It seems like only last year that the star of the New York International Auto Show was an 840 horsepower, zero you-know-whats-given, single-seated rocketship that did a 9 second 1/4 mile and literally lit things on fire. That’s probably because it was last year. This year, I found myself enthralled by … an in-car audio system.
That’s right — the very best part of the 2018 NYIAS was enjoying Art Pepper and Bonnie Raitt on the ELS surround sound system in the Acura RDX A-Spec (no kidding, it’s freakin’ amazing and it’s worth buying the RDX just because of it).
Yes, there was a yellow Porsche thing and there was a very Lamborghini Orange Corvette, but there was little else for this journosaur to get excited about other than the fact Honda ordered some extra wine for their social hour (see pic at the top, featuring my security detail: our own Bozi Tatarevic), due in no small part to the fact that I drank six glasses of red wine all by myself in less than 60 minutes.
So rather than do what every other autoblog on the planet does, I’m not gonna give you my greatest hits of the auto show. Rather, I’m going to tell you what should have premiered on this year’s show circuit.
Greatest Miss #1: 2019 Honda S2000
Come on, Honda. We all want it. The used car market proves it, with 18-year-old examples of the AP1 still fetching five figures. Yes, it would be super cool to have some new design language and maybe an interior that doesn’t resemble something out of the Playskool catalog, but in reality, all you have to do is bring the 2008 car back. Do it. There’s no reason not to. You’ll sell every one you can make.
Greatest Miss #2: 2019 Shelby GT500 Mustang
Why wasn’t this car at the show? We all know it’s coming. Yes, the Bullitt (pictured above, with the lovely Luisa in the pilot seat) is cool, and maybe you wanna spread out the Mustang love, but just show us the damn car already, would you?
Greatest Miss #3: 2019 Ford Falcon
Shove the Coyote in a sedan on the new Ford RWD platform and let’s have a 440 hp grocery getter. Why not? You have the motor, you have the platform, you have the IRS. Give it to us!
Greatest Miss #4: Some M Car that doesn’t weigh 4,000 lbs
Please, please, please, BMW. Stop pissing all over the legacy of the M brand by slapping it on lame-o crossovers. Make an E30 M3 for the new generation. It doesn’t have to have a zillion horsepower, and it doesn’t have to have heated seats and infotainment. Hell, I’d settle for an E36 Lightweight M3 for the new generation.
Greatest Miss #5: The Quality Control on the Ford EcoSport
Unfortunately, this car was there, but I think somebody forgot to do any QC. At all. The plastic creaked, the seats felt like a subway bench, and the brake calipers looked like they were congealed rather than molded. Even Luisa couldn’t help this one. Kill this thing with fire.
Greatest Miss #6: 2019 Porsche 944
Yes, they should. Porsche should make an affordable sporting car that handles well, has about 200 hp, and costs less then $40,000. If the Macan didn’t dilute the brand, a car that would instantly become a favorite of real motorsports enthusiasts everywhere (and not just the trackday bro crowd that currently owns most 718 Caymans) could only help Porsche, not hurt it.
Greatest Miss #7: 2018 Chevrolet Sonic SS
Why doesn’t Chevrolet have a hot hatch? They should and they could make a hot version of the Sonic, which is a well-sorted little car with a good suspension in RS trim. Find a way to extract 200 hp from that 1.4-liter turbo four and you’ll have yourself a contender.
Greatest Miss #8: Anything good from Mini
That booth just hurt to walk by. Either do something with it or shut the brand down, already.
Greatest Miss #9: 2019 Toyota Something Exciting
The new Corolla hatch looks interesting until you realize that it would have trouble outdragging a Prius. Why is it that as Lexus gets more interesting, Toyota gets less interesting? I mean, kudos to them for having a 300 hp Camry XSE, but we all know the brand can do better. The impending Supra better be amazing, because Toyota’s performance legacy depends on it.
Greatest Miss #10: Manual Transmissions
I walked the show floor. I’m sure that I missed some, but I counted less than a half-dozen manuals, and most of them were in the Blue Oval pavilion. Listen, I firmly believe that modern automatics are better at shifting than I am, but I still want to be able to do it for myself if I choose to do so.
