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New York Auto Show 2003 Concepts - 'See Tomorrow's Cars...Today'

www.CONCEPTSnewyorkautoshow.com

NEW YORK, April 8 -- American muscle cars, luxury-packed sedans, convertibles of the future, and 'crossover' vehicles are the auto industry's latest concept trends, and they will all be on display at the 2003 New York International Automobile Show.

"From Cadillac's bold and powerful V Sixteen and Ford's unmistakable Mustang Concept to Infiniti's retro-inspired Triant and Mistubishi's 'fun-for-four' drop-top, this year's concept cars alone are worth a trip to the Show," said show chairman, John LaSorsa. "These million-dollar design studies offer us a glimpse of the driver's seats of the future."

Here's an early look at some of the vehicles that will be on display:

Buick Centieme -- The Centieme, with its luxurious cabin and a twin-turbocharged V-6, is a vehicle that combines the best features of a sedan and sport utility vehicle. The four-door Centieme seats six passengers in a three-row, dual seat configuration.

Cadillac V Sixteen -- The name speaks to the car's powerful 16-cylinder, 1,000-horsepower engine. The Cadillac Sixteen's grand exterior proportions create an unparalleled presence; its splendid interior is meticulously handcrafted using the finest wood and leather.

Chrysler Airflite Concept -- The Chrysler Airflite blends the passion of Chrysler design, the styling of a coupe and the practicality and function of a sedan in a unique interpretation of the five-door hatchback.

Chevy Cheyenne -- The Cheyenne full-size pickup blends masculine forms and innovative functionality. The box cargo area features dual bed-access doors, and hidden storage bins beneath the floor and inside the sidewalls. The tailgate opens fully in the traditional manner, or half opens for loading small cargo or to create a work shelf.

Chevy SS -- The Chevy SS packs rear-wheel drive with a high-technology version of a small-block V-8, and high-performance suspension and brakes to match. Chevy's longitudinal all-aluminum 6.0-liter engine pumps 430 horsepower and 430 lbs.-ft. of torque.

Dodge Tomahawk Concept -- The Viper-powered Tomahawk shatters conventional thinking about personal transportation. This four-wheel, motorcycle-like vehicle is a sleek, rolling sculpture that combines art-deco styling with extreme engineering, representing essence of power, passion and style.

Dodge Magnum SRT-8 -- Dodge Magnum is the performance sports tourer that packs a powerful punch and the functionality of an all-wheel drive sport utility. Featuring a supercharged version of the 5.7-liter HEMI, Magnum churns out 430 horsepower.

Dodge Kahuna -- The six-passenger Kahuna features an exterior design that conveys an athletic image that is readily associated with the California coastal culture. The concept pushes interior volume and flexibility to the max, allowing owners to work or play hard. The retractable top allows the outside to become part of the interior as it folds back in accordion-like fashion.

Dodge Avenger Concept - Dodge's all-wheel-drive Avenger Concept consists of a 3.5-liter V6 and a specially designed transmission. Gears are changed not with a standard stick shifter, but with steering wheel-mounted paddles to enable quick, smooth transitions and response.

Ford Freestyle FX -- The Freestyle FX concept is a unique, purpose-built crossover vehicle that transcends boundaries. Built for consumers with active lifestyles, the vehicle can convert from a 6-passenger sportwagon to either a 4-passenger sedan or a 4-passenger SUV-like vehicle with a cargo bed.

Ford 427 -- The 427 concept is a modern, all-American sedan inspired by the exuberance of the company's landmark sedans of the 1960s, complete with a 590-horsepower engine that inspired its name.

Ford Model U -- Model U is a serious study in recyclable materials, including polyesters made of soy for the roof and corn for the seats, as well as a hydrogen internal combustion engine producing zero emissions.

Ford Mustang GT Concept -- Presented as a two-seat fastback coupe and convertible, the Mustang GT concepts are strong indicators of the next- generation Mustang's design direction. The Mustang GT concepts draw on the very elements that have made Mustang one of the definitive American sports car for nearly four decades.

