The New York International Auto Show was undoubtedly one of this season's most important venues for global debuts ranging from a pair of full-size sedans from Toyota and Chevrolet to reinvented sedans from Acura and Nissan. But the biggest take away was undoubtedly the return of the Viper, which was brought back to life by dedicated car nut Ralph Gilles even though his boss - Sergio Marchionne - wasn't originally sold on the idea. The story in New York was that Signore Marchionne immediately signed off on the Viper's rebirth after he saw a full-size mock-up that Gilles built in secret.
Highlights:
2013 SRT Viper
The SRT (nee Dodge) Viper is officially back and looking to shake up the sports car world. While a more potent V10 and a lower curb weight should satisfy purists, the new Viper also boasts a more refined and luxurious interior that should help it appeal to a wider range of enthusiasts.
Fisker Atlantic
While the plug-in hybrid Karma is the range-topping halo vehicle intended to make startup automaker Fisker's reputation, it's the upcoming Atlantic that will likely bring home the bulk of the company's bacon as the more obtainable, higher volume model. It's certainly a looker, and a BMW-designed turbocharged four-cylinder range-extending engine adds an interesting twist to this handsome four-door.
2014 Chevrolet Impala
Chevrolet's full-size sedan has finally gotten a much-needed redesign, complete with a much more upscale interior and a trio of efficient engine options. But will it be enough to transform the Impala from a rental fleet darling to an object of desire for retail buyers?
2013 Lincoln MKZ
Lincoln desperately needs to develop its own identity in order to return to relevance as a luxury brand. With expressive styling and a truly unique retractable glass roof, the new MKZ is arguably the most appealing Lincoln since the rear-wheel-drive LS, but will that be enough?
2013 Nissan Altima
The outgoing Altima has been a strong seller even at the very end of its lifespan, meaning the new version of Nissan's bread and butter midsize sedan with big shoes to fill. A larger, better-furnished interior should be a strong selling point for the car, but not as strong as the eye-popping 38 mpg highway rating achieved by its entry-level four-cylinder motor.
2013 Toyota Avalon
Toyota's Avalon succeeded for years as an uninspired land yacht for the Carnival cruise set, but demand for the full-size sedan has dropped substantially over the last few years. But Toyota heir and CEO Akio Toyoda is intent on injecting enthusiasm back into his family's automaker, and it certainly shows with the far more visually stimulating 2013 Avalon.
The rest of New York's introductions
2014 Acura RLX
2013 BMW X1
2013 BMW X6
2013 Buick Enclave
2013 Cadillac SRX
2013 Chevrolet Traverse
2013 Ford Explorer Sport
2013 GMC Sierra 100th Anniversary Edition
2013 Honda Crosstour
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
Infiniti LE Concept
2013 Lexus ES
2013 Lexus RX F-Sport
2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
2013 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG
2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
2013 Nissan NV200 Taxi
2013 Ram 1500
2013 Subaru Legacy
2013 Subaru Outback
2013 Toyota Venza
Volkswagen Alltrack Concept