Bonus Content: Things to NOT miss in NYC
If you’re in NYC for the show, do yourself a favor and go see the Mingus Big Band on Monday nights at Jazz Standard, and if you can, snag a ticket for Sleep No More on the West Side. These are two artistic experiences that aren’t coming to Peoria anytime soon.
Bark Out.
[Images: Mark “Bark M.” Baruth/TTAC]
My wish list:
Next generation 4Runner (with a manual again please?)
VW T6 California
VW Passat Wagon
Honda Accord Wagon
The 4runner is probably the only thing that would sell here, but hey a man can dream.
A Porsche for $40k car with 200hp? If the FR-S BRZ gets nothing but grief at half the price and 200hp, that doesn’t seem like a winner.
Fair point, but I think it would have to have PDK and PASM and ORGASM and other things that would make it more expensive. A modern S2K would likely cost $40k, too.
I would so love a new S2000, my AP1 keeps gaining in value, and while that may sound good, it’s becoming too “precious” to rag it out on a hillclimb race, or even a track day. Oh, and Sleep no more is amazing, I know a few actors that work there, I’ve had a great time every time I go.
Yeah, this. As the owner of 2 944s, I can tell you that 200hp feels pretty darn slow in a 3000lb car these days. And if you bump that up to 300 horsepower, you’ve got yourself…the specs of the base 718.
I do wish that the 718 had the practicality and cargo space (and steering feel, and lithe size!) of the 944. But really, there’s not much a market for such a thing that isn’t adequately served by cars like the 2-Series BMW and the Audi TT. Maybe VAG could make a business case for doing such a low-volume project at $40k as a halo car for VW – not so much a profitable model as a VW marketing expense.
Greatest Miss #11 5.7L RWD Dodge Barracuda
The ELS audio system in fantastic, a shame you must buy an Acura to get it. Or Honda just don’t brand it as such in Honda’s and still use the same stuff for the higher end audio systems (honestly don’t know).
The best I’ve personally experienced (owned) was the Monsoon audio in my 04 Jetta wagon.
ELS is very nearly worth the indignity of owning a 2013 ILX (yeah, I speak from past experience.) I’ve yet to hear another automotive system quite like it.
Monsoon’s pretty good, a lot of bass gets lost due to TDI and road noise.
BTW Fun Fact, VW had to buy Monsoons from GM due to the Lopez espionage case.
Monsoon made fine products. Check out their computer speaker systems, now only available used. It’s a three-piece, with subwoofer and electrostatic panel tweeters, like miniature Martin Logans. The sound is transparent and accurate, truly an audiophile level of performance.
ELS is much better than anything Honda’s putting in Honda-branded cars right now.
I tested ELS in a 2015 MDX Advance against Mark Levinson Reference Surround in the 2011 LX that I eventually bought. Both are quite good. ELS played louder, but ML, I thought, was more accurate at reasonable volume. Neither was as good as Mark Levinson in my 2008 LS, which was the best factory stereo I’ve ever heard.
#1: 2019 Honda S2000 – not happening, sports coupe don’t sell unless they say Miata on them. Convertible + lightweight + 2 seats has a market, however both of those people already own one.
#2: 2019 Shelby GT500 Mustang – yeah this makes no sense, it should have been there.
#3: 2019 Ford Falcon – they have a 4 door, big HP, RWD vehicle, maybe you’ve heard of it… its called the F150.
#4: Some M Car that doesn’t weigh 4,000 lbs – it seems adding lightness is pretty much impossible these days. Adding an M badge, stiffer suspension and some fenders flares however is very easy.
#5: The Quality Control on the Ford EcoSport – meh
#6: 2019 Porsche 944 – seems logical, but if Porsche makes anything smaller or lighter they charge MORE! Low cost Porsche is an oxymoron.
#7: 2018 Chevrolet Sonic SS – they already tried this with Cobalt, they have the sales data and I’d guess its not very encouraging.
#8: Anything good from Mini – dead brand walking
#9: 2019 Toyota Something Exciting – all eggs are in the Supra basket. Still waiting for the Celica and MR2 to come back.
#10: Manual Transmissions – one by one they are all going away. How long before they are all gone? 15, 20 years?
S2K would sell. Look at the Civic Type R. Honda fanboys would line up to pay ADM.
