Day 1 of the 2013 New York International Auto Show has finally come to a close.  Incidentally, we also managed to find a proper Internet connection.  Here are our top 5 picks from the first day.

Porsche 911 GT3

Where to begin?  Porsche brought this all-new gem to our shores for the first time and we could not stop staring at it.  The all new tune on the engine (upping the horsepower to 475) and PDK-only transmission allow this new GT3 to walk all over its predecessor.  3.3 seconds to 60 puts the 991 GT3 ahead of its predecessor by half a second.  Mind you it is electric-assisted steering that is essentially the same as the standard 911.  Also, now, there is four wheel steer.  It allows the rear wheels to go in the same direction as the front wheels at speed.  Every bit of this absolutely fantastic car can be yours for the base price of $131,350.

Chevrolet Camaro Z/28

The icon is back.  That’s what GM stated today when they revealed the all new 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28.  The 427 V8 bumps horsepower to 500; combined with track-tuned suspension and a drop in weight, it make this all new Camaro ready to tear up a race track near you.  The Camaro engineers came up with an extra 100 pounds of lightening when they decided to remove the speakers (except one) and make air conditioning optional.  By the way, did we mention that 2014 refresh looks fantastic?

Range Rover Sport

Welcome everyone to the all-aluminum body of the new Range Rover Sport.  Since its last design, this car has lost around 800 pounds.  That is incredibly significant in both the handling and fuel economy departments.  Two engine choices now being the new supercharged 3.0L V6 that produces 340hp, and the second being the same old 5.0L supercharged V8 with 510hp.  Fellow Range Rover fans rejoice because it is in fact the same platform as the full blown range Rover.  With a $63,495 base price we think it will compete well with the Porsche Cayenne S and Mercedes ML550.

Jaguar XKR-S GT

Yet another limited production Jaguar had the covers pulled off at the New York Auto Show.  Coming with standard carbon ceramic brakes and the always incredible 5.0L supercharged V8 pumping out 550hp.  The mouth gaping price of $174,895 is a little out of our reach, but of the 25 who can afford one, we’re sure they won’t mind.  We drove the “regular” XKR-S back in September, and we didn’t want to get out.  We can only imagine how this even more track focused XKR will up the ante a little bit more.

Mercedes CLA45 AMG

November will be coming soon, and it will be coming even sooner when there is a CLA45 AMG to look forward to.  Mercedes says that it will have a 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds, a dual clutch transmission, and of course 355 horsepower, routed through their 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. After seeing the interior in person, we came away very impressed with the black and red motif that hinted sport and elegance all at the same time.  With a sticker price starting well under 50,000, this “baby” AMG we think will prove to be a top seller for Mercedes’ performance division.

-Scott Villeneuve