MotorWeek is at the New York International Auto Show.  It’s been a busy morning.  It started early with the announcement that the Jaguar F-PACE won the World Car of Year and World Car Design of the Year Awards.

 

Toyota revealed the FT-4X Concept.  Translation: Future Toyota Four-Wheel Drive Crossover.  Designers were thinking about young city dwellers who like quick get-a-ways. Built on the TNGA C-Platform, the hatch can be open two ways: horizontally or vertically.

 

Subaru debuted the Ascent concept. The plan calls for powering the 3-row SUV with an all-new turbocharged direct injection boxer engine.  The Ascent will be based on a modified version of the Subaru Global Platform that debuted last year. This SUV will be sold exclusively in North America starting next year. 

Mercedes Benz always puts on a big show and New York is no exception.  The Mercedes-AMG GLC63 made its world premiere.  It’s the first time one of their mid-size SUV’s will be available with an eight-cylinder bi-turbo engine.  The 4.0L V8 produces 469 horsepower.  It’s matched with an AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9-speed transmission and AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all- wheel drive.  If the SUV isn’t quite what you’re looking for, Mercedes also unveiled two sporty coupe alternatives: the AMG GLC63 Coupe and GLC63 S Coupe.  The sloping roof line and 503 horsepower could certainly get the attention of sports car fans.

 

Honda added to it’s Clarity line-up.  The Japanese automaker unveiled Clarity Plug-in Hybrid and Clarity Electric.  The hydrogen powered Clarity Fuel Cell is already on the road in California.  Honda says the Plug-in Hybrid is anticipated to earn a 42-mile EV driving range rating.  They say the 161-horsepower Clarity Electric can by fully charged in just over three hours at 240 volts.

 

The New York audience saw the most power Jeep: 707-horsepower 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.  That power comes from a 6.2-liter V-8 engine.  You have to stop sometime.  It comes with a new Brembo braking system that includes the largest-ever front brakes on a Jeep vehicle.

 

There’s off-road… and then really off-road.  That’s where the Nissan Rogue Warrior Trail Project wants to go.  The regular wheels and tires have been replaced with snow/sand tracks.  Naturally the suspension and wheel wells were modified to fit. This special one-off project vehicle is one of several created exclusively for the New York show.

 

There’s more to come so stay with MotorWeek throughout the day.