Back to the Northeast International Auto Show. Tons of Pics.

[Otto.]

This is my fourth year in a row attending the Northeast International Auto Show in Providence, RI. This year was a bit of a letdown compared to last year. It wasn't bad but it wasn't everything that I was expecting, either.

I apologize for the boring photos. It's not easy to get good shots in lighting like this.

1. Suzuki was right near the entrance. Exteriors were nice to look at. Nothing spectacular. Interior was pretty good. I think this was the Kizashi. The rep. said that the price as this one was equipped was around $28,000. Kind of steep.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

2. Volvo, while nice, was pretty bland. I remember from previous years that their interiors were a lot more interesting... maybe it was just my imagination.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

3. S80 R. I like the styling.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

4.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

5. Audi had an R8 V10 Spyder roped off.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

6. It had their "R-Tronic" automatic transmission. I'd rather see it with a manual.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

7. Clever way of separating booths and getting directions using highway signs.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

8. Golf GTI. This paint color was really nice.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

9. VW Eos.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

10. Both the Honda and Toyota booths were exceptionally boring. I didn't spend much time in either. The new Camry is better than the one it replaces though.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

11. Poor VW was in the middle of said automakers. Unfortunately, they seem to be making the mistake of using cheap materials to build their newer cars in an attempt to compete with the big Japanese manufacturers. They're losing a bit of that VW charm.
Anyways, here's the new Beetle. It's a big car. I was surprised. I like the new styling and roofline though... and those retro wheels.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

12. The interior felt cheap. I'm not crazy about the painted dash either.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

13.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

14. A very nice Chrysler 300. The black chrome wheels and "sporty" interior were done rather well. I was surprised.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

15. Red leather and carbon fiber trim aren't something you would usually expect to find in a 300. I think they pulled it off without looking too much like it's trying to be a race car. It's still luxurious.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

16. The new Jeep SRT-8 Grand Cherokee is VERY nice looking. It's aggressive but more refined than the last gen. I really like it.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

17. Fiat 500's interior was cheap. These cars are too expensive.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

18. Over here is the 2012 Lincoln Hearse-I mean MKT.
In black it really does look like a hearse. It's huge too.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

19. Cadillac had 3 (what I think were) Black Diamond edition CTS-V's. One in each body style. This is the Coupe.
An older woman was complaining about the bolstering on the seats in the wagon. There was a normal CTS right next to it.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

20. This new orange color on this Challenger was not pleasant. I much prefer the darker metallic orange that this car also comes in.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

21. I like the exterior styling of the Challenger but this interior was just plain boring.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

22. I like the new Buick Regal. Especially the looks. I don't quite feel the same way about the Verano in the background though.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

23. I think this is the Regal but it might be the Verano. I like the colors. It looks comfortable and inviting.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

24. Chevy had at least 3 Volts out. I don't know about you, but to me it already looks dated. I don't think this car will age well.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

25. Chevrolet Impala. This car needs to be replaced like yesterday. While the wood trim has an interesting pattern, it does nothing to hide the fact that it's plastic.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

26. Corvette ZR1 in a color that I hadn't seen before. Last year, it was unlocked. This year, it was locked and they even had a security guard to make sure no one tried anything... just for this car.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

27. Camaro interior which is the only part about this car that I like.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

28. Kill it with fire.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

29.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

30. How 2 focus derp.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

31. Juke interior.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

32. Nissan Leaf. The guys in suits were talking about how long it takes to recharge from empty (something like 18 hours) and a bunch of other different scenarios. It sounds like way too much trouble for what it's worth.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

33. Ford F-350 Super Duty.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

34. Though it's been out for a few years now, I found the Ford Taurus's interior to be one of my favorites of the show

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

35. The only thing I found out of place was the location of the ignition cylinder. It's as if they ran out of room on the steering column and had to find somewhere to put it. It's not very nice looking. That's a small issue.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

36. I didn't know that Subaru had redesigned the Impreza so I was surprised to see this. I like it much more so than the 2008 and up style.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

37. Aside from the 2, the Mazda lineup seems to be showing a bit of age... maybe it's just me.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

38. This is the interior of the Impreza. Way more bland than the exterior lets on. I was a little disappointed.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

