After an eventful 2009, the Tuned staff travelled to the New York International Auto Show to cover what is the biggest show of the 2009 season thus far. We were thoroughly impressed with many of the booths and setups that some of the manufacturers creatively presented to the press. Our gallery of the show is complete and plenty of eye candy is there to go around. We hope you enjoy some of these colorful images as much as we did! Sit back and Enjoy!

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    NEW YORK -- At a press conference hosted by the
New York International Auto Show and Mobil 1 at the Jacob Javits Centre in
Manhattan, New York, the Fiat 500 was declared the 2009 World Car Design of
the Year.

    Cars eligible for the 2009 World Car Design of the Year award are taken
from the list of fifty-one (51) World Car candidates nominated by
fifty-nine (59) World Car jurors from twenty-five (25) countries throughout
the world.

    The World Car Design of the Year category, and the corresponding award,
is meant to highlight new vehicles with innovation and style that push
established boundaries.

    A design panel consisting of four highly respected world design experts
asked to first review each candidate, and then establish a short-list of
recommendations for the jurors. The design experts were:

    --  Silvia Baruffaldi: Managing Editor, Auto & Design magazine
    --  Robert Cumberford:  design critic, Automobile and Auto & Design
        magazines
    --  Akira Fujimoto:  Editor-in-Chief, Car Styling magazine.

    --  Tom Matano: Executive Director, School of Industrial Design, Academy of
        Art University, San Francisco, USA
    Jurors then voted on the expert's recommendations and the ballots were
tabulated by the international accounting firm KPMG. The top three design
finalists were, in alphabetical order, the Fiat 500, the Citroen C5 Sedan /
C5 Tourer, and the Jaguar XF.

    This is the second time that a Fiat design has been chosen one of the
top three finalists. The Fiat Grande Punto was the initial top three
finalist for the design title in 2007.

    The World Car jurors observed, "Icon is an overused word in the
automotive world, but the Fiat 500 dating from 1957 genuinely deserves the
sobriquet. Revived by Fiat last year, the new Cinquecento is larger than
its predecessor but still smaller than a Mini. Cheerful and cheeky, it does
a brilliant job of capturing the visual appeal of the original version
while meeting modern design and engineering standards. Design consultant
Robert Cumberford says the new 500 "pushes the emotional hot buttons of
several generations of people who might never have driven one of the early
models, but who admired them on European streets. Built on the Panda
platform, the 500 keeps the original's charm, adding two more seats and all
contemporary safety, anti-pollution and driving aids." In Tom Matano's
opinion the Fiat possesses "heart-warming style. It is genuine,
straightforward, without gimmicks. It is a welcome addition to a car world
full of non-humanistic designs."

    "It is with great pride that we accept an award which sets the seal on
the work done by Fiat to create stunningly good-looking cars that convey
everything that is best in Italian manufacturing," said Roberto Giolito,
Head of Style Fiat. "Italian design has often anticipated the future trends
of motoring and our latest models, as the Fiat 500 shows, stand out for
that 'concrete beauty' that the whole world has come to expect from an
Italian car. We will never cease to work in the direction of design
innovation, creating products of great styling appeal which at the same
time never fail to respect our historical, cultural and industrial
identity."

    Previous winners of the World Car Design of the Year award were the
Audi R8 in 2008, the Audi TT in 2007 and the Citroen C4 in 2006.

    Now in their sixth year, the annual World Car awards have become one of
the world's most prestigious, credible and significant programs of its
kind.

    The awards were inaugurated in 2003, and officially launched in January
2004, to reflect the reality of the global marketplace, as well as to
recognize and reward automotive excellence on an international scale. The
awards are intended to complement, not compete, with existing national and
regional Car of the Year programs.

    The awards are administered by a non-profit association, under the
guidance of a Steering Committee of pre-eminent automotive journalists from
Asia, Europe, and North America. There is no affiliation with, nor are the
awards in any way influenced by any publication, auto show, automaker, or
other commercial enterprise.

Even with the economy in a severe downturn, consumers still are turning to certain types of new
vehicles to tackle their lives head-on--whether it's commuting to work,
carpooling kids to school or heading out for weekend adventures.

    Instead of piloting big, bulky SUVs, though, car shoppers are
increasingly turning to crossover vehicles. At this week's New York Auto
Show, crossover vehicles are being introduced by the major
automakers--luxury brands included--and according to the automotive experts
at TheCarConnection.com, this may signal a clear move from the SUV to the
lighter, more versatile Crossover.

