New York Motor Show 2014: news review

The 2014 New York International Auto Show runs from April 16th to April 27th and once again Auto Express brought you you the pick of the new car action.

The string of new car and concept car unveils at the New York Motor Show this year, included highlights such as Land Rover’s Discovery Vision concept, the new BMW M4 Convertible and Subaru’s new Outback SUV.

We brought you full details of these and the other big model launches at the New York Show as they happened with pictures, video and behind-the-scenes insight. Just scroll down the page for all the news...

New York Motor Show 2014: round-up video

We round-up the best bits of the New York International Auto Show 2014 on video... 

New York Motor Show 2014: top 5 cars

Check out our top 5 cars from this year's New York show. Click the links for the full news story...

1. Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept 

Land Rover previews the new Discovery Sport Freelander replacement and a family of other future Discos with this gloriously high-tech concept  

2. BMW X4 

BMW plugs yet another niche, showing off a baby X6 that blends SUV presence with a strong coupe aesthetic

3. Nissan Murano 

We learned that the new Nissan Murano will come to the UK in hybrid guise and we got our first look at in in New York. The giant Qashqai styling really works.

4. Mazda MX-5 chassis 

It's not a complete car by any stretch of the imagination but the MX-5 chassis is the bit that matters most in Mazda's iconic driver's car. The signs are good for the full reveal. 

5. Mercedes S63 AMG Coupe 

Is there a more comprehensive coalescence of luxury, technology and pace than the S63 AMG Coupe? Maybe not and we can't wait to try it. 

New York Motor Show 2014: key model launches

Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept

The Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept shows off Land Rover’s design vision for a family of three Discovery vehicles, including both a Freelander badged Discovery Sport, and the full-size Discovery 5.

In terms of appearance, the trademark kinked-roof returns, while the inverted C-pillar gives a more streamlined profile. Interior features include seven individual seats that can be configured in a 2-3-2 formation, which can be transformed into a 2-2-1-2 layout by sliding the central seat backwards. 

Land Rover will also let drivers see what the front wheels are doing by using range of cameras to relay image on to a head-up display and creating a 'transparent bonnet' effect. 

BMW M4 Convertible

The lid may already be off the new BMW M4 Convertible, but that doesn’t make us any less excited to see it in the metal next week.

Based on the M4 Coupe, it features the same three-piece folding metal roof as the 4 Series Convertible, which stows away in 20 seconds at the flick of a switch.

Prices will start from £60,730 when it goes on sale in September, a £4,000 increase on Coupe, with which it shares a 425bhp 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder engine.

The folding roof has naturally affected performances as well as price – the extra 250kg it carries means the six-speed manual will manage 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds, while the £2,645 seven-speed auto shaves this down to 4.4. seconds. Both times are down on the M4 Coupe by 0.3 seconds.

BMW X4

BMW revealed the X4 in March but decided against showing it at the Geneva Motor Show in order to focus attention on its new three-cylinder engines and the 2 Series Active Tourer.

The new 4x4 will start from £36,590 for the base xDrive20d model when it goes on sale in July, and will feature a six-speed manual gearbox and all-wheel drive as standard. BMW’s eight-speed automatic transmission is an optional extra, although only diesel engines will be available from launch.

Based on the same platform as the X3, the X4 is longer and lower to the ground than its sibling, gaining larger air intakes and new inset fog lights on the front bumper to distinguish the sportier SUV.

Mercedes S63 AMG Coupe

Built as a replacement for the CL63 AMG, the S63 AMG Coupe gets its power from the same 577bhp 5.5-litre twin-turbo found in its saloon sibling, developing 900Nm of torque.

As well as more power than its predecessor, it also benefits from being 65kg lighter, weighing in at 1,995kg. Fitted with Mercedes’ seven-speed Speedshift automatic box, the rear-drive Coupe will take 4.3 seconds from 0-62mph, while the optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive system can cut that time to 3.9 seconds.

The S63 AMG Coupe is also the first production car offered with an innovative curve tilting function, which Mercedes claims allows the car to ‘lean into bends in a manner similar to a motorcyclist of skier’ for a more comfortable driving experience.

Official pricing has yet to be confirmed, although the S63 AMG will become the most expensive model in the line-up, priced at around £110,000.

Mercedes AMG GT

There was one more surprise in store for fans of the new Mercedes AMG GT supercar at a private event the night before the New York Motor Show. As well as revealing official pictures of the interior (below) for the first time, confirming the name and revealing that the car will make its full debut in September – AMG Boss Tobias Moers also flashed up a line drawing of the car’s exterior during his presentation.

