For as long as auto shows have been a showplace for the latest and greatest cars and trucks, there have been attractive models hired to stand by the vehicles. The models answer questions from patrons and extol the virtues of the product, but almost never participate in the design, engineering or manufacturing of said vehicle. Try telling that to a few rogue show-goers at the New York Auto Show that insist on heckling models working for GM and Chrysler.

It seems some members of the public are none too pleased about the government loans, and since they have no access to GM and Chrysler executives, they're taking out their frustrations on the models instead. The "representatives" have little to say in response to the jabs, considering that they're mainly contractors being paid to be positive, nail their script and move on to other projects after the show.

An accountant from Queens asked the model manning the Dodge Circuit stand "How come you've got to nearly go bankrupt before you come out with a car like this?" Another show-goer went as far as to tell the model at the General Motors booth that GM was responsible for the deaths of soldiers in Iraq since the struggling automaker doesn't make fuel efficient products. Wow.

Needless to say, the models had nothing to do with the government loans given to GM and Chrysler. That's like blaming the teller at your neighborhood bank for the hundreds of billions of dollars given to the banking industry.

[Source: New York Times]

We saw plenty of these multi-level parking structures during our trip to NYC this past week, and even commented on how their space efficiency would work well in our own cities where giant parking garages dominate the landscape. Perhaps we spoke too soon.

Autoblog reader Mel spotted this scene just around the corner from the Jacob Javits Center where the 2009 New York Auto Show is being held. The multi-level steel parking structure evidently failed, sending a Lexus GS sliding down on top of a Land Rover and the front end of an also-raised Honda Accord. The kicker? A 1998 Chrysler Town and Country and older Camry sit just outside the frame unscathed. The Ford Edge that just happened to be parked on the right (both figuratively and literally) side of the structure was reportedly inaccessible by its owner despite not playing a part in this mess. Whoever was in charge apparently felt the whole thing might go at any minute. You know what, New York? Us smaller cities will keep our concrete parking garages, thank you very much. Thanks for the tip, Mel!

Dutch car manufacturer Spyker unveiled its updated version of the C8, the Aileron, last month in Geneva, but the U.S. is getting its first look at the quirky supercar in New York. While the car doesn't look like that much different than its predecessor, Spyker claims to have made some fairly significant changes including an all-new, lengthier space-frame chassis and more interior space. Power is once again sourced from Audi, coming in the form of a naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 producing 400 horsepower and 354 lb-ft torque. Hit the jump for more details in the press release from Spyker, and check out the new high-res photos (both exterior and interior) in the gallery below.



Photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc

Under the bright sunlight of the Javits Center's Crystal Palace atrium, Steve Saleen took the covers off of his latest creation, the SMS 570X. The Dodge Challenger-based muscle car registers a few rungs above the 570 that we first viewed at its Orange County unveiling in January. Where that car was fitted with a 5.7-liter V8, the 570X utilizes a 6.0-liter engine, reportedly good for 700 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque - plenty of gumption to roast those wide and flat 20-inch meats.

The engine includes lots of forged bits (pistons, crankshaft, con-rods, etc.) lurking beneath new CNC-ported aluminum heads. In addition, the 570X receives a SMST six-speed manual transmission and a high-performance cooling package. The heart of the car is a production version of the SMS 296 supercharger, the firm's new blower co-developed with Lysholm. Like Mopar muscle of yore, this system features a Six-Pack too – only in the SMS' case, it refers to a brace of cylindrical intercoolers.

While the supercharger comes as part of the 570X package, it will also work on other Chrysler LX products including the Charger, Magnum, and Chrysler 300C. SMS also promises that "aftermarket fitments" are in the works for both Ford and General Motors products.

Aesthetically, the X is nearly identical to the original 570, which is a good thing, because it looks sensational. From its "Red Butterfly" side-induction hood to its flared, vented fenders and new front fascia, the basic form looks spot-on. With its lowered stance, details like its GTX-style grille, fender vents, carbon-fiber splitter and side skirts, and rear spoiler, the 570X is at once classic Motown muscle and a thoroughly modern tuner car.

