2005 New York Auto Show Wrap-up

Cadillac XLR-V
Only The Donald could out-Trump Bob Lutz; exactly what happened at the XLR-V intro. The on-stage gimmick about Trump picking up his keys for his new DTS limo only took away from the legitimate upgrades made to the lacklustre cooking XLR. As in the same 440-hp 4.4-litre supercharged vee-eight that's found in the STS-V, bigger brakes, recalibrated magnetic shocks, 19-inch wheels, and much-needed material upgrades in the cabin. BTW, you can add the XLR-V to your list of "0-60 mph under 5.0 second" cars
Availability: January 2006
Price: $85,000 U.S. (est.)
Future competitors: BMW M6, Jaguar XK-R, Maserati Gran Sport, Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG

Nissan Sport
Introduced while a bunch of graffiti artists worked in the background on-stage, like the Azeal concept shown at Detroit in January, the Sport was designed by the Nissan studio in Michigan and is pointed directly at Scion customers. Looking like something you would build in Gran Turismo, this is one of Nissan's most belligerent designs, picking up cues from family members like the Murano and the Zed
Availability: 2007, or never
Price: $19,000 Cdn. (est.)
Future competitors: MINI Cooper, Scion tC

Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx SS
Chevy's idea of a muscle car for the family is a little different than Dodge's, eh? I thought it couldn't get any worse than Chevy sticking an SS badge on the hoary ol' front drive Monte, but the Malibu and Malibu Maxx SS are a new low in badge theft. With "upgraded" power that can be found in standard Altimas and Accords all day long, the 240-hp vee-six just doesn't cut it. When your biggest claim is the "segment('s)-largest 18-inch flangeless wheels", you know you have a lame duck on your hands. And then they rolled out the TrailBlazer SS... oy veh!
Availability: Fall 2005
Price: $35,000 Cdn. (est.)
Future competitors: Dodge Charger RT, Ford SVT Fusion, Pontiac G6 GTP

Mitsubishi EVO IX & Lotus Exige
As a touch of forbidden fruit, here are a couple of cars currently not available in The Great White North.

Obtainable worldwide since 2003, the refreshed 2006 EVO IX receives variable valve technology (VVT) and the valve timing and lift Electronic Control (MIVEC) system. Combined with turbocharger enhancements, the new 2.0-litre mill has 286-hp and 289 ft-lb of torque at a very low 3,500 rpm.

The Lotus Exige is a fixed head version of its roadster Elise mate, including its 190-hp, 138 lb-ft of torque Toyota-derived, 1.8-litre four-banger. A stiffer suspension taken from the Elise's performance package means this is a car for all you track dogs out there. The coupe's top speed drops to 147 mph, but the Exige's 0-60 times equal the Elise at 4.7 seconds. The existing Elise headlights and bumpers technically do not meet U.S. standards, but federal authorities have allowed the limited production car to be sold regardless.
Availability: Mitsubishi is promising the next gen EVO, due in 2007, will be sold in Canada. Lotus is working with Canadian authorities to have the car available either late 2005 or early 2006
Price: Mitsu: $45,000 Cdn. (est.) Lotus: $75,000 Cdn. (est.)
Future competitors: Mitsu: Subaru WRX STi Lotus: Porsche Boxster, BMW Z4

- John LeBlanc is an Ottawa-based automotive critic, and publisher of straight-six.com
photo:Photos by John LeBlanc