2005 NY Auto Show: Dream Cars Will Reveal Tomorrow's Cars ... Today

NEW YORK, March 14 -- As the New York International Auto Show gears up for 2005, many of the world's auto manufacturers are adding the final touches to some of their hottest concept cars for display at this year's Show at the Jacob Javits Convention Center from March 25 - April 3.

"This year, we have some of the most amazing concept cars ever created," said show director Candida Romanelli. "We're the only Show where you can see the best concept cars that have been revealed over the past few months at auto shows from Los Angeles to Geneva, plus all the New York debuts as well," she continued.

"We're thrilled that so many auto companies have chosen New York to display their most exciting concept cars alongside the nearly 1,000 production models," remarked Romanelli.

Here's a run-down of some of the exciting new concepts expected at the show:

Acura RD-X Concept

The RD-X features Acura's new Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system and combines the performance of a sports sedan with the all-wheel drive capability and functional utility of an SUV. The RD-X powertrain features the SH-AWD all-wheel drive system which distributes torque not only between the front and rear wheels, but also between the left and right rear wheels.

Chrysler Firepower

The Chrysler Firepower grand tourer concept car exudes power and elegance. The exterior and interior design, flush with fine materials and meticulous details, are matched with performance provided by a 6.1-liter HEMI V8 and a Dodge Viper-based chassis. A 5-speed automatic transmission helps Firepower reach 0-60 mph in less than 4.5 seconds with an estimated top speed of 175 mph.

Dodge Nitro

The five-passenger Dodge Nitro is a mid-size SUV concept designed to attract a customer seeking style, performance and utility. Brimming with character, the Nitro has a confident stance and unique full exterior style and is not only great to look at, it's fun to drive. The Dodge Nitro concept's estimated performance figures include a top speed of 108 mph, standing 1/4 mile at 16.9 seconds, and can go from 0-60 mph in 9.6 seconds.

Ford Fairlane

The Ford Fairlane concept is a six-passenger, three-row vehicle with a unique shape that creates a new type of people-mover that explores a blend of upscale, modern design with safety, interior spaciousness and functionality. Fairlane features a well-defined hood, a large cabin with upright A-pillars, four side doors with low step-in height, and a rear door with an industry-leading three-way tailgate. The rear door opens to the left or right, while the upper glass section flips up.

Ford Shelby GR-1

The Ford Shelby GR-1 concept springs from a long line of Ford performance project cars and quickly establishes itself as one of the most contemporary and dramatic front-engine, two-seat, fastback supercars. This running prototype reaches closer to reality with a 605-horsepower, 390-cubic-inch all-aluminum V-10 engine, a road-tested version of the Ford GT suspension and a stunning new polished-aluminum body.

Ford SYNus

Taking its inspiration from bank vaults and armored cars, the Ford SYNus concept's exterior design immediately communicates that it takes security seriously. When parked and placed in secure mode, SYNus deploys protective shutters over the windshield and side glass. Small windows on the flanks and roof are non-opening and bullet-resistant. The rear hatch has no window at all. The rear hatch is operated via a vault-style four-spoke spinner. Flat glass in a slightly raked windshield furthers the armored-car look of this concept.

GM Sequel

Sequel, about the size of a Cadillac SRX, travels up to 300 miles on its hydrogen supply, and accelerates to 60 mph in less than 10 seconds. Sequel embodies a fusion of technologies that includes advanced materials, electronic controls, advanced propulsion systems, fuel cells, and steer-by-wire steering.

Honda Civic Si Concept

The Civic Si Concept celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Civic Si legacy in the U.S. and builds on its performance heritage with a 200-horsepower, 16-valve, DOHC i-VTEC engine mated to a close ratio 6-speed manual transmission. Helping to put all that power to the ground is a helical-type limited slip differential for improved launch traction and cornering performance.

Infiniti Kuraza

The Infiniti Kuraza Concept is a design exploration of future luxury utility vehicle interiors. Focusing on the next level of interior design, where all passengers will be provided with equal comfort, roominess and amenities, the Kuraza is marked by six doors -- with the 3rd row doors on each side operating from rear hinges -- and three rows of large, luxurious side-by-side pairs of individual seats.

