New York Auto Show auto news

Teased: SRT offers up first 2013 Dodge Viper teaser

Early last year, Chrysler announced that it would be bringing the Viper back into production, with the brand's performance flagship once again taking its place at the front of the SRT lineup. The next generation Viper won't be unveiled until April at the New York Auto Show, and it looks like Dodge will be doing its best to tease us mercilessly until then with vague sketches of the car. The first has just been posted on the official SRT Facebook page, providing the very first look at the front end of the 2013 Viper. From the silhouette it's hard to really tell what the design will look like, but the overall shape and the hood scoop distinctly remind us of the Viper GTS coupe built from 1996 to 2002.

So, what do we know about the 2013 Viper as of right now? For starters, traction control will be used for the first time in the model's history as mandated by federal law. The powertrain is still unconfirmed, although there are rumors that the V10 could get a bump in displacement to an incredible 8.7 liters.

All of these rumors will be laid to rest come April, but until then we'll just have to settle for the teasers that SRT gives us. We'll be sure to bring you more news on the 2013 Viper as soon as its released, and let us know what you're hoping to see from the new Viper in the Comments.

Spy Shots: Are you the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe?

It won't be long before we see the official reveal of the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe, but predictably, the Internet won't be kept waiting. Consider us unsurprised that a set of grainy photos showing what is claimed to be a badgeless redesigned Santa Fe crossover has appeared ahead of schedule.

That said, we're thinking the chrome-heavy maw depicted in these shots suggests that this is probably an overseas version (ix45) - not exactly what we'll see in the States. At least, that's what we're hoping, as the wall of frontal brightwork seems out of step not just with the market, but also Hyundai and its styling position here in North America. That said, our moles confirm that this is "some version of Santa Fe" and suggest that the image above was likely part of an illicit photo shoot taken inside the plant in Korea.

We should know more in April, when the North American Santa Fe is expected to launch at the New York Auto Show. For now, however, check out AutoEvolution for a second look.

Report: Governor plans to tear down newly renovated Jacob Javits Center, NY Auto Show home

New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has big plans for the Jacob K. Javits Center. The politician recently announced plans to tear down the convention hall to make way for housing, hotels and museums. The remainder of the land would then be leased to developers as an additional source of income for the state. That comes as a shock to architect Bruce S. Fowle, who has been renovating the structure for the past six years, working to turn the 25-year-old structure into a brighter space with a smaller environmental footprint.

While the proposed demolition is still years away if it occurs at all, the plan brings into question the future of the New York Auto Show. Cuomo says the conventions like the auto show that are currently hosted by the Jacob K. Javits Center will be relocated to a new $4 billion center at the Aqueduct racetrack in Jamaica, Queens. The funds will reportedly come from Genting, a Malaysian gambling company, according to The New York Times.

Report: 2013 Nissan Pathfinder engine confirmed, big deal debuting in Big Apple

There is a lot to like about the Pathfinder Concept Nissan unveiled at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. The thinly disguised showcar foregoes the body-on-frame construction of the current Pathfinder for a weight savings of about 500 pounds. Nissan also promises fuel economy improvement of about 25 percent with the production model, which would be no small feat.

Motor Trend reports that Nissan has confirmed that the 2013 Pathfinder will feature a 3.5-liter V6. That makes sense considering the Pathfinder's all-new sibling, the Infiniti JX35, will also feature the same V6. Nissan has yet to divulge any details about the Pathfinder mill, but we do know that the JX35 will boast 265 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque.

Nissan has also apparently told MT that it has big plans for April's New York Auto Show. Nissan will reportedly unveil a completely vehicle at the show that has never been seen by outsiders. Us? We're not sure, but our best guess is it'll be the 2013 Altima.

Report: Next-Gen Hyundai Santa Fe will debut in Big Apple

Motor Trend reports Hyundai has confirmed that its next-generation Santa Fe will bow at the 2012 New York Auto Show. The third-generation Santa Fe is expected to hit dealer lots by the end of the year as a 2013 model. Hyundai hasn't disclosed exactly what we can expect from the vehicle when it arrives, though spy shots suggest a vehicle more in-line with the automaker's current design language. MT believes the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe will continue on with the same powertrain options found in the current vehicle, which means buyers can look forward to a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine or a 3.5-liter V6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Hyundai may squeeze a bit more performance or fuel efficiency out of those engines, however. Some reports have also suggested the 2013 Santa Fe may bow with a new turbocharged four-cylinder under the hood as well. That engine is currently found in the likes of the Hyundai Sonata 2.0T where it produces 274 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque.

Finally, our intelligence still suggests that Hyundai will eventually market a stretched three-row variant of the Santa Fe as the de-facto replacement for the slow-selling Veracruz, but it isn't clear whether that vehicle (or strategy) will be disclosed in New York.

Rumormill: Acura RL replacement coming in April, TL or TSX to be killed

Acura is bringing Goodies to the Detroit Auto Show - the capital "g" warranted for the NSX concept alone - but it has more aces in more sleeves: Car and Driver reports that the RL replacement is coming to the New York Auto Show. The RL is made up of some nice pieces, but even with heaps of cabin tech and SH-AWD it has never been able to outsmart its overwhelming anonymity - or its larger and less costly sibling, the TL.

