More new metal headed for New York

THE motor show circuit keeps rolling along with New York getting its turn next week. About 20 worldwide debuts are expected at the final major US show of the year, including a few that have Aussie relevance.

At the front of the queue as far as we are concerned is the updated Mitsubishi Diamante, which previews the look of the "XR" coded Magna due on sale mid-year. Watch out for photos and details coming soon.

For now, here's a look at several of the stars we can expect at the Big Apple and their Down Under prospects.

Nissan

BIGGEST interest here is the roadster version of the 350Z, which should make it to Australia around the end of the year.

Apart from a photo issued earlier this year, Nissan has revealed little more than it will come with a power-operated cloth top with glass rear window. Expect to pay a reasonable premium over the coupe.

Also on show at the Jacob Javits Centre will be the full-size Armada SUV and crew cab version of the Titan truck. Neither have any potential for Australia.

Lexus

TOYOTA'S luxury brand has released a sketch and little more detail about the HPX concept car, calling the vehicle a high performance cross-over. Hence HPX.

Lexus says the HPX will "introduce a new trend in sport utility vehicle design ... combining sport sedan performance, maximum versatility and innovative luxury in a sleek package".

Toyota

The second generation Prius hybrid will be one of two Toyota stars in the Big Apple. The original Prius was the world's first mass-produced electric/petrol hybrid vehicle and first went on sale in North America in July 2000.

The 2004 model Prius will be larger and more fuel efficient than its predecessor and will utilize an all-new hybrid system.

Toyota will also show the latest Camry Solara coupe. Claimed to be the most American to date, it was developed in the USA by Toyota Technical Centre and styled by Calty Design Studio in Newport Beach. It will be built exclusively at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky in Georgetown.

Chrysler

New York will be the venue for the first look at Chrysler's new generation of large vehicles based on the new rear-wheel drive LX platform.

Power is expected to come from an optional 5.7-litre Hemi V-8 or a base 3.5-litre V-6 powerplant, and the cars will share several components with Mercedes, including their five-speed automatic transmission and electronic stability control system.

The good news for us is that the LX generation should make it to Australia from late 2004, in the form of the Chrysler 300N and the Dodge Magnum wagon.

Kia

THE USA gets its first look at the full-size Opirus luxury sedan, which made its world debut at the Geneva motor show last month.

Based on parent Hyundai's Grandeur, the 3.5-litre V6 Opirus will only be built in left-hand drive and won't be coming to Australia. But it is on its way to the USA, as well as Europe and Korea.

Mini

ANOTHER Geneva debutante getting its North American debut is the John Cooper Works Cooper S, the 150kW powerhouse version of the new generation brick.

Developed by the company named after the man who developed the original racing Minis back in the 1960s, the BMW-approved "works" package includes a reconfigured cylinder head, an uprated supercharger and special engine electronics and a performance exhaust.

Local on-sale timing has been pushed back due to homologation issues, BMW Australia saying the car is now due sometime in the second half of 2003.