Long, horizontal taillights, an upswept crease along the flanks and long bonnet stretching out in front of the driver can all be seen. It was something we were already certain about, but Moers also confirmed that the AMG GT will be powered by a V8 engine – expected to be a new 4.0-litre twin-turbo unit with up to 500bhp.

Subaru Outback

The new Subaru Outback won’t arrive in the UK until early 2015, and will debut at the New York Motor Show in US specifications, before going on sale in America this summer.

Subaru is promising its flagship crossover will blend “car-like handling and SUV capability,” although we’ll have to wait and see as there’s no official word regarding what engines and trim levels will be offered.

Prices will also be announced nearer to launch, although expect the Outback to reach showrooms with a starting price of approximately £30,000.

Nissan Murano

Nissan has revealed the all-new third-generation Murano. With a design inspired by the Resonance concept first unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show, the new Nissan Murano carries forward the Japanese manufacturer’s SUV family design direction and will arrive in showrooms later this year.

Staying true to the Resonance concept theme, Nissan has added what they call an ‘upscale social lounge interior’ to the Murano. The instrument panel has been lowered and a new 8-inch colour display significantly reduces the number of buttons on the centre consol. Another new feature is the Drive-Assist Display, which adds a 7-inch high-res colour screen to the instrument cluster.

From launch, the third-gen Murano will be available with a 257bhp 3.5-litre V6 in 2WD or 4WD form. Fuel economy is also said to improved  by 20 per cent thanks to a 59kg weight saving, enhanced aerodynamics and engine developments.

Kia Sedona

Unlike the Nissan Murano, we can confirm the new Kia Sedona won’t be available in the UK, as it’s not even coming to Europe. It’ll only be sold in the US, and will feature a 3.3-litre V6 GDi petrol engine with around 290bhp and 342Nm of torque, with a range of diesel CRDi engines also likely to be offered.

In terms of design, the Korean manufacturer has focused on standing out from the opposition. We’ll have to wait for the full reveal to know for certain, but the mid-size MPV does feature a gaping front grille that feeds into sweeping headlights.

Mazda MX-5

On display at the New York Motor Show this week isn’t the new Mazda MX-5 itself, but the advanced new SKYACTIV-chassis and engine that will form the backbone of the new roadster, and the new Alfa Spider being co-developed alongside it. Mazda has confirmed the engine will be positioned behind the front axle and closer to the car’s centre than ever before, plus the centre of gravity will be lower than previous generations – factors that should improve the handling.

The new chassis has also been engineered for “outstanding body rigidity and crashworthiness”, while the weight has been reduced by more than 100kg through the use of thinner, higher-strength steels. As a result, entry-level soft-top models are expected to weigh less than 1,050kg.

Mazda has also revealed a run-out edition of the current MX-5 to celebrate the car's 25th anniversary. Based on the 158bhp 2.0-litre Roadster Coupe with its retractable hard top, its available with either a six-speed manual or an automatic gearbox, and in just one colour – Soul Red Metallic.

MINI DeLux

The MINI DeLux is a limited edition design package for the new hatchback that’ll bow in next week at New York.

Created by Virginia Commonwealth University student Alex Coyle, the DeLux was voted the fan favourite in an online competition, and will now go on sale across the States as part of a short production run.

MINI Countryman facelift

The MINI Countryman crossover has also been given a fresh new face for the summer. The popular 4x4 has sold over 350,000 units worldwide and the subtle updates bring the biggest model in the range closer to the all-new MINI hatch, with lower emissions across the range and extra power for selected models as well as the styling tweaks.

Most of the changes to the exterior are reserved for the front end – which gets a new grille design with a prominent scoop and new crossbar – plus a sporty red ‘S’ badge for the quicker versions. New LED fog lights are optionally available for the first time, and incorporate a ring of daytime running lights for a modern look.

Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II 

Rolls-Royce has refreshed its Ghost saloon, unveiling the Series II model at the 2014 New York Motor Show. Subtle changes to the styling, driving dynamics and interior seek to keep the Ghost ahead of the game. Read the full story here.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage S

Aston Martin has launched its N430 based V8 Vantage GT at the 2014 New York Motor Show. With a starting price of around $100,000 and due to go on sale later in the year, the US-market only V8 Vantage GT features race-car looks and will reach a top speed of 190mph. Click here to read the full story.

Jordan Bishop