Come April 13 to 24, 2006, the automotive industry will once again converge at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in the Big Apple to witness the world’s automakers bring out and introduce their newest vehicle models and concepts at one of the biggest auto events this year – the 2006 New York International Automobile Show. The NY Auto Show promises a very exciting presentation this year with automakers expected to pull out all the stops to unveil their latest offerings. Nearly 1,000 cars, trucks, minivans, SUVs and crossover vehicles with prices ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 will go on display at the auto show.

John LaSorsa, the chairman of the NY Auto Show said that “There are more all-new cars and trucks coming to the 2006 Show than we’ve ever seen before, from the luxury new S-Class Mercedes and Jaguar XK Convertible to the nimble and fuel efficient Nissan Versa and Honda Fit, the Javits Center will be overflowing with completely new and re-styled 2006 and ‘07 model year vehicles.”

Expect to see a good mix of both import and domestic car makes and models from industry heavyweights Toyota, Ford, Honda, GM, DaimlerChrysler, Volkswagen, Volvo, Audi and many more. Among the most anticipated new models to be unveiled at the show include the 2007 Ford Edge, the Jaguar XK convertible, the crossovers Mazda CX-7 and CX-9, the Nissan Versa, Volkswagen Golf GTI, Ford GT, Ford Adrenaline, Saturn Sky, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Mercedes-Benz GL Class, Jeep Compass, the all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen, a new SUV from Daimler Chrysler and the Audi Q7, a seven seater from the German automaker.

The automakers will also whisk the coves off more than a dozen concept vehicles at the show. These include the Chrysler Imperial, Aston Martine Rapide, Acura RDX, Hyundai HCD9, and the Toyota F3R. The auto show will also witness the debut of several new hybrid vehicles such as the GMC Sierra Hybrid, Ford Focus FCV, Lexus RX 300H Hybrid, Honda Accord Hybrid and Saturn Vue Hybrid.

All roads will definitely lead to the Javits Center between 34th and 39th streets on April 14. A special public sneak preview will be held on the 14th while the official opening day will be on the 15th. In case you will not be able to go, just stay tuned to The Auto Blog. We will provide you with the latest news, important events and reviews from New York.

Starting with 27 new vehicles from all over the world, the list of contenders for the 2006 World Car of the Year award has now been reduced to three just as the annual awards nears its end before the New York International Auto show officially begins. The eventual winner of the said award will be declared on April 13, 2006 at the second press day of the New York Auto Show.

Making it to the final list of contenders are the BMW 3 Series, the Mazda MX-5, and the Porsche Cayman S. These top three contenders for the award were chosen, through casting secret ballots, by a jury of 46 international automotive journalists—the same group who will eventually decide which car would be declared the 2006 World Car of the Year.

Aside from the top three contenders for the prestigious World Car of the Year award, top three finalists for three other award categories have also been selected. These vehicles will compete for the World Performance Car, World Green Car, and World Car Design of the Year awards.

The three vehicles making it to the list of World Performance Car finalists are the Audi RS4, the BMW M5 and the Porsche Cayman S. For the World Green Car category, on the other hand, the finalists are the Citroen C1 1.4 Hdi, Honda Civic Hybrid, and the Lexus RX 400h/Toyota Harrier Hybrid. Then, for the World Car Design of the Year, the finalists are the BMW 3 Series, the Citroen C4 and the Honda Civic/Civic Hybrid (European version).

So, can you predict this early which cars will eventually win on the various categories? Well, pick your choices because we’ll wait for the final results as it is officially announced through a press conference to be presented by The Midway Group and to be hosted by the New York International Auto Show.

GM is all set to unveil a new Pontiac G6 GXP, a coupe show car, at the upcoming New York International Auto Show. GM hopes to capitalize on the 25 percent sales increase that the G6 achieved this year. The new G6 GXP coupe is an update on the original G6’s sleek styling and will feature a more aggressive stance. New features on the G6 GXP concept include a redesigned front fascia with an integrated lower air dam and Pontiac’s distinct twin-port grille redone in chrome.