It’d sell, it’d get ADM for a while, but would it be enough? It looks like total US sales over 8 years were about 47k units (fun fact, only 10k more than the one best year of 350Z sales, 2003). And as much as it’s a hot garbage fire of a sports car, the 370Z is half-decent value in its base spec, has the market pretty much to itself, and still barely sells. And, even though Nissan could amortize some development with the Q50, they still don’t seem to think they can justify further spending.
Now, if Honda had sights on a small RWD executive sedan (maybe an Acura), it might make a bit more sense.
It’d sell, but not enough to develop a new small RWD platform (or do all the updates on the old one needed to meet 2018 and future safety and emissions standards).
Given the goodness of the new Civic, though, why there isn’t an Integra with a 250-hp version of the 2.0, a snicky six-speed, and a lighter curb weight than the Civic Touring is totally beyond me.
Manual transmissions? Not even that long. More like five years. Lazy Americans don’t want them.
Meanwhile, I notice that virtually every new or refreshed car this year comes with a full suite of driver assistance technology, standard. Even on base models. It’s what the smartphone adled masses want. *Sigh*
Lane keep assist is brilliant on long drives. Radar cruise brilliant everywhere there is speed limits and other vehicles. One million kudos to Honda for including them with manuals on the Accord. In too many cars, you need to wallow in slush in order to get those two, by now basic and largely cost free to provide, technologies.
But Honda Sensing is offered on only one Manual Civic… the Canadian-Spec Sport Touring Hatch…
Just think if anybody wanted to do our younger generation in all they would have to do is either disable there dumb phones or take them away completely.
Surely Porsche can come up with a 40k’ish 300HP RWD car. As noted above the Toybaru did not do itself any favors with its paltry 200 HP. We live in what should be noted as the HP Era. Surely they can twist enough HP from a 4 or 6 mil to light off the rear tires.
Same with Honda. Give us something that is exciting, other than the Civic SI; which I do not find exciting as the lines are just too much for me.
I partially agree. I bought a brand new 2013 Scion FR-S in late 2012, and had never driven one prior to purchasing it. 200HP is okay, 151 lb/ft of torque is not, plus revving that engine never was enjoyable – harsh noises, weird torque curve dead-stops. Hard, noise ride too.
I purchased a used 2017 500 Abarth for $14K this winter and haven’t looked back. Having passing torque is fun, and it is more comfortable than the FR-S (ride and interior noise).
I own an 05′ vette MT. What makes the car so much fun is the entry point was low and partially due to the Corsa exhaust coupled to the LS2 up front; makes such a fantastic sound you can’t help but love to be in it.
My question to you, if the BRZ made 100 more HP that sounded good would the ride & interior noise been overlooked?
If you like manual transmissions that are available at somewhat affordable prices and in something with some sporty pretensions, how can you say Mini has nothing good to offer? I believe Mini has greater manual transmission availability than any other brand from base model FWD 134 hp Cooper to a 228 hp AWD John Cooper Works Clubman.
That means saying something nice about Mini, which I steadfastly refuse to do.
The MINI hatred from an enthusiast site still puzzles me.
BMW missed the boat by not making the M2 with a 300+hp turbo four.
I agree, but then the magazines would be saying the engine was too rough and makes agricultural noises, much as they did with the E30 M3 when it was launched and compared unfavorably with the 325i.
Haters gonna hate.
I want results. How the results are achieved does not interest me much. Better fuel economy and better handling and less weight trump sounding a bit better in my book. A turbo 4 is all the motor I need ever.
“I want results. How the results are achieved does not interest me much. Better fuel economy and better handling and less weight trump sounding a bit better in my book. A turbo 4 is all the motor I need ever.”
This is how BMW lost me. It used to be that people with your level of discrimination bought Diamond-Stars instead.
So a 365 hp turbo six is too much then? LOL, your head might explode when they put the M3 engine in it next year. Personally, I think the 365hp engine in it now is perfect for the car.
And here I thought that the greatest thing missing from the New York Auto Show was myself. I really wanted to go, not so much for the show as that I wanted to check out Alex Roy’s NoHo Sound audiophile showroom, but family obligations prevented the trip.
I think Fairlane would be a better name for a RWD Ford sedan. Bigger than Fusion, replaces the Taurus. Police fleets would welcome it, if nobody else (aside from gearheads like us)..