    "Crossover vehicles have essentially replaced big SUVs in the minds of
many shoppers," said TheCarConnection.com's executive editor, Marty
Padgett. "They frequently have better fuel economy, more carlike handling
and extra entertainment oriented features. The car companies are responding
to consumer demand and rolling out these new, more user-friendly utility
vehicles with the features they like."

    The car experts at TheCarConnection.com, the flagship reviews site at
High Gear Media--report that even at GM and Chrysler, the financial crisis
hasn't stopped introductions of two critically important new crossovers.
The most important new crossovers on display in New York this week include:

    2010 BMW X5 M and X6 M

    BMW's American-made "sport-activity vehicles" get a major injection of
horsepower thanks to the automaker's M division. Both the upright X5 and
the sleeker, coupe like X6 get a twin-turbo V-8 with 555 horsepower and a
price tag likely soaring past $75,000--but either one's still cheaper than
the Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

    2010 Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid

    Mercedes already sells a greener ML-Class with a diesel engine; now the
German automaker launches a hybrid version of its gas-engined ML-Class,
giving consumers the rare choice of either green machine.

    2010 Kia Sorento

    Kia's mainstream SUV once took on the Ford Explorer; the new version
has become more of a big wagon, with less emphasis on off-roading and more
emphasis on seven-passenger seating and all-weather safety.

    2010 Acura ZDX

    Like BMW, Acura's taking its mainstream ute and spinning a sexier
version from it. In this case, the Acura MDX gets a four-seat silhouette to
become the 2010 ZDX. Front- and all-wheel drive versions are expected.

    2010 GMC Terrain

    The Chevrolet Equinox was previewed in GM's federal-loan filing. Now,
the GMC brand gets a creased-and-folded twin with its own edgy styling and
choice of front- or all-wheel drive. Four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines
promise best-in-class fuel economy.

    2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee

    The latest version of Jeep's venerable sport-ute surfaces this week
after being leaked in Chrysler's federal loan filings. The new version's
now a cousin of the Mercedes-Benz ML-Class; even though Chrysler and
Mercedes are going their separate ways, the Grand Cherokee now shares some
pieces with the former Benz ML, though it has its own new fuel-efficient
3.6-liter V-6 underhood. All-wheel drive and a V-8 engine are options.

    About TheCarConnection.com and High Gear Media

    TheCarConnection.com is the flagship site of Palo Alto, Calif.-based
High Gear Media. High Gear Media is a next-generation publisher of websites
targeting car-buying audiences by vehicle and lifestyle.
TheCarConnection.com's consumer-friendly reviews gather the most respected
opinions from around the web and add expert analysis and advice to help car
buyers select the right car.

    High Gear Media also publishes GreenCarReports.com, AllAboutPrius.com,
AllCarsElectric.com, and MustangBlog.com among its 23 automotive sites.

SOURCE TheCarConnection.com

The all-new 370Z Roadster goes on sale in late summer as a 2010 modelnissan_370z_nismo.jpg
and features a new power-folding convertible top with single-action
operation and automatic roof latch. It also offers more refinement than any
Z(R) convertible that has come before -- including standard Nissan
Intelligent Key, as well as available heating and cooling ventilated net
seats, Bluetooth(R) Hands-free Phone System, satellite radio and an
advanced Nissan Navigation System with 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive.

    The performance-inspired 2009 NISMO 370Z features dramatic aerodynamic
styling, a 350-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine and a specially tuned
suspension. It also offers unique interior treatments and special
NISMO-branded 19-inch super lightweight forged alloy wheels. It is
scheduled to go on sale at Nissan retailers nationwide beginning in June.

    "The addition of these two exciting new Z(R)s to the dynamic new 370Z
Coupe gives us three times the firepower as any competitive affordable
sports car on the market today," said Brian Carolin, senior vice president,
Sales and Marketing, NNA. "Now, if you prefer your 370Z action with a
wide-open top or with wide-open extreme styling and performance, we have
the perfect Z(R) for you."

    Full information on both new vehicles is available at nissannews.com.

