Bernie's Top 10 Cars from the 2015 New York International Auto Show

Now that New York had another successful auto show, I can finally give my top 10 vehicles from the 2015 New York International Auto Show.  Although McLaren had a successful debut with the 570s, Aston Martin brought the Vulcan, Porsche brought the new Boxster Spyder, and the Ford GT finally made its way to New York, don't expect to see these cars on my list. This isn't a list solely based on performance, economically and enviromentally vehicles (although nothing on this list falls in the economically and environmentally categories). It's just based on what caught my attention, what made my eyes twinkle and what I would purchase. So in no specific order....

The Cadillac ATS-V Coupe. I fell in love with the Cadillac CTS-V coupe quite some time ago, because of the design and the power. But the ATS is the sportier, slightly smaller, will give better gas mileage (although if you get the -V option, I don't think you'll be worried about gas mileage) sibling of the CTS. MSRP: $61,500.

My favorite body type of all time from the Mercedes Benz family, the CL/CLS class. Nothing more to be said, except if I were to purchase one, I might as well go all the way and get one with the AMG trim level. MSRP: $106,500 for the CLS63 AMG.

The Ford Shelby 350R.... Better than the Ford Shelby 350GT. MSRP: Who knows, but rumor has it, it can not beat a Koenigsegg.

The Mercedes Benz S-600 Maybach. The back seats are uber luxurious. After sitting in one, you too would add it to your top 10 list. MSRP: $190,000

Aston Martin Vanquish Carbon Edition. I absolutely love black vehicles and manufacturers have been coming out with their own special edition vehicles. This particular Vanquish has carbon fiber trim (including the roof), top speed of 201 mph, 0-60 in 3.6 seconds, gives off 558 horsepower and 465 lb ft @ 5,500 rpm. But another feature I love about it...

The gear shift are the four buttons under the air vents. It's all in the details. MSRP: $319,000

 

Not sure if General Motors has given the green light for production, but I was honestly surprised with the Buick Avenir. Buick isn't exactly the most sleek, stylish, modern division of General Motors, and I'm definitely not in their audience's demographic. But there's something about the Avenir. As surprised as I was that Buick would create something like this, I would be as equally as surprised if this received the green light.

Audi RS7. The RS7 happens to be the most powerful RS model ever offered in the U.S, and it's even as fast as the Ferrari 458. MSRP: $106,500

Move over Dodge Challenger, there's a new Hellcat in town. Dodge rolled out the new Charger Hellcat. 707 horsepower with a top speed of 204 mph. Need any further convincing? MSRP: $64,000.

My favorite BMW- X6M. Plenty of space for shopping bags and plenty of horsepower- topping out at 567 horsepower. MSRP:  $103,000

And rounding out the list is this Rolls Royce Wraith. Not only is the Wraith the most sleek in the Rolls Royce family, it provides the most horsepower, topping off at 624. MSRP: $294,000

"Why isn't Bentley on this list?" Glad you asked. Bentley opted out of The New York International Auto Show to put their complete focus on the Bentayga. And also, I must pay homage to my dream Prius...

 

I had a great time at the New York International Auto Show, and I will definitely return next year. For more coverage from this show, check out Bernie's 2015 New York International Auto Show gallery.

Forgiato Shows off a McLaren MP4-12C

The guys at Forgiato Wheels recently released photos of a McLaren MP4-12C. This orange McLaren is  wearing Forgiato's F-Sette Formula Series Wheels in 20 inches. The wheels are finished in anodized black with the words "Forgiato" and "Formula" in raw aluminum on the lip. If you've fallen in love with this car by now, you're in luck, because it's for sale at Exotic Euro Cars in Calabasas, CA. 

Top 10 Cars Celebrities Will Be Driving in 2013...

... according to Celebrity Cars Blog.

One of my favorite blogs to keep up with, Celebrity Cars Blog, released a list of what they think will be the top 10 cars driven by celebrities this year. Although two days ago marked the beginning of the second half of 2013, it's still a very interesting list...

Range Rover/Range Rover Sport. This vehicle is too much of a celebrity staple to ever go away. You can fit 5 people, still have plenty of trunk space, and it gives off over 400 horsepower. MSRP: $83,500

Tesla Model S. Very luxurious enviromentally friendly sedan. Unless a celebrity likes electric cars, that's the only way this would be super popular, but it won't trump the Fisker Karma. The FK had non-enviromentally friendly people still wanting to drive that car. MSRP: $62,400

McLaren MP4-12C. Honestly speaking, other than Dwyane Wade and Jay Leno, I've yet to see another celebrity drive one. It probably needs more time to catch on. MSRP: $268,250.

McLaren P1.  At first I was only familiar with the MP4-12C model, but after reading it, I became intrigued. I love the curvature of the body (hate boxy vehicles). Has the power to release 903 horsepower, which allows the P1 to go 62 mph in less than 3 seconds AND 124 mph in less than 7 seconds. Top Speed: 218 mph. MSRP: $1.15 million with only 375 P1s to be produced, and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Jay Leno was one of the 375 owners. He might as well get a third McLaren.

Bentley Continental GT. Too much of a staple. And even various levels of the Continental body is still popular: Flying Spur, the GTC, and let us not forget: GT (C) Supersport. MSRP: $174,000



Maserati Quattroporte. Maserati finally redesigned the Quattroporte, making it more sleek than the previous model. I always like the changes in vehicles that make it look sleek. MSRP: $130,000 to battle against the Porsche Panamera Turbo.

