expectations for this year's edition of the North American International Auto Show. And while Porsche's comeback to the show after a four-year hiatus was a welcome addition, the absence of key players such as Nissan, Infiniti and Mazda continues to worry.

But even the companies that did take part in the show didn't really impress with their offerings. The fact that the first press day was more than enough for the participating [mainstream] brands to announce their new production and concept models at the Cobo Center, says a lot about this year's event.

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NY Auto Show Visitors take their Recession Frustrations on the Fashion Models

Even before I got professionally involved with the auto industry, I never remember myself asking a model at an auto show anything else other than maybe her phone number - we all have our faults and weaknesses. And okay, let's say you're not a car guy or gal, and you want to ask the model something regarding the car - there's nothing wrong with that. What's wide of the mark is if you try to take your frustrations or ask questions in concern of decisions made by high-ranking officials to a person that's just part of the glamour show.

It sounds ridiculous but according to the NY Times, that happened many times during the public days of the New York Auto Show. One man went as far as to ask in a snappy way the female model accompanying the all-electric Dodge Circuit EV, why did the company have to wait to go nearly bankrupt before coming out with such a car. Huh?

In another incident, the NY Times said that a GM presenter was told by a woman that the company was responsible for the death of American soldiers in Iraq. The logic behind this idea? If the General had opted to make more fuel-efficient cars, the U.S. wouldn't have needed that much oil in which case, it would have never invaded Iraq...

In all honestly now, some people have really, really lost it. There's nothing more I can say.

Via: NY Times , Thanks for the tip Aaron!

GM and Ford offer NY Auto Show Visitors $50 to take a Test Drive

And just when we thought that we had seen it all, Ford Motor Company and General Motors went ahead and announced that they're willing to pay consumers to test drive their new vehicles... Both companies are giving away $50 gift cards to anyone that signs up to test-drive a car at this year's New York International Auto Show, which runs at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan, until Sunday, April 19.

"Programs like the $50 gift card offered by GM and Ford help continue conversations between auto show visitors and new car dealers," said Mark Schienberg, president of the Greater NY Automobile Dealers Association, the organization that owns and produces the New York Auto Show.

"This is a great way to get engage customers and gets them behind the wheel of some amazing new vehicles," Schienberg concluded.

Just so you know, while Ford's $50 can be used -slash- spent anywhere, GM's gift card is only good for purchases on "Restaurants.com."

VIDEO: Kia Forte Koup Presentation from New York Auto Show

One of the most significant debuts at the 2009 New York Auto Show is Kia's first ever two-door coupe, the 2010 Forte Koup that will be available in the States from this summer with a choice of two four-cylinder engines, a 2.0-liter unit with 156HP and a 2.4-liter producing 173HP. If you hit the jump you can watch the media presentation of the Forte Koup from the New York Show that includes a short 'walkaround' with Tom Kearns, Chief Designer of Kia Design Center America.

Video: 2009 New York Auto Show Highlights

Take a virtual walk around the 2009 New York International Auto Show that hosted an array of world premieres including those of the Acura ZDX, BMW X6M, GMC Terrain, 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Kia Forte Koup, Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, Nissan 370Z Roadster, NISMO 370Z and the 2010 Subaru Legacy and Outback. For those of you that would like to see the cars up close, the NY Show will remain open for the public until April 19, 2009. Watch the video after the jump.

Video: 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML450 HYBRID

The latest carmaker to jump into the Hybrid-SUV bandwagon is Mercedes-Benz which chose the New York Auto Show to perform the world debut of the ML450 HYBIRD. The Lexus RX450h challenging Merc is powered by a two-mode hybrid system mating a 3.5-liter V6 Atkinson cycle engine with two electric motors for a total output of 335 horsepower and a combined fuel economy of 22 mpg which is around 47 percent lower than that of the 382HP ML550, but still lags behind its Japanese rival which returns 29mpg. Hit the jump to watch the ML450 HYBRID in motion.

Mitsubishi says yes to U.S. market launch of all-electric i MiEV RWD microcar

Ending the speculative rumors that had been circulating for quite a while now, Mitsubishi officially confirmed at its New York Auto Show press conference that the fully-electric i MiEV microcar will be arriving on U.S. shores. The pure electric, four-passenger i MiEV is scheduled to go on sale in Japan this July with Europe following suit in 2010 and the U.S. shortly after that. The tiny i MiEV, which is slightly smaller than a Fiat 500 measuring 3.395mm or 133.6-in. in length, is based on the Japanese market, rear-engined 'i' minicar.

The electric version replaces the i's conventional gasoline engine, transmission and fuel tank with a lithium-ion battery system, electric motor and onboard charging system. However, it retains the standard i's rear mid-ship architecture which allowed Mitsubishi to integrate the new components under the seats, luggage compartment and floor deck.

The i MiEV's battery pack can be charged either from an 110v outlet - which takes around 12 to 14 hours - or half that time on a 220v. Additionally, there is a fast charge connector that allows the battery to reach 80 percent of capacity in just 30 minutes.

We're not aware of the exact specifications of the U.S. market model, but it is most likely that the vehicle will undergo certain changes to 'fit' (feel free to share your thoughts on this one...) the needs of the American market.

