NYIAS 2011: Best Of The Rest Pt.1

Auto Shows these days are a mix of really exciting debuts, and a lot of updates. Some of these updated models are interesting, but not really worth an entire article to themselves.  I've saved you the time of clicking a thousand links to consolidate the rest of the significant debuts at the NYIAS (New York International Auto Show) this year.

Revised Jaguar XK and XF Models

There's nothing really wrong with the XK and XF models, which are some of Jag's most competitive models to date.  But the breakneck pace of the market dictates that if it's been out three years, it's already looking old.  Enter the new XF (left) and the new XK (right.)  The revised styling on the XF is intended to mimic Jag's new flagship XJ sedan, which has finally broken out of it's ancient-car-with-aluminum-chassis model, ironically making the then-futuristic-looking XF midsize sedan and XK sports coupe look a bit outdated.

The XF gets new, narrowed and sexier headlights with a revised grille, and a redesigned rear end that is still quite obviously the work of Ian Callum.  I never thought the XF was a bad looking car (at all. Still stare in traffic), but frankly this new one makes the old one look a bit half-assed.  It is worth mentioning that the front intakes on the XF-R look exactly remarkably like those on the new Saab 9-5.

The XK gets a similar updating, with more angular headlights that almost remind one of the BMW Z4.  The grille is shorter and wider, the air intakes on the front fenders are horizontal now, and the rear end has received minor changes that honestly I'm having some trouble spotting.  But hey, it's an XK - already a face-punchingly pretty car; how much work did it need?

2012 Mazda 3

Forget the horsepower wars, how about the MPG wars?  These days it seems 40mpg is the new 400bhp, and Mazda is throwing in their cards.  I'm of the opinion that the Mazda3 has always been far-and-away the most fun to drive of cars in this segment, but the problem was that the fuel economy was never especially impressive.  In current trim, the most efficient Mazda 3 (a 3i Sedan with a 5-speed manual) achieved EPA fuel economy ratings of 25 mpg city, 33mpg highway from it's 2.0L 148-horsepower engine.  Again, even with the small engine (Mazda also offers a 2.5L Mazda3, at least here in the states) the 3 is a fun car, but 33mpg is nothing to write home about.

The 2012 model pulls off my favorite trick - more power and much better fuel economy.  The 3 is the first car in the US to receive Mazda's SkyActiv engine technology, and that means to us that the new model with have more power (155bhp) and better efficiency - 40mpg highway with a 6-speed automatic, 39 with a manual.

Also, they've given the 3 it's necessary psychotropic medication, and the front grille no longer looks like that creepy doll from the Saw movies, smiling at you, imagining what your limbs taste like.  So I can sleep at night again.  Thanks, Mazda!

Scion FR-S Concept.

Thanks, Toyota.  ANOTHER concept version of the FT-86.  Looks great!  Stop teasing, just build it.

2013 Ford Taurus/SHO Facelift

Ford's top of the line US offering, the Taurus, is getting revamped for 2012.  Most of the big news is under the hood, although the styling itself has been refreshed, turning a sharp-looking car into.. a still sharp-looking car.

The headlights are new - narrower and a little more angular, while around back there's a very Audi-like loop of LED lights integrated into the block tail lights.  The twin-turbo SHO is losing a little bit of it's sleeper factor for 2012, getting an SHO-specific front grille that's black mesh with a blue Ford Oval.  The restyled front end lightly mimics the 2011+ Mustangs, giving the Taurus a little more brand continuity while still remaining classy.  Sadly, the rumors of the SHO model receiving a power bump to 400bhp aren't true, at least for now, as the SHO remains a still-fast 365bhp AWD Q-ship.

The rest of the Taurus lineup gets powertrain updates, as well.  The standard 3.5L 24v V6 gets Ford's Ti-VCT (Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing) system seen on the Mustang, Fiesta, etc, which boosts power from 263bhp to 290bhp, with better emissions and fuel efficiency.  Ford hasn't announced EPA numbers for the new V6, but expect it to be improved on the old model.

