Unique auto show examples of luxury, speed and tech
Visitors to the annual New York International Auto Show have a hard time knowing where to look first. At least 1 million tire-kickers and engine-oglers throng this show every year, and as usual they'll be richly rewarded in 2014.
Beyond the new Camrys, Chevys and Jeeps that are making their debut in New York, a primary reason so many people flock to these exhibits is to get up close to vehicles they'll likely see nowhere else. And that means gaping at cars that redefine luxury, speed and technology, some available now and some that are one-off, auto-show-only concept vehicles, both of which are featured in this video with CNET's Tim Stevens.
For instance, there's the Bentley Continental GT Speed. This four-seat, 620-hp convertible coddles driver and passengers with every luxury touch imaginable -- while traveling at over 200 mph. It's a real car that'll be available to anyone who doesn't have to worry about plunking down a quarter-million dollars.
Another classic name, but one more associated with high performance (not that a 200-mph Bentley is stodgy), is Aston Martin, which showed off its new Vantage GT. James Bond would fit right in this 430-hp, low-slung beauty that's good for 190 mph -- and for only $100,000.
If you're looking to see what the automotive future might hold, have a peek at the Land Rover Discovery Concept. It takes off-road luxury to new heights and features tech flourishes like a hood that appears transparent to the driver, thanks to some front-mounted cameras that project an image of the road onto the windshield. That could come in handy for dodging potholes in Manhattan.
Ford got into the super-luxury act as well, with a vehicle originally aimed at hauling plumbers' and painters' gear or delivering small packages. But this concept version of the Transit Connect called the Transit Skyliner turns that utilitarian hauler into a haven of comfort and convenience. Its passengers can even get their entertainment from a 52-inch screen that drops down from the ceiling.
The New York International Auto Show runs through April 27 at the Jacob Javits Center in Manhattan.