Top Picks From 2015 New York Auto Show

The New York Auto Show has been gaining in prominence for some time now. There have been some big global debuts here in the past too, but this year we have seen quite a few, and so I want to quickly tell you my favourites. Some of these are definitely US-centric, but hey it is a show in the Big Apple now isn't it?

The most significant debut at New York is undoubtedly the Jaguar XF. The second-generation sedan is shorter and in height and length over the previous car, and yet has an enhanced wheelbase and greater cabin room. Jaguar says it is now a more focused product, as the XE now plays the role of the entry product for the brand. This has allowed the new XF to be more luxurious. It uses the company's new aluminium architecture and also offers a range of engines, including the all-new 2.0 Ingenium diesel. JLR also debuted the ultra-luxurious SV Autobiography variant of the Range Rover - well before Bentley or Rolls-Royce can drop their SUVs into the market.

Porsche has taken the covers off the new Boxster Spyder. It is the lightest and most pure expression of the Boxster according to the company - complete with a manual folding roof that you have to step out of the car to fold. The weight is further reduced by keeping the transmission manual-only, and all this means this is the fastest Boxster yet, with 375bhp on tap - that's 45bhp more than the range-topping Boxster GTS.

McLaren unveiled it's 570S - which many are simply calling the 'cheaper' 650S! Its about $100,000 cheaper! But it still uses the same 3.8 l twin-turbo V8 as the 650S, but with reduced output of 562bhp. The carbon-fibre + aluminium chassis keeps the car light, lighter in fact that the Porsche 911 by around 130Kg! And yes that is the car McLaren is primarily targeting with the 570S.

The American full-size luxury sedan is making a comeback. Cadillac has launched the CT6 flagship sedan at New York. The car is powered by a 3-litre twin-turbo V6 that makes 400bhp. It is built on GM's Omega platform on which it had also showed the Avenir concept under the Buick flag at Detroit. It is also being shown here in New York, and expect that to also become a production car, as will the Lincoln Continental. Lincoln is reviving the old nameplate, and has also shown a concept that hints at a production flagship sedan. This is important not just from the point of view of US customers, but more crucially the demand for such products in China. The Continental is turning heads, though it looks a touch over-styled to me. But on the whole a good effort, and quite a departure for the Lincoln brand. Chevrolet also debuted the majorly updated Malibu mid-sizer at the New York Show.

Toyota is showing an updated version of it's FT-1 concept sports car - first seen in Detroit in 2014. The car's reworked styling really appeals, and it hints at a future Supra production model. Rival Honda has shown the prelude to the 10th generation of the Civic in a shocking neon green! Honda has indicated that the car will be able to take on a range of engines, including the 1.5 i-VTEC and i-DTEC that we have in the City. Still no plans of reviving the model in India, though I live in hope!

And last but not least is the new Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. Yes the nomenclature is new, but what it really is - is the facelifted ML-Class. Confused? Don;t be - its the Stuttgart-based companies new naming convention. All models will follow the A, C, E, S nomenclature. So you will now have the GLA, GLC (what used to be the GLK), GLE (old ML), GLS (old GL) and G-Wagon. The GLE is joined by the new Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 in New York. Styling changes are subtle, though the face is more aggressive - the styling in fact is identical up front to the GLE-Coupe; that was unveiled in Detroit and Geneva. The rear of course is more akin to the old ML-Class, though the taillights and rear bumper have also been tweaked to give the car a more aggressive stance.

The other big highlight of the New York Auto Show is the ceremony for the World Car Awards that is held on Day Two. We will have more on that for you soon!