Police has already tasted the CUV, they aren’t going back to sedans.
I agree, Pete. Explorer Interceptor is here to stay.
What about the new Frontier?
Why doesn’t someone at TTAC “pickup” (pun) the phone and call Nissan and arrange a chat.
Bark, why don’t you take initiative?
How fncking hard is it to get a scoop?
If I cared, I would. Me not a news reporter.
Maybe as hard as it is to type the correct “would have” or “should have”?
Or maybe harder than it is to not think the world revolves around Australia?
Probably not as hard as it is to understand that trucks from Thiland won’t solve all the problems in the world.
John,
No, the World doesn’t revolve around Australia.
Its the centre of the universe.
Nice list but the order can be tweaked. Miss number two should be the S2000, followed by the sub 40k Porsche, and then the Sonic hot hatch. The Mustang was just late, not really missing.
Those are great suggestions…
What is really missing from the market that would succeed is fun to drive CUV’s. All the latest offerings in the hot garbage CUV mix drive with the gusto of a 1996 Corolla. Why not stuff an Si motor in an HR-V or a type R motor in a CR-V, 300HP Golf R sourced short wheelbase Tiguan, WRX powered crosstrek. Bring cheap speed to the boring ass SUV market and they will sell out of them. Ford is on the right track with the outdated Edge getting an ST spec… as much as we bemoan that it is stupid… at the end of the day when my better half says she must have a CUV, i’m Looking around at HP and fun to drive at an affordable price and I see a sea of nothingness.
Half decent body control on a vehicle with a COG up there in the sky somewhere, requires springs and damping firm enough to be flat out jarring. Not something mainstream CUV intenders are interested in.
The only sorta-kinda workaround, is semiactive suspension. Where the outside is firmed up in turns, the front on the brakes, and the rear during hard acceleration. Those feel completely unnatural and wasteful, and are priced above mainstream, but they do objectively allow for good body control. Infinitely more rewarding to just grow up and appreciate the application of the tiniest bit of basic physics insight, if driving dynamics is even the remotest of concerns.
Yeah, completely disagree. CX-5 is the best example, suspension in composed enough to be reasonably fun to drive in the twisties while still giving a decent ride. The thing still needs another 80hp though to be fun to drive in day to day ops. I’m not saying build a track ready CUV, i’m Suggesting giving these stupid things enough power to be entertaining on an on ramp or zooming out of your local Starbucks. As it is, every single CUV that’s less than $45k drives like a dumpster fire and or is just ridiculously slow.
I had the same thought about a Sonic SS. The Fiesta ST is going away at the end of this year so that leaves some room. The Sonic RS looks good but does need more power.
1. CAFE says never gonna happen, and if Honda tries to put a small displacement turbo in a new S2000, Honda fanbois will declare war on Japan. Not worth it. Unscrewing-up the NSX would be a better use of time.
2. I guess it’s not ready?
3. CAFE says no. Camry hybrid or nothing.
4. The real question is “Why hasn’t BMW covered a heavy car in carbon fiber, referred to it as lightweight, and then doubled the MSRP?”
5. Noted. Steer clear of small Fords.
6. 944? How about 912? Give me the 2.0L Boxer-4 from the 718, a six speed manual, and eliminate virtually all creature comforts, and I do mean virtually all. No backseat. No carpet. No door cards or plastic trim. No radio. To purchase the car you must meet a lap time threshold at a track of Porsche’s choosing. If you inquire about a PDK option, they call the cops and tell them you’re armed, dangerous, and refusing to be taken alive.
7. CAFE says no. They need a Prius version. Isn’t the Sonic going away?
8. I’ll settle for something that runs reliably.
9. Supra is their only hope. I probably will never buy one so I don’t know why I care.
10. Agreed. Manuals are still the one.
Missing:
– The 4Runner Toyota keeps promising
– Turbocharged FA16 Crosstrek
– Porsche 912
– Ford Raptor convertible
– GMC Yukon XL Denali 2-door coupe
– Dodge Challenger Hellcat diesel wagon
So many missed opportunities
I have a 2015 Ford Falcon. Can confirm that it’s awesome. Sorry that yanks and Canucks were never offered it. I’ve driven my dad’s Commodore SS-V (similar spec to the Chevy SS that everyone seems to rave about) and while it’s a nice car for cruising, with plenty of great features, it just isn’t the rocketship that the Falcon is.