Video: Scion's Bad Ass iQ Concept on Film

This aggressively styled 'little' concept car is Scion's version of the Toyota iQ micro subcompact that is already on sale in several key international markets including Japan and Europe. For its American debut that was staged at the New York Auto Show, Toyota chose to go with a widebody customization theme that was executed by Five Axis. Officially speaking, the Japanese firm has yet to reveal when, or if the iQ will make it to the U.S., but word has it that it will hit this side of the Atlantic in the early 2010s.

Video: 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Highlights and Driving Shots

The latest evolution of Jeep's Grand Cherokee takes a stride towards crossover territory promising to offer significant improvements to on-road handling thanks to its Mercedes ML underpinnings that grace Jeep's flagship model with an all around independent suspension. In addition to the 5.7-liter V8 HEMI, the 2011 Grand Cherokee will also be offered with Chrysler's all-new 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar engine that cranks out 280HP. Hit the jump to watch the first videos of the new Jeepthat made its world premiere at this week's NY Auto Show.

Refreshed Mazda CX-7 with new 2.5-liter engine makes US debut in New York

Having already premiered in Canada as well as in Europe at last month's Geneva Show, the 2010 Mazda CX-7 now makes its first appearance in the United States at the New York International Auto Show. The new CX-7 gains a new 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that returns an estimated 28mpg on the highway while the compact crossover also benefits from a 'light' exterior and interior facelift.

Most of the cosmetic changes concern the CX-7's fascia which like it or not, adopts the firm's signature smiley-face lower grille along with a more prominent Mazda badge, reshaped front and rear bumpers and newly designed alloy wheels.

Inside, the 2010 CX-7 features upgraded materials at various locations around the cabin, a new steering wheel with integrated controls for the audio, Bluetooth
telephone and cruise-control, new front and rear door armrests, a fresh multi-function display and a restyled meters for the instrument panel while Mazda also modified the vehicle's double-roof instrument panel.

For 2010, apart from the 244HP 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the CX-7 will also be offered for the first time with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-pot that delivers 161 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 161 lb-ft at 3,500 rpm. Available only with a front-wheel drive layout, the 2.5-liter unit is coupled to a five-speed automatic transmission returning an estimated fuel economy of 21/28 mpg (city/highway).

Mazda's engineers also refined the CX-7's platform by incorporating improvements in body rigidity, lower noise, vibration & harshness (NVH) levels as well as reduced wind noise while the vehicle's suspension was also retuned.

Video: Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG filmed on the Road and the Track

This is the first live action film of the new top-dog in Mercedes-Benz's E-Class range, the E63 AMG that will compete against the BMW M5 and its ilk. The E63 AMG made its world premiere at the New York Auto Show an it is powered by a 6.3-liter V8 engine producing 525HP and 465 lbs/ft of torque launching the car to 62mph (100km/h) in 3.9 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h or 155mph. So turn up the volume and click through to watch Merc's E63 AMG doing its dance on the road and the track.

2010 Chrysler 300C interior teased during Jeep presentation at NY

The crew over at 'Kicking Tires' were quick enough to snap this picture of the next-generation Chrysler 300's interior that was shown during the media presentation of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee at the New York Auto Show. The image hints at a more upscale look - hopefully, along with higher quality materials- for the new 300s cabin with a 'swoopier' dashboard design and plenty of decorative wood inserts. Earlier this year, Chrysler had also shown a computer generated image of the new 300C that is expected sometime in 2010.

Source: Kicking Tires , Via: Jalopnik

Current-Gen Chrysler 300C

Hyundai brings its Mercedes S-Class rival, the 2010 Equus, to New York

While Hyundai remains firm to its decision not to import its Mercedes S-Class rival, the all-new 2010 Equus, to the States, the Korean automaker decided that it would be good for the brand's image to bring the flagship sedan over to the New York Auto Show. At the same time we're gathering that Hyundai execs will be keeping a close eye on the reactions of the press and consumers alike to see what they have to say about the Equus that sits above the Genesis in the firm's vehicle line-up. Hit the jump for the photo gallery from New York or click here to read our detailed article on the Equus.

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Photos: UP

New 24MPG Mercedes-Benz ML450 HYBRID Unveiled at NY Show, Still Pawned by Lexus

Created essentially for the 'wanna feel politically correct', hybrid-hungry consumers of the North American market, the ML450 HYBRID made its world premiere at the New York Auto Show. The luxury SUV is powered by a twin-mode hybrid drivetrain that combines a 3.5-liter V6 Atkinson cycle engine with two electric motors for an output of 335 horsepower and 381 lb-ft (517Nm) of peak torque.

As any hybrid that respects itself, the depending on conditions, the ML 450 HYBRID can operate entirely on electric power or on the gasoline engine alone or on a combination of both drives. The overall result in terms of consumption is a highway gas mileage of 24 mpg and a city fuel economy of 21 mpg, while its combined economy of 22 mpg is around 47 percent lower than that of the ML550.

And no, Mercedes-Benz has not managed to better Lexus when it comes to fuel economy as the 295HP RX450h AWD model returns an estimated 30 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on highway and a combined figure of 29 mpg.

As for performance, the ML450 HYBRID goes from zero to 60mph (96 km/h) in 7.8 sec and has a top speed of 131mph or 210 km/h. Lexus has yet to announce performance figures for its new hybrid RX, but for the record, the previous-gen 268HP RX400h accelerated from standstill to 60mph (96 km/h) in 7.3 seconds and had an electronically limited top speed of 112mph or 180 km/h.