{"id":34394,"date":"2025-04-21T21:45:25","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T01:45:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=34394"},"modified":"2025-04-21T21:45:25","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T01:45:25","slug":"payne-2025-new-york-auto-show-highlights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/payne-2025-new-york-auto-show-highlights","title":{"rendered":"Payne: 2025 New York Auto Show highlights"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/em><\/p>\n

2025 New York Auto Show: 125th anniversary display.<\/em><\/div>\n
Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n

New York<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 The New York International Auto Show celebrates its 125th<\/sup>\u00a0birthday this year and the auto-palooza has it all with a display of classics, concepts, supercars, race cars, electric vehicle test tracks, and outdoor off-road tracks.<\/p>\n

Well, almost all.<\/p>\n

Missing are manufacturers like BMW, Mazda, Cadillac, Jaguar, Volvo, Land Rover, Tesla and Rivian that decided to sit out the birthday party. Showgoers will still enjoy plenty of eye candy including the epic Hudson Yards development across 11th<\/sup>\u00a0Avenue. With multiple skyscrapers (I swear a new one goes up every month) 9 million-square feet of office space, a mall, and more restaurants than Metro Detroit, the development has transformed Manhattan\u2019s west side skyline.<\/p>\n

No longer an isolated convention center, Javits-on-the-Hudson is part of a triangle of activity with Times Square to its northeast and Hudson Yards on its south flank. Inside are three floors of automotive toys.<\/p>\n

Here are the highlights.<\/p>\n

A (noisy) EV test track.<\/strong>\u00a0VROOOOOOM! Sitting shotgun in a Dodge Charger Daytona, I was pinned to my setback as the brand\u2019s first EV hit 40 mph after launch control before Graham Hooper \u2014 a Hollywood stunt driver \u2014 slammed on the brakes and rotated it through a series of turns. SCREEEEEE! \u201cThis is by far the most fun I have had in an EV! Ever!\u201d yelled Hooper over the roar and screaming tires.<\/p>\n

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2025 New York Auto Show: Detroit News Auto Critic Henry Payne took a spin in the 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona EV with stunt driver Graham Hooper.<\/em><\/div>\n
Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

There are 18 EVs for showgoers to choose from on the test track. But only the Dodge EV has an external, so-called Fratzonic Exhaust Chamber that simulates the sound of an engine. A V-8 engine. The other EVs are silent. VROOOOM!<\/p>\n

Bronco\/Wrangler unbridled.<\/strong>\u00a0If you want real V-8 sound, head outside to the Camp Jeep test track where you can jump into an insane Wrangler 392 and ride around the rollercoaster-like structure. Ford offers a similar Bronco Build Wild so you can experience its Bronc dirt-kicker. The rides pause at the top of the coaster hill so you can ogle the taller scrapers nearby.<\/p>\n

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2025 New York Auto Show: Camp Jeep<\/em><\/div>\n
Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Porsche 911 hot rod.<\/strong>\u00a0Between the outdoor and indoor test tracks is a sprawling R2XPO display of modified cars. Front and center is a Porsche 911 (sixth, 997 generation) ready to be transformed on April 23-24 during public week by Japanese mod legend Akira Nakai using a wide-body kit and enormous, 13-inch-wide rear tires. Not only will the 911 get the Dodge Hellcat-like widebody, it\u2019s been stuffed with a 650-horse, Chevrolet LS3 V-8 engine in back. Its a Porsche with a Motown accent.<\/p>\n

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2025 New York Auto Show: Akira Nakai Porsche 911 wide-body conversion<\/em><\/div>\n
Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

125th<\/sup>\u00a0birthday party.<\/strong>\u00a0To celebrate, show organizers have brought 13 models representing 13 decades of automotive innovation. The lineup stretches from a 40-horsepower 1909 Cadillac Model 30 to a 502-horse 2022 Porsche 911 GT3. In the middle are a pair of silver, split-window, 1963 Corvettes. Yum. Other brands represented? Ford, Dodge, Mercury, Pierce Arrow, Mercedes, Pontiac, Chevrolet (a Volt in addition to the \u2018Vettes), DeLorean, Acura and Bugatti.<\/p>\n

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2025 New York Auto Show: 1963 Corvettes in 125th anniversary display<\/em><\/div>\n
Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The first Chrysler.<\/strong>\u00a0Want more history? The first Chrysler made was the 2024 Six which, legend has it, Walter P. Chrysler himself drove to the New York Show in January 1924. It\u2019s in the Stellantis display right next to the only Chrysler model built today, the Pacifica minivan.<\/p>\n

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2025 New York Auto Show: 1924 Chrysler Six<\/em><\/div>\n
Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Big Mack.<\/strong>\u00a0The venerable truck company is also celebrating its 125th<\/sup>\u00a0birthday. Mack was founded in 1900 by the Mack bothers in Brooklyn (now headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina). The show celebrates with a restored 1925 AB model complete with 34 horsepower and solid rubber tires. The original customer? Ely and Walker Dry Goods Company in St. Louis.<\/p>\n

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2025 New York Auto Show: 1925 Mack AB truck<\/em><\/div>\n
Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Rolls and Bentley<\/strong>. Only in New York. Rolls and Bentley have their own stand between Honda and Toyota. The assembled $400k sedan, SUV and convertible chariots are waiting for the gazillionaires who occupy the Hudson Yards sky suites across the street.<\/p>\n

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2025 New York Auto Show: Rolls Royce\/Bentley display<\/em><\/div>\n
Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Sports cars.<\/strong>\u00a0Speaking of Toyota, the brand\u2019s big disply has a football theme. The Japanese brand is the official car of the NFL, and flag football will debut as an official sport of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. It\u2019s the league\u2019s nose under the Olympic tent as it intends to expand American football globally. Toyota isn\u2019t the only pro sports league sponsor on the floor. Kia sponsors the NBA, Honda the NHL, and Chevrolet Major League Baseball.<\/p>\n