I would love to see the return of the Falcon, I just don’t see the point of owning a coupe when a four door (or five door) can be just as fast and more practical.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xf_MXDO2LzuWI37pYiMTx_SQSfSwIc_Nc9zQuX1p0IVFegSWWjfLLVMal5_qnN9PI_plMbW0LCzQYzNK2cS6ZkgJbTAnDOshzfVcd8HrLil4VUZUYnobz3DrJ-wK1jJu5Ax1hL_3i7lxDCr_rtIizrh1dyTxdEU25uH8PWOEQ2V3pWG3nKNWfAexK5uGRiIXDOSxym9JqRv0vLDAAEI1RRPGZ8kkBIyl424Nn-K-GanmUssfnkevr7n9qCy_VVwla0Doa1IWYbjbANIWjv8KfKeeWnbphoVBvgRrk8umM7u9bc7IXxBdpiR_VcyIDEdsgRvTMNdXHS2g231akIGV_hVcWN5YKPZ5cj2rh4se7amXf3uo-Abi8NpxDB9kUhjYCV2yNZlFUB2yjSYiSQCHuqFoMfgoxQlQgjMFHx669hG4wRJMjoj0o6LpFJViNz3gPlaAkh4RwUdLyfQdcA6CCpouT6KR8CWzHQiNrSEHoOaJc4sY11KJvja6UCyoBipnAHyymZCuvwsQAUajG9KTzKhsXRcVnFSJeCPwgUA6tHEQF7wPEn7821JDgtf8v1fNb7omWwVOn6EqNtu-7nyZgZXkpvBAM2WQhH9K5sU=w320-h240-no
Sorry about that horrible link. I find it excruciating difficult to do something simple on my phone that would take five seconds and two clicks on my PC.
Maybe this link is better. 2015 V8 Ford Falcon. https://goo.gl/Y4s3oT
Acura’s audio systems, unlike their vehicles have moved to the head of their class.
The KRELL system available in the RLX, is recognized as a top performer.
Bark, what’s up with the oxygen tubes? You seem too young for emphysema.
Scented oxygen. Peak journosaur.
Scented oxygen?
…and I thought it was to help with the hangover!
The list demonstrates how much Bark M. “misses” the market and the point of car companies…
You want fantasy sports cars nobody will buy…. pick up a PS4 and a copy of Gran Turismo Sport
I think it just demonstrates how far apart car enthusiasts and the average buying public have drifted apart. I have almost zero interest in CUVs, SUVs and coupes and most pickups. I consider most of them poor compromises between utility and performance. Yet they sell like hotcakes and the types of vehicle I find satisfy my needs best (primarily commuting and driving my small family around) have gone out of favour. I have no idea why. Fashion? The fact that most people think taller vehicles are safer for some reason? Whatever the reason, I’ve probably bought my last new car.
Man, and here I thought I was managing one of the largest auto advertising agencies in America.
For all those citing CAFE
http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-mileage-epa-rule-20180329-story.html
If they made a new s2k, I’d buy one in a heartbeat
“Connectivity” is the new “driving dynamics.” Most buyers today give a rat’s behind about how a car performs (be it handling, acceleration, any of that) and more concerned with being seen in a CUV/SUV with enough tech to make Silicon Valley blush. Me? I was lusting over a 1989 Corolla SR5 Coupe over on eBay with 48k miles on it that looked like it came off of the showroom floor. Virtually zero tech, a honest-to-goodness manual and CRANK windows for cripe’s sake.
And BMW is virtually (almost) dead to me, which pains me to say given my history and deep connection to the brand.
“200 horsepower”. Ha! Good one!
11. Coyote powered Ranger Raptor
12. Bronco Raptor
13. Solid front axle Bronco
14. Coyote powered Bronco
The best thing I see here is Luisa.
But seriously, #4? That ship has sailed. I’ve completely given up on BMW as a brand. They’d rather build crap like the X6, and the X1. Have you seen the latest commercial for the X1? Pathetic.
Somebody should take over BMW, and hang all the current upper management from lamp posts.