New York Auto Show: Cool Cars With Hot Tech
For car lovers, auto industry execs, car tech enthusiasts, and wealthy people who like to keep their garages full, it's the most wonderful time of the year. The New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) is open to the public from April 3 through April 12 at NYC's Jacob Javits Convention Center.
Over these two weeks more than one million people will swarm Javits to catch a glimpse of 60 new automobile models on display, all boasting upgrades that range from subtle to flashy. Manhattan's show is a hotspot for industry giants to show off their most important, luxurious, and expensive cars.
"New York is a fantastic consumer show and a ton of the media is already here," said Scott Keogh, head of Audi's US sales, to Newsday. "I see New York getting stronger and stronger, and it seems to be taking on a new position in the luxury corner of the market."
Luxury brands certainly had a presence on the show floor. Brands such as Rolls Royce, Maserati, and Porsche all had glossy new vehicles to spotlight. That said, the Lamborghinis of the auto world were sharing the floor with mainstream brands like Nissan, Chevrolet, and Toyota.
Of course, the cars showcased at NYIAS are more than just pretty designs. We took a look inside to get a glimpse at the new technologies being integrated in future models. The new Cadillac CT6, for example, contains an upgraded touchscreen that users can control via touchpad on the console located next to them, a design feature intended to minimize distracted driving.
It seems that in-car touchscreens are here for the long haul. The global growth of smartphones, tablets, and other devices, combined with advancements in touch technology, is spurring increased demand for in-vehicle touchscreen displays. Users want to be able to control navigation, temperature, energy efficiency, and entertainment through touchscreens, according to research from IHS, Inc.
Safety technology was another key trend at this year's show, but on a more subtle level.
It seems like capabilities such as night vision, automatic braking, and pedestrian-collision warning systems are no longer breakthrough advancements, but features that are almost expected to be included in modern cars. Some makers have set their sights on a younger target audience, making technology specifically designed to keep teen drivers safe.
InformationWeek took a field trip to Javits this week to check out NYIAS 2015 in person. If you're local to Manhattan or happen to be in town, I highly recommend it. If not, we put together a photo guide of the coolest cars at this year's show. Read on and take a look at what's hitting the highways throughout next year and beyond.
Cadillac CT6
Cadillac's new flagship sedan, the CT6, is packed with new technology. Some noteworthy features include a wireless phone-charging pad, new Bose Panaray sound system with 34 speakers, and a rearview mirror that leverages a camera-based display mounted outside the car so the driver has an unobstructed view if the back seat is filled with luggage or people. Rear passengers will appreciate seats that massage, heat, and recline so they can comfortably watch the video screens built into the backs of the front-facing seats.
Cadillac CUE Interface Update
The CT6 also delivers the most recently updated version of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system, which is fed by exterior cameras that allow for a full 360-degree view around the car. CUE has been upgraded to include a 10.2-inch capacitive touchscreen that will supposedly operate faster and recognize drivers' handwriting motions when they search for certain places.
Even with a fast-acting touchpad, CUE could prove a distraction. Cadillac fixed this with the inclusion of a touchpad on the center console, which provides the driver with easier access to the CUE system. The touchpad also provides haptic communication and triggers small vibrations as the driver scrolls through menus and icons.
Jaguar XF
The 2016 Jaguar XF also boasts a new infotainment system with 10.2-inch screen. A new program called InControl Touch Pro maps routes using real-time traffic analysis, configurable apps, and SSD-based maps. These features do require a phone connection, but the system disables all other phone features while it's in action.
In other tech updates, the XF has a new head-up laser display that allows the driver to view data about speed, navigation instructions, and gear positions on the windshield. Safety features include lane-keeping assist, lane departure warnings, traffic-sign recognition, and a system that monitors drivers in case they get tired at the wheel.
Lincoln Continental Concept
The new Lincoln was revealed as a concept car at NYIAS. It was designed to appeal to the Chinese market, where the demand for full-size luxury sedans is growing.
One of the hits of this year's show, the Continental has its share of luxe new tech. Its sunroof glass switches from clear to opaque with the touch of a button -- and without a sliding curtain. It also has a button that automatically moves and reclines the front passenger seat, which is allegedly a nod to Chinese luxury-car owners, who typically have personal drivers.
Lexus RX 350 Sport
Both 2016 RX models, the Lexus RX 350 and RX 450h hybrid, will bring a color head-up display, a 12.3-inch interface screen, and a dual-screen entertainment system that boasts larger displays. Drivers can use a joystick-like mouse to navigate the Remote Touch interface.
Key safety features include lane-departure warning and lane-keeping, in addition to a Pre-Collision System (PCS) that detects vehicles and pedestrians with a camera and laser. Additional features include a multi-angle parking camera system, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot warnings.
Lexus Enform
New Lexus models come equipped with the Lexus Enform App Suite, which is a mobility system that allows drivers to view and control their smartphone screen from an center console touchscreen display. Drivers download the compatible app on their smartphone to stream music, listen to live radio, place restaurant reservations, access en-route navigation assistance from a live response center agent, remotely lock and unlock doors, find the vehicle in a parking lot, and monitor how someone else is driving the car. The system is Bluetooth-enabled and can support up to five devices.
Honda Civic
A flashy new Civic comes equipped with electronic safety systems like forward-collision warnings, a multi-angle rearview camera, and Honda's Lanewatch system, which shows your blind spot when you trigger your turn signal.
The tenth-generation Civic was one of the popular cars at this year's show because it's bringing a host of changes to Honda's flagship car. Some view it as a sign that Honda is bringing a sportier edge to its lineup.