Top Picks From The New York International Auto Show 2016

10. Lincoln Navigator Concept

9. Mercedes-AMG C63 Cabriolet

The two-door Cabriolet is a lot like the standard Mercedes-AMG C63, only with some minor tweaks to its exterior profile and the addition of a retractable soft-top roof. The car made its world premiere at the New York Auto Show and promises to take open-top driving to a whole new level. We say that because at the heart beats a 4.0-litre, bi-turbo V8 engine. As it's the case with the other C63 models, the cabrio will be available with 469 bhp in the standard model and 503 bhp in the C63 S variant. The engine is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission which helps you make use of all that power. In terms of performance, the C63 Cabriolet will need just 4.2 seconds to reach the 100km/h while the C63 S reaches the three figure mark 0.1 seconds quicker. Top speed on the C63 Cabriolet is electronically limited to 250km/h, it's restricted on the C63 S at 300km/h.

8. Honda Civic Hatchback

Honda's 1.5 litre turbo-four engine and a six-speed manual gearbox make the Civic hatch sound like very fun package indeed. It is too bad that India stays out of Honda's Civic game plan. I honestly believe that Honda needs to up its game and bring us not just a Civic sedan but this hatch too. It is young, fun, extremely stylish and has the potential to rule the premium hatchback segment. Its shown here as a concept (surprising since there was a prototype hatch shown at Geneva) but will debut soon as a production model.

7. Chevrolet Cruze
 

6. Mercedes-AMG E 43

We know that Mercedes is still looking to replace the AMG version E63 and the E43 is just the middle ground; more like setting the stage. It's hotter than the E300 which is good enough for 241 horses, yes but it doesn't stand tall to the E63 S which punches out 577bhp. That's why the Mercedes-AMG E43 is the middle ground and a world debut at the NYIAS makes it a bit more special. The 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 churns out 396bhp and the 4Matic all-wheel drive system routes the power to the wheels through a nine-speed automatic. It's not the most powerful E-Class but it sure is quick on its feet. A 0-100km/h sprint is completed in just 4.6 seconds which is a good 2 seconds clear of the E300.

5. Nissan GT-R

The fastest and best GT-R ever - that's a bold claim from Nissan for a car that defines the brand in many ways. And always has. The new GT-R is a final facelift and enhancement on the current R35 and made it's world debut at the NYIAS. It adds a more dynamic front end and also bumps power by 20 bhp to 565 horses from the same 3.8 itre double-overhead camshaft turbocharged V6. The interiors are more premium than before - and yes this IS indeed the car that Nissan will launch in India as its flagship, later this year.

4. Jaguar F-Type SVR

The fastest and most powerful Jaguar ever! The SVR takes the stock F-Type R and makes it meaner, by dropping weight and adding power - so it is 50 kgs lighter, and adds 25 bhp and 20 Nm of torque. The F-Type SVR makes its North American debut here, and even though we saw it at Geneva I am including it in my tope ten nonetheless. The car uses carbon ceramic brakes, a revised anti-roll bar, and a steering with greater feedback than the F-Type R. I have also had a chance to drive it briefly, and can affirm that it is indeed every bit the monster it claims to be.

3. Audi R8 V10 Spyder
 

It's an Audi R8 V10 and yes it's topless and what better place than New York to make its world debut. The R8 V10 Spyder is here and with this one Audi is trying to keep the weight of the car as low as possible. It's gone to the extent of using a lightweight cloth hood that is controlled by an electro-hydraulic mechanism. Thanks to the cloth top, the vehicle weighs 1,612 kgs. There's the familiar 5.2-litre V10 naturally aspirated petrol engine that generates 540 bhp and a similar amount of torque. Power is channeled to all four wheels thanks to the 7-speed automatic gearbox with two clutches and the company's quattro all-wheel drive system. Yes, we know all that doesn't matter and you want to know about the performance. Well, it can go from 0-100km/h in just 3.6 seconds before reaching its top speed of 318 km/h.

2. Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe

81 mm longer and 40 mm shorter than the regular GLC, and a 15.2 mm lower ground clearance. The GLC Coupe certainly manages to look very different than the regular SUV. Making its world debut at the NYIAS, the GLC  Coupe was has been teased by Mercedes-Benz time and again. In India, we will get the GLC this year, but globally it is the Coupe that is getting all the attention. Like the GLE Coupe, the GLC Coupe looks to cash in on the growing interest consumers seem to have towards the coupe-crossover. The GLC Coupe mirrors the powertrain lineup from the GLC, and includes 4Matic or 4WD variants too. Expect it in India around 2017 end.

1. Mazda MX-5 RF

The 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is based on the regular MX-5 which is a soft-top car. The RF is a hardtop with flying buttress-like arches that extend from the roof down to the boot. The car's proportions are superb, and Mazda says the roof can be operated at speeds up to 10 km/h. I've driven the soft-top car and found it to be very enjoyable and taut. Now I can only imagine how much fun the hard-top would be!