Top 10 Cars from the 2014 New York International Auto Show

Big Apple, Small Bites: We head to the the 2014 New York Auto Show to see what's good and upcoming.

The New York Auto Show, like all the other global motor shows, never really disappoints. This year was no different. Our editor-at-large, Mark Hacking, hits the show floor on preview day and gives us his ten best debuts — from concepts to vintages and upcoming production vehicles, we’ll hit the roads. We hope.

2015 Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT

2015 Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT
Photo: Mark Hacking

The lowest-priced model in the Aston Martin fleet is no cut-rate sports coupe—the V8 Vantage GT boasts race-inspired suspension tuning, a potent braking system and a top speed of 305 km/h. Starting at USD$99,900, this version of the Vantage could prove to be the most popular of them all. Check out our 2012 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S review here.

2014 BMW 535i xDrive

2014 BMW 535i xDrive
Photo: Mark Hacking

The Bavarians had several new vehicles on display—including the new X4 and M4 Convertible—but the car that spun my head ‘round was a 535i xDrive with a BMW Performance body kit. The black wheels meshed perfectly with the paint to create a primarily understated and slightly mean first impression.

Cadillac Elmiraj Concept

Cadillac Elmiraj Concept
Photo: Mark Hacking

This concept has been around since the Stone Age—well, it seems that way. Originally unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance last year, the Elmiraj is a stunning car with design features that have inspired the new ELR. Build it, and they will come.

2014 Fiat 500 1957 Edition

2014 Fiat 500 1957 Edition
Photo: Mark Hacking

First unveiled at last year’s LA Auto Show, this is possibly the most engaging car in the burgeoning Fiat 500 line. Offered in one of three classic colours—white, baby blue or light green—the 1957 Edition also features a sport-tuned suspension, manual transmission, and an ivory interior colour scheme with brown leather seats.

2015 Infiniti Q70L

2015 Infiniti Q70L
Photo: Mark Hacking

This swoopier version of Infiniti’s flagship is a uniquely styled entry in the luxury sedan segment that now comes in a long-wheelbase version. Infiniti has been knocking on the door of the German carmakers for a few years now; if the driving dynamics of the Q70L match its looks, this thing will be an uncontested winner.

2015 Lexus RC-F

2015 Lexus RC-F
Photo: Mark Hacking

First, we had the head-turning LC-LF concept; now, there’s the RC-F coupe to consider—a model slated for production and sale this year. Based on the IS sedan, the RC-F features a 5.0-litre V8, a track mode, and Brembo brakes. Sign me up. Here’s our 2017 Lexus RC-F review.

1967 Lincoln Continental

1967 Lincoln Continental
Photo: Mark Hacking

The personal ride of Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller, this stretched version of one of the coolest cars of all time, is absolutely menacing and utterly desirable. The Lincoln brand has just entered China—they should’ve kicked things off by selling replicas of this car.

2014 Maserati GranTurismo MC Centennial/Convertible Edition

Maserati GranTurismo MC Convertible Centennial
Photo: Mark Hacking

This year, Maserati celebrates its 100th anniversary, and in New York, the carmaker unveiled special editions based on the GranTurismo MC and the GranTurismo MC Convertible. Both are stunning, and if you were forced to choose between the two, your head would likely explode.

2015 Mazda MX-5 25th Anniversary Edition

2015 Mazda MX-5 25th Anniversary Edition
Photo: Mark Hacking

Of all the displays at this year’s show, one of the best was Mazda’s, as they celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Miata/MX-5 with a fleet of the little roadsters. The stand was capped off by the MX-5 25th Anniversary Edition, a muscular version of the car that will sell out in no time flat.

2015 Subaru WRX STI Global Rallycross Racer

2015 Subaru WRX STI Global Rallycross Racer
Photo: Mark Hacking

After the 2008 season, Subaru pulled out of the World Rally Championship and faced a few years of loss in the proverbial woods. But they seem to be embracing their rally heritage once again, and this car, a carbon fiber-infused 2015 Subaru WRX STI built for the Global Rallycross Championship, is proof of that fact.

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Author:
Mark Hacking
Mark Hackinghttps://www.markhacking.com/
Mark Hacking is an award-winning car, motorcycle and motorsports journalist whose work has appeared in Azure, enRoute, Intersection, NUVO and Toro, among many others. He is the former editor of Performance Racing News, the former managing editor of DRIVEN, and a member of both the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada and the Motor Press Guild of California. An avid racer, Mark is a three-time podium finisher at Targa Newfoundland and, this past season, raced in the VLN Series at the Nürburgring with the factory Aston Martin team. His motto in life: Drive fast, take chances.