As this car was just a prototype, there were some unfinished bits (off-kilter badges, hood fitment, etc.), but officials promise to get the production car right. No word yet on official pricing and availability, but well-heeled Mopar fans would do well to reach out to SMS straight away.

Mazda's new CEO introduced the CX-9 and its raft of changes to a U.S. audience at the New York Auto Show today. The swoopy lines picked up from the Nagare are said to be "the embodiment of emotion." And that's right, if you get can worked up for the new 20-inch wheels, bigger side mirrors and "red garnish, which compliments the look of the front fascia." Inside there's new fabric, new stitched leather, piano black inserts and no shortage of chrome accents. Power to haul your loads remains at 273 hp and 250 lb-ft from the CUV's 3.7-liter V6. You can read about all it and more in the press release after the jump, and see it in the gallery of high-res photos below.



Photos Copyright ©2009 Jonathon Ramsey, Alex Núñez / Weblogs, Inc.

The McLaren SLR isn't the most conventional platform on which to create a racecar, but when everything is said and done, it sure looks the part. TRG Motorsports brought one such example, dubbed the SLR 722 GT, to showcase in their display here at the New York Auto Show. Florida-based tuner RENNtech is solely responsible for importing any examples here to the States from Europe for a small fee of $1.2 million.

Each SLR 722 GT is built by British motorsports specialists RML Group and features more than 400 unique components compared to the road going version including FIA-spec safety equipment, a fully adjustable suspension, upgraded brakes, carbon fiber bodywork, a towering rear wing, full race interior, and much more. Engine output is increased to 670 horsepower thanks to a race-only exhaust, and shifting is done solely by paddles behind the carbon fiber steering wheel. Hit the gallery below for plenty of high-resolution images.



Photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc

Things have wound down here in the Big Apple, which means it's time for us to sift through our memory cards and pick out the best photos from the last two days so that you can adorn your desktop with the latest and greatest from the automotive world. We've included plenty of new cars like the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, BMW X6 M, Nissan NISMO 370Z, Volkswagen GTI, and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, plus any random coolness we happened to see like a Porsche GT1 racecar or a Mercedes-Benz SLR 722 GT. We've uploaded each photo at 1920x1275 pixels (just click the "high res" button) to fit even the largest computer screens, so check out the gallery below and pick out your favorite.



Photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc

The Continental Supersports has been priced, with Bentley having decided that $267,000 is fair compensation for exclusive access to green, luxurious speed. The ethanol-capable Conti is not only a sign of Bentley technology to come, it also provides the first clues to the next generation Continental, which we were told "isn't far off." Orders can be placed beginning in October, though the first couple hundred units earmarked for the U.S. will be gas-only, with the full on flex-fuel model arriving Stateside summer of 2010.

The total price includes ceramic brakes but not destination and gas guzzler tax, which will take you up to about $275,000. After that, the only limit is your Cayman Islands balance. Check out the gallery of high-res pics below.



Photos Copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

The first hint of what we can expect from the next generation Tucson and Santa Fe crossovers was revealed today at the New York Auto Show as the Hyundai Nuvis concept. The sweeping creases echo and expand upon Hyunadi's design direction that could be seen on the Genesis coupe and sedan and the Korean market Equus that stood on display nearby. Like so many other concepts at the show this year, this one featured doors that will almost certainly not be duplicated in production, extra-long gull-wings in this case.

The interior is designed for exactly four occupants instead of going for the maximum possible seating with three rows. Nuvis designers have dispensed with all the usual switch gear in favor of a river of information flowing throughout the concept's interior, all of which is accessible through touch-sensitive surfaces. All of the interior fabrics are also made from 100% recycled materials.

Under the skin, the Nuvis is spec'd out with the same Hyundai-developed BlueHybrid drivetrain that was shown at the LA Auto Show last November. The hybrid system uses lithium polymer batteries, which give designers more flexibility in packaging compared to more typical lithium ion batteries. The production version of this hybrid system debuts next year in the next-generation Sonata, while the design elements of this concept will likely appear on the new Tucson later this year.




Photos Copyright ©2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.