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2025 New York Auto Show: Toyota flag football<\/em><\/div>\n
Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Chevy Equinox.<\/strong>\u00a0No, you\u2019re not seeing double. There are two Equinox RS utes on the floor \u2014 one EV, the other internal combustion powered. They are distinguished by design \u2014 EV sleek vs. ICE chunky truck chic. Also different? The prices: The EV model costs about $13k more.<\/p>\n

\"2025<\/figure>\n
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2025 New York Auto Show: 2025 Chevy Equinox RS EV<\/em><\/div>\n
Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Super-ru.<\/strong>\u00a0Japan\u2019s wee auto company has the show\u2019s most epic stage. Walk through the forest of trees and chirping (fake) birds and you\u2019ll find a new EV (Trailseeker), updated EV (Solterra) and the big draw, the redesigned Outback station wagon. The latter was the talk of media week with its blocky design that screams off-road SUV. The all-terrain-tired Wilderness model looks like it could climb Mt. Everest.<\/p>\n

\"2025<\/figure>\n
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2025 New York Auto Show: 2026 Subaru Outback<\/em><\/div>\n
Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ford’s power pony.<\/strong>\u00a0The Mustang GTD is a $300,000-plus, 815-horsepower rocket ship and the first U.S. stallion to record a sub-7 minute lap around the world\u2019s most fearsome track, Germany\u2019s 13-mile, 170-turn Nu\u0308rburgring. Ford celebrates the accomplishment with a special display, and the \u2018Stang looks like no other with its huge rear wing, front splitter and aero wardrobe.<\/p>\n

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2025 New York Auto Show: Ford Mustang GTD<\/em><\/div>\n
Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

King Corvette.<\/strong>\u00a0Gotham is renowned for its exotic European car stable. This year you can feast on everything from a $3 million Koenigsegg to a $600k Lamborghini Reveuelto and $350k Ferrari 296. But stroll over to GM\u2019s display and you\u2019ll find a Chevy that will smoke any of them.<\/p>\n

The $174,995, mid-engine ZR1 hypercar is the King of Corvettes with an insane 1,064 ponies and 233-mph top speed. Don\u2019t expect that Mustang American Nu\u0308rburgring record to last long.<\/p>\n

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2025 New York Auto Show: 2025 Chevy Corvette ZR1<\/em><\/div>\n
Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

K4 hatched.<\/strong>\u00a0If the Chevy\u2019s still too rich for your blood, check out Kia. The hatchback is sibling to the $23,165 K4 sedan that has been the Korean brand’s best seller this year. The hatch gives the compact a double threat in the market like the Mazda 3 sedan\/hatchback or Honda Civic sedan\/hatch. It shares K4\u2019s Cadillac CT5-like styling, hoodless dash screens and engines \u2014\u00a0but adds 7 cubic feet of cargo space. Hey, Kia, how about a hot-hatch version to rival the new 2026 VW Golf GTI on display?<\/p>\n

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2025 New York Auto Show: 2026 Kia K4 Hatchback<\/em><\/div>\n
Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Italian stallion.<\/strong>\u00a0The Stellantis-owned Italian supercar brand oozes sex appeal with a lineup of hotties including a purple GT2 Stradale. Translation: Road-going version of Maserati\u2019s mid-engine GT2-class race car. This beast makes 631 horsepower with enhanced aerodynamics and scissor doors. New York cops ticket it just standing still.<\/p>\n

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2025 New York Auto Show: 2025 Maserati GT2 Stradale<\/em><\/div>\n
Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Genesis Hypercar.<\/strong>\u00a0Hyundai will enter the endurance racing wars in 2027 with the GMR-001\u00a0hypercar, South Korea’s first effort to conquer the high bankings of the 24-Hour Le Mans and Daytona endurance races. Look under its sleek orange skin and you\u2019ll find Formula One-like keel wing aero tweaks and a twin-turbo hybrid V-8 to take on front-runners from Porsche Penske and Cadillac.<\/p>\n

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2025 New York Auto Show: Genesis race car.<\/em><\/div>\n
Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Hyundai family.<\/strong>\u00a0Hyundai shows off its all-new, three-row, Palisade ICE SUV for the first time \u2014 alongside the (Big Apple) debut of its three-row, electric Ioniq 9, which was first seen in L.A. last fall. Like Chevy, Hyundai and Kia are committed to producing parallel ICE and EV lines to gauge customer preference. For now, the Palisade \u2014 available as a 600-mile-range hybrid for the first time \u2014 has the upper hand as one of the best-selling three-rows in the United States. \u201cThe only thing that matters to customers,\u201d said Hyundai North America product chief Olabisi Boyle, \u201cis how far they can go, and how easily they can get there.\u201d<\/p>\n

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2025 New York Auto Show: 2026 Hyundai Palisade ICE<\/em><\/div>\n
Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

If it\u2019s easy to get there, check out the New York Auto Show, which runs through April 27.<\/p>\n

Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or @HenryEPayne<\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

2025 New York Auto Show: 125th anniversary display. Henry Payne, The Detroit News New York\u00a0\u2014 The New York International Auto Show celebrates its 125th\u00a0birthday this year and the auto-palooza has it all with a display of classics, concepts, supercars, race cars, electric vehicle test tracks, and outdoor off-road tracks. Well, almost all. Missing are manufacturers […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,87],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34394"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34394"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34394\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34395,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34394\/revisions\/34395"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34394"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34394"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34394"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}