At the show, I found 8 vehicles that really made my eyes sparkle. In no specific order or price range, I present "Bernie's Top 8 Vehicles from the AJC International Auto Show".
The Range Rover Evoque, a premium compact SUV. All Wheel Drive, 3.2-liter V6 Engine, 230 hp, 6 speed automatic, 104.7 in wheelbase, 171.3 inches long, 74.0 inches wide, 60.4 inches tall. Roughly $35,000 MSRP. Even though Atlanta is a "Keeping Up With the Joneses" type city, there's a Range Rover abundance here. The majority of the Land Rovers in Atlanta are from the Range Rover family, but I highly doubt that it would change when the Evoque hits the streets, unless if a bunch of rich people drive it. Then all the bandwagon folks will buy them. If you don't believe me, take a trip to Atlanta and meet all the people who drive Range Rovers and BMW 740 Lis and can't afford gas to put in it.
The Jaguar XJL Supercharged, four door luxury sedan. 5.0-liter V-8 Supercharged Engine, 510 horsepower, 6 speed automatic, 124.3 in wheelbase, 206.6 inches long, 83 inches wide, and 57 inches tall. 0-60 mph: 4.9 seconds, EPA fuel economy: 17/21 mpg, city/highway. Roughly $90,500 MSRP. I'm really not a Jaguar person, but there's something about this car that speaks to me. Definitely the sleekness of the shape. I wouldn't mind pushing one of these, and I never say that about a Jaguar. Major upgrading design from the previous model.
The Nissan Juke, small crossover SUV. I've talked about this car until I was blue in the face, but let's run down the specs... again. 1.6 L HR16DE I4 Engine (and by 14, that does mean 4 cylinders... *shivers*), front wheel drive, automatic transmission, 99.6 in wheelbase, 162.8 in long, 69.5 wide, and 61.8 inches tall. 0–60 mph: 6.8 seconds, EPA fuel economy: 27/32 mpg city/highway. Roughly $19,000 MSRP. And yes, I'm turned on by the uniqueness of this vehicle, but I know that's it's not for everybody... At the AJC Show, I saw some distinguished individuals looking at the vehicle. The size might be nice, but the shape/design of it screams modern. Most older people are set in their ways and don't go for anything that looks different. But we all know that I'm not like most people, especially if I like a vehicle like this.
The Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet, the first convertible SUV. Seriously, who thought of this??? Like a bad car accident, I'm strangely intrigued. This 2 door Converti-SUV has the same specs as the top of the line Muranos, like 3.5L VQ35DE V6 Engine, 265 horsepower, all wheel drive, automatic transmisson, 111.2 in wheelbase, 190.1 in long, 74.5 in wide, 66.2 in tall. EPA fuel economy is rated at 18 city / 23 highway, and the MSRP is unknown for the time being. Seriously, who thought of this??? And second: who said it was okay to green light the production???
The Cadillac CTS-V, a luxury coupe. supercharged 6.2L V-8 engine, Rear Wheel Drive, 6 speed automatic, 556 horsepower 113.4 inch wheelbase, 188.5 inches long, 74.1 inches wide, 55.9 inches tall. 0-60 is 3.9 seconds, EPA fuel economy is 14 city / 19 highway, and the MSRP is $62,165. Look at the shape!!!! Especially the rear, it looks nice in silver, but in black... *whistles*. I also like the missing door handles. I would entertain the thought of this car in black followed by silver. It doesn't have the same impact in any other color.
The Acura ZDX. I first noticed this SUV when this guy that was chasing me in Atlantic Station in Atlanta was driving one. I didn't like him stalking me, but I loved his taste in SUVs, needless to say, he didn't get my phone number. Let's talk specs... 3.7 Liter V-6 engine, All Wheel Drive, 300 horsepower, 6 speed shiftable automatic transmission, 108.3 inch wheelbase, 192.4 inch long, 78.5 inches wide, and 62.8 inches tall. 0-60 mph is 6.4 seconds, and EPA rated at 16/22 mpg city/highway, and the MSRP is listed at $45,650. Like the Cadillac CTS-V, I'm in love with the rear. The woman who designed it said that she was going after the pulled back slingshot look, and I think she accomplished it and made me a fan in the process.
The Audi A7, the gorgeous four door coupe. I'm not an Audi person, in fact, this is the first Audi that I decided to add to my radar. Quattro four-wheel drive, 3.0 L V6 supercharged engine, seven speed automatic, 195.7 inches long, 75.2 inches wide, and 55.9 inches tall with a 114.6 inch wheelbase. Not much is known on this fine specimen, but once I find out, I'll let you'se know.
And finally....
The Aston Martin Rapide, a luxury four door sedan. I'm not into the exotics, but this Aston Martin had me at hello. He features a hand-built 6.0-liter V12 engine, 470 horsepower, six-speed Touchtronic 2 automatic transmission allows the driver to change gears automatically or manually, 117.7 inch wheelbase, 197.6 inches long, 84.3 inches wide, and 53.5 inches tall. 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds. With a car like this, who cares about the EPA, but if you do care, it's EPA is 13/19 mpg. And the MSRP is a mere $199,950... Once could dream.
That concludes my top 8 at the AJC Auto Show. I can promise you one thing, that my list based off of the New York International Auto Show will not be like this. Two reasons why: more cars and more exclusives. Next stop, the Jacob Javits Convention Center...
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