::Events>2002>New York Auto Show>The Competition

The New York International Auto Show has more than a few interesting debuts, besides the usual suspects (Nissan and Infiniti models). We thought it’d be interesting to take a look at what the competition has coming.

Mazda will introduce a new performance line, MazdaSpeed at the New York Auto Show. And the first onto the showroom floor should be the new “Speed 3.” It is essentially the follow-up to the critical hit, the Protégé MP3. Rumor has it the handling will be basically the same, if not better. But the big news will be more power under the hood, something the MP3 really needed to round out the package. 
 

Saturn will heat up the compact market even further with the new Ion, a replacement to the extremely old S-Series sedan and 3-door coupe. The look is much more European, but a few design choices leave something to be desired. Power will come from GM’s 2.2L Ecotec I4, with 137bhp. Inside, the center-mounted gauge trend seems to be gaining momentum, but the rest of the design is decidedly Saturn. 
 

A pre-production version of the Honda Model X concept will show its blue-cladded face, under the name of the Honda Element. Love it or hate it, the Element is quite a styling risk for Honda. It seems that Honda thinks this may be an interesting alternative to the Xterra’s versatile packaging, but then again, Pontiac thought the same thing with the Aztek. 

Toyota is expected to lay out the groundwork for its new Scion youth targeted brand. It isn’t expected to be a full-blown division like Lexus, as the Scion models will likely be sold at Toyota dealerships. Its an interesting attempt to bring down Toyota’s median age of buyers. Look for perhaps two concepts to debut to shine light on Scion’s design direction. 
 

For the 25th Anniversary of the VW GTI, the German carmaker will roll out a special edition of what some say is the nameplate that started the hot-hatch fad. Based on the praised 1.8T GTI, the GTI 337 Edition will feature 18-inch BBS wheels and Z rated performance tires, an aggressive looking bodykit by Votex, a 6-speed manual transmission, 3” chrome exhaust tip, larger brakes, Recaro seats, sport suspension with a 1” lower ride height, and more. Only 1,500 will be sent to America, and they go on sale in May.

-Mike Cervantes

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