    About the 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster

    Based on the current generation 370Z Coupe (introduced in January
2009), the Z(R) Roadster shares its engine, transmissions, suspension,
platform and most major components with the popular and exceptionally
well-reviewed Z(R) Coupe. The list of cutting edge technology includes the
standard 332-horsepower 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event
and Lift Control (VVEL), choice of 7-speed automatic transmission or
close-ratio 6-speed manual with available SynchroRev Match(TM) (the world's
first synchronized downshift rev matching manual transmission), refined
4-wheel independent suspension, 4-wheel vented disc brakes (with available
Nissan Sport Brakes) and lightweight yet rigid body structure.

    The Z(R) Roadster departs from the Z(R) Coupe with its exclusive high
back seats, added structural body reinforcements and convertible top. The
370Z Roadster's roof was designed with an emphasis on three key areas: to
provide a sleek silhouette matching the new Z(R)'s stunning styling with
the top up or down, to offer easy single-action open-close operation, and
to provide an enjoyable top-down experience with reduced wind turbulence
and all-climate driver/passenger comfort.

    And, true to its sports car heritage, the Z(R) Roadster's interior is
completely driver-centric, with its three-layer design grouping items by
how a driver sees information, operates the controls and is held in place
-- so drivers feel completely connected and engaged whenever and wherever
they drive, top up or down.

    The 370Z Roadster is offered in 370Z Roadster and 370Z Touring Roadster
models.

    About the 2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z

    The all-new, second generation NISMO Z(R) continues the tradition of
the original by offering unique performance and design attributes that true
sports car enthusiasts are looking for -- straight from the factory. Like
the limited production NISMO 350Z introduced two years earlier, the new
NISMO 370Z is a tuner-Z(R) enthusiast's dream, featuring 350 horsepower and
276 lb-ft of torque, racing-inspired exterior and interior styling, a
specially tuned suspension and special super-lightweight forged alloy
wheels. The NISMO 370Z was developed by Nissan's Specialty Vehicles Group
in conjunction with Autech Japan, Nissan's longstanding conversion partner.

    The NISMO 370Z's standard 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve
Event and Lift Control (VVEL) combines with a refined 4-wheel independent
suspension and advanced FM (Front Midship) platform to offer responsive
performance and handling. As expected of a true performance machine, the
NISMO 370Z is offered with only one transmission -- a close-ratio 6-speed
manual transmission with standard SynchroRev Match(TM), which allows
perfectly matched heel-toe-like downshifting.

    The NISMO 370Z also features enhanced body rigidity and a special
NISMO-tuned suspension. Unique 5-spoke 19-inch RAYS forged aluminum-alloy
wheels are mounted with Yokohama ADVAN Sport Y-rated high-performance
tires. Nissan Sport Brakes and a Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (VLSD)
are also standard.

    The new NISMO Z(R)'s functional, fully integrated aerodynamic body
pieces include an extended front nose, a fully integrated chin spoiler,
side sills and a unique rear bumper help control airflow under the vehicle,
while the functional rear spoiler also increases downforce.

    The interior includes NISMO logo seats with black and red fabric and
red stitching, a NISMO-branded tachometer, steering wheel with smooth
leather and red parallel stitching, smooth leather-wrapped shift knob and
aluminum trimmed pedals. A serialized plaque of authenticity is also
matched to each NISMO Z(R), identifying its unique serial and model year
designation.

    About Nissan North America

    In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling,
engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing,
distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the
environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010, whose key priorities are
reducing CO2 emissions, cutting other emissions and increasing recycling.
More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan
and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at http://www.NissanUSA.com and
http://www.infiniti.com.

SOURCE Nissan North America, Inc.

Following the introduction of the wildly successful PPI R8 RAZOR at last year’s Essen Motor Show, PPI Automotive Design GmbH have used all its knowledge from the past year in competition, closed road races, open road races, and research and development in the wind channel, autobahn and track testing, to create a truly inspired production car.  The Audi specialist turned its focus on optimizing the power-to-weight ratio of the Audi R8 while simultaneously strengthening the motor, increasing performance, improving handling dynamics, and managing to reduce the weight of the Audi R8.

The essential part of the motor alteration is the incorporation of a specially engineered supercharger. In addition, a ram-charged sport air filter system and a high performance exhaust system made of stainless steel have been designed and added specifically to work in conjunction with the supercharger system. These components are precisely adjusted to each other with the help of a new ignition map for motor electronics.