39. Moving upstairs, we have Lexus, Infiniti, and Mercedes-Benz tucked away in this little corner.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

40. Infiniti M interior.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

41.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

42. Tasca funnycar.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

43. The Kia Optima. Very nice looking inside and out. It was probably my favorite car at the show (aside from a few of the Audi's and other expensive cars) especially considering that it starts at $21,000 and doesn't go up much from there. Very high quality and features like you would expect with a $30,000 car.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

44. Optima interior. Everything is where it should be and the center console is swept towards the driver. Someone with a brain laid this out, unlike the guys at Lincoln where a big slab of touch sensitive plastic with lights = buttons.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

45. Subaru rally car.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

46. Scion iQ interior. I remember seeing this car as a concept back at the NYIAS in 2009. The front is flat and because of this, kind of awkward from some angles. The inside is certainly different, but seems kind of disorganized. It felt roomy for 2 people but there's probably hardly any room for luggage.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

47. Scion tC in a gloss grey color. It's different and I think that's the reason I like it. The new gen tC doesn't look half bad.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

48. Hyundai Veloster. I think this car will get pretty popular. I hope it does. The headlamps are a bit big.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

49. They had a couple new 911's and a Panamera plus a whole bunch of BMW's and Mini's in the opposite corridor area to the Lexus's.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

50. For a car that costs over 100 grand, you would think that the interior would be of a better quality. I was not expecting it to be this bad. Not only does it feel cheap, just look at the gap between the panels on either side of the screen.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

51. Back to the Audi's. I love the A8. It's may favorite executive car. For $90,000, though, you would think that they would put something better than a Bose audio system in. I'm fairly certain that a H&K system is optional but at that price point, it should be standard.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

52.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

53. The S4 is nice, but I much prefer older Audi interiors. This new one looks kind of boring with that disc changer. Now I'm just nitpicking, I know.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

54. Time for one more quick round of the show floor. Sportier looking Taurus. Ford also had the new Fusion up on a display. It looked really nice. Some Aston Martin design inspiration in there.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

55.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

56. This chrome trim piece on the 300 is kind of cheesy looking.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

57. Nissan Leaf interior. That drive mode selector thing looks like it's out of a Prius.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

58.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

59.

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

Thanks for looking and reading. I hope next year's show has a little more to offer, but I had fun. Now I just wish I could go to NYIAS again this year.

[nissangirl74]

Awesome pictures, as always. I agree, it doesn't look like they put as much effort into this one as they did last year's.

[Bubba1]

Well done with the pictures and notes.

I felt the same way about the new Beetle. The new shape is nicer than the previous one but the exterior colored dash (kinda like the old PC Cruiser), didn't work for me either. Despite dropping the bud vase, it's still seems like a chick car.

I sat in an IQ at the Philly show. I was also surprised how roomy the front seats were given it's tiny size, but it actually has rear seats! Of course those rear seats are designed for munchkins, but there's a little bit o' room there. (Not that I would ever buy something that small)

[DJ_B_Easy]

2012 Northeast International Auto Show by Otto IPS, on Flickr

WANT. A LOT.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I used to go to that show every year. It was rare that Porsche actually showed up if I remember correctly.

Good pics. Did you do a massive burnout in the parking garage? That was always a tradition of ours

[MinisterofDOOM]

As good as the new Cherokee looks, I have no more use for it than any other unibody crossover, even with a Hemi under the hood. VK56 Pathfinder > Cherokee.

I like the first-gen Scion tC a lot more than the new one. I found the new one highly disappointing. It's trying too hard, which is exactly the opposite approach of its predecessor. The subtlety is gone, replaced by overdone aggression. The flat-top roofline and tiny quarter plus haunches are all awkward, and the rear view is bland/ugly. The first-gen might have looked girly in that horrid light blue everyone bought, but in dark grey it looked confidently fun.

I also am very fond of the A8, particularly the latest generation. I just really wish Audi would offer it in RWD.

The Taurus interior is not bad, but it sure is TINY for a car that's so big on the outside. It's smaller inside than my LS despite being 8 inches longer and 4 inches wider. I can only assume those extra inches are filled with the lead that causes it to weigh 4000lb.

[Otto.]

