NYIAS 2014: Day 2

By LSB Scott V on April 17, 2014 • ( 3 Comments )

The tired, poor, huddled masses of journalists have left the building. The press preview days of the 2014 NYIAS auto show have come to a close and we’ve escaped the city limits. As the show floor prepares for the public, we review the biggest news from Day 2 – and some news we couldn’t fit into yesterday’s post. Without further delay, here’s 6 more new cars straight from the floor of the Javits Center.

Koenigsegg in the US

We were surprised to see Koenigsegg on the list of Day 2 press conferences. They chose the NYIAS to announce their entrance into the US market in conjunction with Manhattan Motorcars. They will be first US dealership for the Swedish brand in the US, and will sell the infamous Agera R. For a cool $1.5 million you can drive away with 960hp of extreme Swedish engineering. Yesterday we welcomed Alfa Romeo back to the US, and we’re just as pleased to see Koenigsegg join them in 2014. Here’s to hoping we see some on the road.

BMW M4 Convertible

BMW had a handful of debuts yesterday, so we didn’t cram them into one post. We knew it was coming, so it was no surprise that the BMW M4 convertible was globally debuted in NY. The M3/4 has had a convertible variant for years now, and since the 4 Series got it’s top dropped, it was only a matter of time. Coming equipped with a metal folding roof, the M4 certainly weighs more than it’s coupe counterpart, and that will impact the 0-60 time a little. Styling is typical M4, just without a roof when you don’t want it. Expect it to be in showrooms later this year with the highest pricetag of it’s siblings.

Scion FR-S Release Series 1.0

We gave the last Scion FR-S special edition we came across, the Monogram Series, a hard time for not being “special” enough. The Release Series 1.0 is a different story. 1,500 units will be painted the unique Yuzu yellow and fitted with TRD quad exhaust, lowering springs, steering wheel, and shift knob. HID headlights, unique seat covers, and a number badge round out the additions. These are the kind of changes that make a special edition truly unique. Expect them to hit dealers in August.

BMW X4

Already filling a niche within a niche with the X6, BMW has come up with another niche vehicle: the X4. Just as the X6 is a stylized X5, the new X4 it is a better looking X3. Depending on how you see things, the “4-door coupe SAV” isn’t quite as practical as the X3. Practicality aside, the new BMW is rather appealing in Melbourne Red paint on large M Performance wheels. Powerplants are carried over from the X3 as well, so the 2.0L I4 turbo and the 3.0L I6 turbo will be a part of the lineup. Expect it in showrooms soon, with a pricetag higher than the X3 that it’s based on.

Jeep Renegade

Jeep’s newest and littlest SUV is here. The Renegade, based on the Fiat 500L platform, combines classic Jeep styling cues with a host of modern features. Available in front or all-wheel drive, manual or automatic, and with two engine options, the tiny car comfortably seats 4. Don’t think that this isn’t a Jeep, however. The Trailhawk model will features 8.7″ of ground clearance. Don’t try that in a Fiat. Jeep also claims upwards of 30mpg on all models. We’re wary to call it “cute” just because the rest of the media will. We certainly won’t be shy about getting behind the wheel. There’s a lot of potential here, hopefully Jeep can connect with its target.

Infiniti Q70

Infiniti unveiled a heavily-refreshed version of its Q70 full-size sedan today. For those of you still confused by “Q-maddness”, the Q70 was once the M. The biggest change is the availability of a new, long wheelbase Q70L. Luxury brands have found success in China, where owners are more keen on being driven rather than driving. Thus, the new Q70L makes sense. Available with a 360hp V6 or 416hp V8, the new Q70 gets a healthy dose of Q50 styling. Expect the refreshed model in dealerships by the end of the year.