Bigger news is the introduction of a 2.0L EcoBoost I4 to the Taurus lineup.  This direct-injected, turbocharged four-cylinder will also be found under the hood of the new Explorer (as well as the hot-rod Focus ST), and makes an estimated 237bhp and 250lb-ft of torque - as much as many naturally-aspirated V6's were making a few years ago - while delivering at least 31mpg on the highway.  All Taurus powertrains (2.0T, 3.5V6, SHO 3.5 Twin Turbo V6) will continue to spin a 6-speed automatic transmission, with optional AWD.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu/Malibu ECO

Another comprehensive update after a relatively short lifespan, the 2013 Malibu may look largely like the old one, but it's actually migrated to GM's Epsilon II chassis, which is shorter than the Epsilon chassis the 08+ Malibu was on.  This is because the new Malibu is intended as a worldwide product (rather than a US-specific product, which the current Malibu is).  As such, it was introduced simultaneously at the NYIAS as well as the Shanghai show in China-specific form.

Length is shorter overall, but the new Malibu boasts larger trunk space, and increased interior width.  The styling is evolutionary - although the rear end is noteworthy for looking exactly like the back of a new Camaro.  It's a little strange, but I like it - gives the somewhat mundane Malibu a lot more character from the rear, even it it looks a little grafted on.

The Malibu for 2013 will debut with a new standard powertrain - a 2.5L derivative of GM's corporate EcoTec I4, fitted with direct fuel injection.  Power output is 190bhp and 180 lb-ft of torque - a bit off the mark of Hyundai's 2.4L GDI I4 with 200bhp in the Sonata/Optima, but still competitive.  No fuel efficiency figures have been released yet (estimated at "over 30 highway", but what isn't?) but paired with a standard 6-speed automatic and this model's reduced footprint, they should be more impressive.

Even more impressive will be the EPA figures of the Malibu Eco - the blue one at the top of this heading.  It has the same powertrain as the 2012 Buick Lacross e-Assist, meaning a 2.4L EcoTec mated to a small electric motor.  This will provide power comparable to the regular 2.5L Malibu, while delivering 26 city and 38 highway mpg - one of the highest figures for a reasonably-sized family sedan like this.

Other cool tricks include a navigation/entertainment screen that swings up to allow storage behind it - apparently an industry first - and again, those Camaro tail lights.  So cool!

2012 Nissan Versa/Tiida

There's a new Nissan Versa out.  It's more round and organic looking.  It'll be sold as the Tiida elsewhere, like it has before.  A four-door sedan or 5-door hatchback will continue to be available.  The 1.6L engine (HR16DE) now has twin fuel injectors per cylinder (why?), and delivers 106 horsepower through a 5-speed manual (base model only) or a redesigned CVT.  It'll deliver 33mpg combined with the CVT (30/37 EPA) and the base price is set at $10,990.  What else is there to say?  It's sort of strange-looking, but that's not a break from tradition.  Despite being painfully boring and sort of cheap-feeling, the Versa's utilitarian nature allows it to outsell all it's competitors in the US by a huge amount - it's one of the few segment-leading cars Nissan has.  The low base price, wide dealer network, and reasonably fuel efficiency are probably why.  I personally would rather take the bus.

2012 Kia Soul Updates

Not all inexpensive economy cars are depressing, like the Tiida/Versa.  Witnesses Kia's rapping-hamster approved Soul, a box full of coolness wrapped around reliable, pedestrian underpinnings.  If I needed a high-roof econobox, I'd just get one of these and skip the cross shopping.  For 2012, Kia is making the Soul a little more... soul-ful. Sigh.

The Soul is still the cute little art-box it's always been, but now it's got projector-beam headlights framed by LED running lights (another carryover from Kia stylist Peter Schreyer, who used to make Audi's pretty), new wheels (very cool, I might add), LED taillights, and some new colors.

Bigger changes are underneath, with the introduction of direct gasoline injection to the Soul lineup.  The base engine - a 1.6L 16v I4 - gains GDI for a bump to 135bhp and 121lb-ft, gains of 11% on both fronts.  Mated to a new six-speed manual, the 1.6L Soul posts EPA numbers of 28/34 - 3mpg average higher than the previous port-injected 1.6 while offering more power.  The optional engine, a 2.0L 16v, also gets GDI, improving power to 160bhp and 143lb-ft, a gain of 13%.  Fuel economy is hardly worse than the 1.6L, at 27/33 with either a 6-speed manual or automatic.

Other changes include a new Infinity audio system, the availability of Kia's Microsoft-based UVO connectivity system, an available navigation system for the first time, an an available premium package with heated leather seats, automatic climate control, push-button start, and other niceties that 10 years ago people would laugh if you told them you'd be able to get in a Kia.  I have to love this brand - they're doing basically everything right these days.

We'll continue the roundup in a second part, to save your internet connection a brain-melt.