Awesome pictures, as always. I agree, it doesn't look like they put as much effort into this one as they did last year's.

Last years was a lot of fun. Wasn't as busy and I got to sit in a GT-R. Nissan didn't even bring out a GT-R this year.

Well done with the pictures and notes.

I felt the same way about the new Beetle. The new shape is nicer than the previous one but the exterior colored dash (kinda like the old PC Cruiser), didn't work for me either. Despite dropping the bud vase, it's still seems like a chick car.

I sat in an IQ at the Philly show. I was also surprised how roomy the front seats were given it's tiny size, but it actually has rear seats! Of course those rear seats are designed for munchkins, but there's a little bit o' room there. (Not that I would ever buy something that small)

Thanks.

The new Beetle is a lot more masculine than last gen (LOLI'MAFLOWER). There's some sort of VW hot rod thing going on and I like it. Maybe it's just me. Still though, it doesn't exactly scream testosterone.

I didn't spend enough time in the iQ to notice, but wow, I'm surprised that they fit rear seats in.

I used to go to that show every year. It was rare that Porsche actually showed up if I remember correctly.

Good pics. Did you do a massive burnout in the parking garage? That was always a tradition of ours

I don't think Porsche was brought out officially. More like a dealership was like "hey, we're going anyways, why not bring these". I think it was my first time seeing any Porsche's there.

As good as the new Cherokee looks, I have no more use for it than any other unibody crossover, even with a Hemi under the hood. VK56 Pathfinder > Cherokee.

I like the first-gen Scion tC a lot more than the new one. I found the new one highly disappointing. It's trying too hard, which is exactly the opposite approach of its predecessor. The subtlety is gone, replaced by overdone aggression. The flat-top roofline and tiny quarter plus haunches are all awkward, and the rear view is bland/ugly. The first-gen might have looked girly in that horrid light blue everyone bought, but in dark grey it looked confidently fun.

I also am very fond of the A8, particularly the latest generation. I just really wish Audi would offer it in RWD.

The Taurus interior is not bad, but it sure is TINY for a car that's so big on the outside. It's smaller inside than my LS despite being 8 inches longer and 4 inches wider. I can only assume those extra inches are filled with the lead that causes it to weigh 4000lb.

I don't think anyone was really thinking of taking the new Cherokee hardcore offroading. I'm sure it's a great highway cruiser.

I like the front end of the new tC better than the old one but I agree, I think they could have done a lot better with everything behind the B-pillars.

The Taurus is huge on the outside. I was expecting the interior to be bigger but I didn't find it to be small.

[nissangirl74]

The Taurus is huge on the outside. I was expecting the interior to be bigger but I didn't find it to be small.

Really? Hell, I felt cramped in that car. Did not like.

[Razi]

Sometimes when I see a Taurus in my rear view mirror, I think it's an SUV.

[alms24sebring]

It is a big looking car. Ive never sat in one though

[Bubba1]

It is a big looking car. Ive never sat in one though

I found the new Taurus more like Bullshiat than Bull. It's a big tall overstyled car. And although the big sprawling dash doesn't look bad, it takes up too much space, and makes the interior seem small like a fusion. Also, I felt I had to look farther down to see the guages than what seemed safe. I think Ford lost its "focus" with the Taurus.

[Jesda]

The A8 has a Bang and Olufsen sound system as an option. It has motorized tweeters that rise up from the dashboard.

[Otto.]

It is a big looking car. Ive never sat in one though

I found the new Taurus more like Bullshiat than Bull. It's a big tall overstyled car. And although the big sprawling dash doesn't look bad, it takes up too much space, and makes the interior seem small like a fusion. Also, I felt I had to look farther down to see the guages than what seemed safe. I think Ford lost its "focus" with the Taurus.

It's way bigger than necessary. I think one of the reasons the interior feels so much smaller than you expect was how tall and wide the center console is all the way down to the armrest.

I don't understand all the hate for it, still.

The A8 has a Bang and Olufsen sound system as an option. It has motorized tweeters that rise up from the dashboard.

But for $90k shouldnt it be standard?

[Jesda]

But for $90k shouldnt it be standard?

I agree.

