The guy-to-girl ratio during the press days at the 2003 New York International Auto Show was pretty pathetic. If you took out the cuties from the PR firms, it would've barely notched above a Pet Shop Boys concert. Hopefully next year, they'll take some tips from the guys at Import Showoff and hire a Miss New York Auto Show or move the whole deal to Ibiza, or something. Anything. Please.
Acura Concept TLAccording to Acura, the Concept TL is pretty much what we can expect the next TL to look like when it comes out later this year. That's good news. Unfortunately, there was no engine inside the concept car, so that's still up in the air. What's interesting is the fact that Brembos are on all four wheels. Is this a sign? Start the rumor mill. Release date: Fall 2003.
Mazda MX SportifMazda calls the MX Sportif a production-ready concept car. We call it the next MX-3, maybe. With a 150hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, some might call it a strong rival to the Civic Si. And remember what Mazdaspeed did to the Proteg? Still, we will have to wait. Mazda hasn't set a release date and it'll probably hit Europe first. Release date: Maybe in 2005.
Mini John Cooper Works SWho's John Cooper? Well, he was a pioneer in Formula 1 race car engineering and one of the swankiest Brits of all time (so we're told). The John Cooper Works Mini package for the Cooper S is a full supercharger option (including exhaust and computer tuning) that adds another 40 hp to the original S.Release date: Out now.
Saab 9-2Yes, this is a Saab in Super Street magazine. You see, Saab is owned by GM, and GM also has a stake in Fuji Heavy Industries, which owns Subaru. The upcoming Saab 9-2 will be an all-wheel-drive four-door hatchback with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. You do the math, because we can't. Release date: Spring 2004.
Mitsubishi GalantYes, we'd all wish Mitsubishi could keep on releasing Evos, but until that happens, it's giving us a buff midsized car in the new Galant. It's not the prettiest thing to look at, but it's got 230 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque (whoa!), and that's in the low rpm. Nice. Just put a bag over the front end and hop in. Release date: Fall 2003.
Mitsubishi Tarmac SpyderAlthough it may not look like it, the Tarmac Spyder is actually a Lancer Evolution VIII platform with some funky skin. It's got all the turbocharged and electronic goodness that we've come to love in the Evo and all the styling that's missing from it. There's really no chance of this (or anything remotely like it) reaching the showroom anytime soon. Release date: In your dreams.
Nissan Z RoadsterThe Z Roadster really is a no-brainer. Hot-looking cars, like hot-looking women, usually don't turn into a pile of turd when you take the top off. The drop-top Z features the same 287hp V-6 engine, and will come in two models, starting at $34,000. The top comes off in 20 seconds with the touch of a button. Ah, if other things in life were just as easy. (We're talking about soda bottles here.) Release date: Summer 2003.
Saturn Ion RedlineSaturn is really bringing it. With the Ion Redline, Saturn has supercharged (and intercooled) the Ecotec 2.0-liter to 200 hp (at 12 psi max boost). The Ion Redline also comes with a five-speed close-ratio manual gearbox, a 2.25-inch exhaust, a racetrack-tuned suspension, and 17-inch wheels and tires. Release date: Early 2004.