The aggressive look continues with twin air scoops on the hood. At the back, the Pontiac G6 GXP features a dual chrome-tipped exhaust and ‘”hammerhead” spoiler. The ground-hugging and sportier look of the G6 GXP is completed by side rocker panels, 19-inch wheels, vented cross-drilled brake rotors, and a suspension lowered by 25mm. The Pontiac G6 GXP is powered by a modified 3.9 liter V6 engine with a 6-speed manual transmission. Engine output is at 270 hp and 259 lb.-ft of torque which is boosted by a ram air induction system linked with K&N air filter.

Inside, the Pontiac G6 GXP is awash in red and chrome accents that provide a sportier ambience. Red leather seats and door panel inserts complement the red and chrome trim on the instrument cluster, center stack and door controls.

The G6 GXP is another vehicle model from Pontiac’s GXP performance series that was introduced back in 2003 with the Pontiac Bonneville GXP. Last year, the Pontiac Grand Prix GXP was launched while the Solstice GXP is set to arrive later this year.

The new cabriolet versions of the Audi A4 and S4 are set to make their debut in North America at the 2006 New York International Auto Show. The new Audi S4 cabriolet will feature a newly restyled exterior and two new engines offering Audi’s FSI direct injection technology. The A4 cabriolet will come with two engine options, a 200hp 2.0T FSI turbocharged 4-cylinder and the 255hp 3.2 V6 FSI. Meanwhile, the 2007 Audi S4 will come with a 340hp 4.2 V8, another Ward’s winner. Both the A4 (2.0T and 3.2T models) and the S4 will feature Audi’s legendary Quattro all-wheel drive system.

The Audi A4 Cabriolet now has enhanced sporty handling characteristics and a more stable ride. The A4 offers a four-link front suspension and a sophisticated self tracking trapezoidal link rear suspension, both of which are made of light-alloy components. Furthermore, both the A4 and S4 provide excellent direct response and feedback for the driver with its Servotronic speed-sensitive training. The New York International Auto Show will open on April 14, 2006 and run until April 23, 2006. The 2007 Audi A4 and S4 Cabriolets are just two of the upcoming models and concept vehicles slated to make either their world or North American debut in New York this year.

Much have been said about General Motors‘ plan of giving its Saturn vehicle line-up a new appearance that will make them look more like Opel vehicles. Well, you be the judge if the transformation was worth it or not as Saturn displays new production vehicles and concept cars in the upcoming New York International Auto Show.

According to GM North America vice president Mark LaNeve, the new cars will show “GM’s commitment to raising the bar on product execution as part of our North American turnaround plan.” He further added that “Saturn’s dramatic new cars and crossovers, combined with an industry-leading positive retail experience, are a winning combination.”

So what are the new cars and crossovers that LaNeve and we are talking about? There are actually three, and these are the 2007 Saturn Aura, the Saturn Sky Red Line, and the Saturn Outlook.

The Saturn Aura is a mid-size sedan that, according to GM, carries with it the new Saturn design. The vehicle was first unveiled as a concept car on last year’s Detroit Auto Show. When unveiled at the New York Auto Show, GM promises us to see a fun-to-drive sport sedan with an aggressive exterior styling and plush interior designs.

The Saturn Sky Red Line, on the other hand, is a roadster that adds performance to the already stylish and refined Saturn Sky. Powered by the same turbocharged, 2.0-liter, direct injection, 4-cylinder engine used on the Pontiac Solstice GXP, the new Sky outputs 260 horsepower, making it worthy to become a new member of Saturn’s Red Line family of performance variants.

The last, but definitely not the least, on Saturn’s new vehicle line-up is the Saturn Outlook. Built on the new GM crossover platform, the Outlook boasts of an 8-passenger seating capacity. This is aside from the vehicle’s stylish exteriors and capable engine and mechanical parts.

Aside from the three production vehicles, GM will also be unveiling a new concept car. This new concept car will be joined by the Aero-X concept which was first unveiled in the Geneva Auto Show.