As the last major auto show of the season, new vehicle buyers always take a keen in interest in the annual New York Auto Show. Looking ahead to the 2017 model-year changeover in the fall, many of the debuts at the Big Apple show are production vehicles slated for showrooms sooner rather than later. We’ll have to wait until the first media days to get all the latest details, but until then, these are top 10 New York debuts we think Canadian new car buyers should get excited about.
2017 Acura MDX
2017 Acura MDX
Handout, Acura
What we know: Honda’s Acura luxury division will debut a refreshed version of its best-selling model: the third-generation MDX three-row crossover that went on-sale for 2014. Expect the 2017 MDX’s styling to reflect the brand’s new design standard, the Acura Precision Concept that debuted at this year’s Detroit show.
What we don’t know: Acura says the refreshed MDX will get some new “advanced new powertrain technology.” Whether that’s some sort of additional power upgrades via electrification, we’ll have to wait and see.
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2017 Buick Encore
2017 Opel Mokka X
Handout, Opel
What we know: Like the updated 2017 Chevrolet Trax, seen at this year’s Chicago auto show and with which Buick’s smallest crossover shares a platform, the Encore is getting a mid-cycle refresh for 2017. We already know the new Encore will share its updated styling with its European sibling, the Opel Mokka X, seen earlier this month at the Geneva Motor Show.
What we don’t know: Expect an updated infotainment package with the latest IntelliLink system and OnStar, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.
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Genesis New York Concept
What we know: A teaser image of Hyundai‘s Genesis luxury brand’s New York Concept is all we have to work with.
What we don’t know: At the launch of the new Genesis brand at this year’s Detroit auto show, Genesis already said it would launch a G70 sedan that would sit underneath the existing midsize G80 and fullsize G90 four-doors. Expect the Genesis New York Concept to be a precursor to the production Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class rival.
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2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata Hardtop
2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Handout, Mazda
What we know: Mazda has confirmed we’ll something “new” from the Japanese automaker at this year’s New York. What that is is still a mystery. We do know the debut won’t be the new CX-4 crossover, as that Koeru concept-based production vehicle will seen next month in Beijing.
What we don’t know: Everything else. Rumours suggest Mazda’s surprise will be a power-retractable hardtop version of its current MX-5 Miata, a model that was available on the last generation.
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2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe
What we know: Proving there is no niche too small in the super-hot luxury crossover market is the debut of the new 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe, a four-door “coupe” version of the German automaker’s GLC-Class compact crossover that just replaced the GLK. Aimed right at the BMW X4 (itself a four-door “coupe” version of the BMW X3), expect the GLC Coupe to come with typical coupe-like premium pricing.
What we don’t know: Yet to be confirmed is Canadian availability, powertrain options and final pricing.
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2017 Mini Clubman Cooper S ALL4
2017 Mini Cooper S Clubman All4
Handout, Mini
What we know: Adding a fourth door to the new, second-generation Mini Clubman can only increase its popularity compared to the outgoing three-door version. The option of traction at all four wheels should be further bonus. Mini says the Clubman ALL4’s intelligent driveline can run in front- or all-wheel-drive, and offers torque vectoring that works with its driving dynamics system.
What we don’t know: How well the Clubman ALL4 will stack up against the forthcoming 2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack.
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2017 Nissan GT-R
Godzilla is headed to the New York Auto Show next week.
Handout, Nissan
What we know: Nissan has released a teaser image of a sporty-looking car with a similar taillight design of its iconic GT-R supercar.
What we don’t know: Everything else. Since its debut in 2009, the current 545-horsepower GT-R’s technology, handling and performance have been continually updated, but its exterior design has remained virtually unchanged. As Nissan’s performance halo car, we expect the GT-R will see a relatively substantial exterior makeover in NYC — maybe.
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2017 Subaru Impreza
Subaru will unveil the 2017 Impreza at the New York International Auto Show later this month.
Handout, Subaru
What we know: Subaru has been rolling out various sedan and hatchback concepts for the next generation of its Impreza compact family over the past few months. The latest was the Impreza-based XV crossover concept earlier this month in Geneva and just last week, the Japanese automaker released images of its new, scalable platform the new Impreza, Legacy and Outback models will ride on. In New York, we expect to see the production version of the 2017 Impreza four-door sedan.
What we don’t know: Availability, powertrain and pricing details.
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2017 Toyota 86
2017 Toyota 86
Handout, Toyota
What we know: The New York show is the funeral for Toyota’s Scion brand. Part of that process is switching Scion’s best-selling FR-S sports car over to Toyota, simply dubbed the 86 as its known in foreign markets. As a Toyota, the 86 gets some minor front and rear styling changes, and its flat-four’s mojo goes to 205 horsepower and 156 lb.-ft. of torque — increases of 5 horsepower and 5 lb.-ft., respectively.
What we don’t know: Five years from now, will anyone remember Scion?
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2017 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid
Toyota is debuting a new Prius at this year’s New York Auto Show.
Handout, Toyota
What we know: Toyota plans on unveiling “the next mechanical marvel in the Prius lineup,” accompanied by a teaser image of the vehicle’s wrap-around taillights. The Japanese automaker already has plans for a replacement for the last-generation $35,905 Prius Plug-in Hybrid, still on sale. This debut will probably be that vehicle.
What we don’t know: If the new Prius Plug-In Hybrid does show up in NYC, expect styling to distinguish it from the non-plug-in Prius, plus more electric-only range than the outgoing version’s measly 17 kilometres.
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