NEW YORK AUTO SHOW

Cherokee to make debut at prestigious exhibit

Toledo’s Jeep among other latest models

3/24/2013

New York City may not be a haven for drivers, but its auto show is both the nation’s oldest and best attended.

Organizers say more than 1 million people attend the annual show, which this year will feature about 1,000 vehicles, including several models that are making their world debuts.

Among them is the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, which Chrysler Group LLC will officially introduce on Wednesday. The Toledo-built vehicle replaces the Liberty in Jeep’s lineup and competes in one of the most important segments within the industry.

Chrysler also will be introducing a 2014 Dodge Durango, a race-tuned SRT Viper, and special edition Chrysler 200 S that the automaker plans to have in dealerships later this year.

The 200 S Special Edition is the latest in a series of special-edition packages Chrysler has added to existing models to help drum up interest.

In addition to exterior tweaks, the Special Edition’s interior has extra touches designed in collaboration with clothing company Carhartt Inc. The companies paired up last year to launch an “Imported From Detroit” clothing line.

In the luxury segment, Land Rover will introduce an all-new Range Rover Sport on Tuesday evening. It’s a fitting place to release the vehicle — Land Rover says more of its Range Rover Sports are sold in the New York metro area than anywhere else in the world. The Range Rover Sport is also Land Rover’s best selling vehicle in North America.

Cadillac also is set for another important show in New York, following its Detroit debut of the ELR plug-in hybrid. In New York, Cadillac will give the first look at the next generation of its CTS.

The midsize luxury sedan was had its last major redesign in 2008, and with the release of the ATS and XTS last year, was Cadillac’s oldest car.

General Motors Co. already announced buyers of the new CTS will have the option of a new 420-horsepower twin-turbo V-6 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission.

GM will also use the New York show to reveal the next generation Chevrolet Camaro.

Other debuts expected in New York include Subaru’s first hybrid, the XV Crosstrek Hybrid, Toyota Motor Corp.’s new Highlander, and the Jaguar XJR.

The show kicks off with a media preview Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The show opens to the public Friday and runs through April 7.