The result, after this extensive modification, is a car with 580 hp / 427 kW at 7,400 rpm, a maximum torque of 600 Nm at 6,200 rpm at its disposal, and a weight decrease of 250 kg over its serial counterpart (serial curb weight 1,580 kg).  Providing the PPI RAZOR GTR with the ability to achieve speeds from 0 to 100 km/h in only 3.7 seconds with a maximum top speed of 332 km/h.  This insures the proper performance to easily meet the demands of its motorsports and enthusiast clientele.

In addition to the excellent driving performance, this PPI Supercar also has a striking widebody appearance with elaborate, wind tunnel tested aerodynamics. Special attention was paid to the reduction of the vehicle’s weight, which was achieved by PPI’s extensive use of the extremely light and high-strength formula 1 and aerospace-proven Carbon Fibre. All parts are made of this high-tech material, reducing weight and adding strength in the process.

The PPI RAZOR GTR front bumper replaces the serial bumper and the new design in conjunction with a specially engineered front diffuser, reduces lifting forces at the front axle. Larger air inlets in connection with a new full LED-headlight unit present the two-seater with an even more athletic face.  More importantly, these air inlets feed the radiators with additional fresh air and channels through the new front hood to provide optimal cooling to the brake system. PPI sideskirts highlight the sporty profile of the GTR and also diffuses the airflow around the sides of the car for improved aerodynamic stability.

In order to perfectly balance out the down-force behavior of the front-axle with the rear axle, PPI equips the RAZOR GTR with a special rear wing with an adjustable Gurney-flap. The motor cover, made of the light high-tech polycarbonate material Makrolon®, also has specially designed Carbon Fibre ram-charged air inlets that replace the heavy OEM engine cover and aid in cooling, ensuring the consistent performance of the RAZOR GTR. Aiding in the engine cooling, are the newly designed side blades, rear fenders and rear bumper allow for additional motor bay and exhaust cooling that, in conjunction with the Carbon Fibre rear diffuser, optimizes the airflow over and through the rear portion of this sharp performance car.

The overall appearance of the car is further enhanced by a new widebody skin to allow the PPI RAZOR GTR the proper structure to accommodate all the performance enhancements and wider wheels. The RAZOR GTR utilizes specially designed lightweight MAG11 forged PPI wheels.  At the front, 10Jx19 MAG11 wheels with 255/35 ZR 19 Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tyres are fitted and an impressive 11.5J x 20 MAG11 wheels with 325/25 ZR 20 Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires are used at the rear.  This wheel and tyre-combination proves to be the optimal balance between comfort and control while maintaining proper road feedback for the driver.

PPI also developed a special high-performance braking system available only for the RAZOR GTR that can be identified by its metallic orange-colored brake callipers. The optimal deceleration and perfect pedal pressure control is now achieved by enlarged 6-piston calipers in connection with extra-large discs measuring 380 x 36 millimeters at the front and 356 x 32 mm discs at the rear axle providing greater pad surface contact area and heat dissipation.

Nothing has been left untouched, as is evidenced by the new coil over kit developed in conjunction with technology partner KW Automotive GmbH.  This system has been specially adjusted to the needs of the PPI RAZOR GTR. And comes equipped with a Hydraulic Lift System, which can increase ground clearance by up to 45 millimeters if needed and therefore enables the driver to enter underground car parks or drive over speed bumps.

PPI completely re-designs the interior and turns the R8-interior into a “members-only” lounge with a motorsports flair. The serial interior is replaced by highest quality Onyx Nubuck-leather with orange-colored accents and highlights. Additionally, PPI equips the limited edition RAZOR GTR with extensive Carbon Fibre throughout the cockpit; hand-brake lever, door sill protectors, Driver and Radio Console Surround, Door Trims, Center Console inserts, and kneepad trims, the ultra-light folding sport seats are also made of Carbon Fibre and bear the PPI “Sport Identity” style, following with the headliner, the steering wheel, shift knob, door panels and center console. The technical highlight of the interior is the ergonomically re-designed PPI sport steering wheel. Highlighting the exclusivity of this limited series production is PPI RAZOR GTR badging, threshold plates, and an aluminum production plaque framed by Carbon Fibre.

The new PPI RAZOR GTR Supercar…. BOLD Design, SHARP performance, and EXCLUSIVE production, developed and presented by PPI Automotive Design GmbH, the only tuners for Audi automobiles with a true focus on “Engineering in Style.”

Courtesy of PPI Automotive Design