Maserati Ghibli. Maserati introduces the new Ghibli. At first glance, it looks just like the Quattroporte, however, it's designed to compete with the BMW 5-series, Jaguar XF, Audi A6, the Mercedes Benz E-Class. Basically the Ghibli would be mid-level luxury. I'm liking it more and more. I just have to see it in person though. MSRP: $70,000. Useless fact: In Italian, ghibli means hot air blowing through the Sahara desert.

Rolls Royce Wraith. I'm actually shocked that a celebrity hasn't been photographed with one yet. I first saw this at the 2013 New York Auto Show, and it reminded me of the Bentley Mulsanne: boxy in the front, sleek in the back. MSRP: roughly $318,000.

Lamborghini Aventador Roadster. Too much of a staple in the celebrity world, until Lamborghini finds a way to top this particular model. MSRP $387,000

Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. It has extreme potential to be a staple. All of the previous Ferraris have been staples, so the odds of this becoming popular is definitely on Ferraris side. Selling point: 731 horsepower, 0-62 mph in 3.1 seconds, AND uses 30% less fuel than the Ferrari 599. You know you want it. MSRP: roughly 1/3 of a million ($333,000). I would rather get this car than a Rolls Royce ANYTHING, and I'm really not into exotic cars.

It's a nice list, but realistically, I don't see the Tesla and the two McLarens making a huge splash. If it was my list, I would have taken off those three vehicles, and added Bentley Mulsanne, toss up between the Porsche Panamera and the Porsche 911, and the Jeep Wrangler. Alas, it's still a great list, because it forced me to learn more.

Bernie's Car Show Coverage: 2013 New York International Auto Show

Last week I returned from my hometown of New York, after attending the 113th annual New York International Auto Show. Although I am very New York, this is my first time attending the show, and it didn't fail to disappoint. I'll put it to you like this: I was in some very great company. Enough of the what I have to say, I want to show off some photos. This is a very heavy photo post. 

Toyota brought their Concept Corolla car. I'm not a small car person, but I do love the design of this car. 

General Motors took up the entire North Hall. 

Yes!!! The Jaguar XF that I want... So gorgeous...

Rolls Royce rolled out the all new Rolls Royce Wraith. I don't like the design aspect. Performance wise, I'm sure it's great. But look at it. Rolls Royce in the front, Bentley Continental in the rear. Boxy/bulky in the front, sleek in the rear. I would take a Ghost over the Wraith. 

Cadillac brought their ATS....  

... and their CTS Sedan... 

... and my personal favorite, the CTS-V Coupe. 

The Race Car version of the new Chevy SS. Yeah...  no. Next...

First photo says it all... And thankfully, Chevy brought the hardtop and the convertible.

The new Chevy Impala. Looks a lot better than the one I learned how to drive in.

The 2014 Chevy Camaro. It looks a bit sleeker, however those tail lights did NOT go over well, AT ALL. If they would have kept the old tail lights, but with the new refined body, then it would have been better.

Love this shade of blue on this Audi R8.

Porsche 911 GT3.

I really hope I don't catch any guys driving this convertible Nissan Murano. I'm having mixed feelings about this vehicle. Although I commend originality, after I had the opportunity to see it up close and personal, the lack of trunk space and the fact that it sits so high off the ground. Maybe my legs are too short for this.

Nissan was also kind enough to bring the new New York City yellow taxi. NYC has three different kinds of taxis: yellow, livery, and gypsi.

Also, I was too happy that Nissan FINALLY decided to refresh their long lasting Pathfinder. However, it looks like a bigger version of the Murano.

Every import guy's dream car, the Nissan GTR. MSRP: close to 100 thousand.

Sooo... the last three days of the New York International Auto Show has another attraction called the Dub Car Show: NY. This year, Action Tire of New Jersey supplied some vehicles like Ice T's Bentley Continental GT with Onyx aftermarket parts.

As well as a Chevy Camaro that belongs to Hakeen Nicks, Wide Receiver of the New York Giants. 

Showing hometown love to Martino Auto Concepts of Long Island...

Completely customized Chrysler 300.

Long Island is in the house... 

The Jeep Cherokee went from an SUV to a CUV. This is a Crossover.

2013 Turbo Camaro Coupe, out in time to promote the movie "Turbo"

2014 VW Beetle GSR

Lamborghini Avenger anyone?

So pretty...

 

 Mercedes Benz B Class. 

The Mercedes CLA looks good... 

But I'm always partial to the CLS63 AMG.

Jeep had their "Camp Jeep NYC", where they have professional drivers show the passengers (People who attended the auto show) how the Jeep can perform through different situations. But the last photo was SCARY. The driver took his foot off the brake, so you're on this steep hill and the car doesn't move. He did that, to show off the technology of a Jeep. 

McLaren. Just sayin... 

 

The crowd's favorite (and my new favorite). The BMW X6. It was extremely hard for me to get some clean shots of this SUV. I hate photos with people blocking the car. Unless if you're a model, get out of my photo.

Honda's area...

The relief of the entire car show... Honda FINALLY redesigned the rear of the Civic. The last Civic body was so old and stale. 

I like the Urban SUV Concept. But it's not an SUV, it's a Crossover. 

Wonder Woman and her Kia Sportage.

The little boy trying to get into the Kia Batman car was so cute.  

  

If I liked small cars, this would be mine.

Acura's NSX Concept Car. 

Introducing the new Acura ILX.

2013 is the final year for the Acura ZDX because of low sales. It's not a common SUV, which is why I love it. I've only seen it on the road all of twice. And I'm seriously contemplating one.

Can Am Spyder brought the best vehicle of all... 

Saving the best for last. 

P.S. Martino Auto Concepts, of Long Island, NY shot a video of their journey (well not really a journey, just 30 miles) to get to the Javits Convention Center.

For the rest of the photos... check out Bernie's New York International Auto Show Gallery.