The Jaguar XJ8, for example, offers a Bowers and Wilkins sound system. The beautifully exposed yellow speaker cones use kevlar just like their floorstanding models. And Hyundai uses a standard Lexicon system in the Equus which is only $65k, the same brand used in the Rolls Royce Phantom.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

But what does Kelly Clarkson like?

[Jesda]

JBL in the Camry

[Bubba1]

I don't understand all the hate for it, still.

I wouldn;t call it Taurus hate, it's more disappointment in the what Ford did to it.

The original Taurus was a nice sized family sedan, sensibly designed without many frills, roomy, inexpensive, and a real value for the money. A true family car in a reasonable size, and one of the best selling cars of its era. The S.H.O. version (pronounced ess-aich-oh) stood for Super High Output, because it had a screaming tuned Yamaha V6 under the hood and came with an optional manual transmission, making this family sedan literally a sporty sleeper at a reasonable cost.

Fast forward to present. Ford abandoned the formula that made the original Taurus so popular. They significantly grew the Taurus into a big, tall, heavy (over 2 tons) supersized beast, and spent more time making it look unique than practical. Then the Ford marketing idiots decided to re-introduce the S.H.O. but ended up making it anything but sporty. they made it an expensive AWD, heavily optioned gawdy looking automatic transmissioned-only luxobarge and for lord knows why changed the pronunciation to "SHOW". WTF? The original SHO's are going to be collectibles. That's likely not going to happen with the new ones.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I don't understand all the hate for it, still.

As Bubba said, not hate. Disappointment. Ford is doing so much right, it's hard to understand how they could bungle the Taurus so badly.

Also, I'm fairly disgusted by Ford's determination to sell the Taurus as a Crown Victoria successor. They're doing the same thing with the new wuss-mode Exploder. Lots of ads and promos featuring police-package variants that aren't 1/10th the car their predecessors were. I know they're desperate to retain the fleet sales that the CV and Exploder netted them, but doing a 180-degree about-face with the design of both cars is not the way to maintain the same sales. You can't have it both ways.
I honestly think Ford's fleet sales are doomed. With the Charger and Caprice nailing the needs of police departments, Ford's stupid fat wrong-wheel-drive 16mpg Taurus looks very unappealing. GM's got a V6 in the Caprice that makes 300hp but doesn't drink like a V8. Meahile their V8 is no thirstier than Ford's TT abomination and returns a LOT more torque and more hp to boot. But that's a big digression.

[VQpwrdSE-R]

I don't understand all the hate for it, still.

I wouldn;t call it Taurus hate, it's more disappointment in the what Ford did to it.

The original Taurus was a nice sized family sedan, sensibly designed without many frills, roomy, inexpensive, and a real value for the money. A true family car in a reasonable size, and one of the best selling cars of its era. The S.H.O. version (pronounced ess-aich-oh) stood for Super High Output, because it had a screaming tuned Yamaha V6 under the hood and came with an optional manual transmission, making this family sedan literally a sporty sleeper at a reasonable cost.

Fast forward to present. Ford abandoned the formula the made the original Taurus so popular. They significantly grew the Taurus into a big, tall, heavy (over 2 tons) supersized beast, and spent more time making it look unique than practical. Then the Ford marketing idiots decided to re-introduce the S.H.O. but ended up making it anything but sporty. they made it an expensive AWD, heavily optioned gawdy looking automatic transmissioned-only luxobarge and for lord knows why changed the pronunciation to "SHOW". WTF? The original SHO's are going to be collectibles. That's likely not going to happen with the new ones.

my friends owned six '92-94 SHOs. All of them were in high school ('05) they were unbelieveably cheap. The one we actually rebuilt after it sat in his grandpas yard for 7 yrs. At the time when they first came out the taurus was the 2nd fastest production sedan in the US after BMW (7 series I believe). They were unbelievably torquey and redlined around 7500 rpms. Suspension needed a little work but the pneumatic adjustable seats with bolsters that adjusted with bellows to hold you in place. Ford began to lose it with the Taurus when they offered the SHO in an auto v8 and feminine oval rear windows. While the new SHOs put down good HP numbers it's all lost with the Subaru legacy ride height and obese proportions.

[Otto.]

I 100% agree about the new SHO. It's nothing like the old one.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Very nice thanks for sharing.