Honda Element Studio E -- A panel-side version of the all-new Honda Element, the Studio E transforms the outdoors-minded Element into the ultimate mobile entertainment platform geared more for city nightlife and street performance. Studio E is built around the needs and lifestyle of a club DJ and transforms the Element's cavernous interior into a rolling audio and video studio complete with an onboard personal audio computer for mixing tracks and a 42-inch high-definition plasma screen display.

Infiniti Triant -- The Triant is designed to provide an innovative combination of sportiness, luxury features and all-wheel drive performance in a highly personal, dramatically styled package. The Triant's doors are a wide gullwing design, stretching over five-and-a-half feet in length and opening to nearly seven feet in height. The doors electrically operated doors feature a special sensing system which helps avoid hitting people or objects when the doors open or close.

Hybrid Lexus RX SUV will be the first mid-size electric-gasoline SUV when it goes on sale next year. The hybrid will use a V6 gasoline engine and two electric motors to provide on-demand 4-wheel-drive. It will have the performance of a V8 with the fuel economy of a compact sedan, as well as minuscule emissions.

Lincoln Navicross -- The Navicross concept vehicle is an all-conditions sport sedan, which defies crossover and SUV paradigms. Designed to be visually striking, Navicross creates an all new, yet unnamed industry niche.

Mazda MX Sportif -- The front-wheel drive MX Sportif is powered by a MZR 2.0-liter, inline four-cylinder engine. The engine features a reversed intake-exhaust layout (with the exhaust system fitted at the rear), a variable intake system (VIS), a tumble swirl control valve (TSCV) and a high-flow port head.

Mercury Messenger -- Mercury is returning to its roots with this distinctive and energetic high-performance two-seat sports coupe. The long hood houses a powerful 4.6-liter modular V-8 engine. The energetic stance and supple appearance of the Messenger are enhanced by 20-inch wheels and extra wide tires.

Mitsubishi Tarmac Spyder -- The Tarmac Spyder is designed to connect with people who are enthusiastic about performance and are passionate about cutting-edge style. The 2+2 design encourages people to share their passion and excitement with friends or family.

Pontiac G6 -- The G6 packs a supercharged 3.5-liter V-6 engine, producing 285 horsepower and 272 lbs.-ft. of torque. It also could be equipped with the fuel-saving Displacement on Demand technology, which uses only half of the cylinders during routine driving conditions and automatically reactivates the other cylinders when the driver needs the engine's full power for situations such as accelerating or passing.

Suzuki Concept-S -- The S boasts the same engine found in Suzuki's Ignis Super 1600 rally car-packing a punch that is significantly magnified by all-wheel-drive, a sequential, six-speed gearbox and a rally-inspired drivetrain. The result is a compact yet undeniably sporty drive similar to the Ignis Super 1600 and European rally vehicles.

Toyota FJ Cruiser -- The FJ Cruiser was developed as a basic, capable and affordable off-roader. The rear glass panel is a two-piece unit that retracts into the roof and the rear hatch for easy access to the rear cargo area.

Volvo VCC -- Versatility Concept Car is a vision of Volvo's future wagon. Based on Scandinavian design principles where form and function merge to deliver comfort and styling, Volvo dares to be different with a large, premium car that remains true to the company's core values of safety and environment.

Prior to the Show's opening, the public and press can preview many of these futuristic concepts by logging onto www.autoshowNY.com.

                        Important Show Information

                  Press Preview           April 16 & 17
        Dealer/Industry Preview           April 18
           Public Sneak Preview           April 18 (11am - 8pm)
              Public Show Dates           April 18 - 27
              Public Show Hours           Sundays 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
              Monday - Saturday           11 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
                       Location           Jacob Javits Convention Center
                                          11 Avenue, between 34 & 39 Streets
  Ticket Prices and Information           $10 adults, $4 children under 12
                                          General admission tickets can be
                                          purchased in advance at
                                          www.autoshowNY.com, or at the
                                          door.  $1 off general admission
                                          tickets for groups of 10 or more.
                                          To purchase group tickets, call
                                          (718)746-5300.

      Auto Show Hotline: (800) 282-3336 (recorded information only)