New York auto show hits

At this year's international exhibition, cars reclaim the spotlight from brawny, gas-guzzling SUVs and trucks

NEW YORK - In recent years, "auto" shows might have been more appropriately named "SUV and truck" shows. But the 2008 New York International Auto Show, which closes today, bowed to economic and environmental reality by steering toward the "no trucks allowed" lane.

Not that there weren't any trucks on display here - it's just that no one was really pushing them. This year, the favorites were cars. Here are my picks from the show, although it should be noted that some of these will still cost a pretty penny to fill at the pump.

2009 HONDA FIT: I loved this car when it was introduced with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, particularly with manual transmission. Now, Honda says it will achieve an even better balance of power and fuel savings by offering a manual transmission and an automatic with shift paddles, both featuring five speeds.

2009 VOLVO XC60: Want a car smarter than you? How about a small SUV with big-SUV safety DNA, that knows enough to apply the brakes if it senses a collision? The XC60 shrinks the XC90 model without giving up safety, performance, and utility.

2009 AUDI A4 AVANT: Want to bring the groceries home fast and in good style? Try this hot rod wagon from Audi. It boasts about 270 horsepower (which, from what I know about Audis, will feel like 300), and Audi's sublimely great interior. The Avant will make for an elegant and subtle beast on the road.

2009 DODGE CHALLENGER: Almost all the ponies are back in the corral, with the Mustang reborn, the Camaro coming, and the new 2009 Challenger line. It features R/T models with the new 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine that generates 370 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. There is also a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that makes 250 horsepower and 250 lb-ft.

2009 PONTIAC SOLSTICE COUPE: Pontiac has been deemed the performance division of General Motors Corp. and its Solstice sports car, with its light weight and snappy power, helps put the brand in that league, as does its near twin, the Saturn Sky. I'm a Sky fan, owing to its muscular look, and I sure wish they had decided to make the Sky a hardtop as well. But for now, Pontiac leads with this helmeted model that will draw new buyers to a cult-like car culture.

FORD TRANSIT CONNECT TAXI CONCEPT: Call me crazy, but I've always wondered what would happen if a classic British taxi was mated with an American minivan. The result, I think, would be a taxi filled with safety features and plenty of headroom. And the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine would surely perform more economically than some of the big American engines now powering our urban taxi fleets.

KIA KOUP CONCEPT: They show us a concept car called the Koup, which is better known as a coupe (two-door). Then they say it will be a sedan (four-door) at least for now. Where's Len Hunt, a superb thinker who ran Kia's operations hereabouts, when good guidance is needed? As is typical of Kia, he did not satisfy instant and likely unobtainable goals, so he's gone. If the company can't hire and keep good people, I wonder if they care about building good cars?

2009 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE: Wind in your hair? How about hurricane-force winds? A bit early to ask that since I have yet to drive this new BMW, but driving a 414-horsepower car with the top down sure sounds like a bad hair day.

2009 HYUNDAI GENESIS: This is a true coupe, featuring rear-wheel-drive, 223 horsepower and 310 horsepower engine options, and a nifty look. Watch for this to be a hit with young drivers.

2009 PONTIAC G8: Built at Holden in Australia, the G8 is a new muscle car that looks far more enticing than the limp attempt at restoring the GTO. It's got a distinct look, with a top-end 402-horsepower V-8 that can power the car from 0 to 60 miles per hour in under five seconds. Watch for a future remade model called the Sport Truck, which is basically this car with a pickup truck bed - a flashback to the classic Chevrolet El Camino.