Welcome to the Hooniverse News – 2015 New York Auto Show Recap! As always, this is a weekly news roundup of some of the biggest stories in the automotive industry without the fluff or bull. I just throw in a little opinion of mine because I can. This week, it’s all from the Big Apple:

• McLaren 570S is an awesome launch of the Sports Series

• Porsche purifies the Boxster with a new Spyder model

• Cadillac CT6 is the start of their revolution

• Chevrolet Malibu is a Malibu you really can’t ignore

• Mazda adds another touch of perfection to the ND Miata

• Honda previews new Civic, confirms five-door hatch and Type-R for US

• Subaru previews the BRZ we all want but can’t have

• Full New York Auto Show coverage from Autoweek

• What’s your automotive news?

McLaren 570S

This one has been a long time coming, but it’s finally here. McLaren’s 570S, the inaugural member of McLaren’s also new Sports Series, debuted in New York and launched the British automaker into new territory. The Sports Series is McLaren’s most attainable model range, at least when compared to the two others, the Super Series (650S and 675LT) and Ultimate Series (P1 and P1 GTR).
“Attainable” as in prices that are expected to start at around $180,000 for the 570S you see here. That’s still higher than most cars on sale now, but McLaren will always make a car that’s worth the asking price. As the car’s name implies, the 570S enjoys 570 metric horsepower (about 562 bhp) at 7,400 RPM and 443 lb.-ft. of torque between 5,000-6,400 RPM from a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8. That engine is McLaren’s only source of power for now, but it’s specifically adapted for each car it’s thrown in – about 30% of its parts are bespoke to the 570S.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through seven-speed SSG transmission [dual-clutch automatic] which allows for a 0-62 mph time of 3.2 seconds and a 0-124 mph time of 9.5 seconds. Top speed is 204 mph.
Because McLaren isn’t the kind of company to throw power at something that can’t handle it, the 570S is fitted with carbon-ceramic brakes, light alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires, and all the lightness and advanced aerodynamics you’d expect from people who also build F1 cars. The car is built around a carbon fiber monocoque chassis optimized for daily usability and protection while weighing less than 170 pounds. The rest of the car is composed of lightweight structures and aluminum body panels which help keep the dry weight down to just 2,895 lbs. With 562 horsepower to work with, that adds up to a 428 horsepower-to-weight ratio.
McLaren’s styling has always been influenced heavily by the wind tunnel and it’s the same story with the 570S. It’s “shrinkwrapped”, aerodynamically-optimized form includes flying buttresses at the rear for increased downforce, aero blades at the front to channel clean and cold air to the lower leading edge of the bodywork,  and various other tricks for aiding in downforce and cooling.

Besides the impressive performance, McLaren is most proud of the car’s every day usability. It’s easier to get in and out of, has a driver compartment that is largely uncluttered and has good visibility, is well-equipped, and has 5.3 cubic feet of storage space up front.
This of course isn’t the last of the Sports Series, as McLaren intends on further expanding their lineup to offer a greater variety of awesome. In fact, they’ve already confirmed the existence of the 540C which will also fit in the Sports Series. We’ll know more about it at the Shanghai Motor Show.
[Source: McLaren]

Porsche Boxster Spyder

Just in time for convertible season, Porsche has unveiled the new Boxster Spyder: a modern throwback to old school awesomeness. The Boxster Spyder represents the pure sports car experience that Porsche is both known for but has also seemingly abandoned lately.
Not to say that Porsche has forgotten how to build a pure sports car (the opposite is true), but when was the last time you saw Porsche build a roadster with a manually-operated cloth top, a manual transmission as the only option, and no air conditioning or radio as standard? Not even the last Boxster Spyder from 2010 was manual only.
This distinct lack of modern conveniences isn’t just to make this Boxster Spyder look old school, but also feel old school. It’s all about the driving experience with this car, which can’t be bought with an automatic and was meant to be driven with the top stowed away. The suspension is lower and stiffer for the purpose of a lower center of gravity and tighter control in the twisties and the steering was tuned to be more direct. Power comes from an air-cooled naturally-aspirated 3.8-liter flat-six producing 375 horsepower, making it the most powerful Boxster to date. It’s also the lightest in the current lineup.