The next round of RL is meant to bring a sedan that embodies Acura's brand values, in this case said to mean "relatively lightweight, nimble, and economical," and perhaps not called RL. It does not mean an eight-cylinder, however, with a V6 plus working the front wheels and two electric motors on duty at the rear. Space is said to rival a BMW 7 Series, while exterior dimensions will hover around those of the 5 Series. We just hope those dimensions are draped sheemetal that's memorable for all the right reasons, not the wrong ones.

But Acura's lineup switch means there might not be enough room for both the TSX and TL (pictured) in between the new RL on top and the Civic-based ILX sedan coming in at the bottom C/D see the permutations of either sedan being pruned, even though, like us, they find it less believable that the solid-selling TL would disappear. It's posited that the new RL could change its name to TL, but that seems least plausible - after all, Prince already showed us how awful it would be to have to call your sedan "The Model Formerly Known As RL." More substantial answers will come in New York on April 4.

Report: Next-gen Dodge Viper will debut in April at New York Auto Show

The Dodge Viper has been absent for just one model year, but the natives are restless. With little concrete information out there about the next generation Viper, and Dodge officials remaining tight-lipped about their halo car, anything that surfaces is big news. So how about this for the biggest news yet: Chrysler's SRT Brand President and CEO Ralph Gilles has announced in the pages of Viper magazine that the 2013 Viper will be introduced at the New York Auto Show in early April.

So what might we expect to learn in the next four months? The biggest question is what kind of power the snake will be packing under its unnaturally long hood. Anything other than a V10 would be heresy, so Chrysler will likely bump the Viper's displacement up to 8.7 liters, trumping every other Mopar mill to ever roll out of an engine plant.

The other canard is that the Viper will be based on a sports car from the Fiat stable, like the Alfa Romeo 8C or Maserati GranTurismo. (One rumor even had the new Viper incorporating some sort of Ferrari-derived technology.) Some of this conjecture may prove to be true in the end, but we hardly imagine that the Viper that gets unveiled in New York will be badge-engineered from anything European. Although it will most certainly add a further layer of refinement to the car, Chrysler would be crazy to dilute the Viper's American muscle car spirit.

Report: First batch of Oprah VW Beetle giveaway cars on the way

We've never won a free car, but we bet it would be one helluva good feeling. But waiting a year for that very new ride? That has to be plenty painful. A year has passed since Oprah gave away 275 2012 Volkswagen Beetle models during her final "Favorite Things" episode, but those audience members didn't drive off the lot with their new ride. Since the Beetle was still a year away from production, audience members didn't even get to see what their new car looked like.

But while the wait was likely difficult, those lucky audience member are finally getting their high-five-inducing Bug. The Car Connection reports that the first 25 deliveries are taking place at a VW dealership in Orland Park, IL, and Volkswagen of America CEO Jonathan Browning will be present to hand over the keys. The remaining winners will reportedly receive their Beetle within the next few weeks.

As an added kicker to those 275 soon-to-be new Bug owners, the cash to take care of taxes and fees are also going to be provided. We're guessing the wait will be well worth the reward.

Report: Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid headed for Detroit, coupe hopes dead

Even though public days for the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show have only just begun, details on the upcoming 2012 Detroit Auto Show are already starting to emerge. Volkswagen sources have divulged to Car and Driver that the automaker will unveils its Jetta Hybrid in the Motor City and sell it to U.S. buyers by the end of 2012.

Reports claim the Jetta Hybrid will feature a 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine and an electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack.

Rather than aspire to Prius-like numbers of 51 miles per gallon city and 48 mpg highway, VW is more conservatively shooting to meet the 44/44/44 (that's city/highway/combined) marks set by the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. VW hopes that the addition of a gas-electric model will further fortify the Jetta's bid for alt-fuel efficiency excellence, a movement currently spearheaded by the popular TDI diesel model.

In related news, C/D says its sources also confirm that there will be no Jetta Coupe model offered - this, despite a warm reception for the NCC concept shown in 2010. Additionally, C/D sources say that a convertible version of the recently launched Beetle will show up at the 2012 New York Auto Show in April.

2013 Ford Taurus design points the way for next Falcon, Mondeo

If you've been wondering exactly what Ford has in mind for the next-generation Falcon, look no further than the recently revealed 2013 Taurus for a few clues. Ford design guru J Mays has officially made it clear that the look of the sedan will be transposed onto several of the automaker's other products, including models like the Mondeo and Falcon. The crew from Go Auto spoke to Mays at the New York International Auto Show last week where the designer said that the corporate look will still allow each model to flex its character.

Mays said that the design was heavily influenced by vehicles like the Audi A6 and that the new trapezoidal grille design on the 2013 Taurus will allow the vehicle's face to be easily applied to a range of products. Even so, don't expect to see exact carbon copies across the dealer lot. Mays made it clear that the design can be modified to deliver everything from an aggressive visage to a more subdued look.

Gallery: 2013 Ford Taurus