Jaguar Advanced Lightweight Coupe

The Advanced Lightweight Coupe created by Jaguar's advanced design team, is a high-performance show car that represents the future of Jaguar design. Its purposeful and seductive exterior brings Jaguar design firmly into the 21st century and its lightweight aluminum body architecture makes it as dynamic and agile as it is desirable.

Jeep Gladiator

The Gladiator is a super utility truck that features an open-air canvas roof, removable doors and fold-down windshield so driver and passengers can get in touch with the outdoors, and an expandable pickup-truck bed. Gladiator is powered by a 2.8-liter, 4-cylinder common-rail turbo diesel engine that provides 295 lb-ft of torque and 163 hp.

Jeep Hurricane

Jeep Hurricane is simply the most maneuverable, most capable and most powerful 4x4 ever built. Powered by two 5.7-liter HEMI engines, one in the front and one in the back, both engines deliver 335 horsepower and 370 lb-ft of torque -- a total of 670 hp and 740 lb-ft of torque. The Hurricane also features a turn radius of absolutely zero, thanks to skid steer capability and toe steer: the ability to turn both front and rear tires inward.

Kia KCD-II Mesa

The KCD-II is a modern, rugged body-on-frame SUV that features three rows of seats, dual full-length sunroofs and an expansive 116-inch wheelbase. The Mesa's highly usable interior design leans toward minimalism, while the exterior portrays a go-anywhere, do-anything attitude. The custom-built 22-inch alloy wheels at each corner of the vehicle help to maximize interior space while simultaneously creating stable, responsive handling characteristics.

Mazda MX-Crossport

The MX-Crossport is a crossover-type vehicle designed to combine the strong styling cues from the company's flagship RX-8 sports car with the more practical packaging of a sport-utility vehicle. The powerful, bold, three-dimensional identity of the concept car was created to be both surprising and uniquely eye-catching.

Mercury Meta One

Mercury Meta One is an advanced research vehicle concept that displays the evolution of automotive design, research and engineering with emerging safety features, personal electronics and the world's first PZEV-capable diesel hybrid. Meta One concept showcases an electronics system that integrates the latest level of in-vehicle technologies with a factory-installed interface including reconfigurable displays which allow the driver to size and place instruments to suit preferences and needs.

Lexus LF-A

The Lexus LF-A concept features an engine capable of developing more than 500 horsepower from a displacement of less than five liters. With a combination of optimum gearing, weight and aerodynamics, the LF-A concept would produce a top speed in the neighborhood of 200 miles per hour. The two-seat concept blends the performance of an exotic sports car with the luxury refinements of a Lexus.

Nissan Azeal

The Nissan AZEAL Coupe Concept features an aggressive body design with wide fender flares, short overhangs and a sharply sloped rear roofline with integrated active airfoil. The interior combines a dark, industrial metallic instrument panel appearance. AZEAL is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission.

Nissan Sport Concept

Nissan Sport Concept offers the look and feel of a sports tuner car, yet is conceived as an affordable, attainable vehicle for buyers entering the new car marketplace for the first time. Its athletic roofline is marked by a large rear roof-mounted spoiler, while its bold surface composition, robust fender character lines, deep front spoiler and side sills, and large wheels and tires provide an animated, video game-like stance.

Saturn Aura

The exterior styling of the Saturn Aura is fluid, muscular and powerful, with European design cues and a sense of technical harmony. The Saturn Aura's profile is also muscular and powerful, with 19-inch, polished alloy wheels pushed to the corners, resulting in short overhangs. Accenting the wheels and low-profile Z-rated tires are muscular wheel flares, along with side rockers with rearward-swept feature lines and a high belt line.

Suzuki Concept-X2

Suzuki has leveraged its SUV expertise to create the Concept-X2 for the compact SUV segment. Sporty lines fuse with elements of stability and functionality to achieve a rugged yet refined vehicle that emphasizes owner sophistication while acknowledging the need for drivers to break free and seek out adventure.

Toyota FT-SX

The FT-SX concept is a concept aimed at young families looking beyond the traditional passenger car or SUV that combines the ride comfort, handling, and fuel efficiency of a sedan with the utility, spaciousness and visibility of a car-based SUV. The FT-SX features a powerful V6 engine, all-wheel drive, 21-inch wheels, four doors, a large, and a multi-function glass roof.