The Boxster Spyder’s design incorporates exclusive styling elements reminiscent of Porsche’s legendary sports cars and race cars. Two streamliners extend down along the sweeping rear lid behind the headrests to pay tribute to the 718 Spyder from the 60’s. Its cabin is also all business, with standard Sport Seats Plus (fancy buckets that look like they came off the 918 Spyder) for both occupants and a smaller sport steering wheel for the driver. Even though the AC and radio aren’t standard, they can both be added as a no cost option. The rest of the standard Boxster’s options list is also available on the Spyder, including navigation.
Porsche is now taking orders from anyone willing to part with $82,100 and wait till October to drive it.
[Source: Porsche]

Cadillac CT6

This is the first New York Auto Show for Cadillac since they “dared greatly” by moving their headquarters from Detroit to New York, so they took the opportunity to reveal a very important part of their restructuring. The Cadillac CT6 is the first of the “new” Cadillac, which includes a new naming scheme [for better or worse] and an “entirely new” approach to luxury – which based on their ad campaign (that we all made fun of), involves designing cars in a place where nobody drives cars.
Even though it may not look new, it is new. The CT6 is larger than the CTS and is built from lightweight aluminum so it weighs within a Big Mac of the CTS. Buyers will get to choose from three engines: a 2.0-liter turbo four with 265 horsepower, a 3.6-liter V6 with 335 horsepower, and a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with 400 horsepower. The transmission of choice is an eight-speed automatic which is connected to the rear wheels or all four. Rear-wheel steer and Magnetic Ride Control aid in both ride comfort and cornering ability.

Cadillac’s new approach to luxury includes a full range of luxury inside, like “extended comfort seats” upholstered with Opus leather, reclining rear seats, and five massaging programs. With the optional Articulating Rear Seat package, seat adjustment is further enhanced. Technology is another big part of this car and there’s a full suite in the CT6. A 360-degree camera view can be projected on the center console screen and can be recorded when the security system is activated. There’s also wireless phone charging and OnStar 4G LTE with WiFi hotspot.
The Cadillac CT6 will go on sale in America by the end of 2015 and in Europe, best Korea, Japan, Israel, and the Middle East by early 2016.
[Source: Cadillac]

Chevrolet Malibu

Several years ago, I recall seeing an ad campaign for the then new Malibu which proclaimed that it was “the car you can’t ignore”. Given that it was the first radical redesign that car had seen, there was some truth to that until the Malibu became just another economy car in a world that bought them up like that hip hop producer’s headphones – so basically a car you could ignore.
That just might change again with the all-new 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, which gets a thorough redesign, a host of new features, and a hybrid option. The redesign is in line with Chevrolet’s new design language which we’ve already seen on the Impala and Volt. The profile is sleeker and longer [the whole car is longer, actually] and its facial features are sharper and aggressive. I, for one, was less than impressed by this design language on the Volt, but I am impressed by it on the larger Malibu.

New features include an upgraded MyLink infotainment system on a seven or eight-inch screen, OnStar 4G LTE with WiFi hotspot, wireless phone charging, and [probably the best feature of all] a new Teen Driving feature which allows parents to restrict certain features and monitor their teen’s driving performance. So basically, if someone lends you their new 2016 Malibu, they’ll know how crappy of a driver you are. This setting is bound to a key fob that the teen or borrower would use.
Engine options range from a new 1.5-liter turbo four with 160 horsepower, 184 lb.-ft. of torque, and 24 mpg city/37 mpg highway by GM estimates. The next available engine is a 2.0-liter turbo four with 250 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque with mpg estimated at 22 city and 32 highway. An eight-speed automatic is available for the first time on a GM FWD car but only when paired with the 2.0-liter motor; the 1.5-liter motor gets a six-speed automatic. Big news here is that the Malibu will be offered as a hybrid for the first time, thanks largely to a generous donation of parts and technology from the Volt. Power comes from an all-new 1.8-liter four-banger paired with a two-motor drive unit, which makes this a slightly larger Volt. But one thing that the Volt doesn’t have which this does is Exhaust Gas Heat Recovery, which uses exhaust heat to warm the motor on start up and the cabin so that energy normally lost in heat isn’t completely lost. GM’s estimates call for a combined fuel economy average of 45+ mpg.
No pricing or availability info was released as of writing.
[Source: Chevrolet]

