The 2015 New York International Auto Show is almost upon us. Starting this Wednesday, April 1st, members of the press will be allowed to take a look at all of the car debuts of this year. There are many things to be excited about, with many surprises sure to be had. Multiple car companies are debuting cars which we don’t know about yet. Cadillac will be debuting a surprise vehicle, most likely to be the CT6, Aston Martin will be debuting a new car, probably with an engine from newly partnered AMG and Jaguar will be debuting something as well.
It’s all very exciting and the unknown vehicles are the best part. However, there are plenty of vehicles we do know of, that we’ll be seeing for the first time and will be very exciting, indeed. So let’s take a look at some of the cars we’re most excited to see.
5. Mazda MX-5 Club Edition
There really aren’t many cars that can match the level of fun per dollar that the MX-5 provides. It’s possibly one of the most fun to drive cars on the market right now and with a starting price of under $25,000, the value is unmatched. The addition to the Club, makes things even better. With stiffer suspension, wider tires and drastically lower curb weight (which is shocking, given the stock curb weight is only 2,619 lbs), the Club Edition should be an absolute riot. That kind of car at that kind of price should be exciting for any car enthusiast, regardless of preferred brand.
4. Cadillac CT6
We don’t know exactly what Cadillac is going to debut, in regards to the CT6. Maybe it’s a concept, maybe it’s the real deal, we don’t know. All we do know is that Caddy claims that we’ll get much more info about what the CT6 will be in New York. While many BMW fans might be scoffing at the idea of a Cadillac competing with the likes of the mighty 7 Series, the fact that Caddy is making incredible claims of performance and luxury all while costing far less that the 7er, makes the CT6 an interesting debut. I’m hoping the folks from Detroit have at least an almost production-ready version on hand, but who knows. All we know is that we’re about to find a lot more out about the CT6, and it’s exciting.
3. Jaguar XE
The last Jaguar to try and enter 3 Series territory was the X-Type, and let’s say it didn’t work out as expected. Actually that’s being too kind. The X-Type was an atrocity, built off of the Ford Escort platform and had no business playing in the big leagues with BMW and Mercedes.
Now, however, Jag has an all-new car to take the 3 Series on and it looks promising. The XE is built upon an all-new, aluminum intensive chassis in which brilliant lead designer, Ian Callum, and his team worked incredibly hard on. It will also use a new type of Electric Power-Assisted Steering which is said to be superior in feel and accuracy over every other car in class. Bold claims, but if true, combined with the supercharged V6 from the F-Type, the XE will be a fantastic luxury sport sedan. It also looks the business.
2. BMW X5 xDrive40e
BMW’s newest plug-in hybrid X5 should shake the luxury SUV market up. With an incredible combination of power, efficiency and luxury, the X5 xDrive40e should be one of, if not the, best SUV on the market. It will also be BMW’s cheapest and most accessible plug-in hybrid. Using a 241 hp 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, paired with a 111 hp electric motor, the X5 xDrive40e will make a combined 309 hp. All that grunt will help the plug-in X5 hit 62 mph in 6.8 seconds. It will also go 19 miles on pure electricity alone and can reach up to 75 mph as such. This is such an interesting SUV and one that we can’t wait to take a look at up close.
1. BMW Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe
How can we not be most excited about the fastest version of the best looking car in BMW’s stable? In fact, the B6 should be the fastest car BMW sells, period. Sporting a 4.4 liter, twin-turbo V8, the B6 makes a monstrous 600 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. That grunt makes the B6 good for 3.6 seconds to 60 mph and a limited(!) top speed of 200 mph. The B6 will also sport the ZF eight-speed auto and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system. As per usual with Alpina tuned cars, the B6 will have both Alpina’s Myrtle wood trim, LAVALINA leather and 20” wheels. The Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe will be a gorgeous monster, one that I am drooling to see in person.