Mazda MX-5 Miata Club

There’s often no need to mess with what many would call perfection, but when Mazda tinkers with the Miata, good things usually happen. That seems to be the case with the Mazda MX-5 Miata Club, the first performance-oriented [road legal] ND Miata. Nothing here is radically new or over the top, but rather subtle and reasonable.
For starters, there is no gain in power from the 2.0-liter SkyActive four-cylinder. Instead, the Club focuses on improving the driving experience and its apex-hunting ability with enhancements that better suit the Miata. The only substantial updates are the added lightweight seventeen-inch gunmetal alloy wheels with 205-width tires and the front air dam and rear lip spoiler from the MX-5 Global Cup race car. But spec this MX-5 Club with a manual transmission and Mazda will also throw in a limited-slip differential, Bilstein shocks, and a new strut tower brace. Lighter BBS wheels, Brembo brakes, and aerodynamic side sill extentions are also available – each of which were displayed on the ND Miata that was shown at the Chicago Auto Show.
Mazda also announced the MX-5 Miata Launch Edition, which will be the first ND Miata to go on sale in the U.S. Only 1,000 will be built and you’ll need to register at www.longlivetheroadster.com for the chance to buy it starting on May 5th. Similar launch programs have already begun in Japan and Europe. Pricing is not available yet, but the standard ND Miata will start at right around $25,000 – which is about the same as what the original Miata sold for if you adjust for inflation.
[Source: Mazda]

BLIPS

Honda is using the very green Civic Concept to prove that they still know how to have fun. Furthermore, they’re using it to show us just how awesome the American-spec Civic will soon be. The new Civic will be the first in the US to use a turbocharged VTEC engine (yo!) in the form of a 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder paired with a six-speed manual and possibly a CVT. Ultimately, it’ll be available as a sedan, coupe, and five-door hatchback(!!!!) as well as new SI and Type-R models(!!!!!!!!!). The 10th generation Civics will launch this fall and make every American Honda enthusiast’s dreams come true.
[Source: Honda]

Subaru was also at New York with an awesome new concept, but unlike the Civic above, this one isn’t necessarily a preview of an upcoming model. The Subaru BRZ STI Performance Concept is the kind of BRZ that everyone has been begging for since the car’s launch a few years ago. It’s a proper STI version with a turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine borrowed from the BRZ GT300 from the Super GT racing series and pumps out 300 horsepower and 330 lb.-ft. of torque. The chassis is tweaked with a new advanced suspension and bigger brakes and it wears tons of new, functional aero elements. Minus the engine which certainly won’t be road legal, this is a car that Subaru is capable of bringing to the market – but will they? That answer as of now is a no. Best April Fools joke of the year.
[Source: Subaru]

The New York Auto Show was strong this year and it’s too hard for me to cover it all myself, so allow our friends at Autoweek do that for you. Whether you want to know about the all-new Chevy Spark, the kinda new Kia Optima, and the not new even though they call it new GMC Terrain, they’ve got it all waiting for you on Autoweek.com.
[Image © 2015 Hooniverse/Kamil Kaluski]

What was your automotive news?

[No picture this week]
That’s all I’ve got, so now it’s your turn. If you did anything news worthy this week [whether it’s car-related or not] that you want to share with your fellow hoon, sound off in the comments.