Asian car brands have been increasingly becoming popular in the United States. Aside from Toyota and Honda, other car manufacturers from the Orient are tightening their grips on the U.S. auto market. The popularity of these brands is due to the fuel economy and reliability that their car offers.

Aside from that, Asian branded vehicles are relatively priced lower than that of their U.S. counterparts. In the upcoming New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), these Asian brands look to increase their popularity among American auto enthusiasts by showcasing their concept vehicles at the said event. While these vehicles may take some time before they are put into production, their unveiling at the country’s largest motor show will increase the popularity of their brand.

One Asian brand that has been making waves in the U.S. auto scene is Honda. At the upcoming New York Auto Show, the company will unveil its Accord Coupe Concept. The concept vehicle will provide a glimpse of what the new generation Accord will be like. The concept vehicle is powered by a V6 engine designed to reduce fuel consumption and lessen harmful emissions.

The newest technology from Honda that will be showcased at the event is the Variable Cylinder Management. Aside from that, the concept vehicle will also be featuring Honda’s ACE Body Structure which is essentially a design system which gives the front-end of the vehicle the ability to absorb a substantial amount of energy in the event of front end collision.

Toyota, now the second largest car manufacturer in the world, continues its surge to get to the top of the list. Their good performance in terms of sale has been a gauge of how popular Toyota is in the United States. Their continuing quest for supremacy in the U.S. auto market leads them to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan with the Toyota FT HS concept vehicle in tow.

The Toyota FT HS is a hybrid sports car which comes combining the fuel economy of a hybrid electric vehicle with the high performance and good looks of a sports car. The concept is equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine mated with an advanced hybrid system and a powerful battery pack. The concept vehicle is estimated to rocket to 60 miles per hour from a standstill in less than four seconds. Aside from that powerful acceleration, the concept vehicle is also estimated to have a very high top speed, thanks to its power output of nearly 400 hp. That amount of power and torque in a hybrid vehicle is unheard of before and only EBC Greenstuff brake pads can provide good stopping power to.

These concept vehicles are proof of the competition between the two Japanese car makers and their drive to increase their foothold on the U.S. auto market. Both the Honda Accord Coupe Concept and the Toyota FT HS will be showcased at the New York International Auto Show which will open its doors on the sixth of April and will end on the fifteenth of the same month.

Did you notice that the number of auto shows is on the rise every year? Starting from January, you will find car shows, regional or international, take place almost every month in a year. Those who missed the car show of January need not bother as car show February 2009 is still to come.

Why:

Some people may wonder what the big deal about cars is. It is only a vehicle to take you from one place to the other. After all, a new model today will become old tomorrow. But that is not the case with car enthusiasts and car dealers. They just eagerly wait for this event. To them it is an opportunity to see next new model and get all the details. For engineering students the car show will be an excellent learning opportunity. As for auto makers and dealers car shows serve as a platform to promote their business.

Where:

Chicago is getting ready for 2009 Chicago Auto Show. Enjoy the auto exhibition in a relaxing atmosphere with complimentary food and beverages available. With a rich tradition of auto exhibitions Chicago is a center for automobile pioneers to showcase their latest vehicles.

Car shows February also include 2009 Philadelphia Auto Show at Pennsylvania Convention Center and 2009 Motor Trend International Auto Show at Baltimore Convention Center.

As in other auto shows in February car manufacturers from all over the world is going to bring their finest travelling innovations to display at the 2009 Michigan International Auto Show. Range of vehicles includes sedans, coupes, vans, SUVs, trucks, hybrids and sports cars.

Canadian International Auto Show is another big hit in the list of international Auto shows. The car show is held every February in Toronto. Its Classic Car Collection and Leisure World sections are popular attractions among car enthusiasts. With all major auto makers taking part in Montreal Auto Show the debut list is quite long.

What:

2009 February car shows are important as many of the renowned auto brands still have cards up their sleeves. Audi is present with a host of brand new models and concept cars. 2010 Audi A3 2.0 TDI with ‘clean diesel’ technology is a strong contender for future cars. Along with its signatur5e LED head and back lights and enhanced interior and exterior design it can be a good choice for urban drivers. Audi A7 Concept, popular as Sportback, already has its debut at Detroit Auto Show. Sportback conceptualizes Audi’s upcoming A7 4-door coupe.Volvo S60 Concept and Kia Soulster Concept are among other concept cars that you can take note of. They can give you a good idea about progress of automobile technology in Europe and Asia respectively.

You will also get to see a series of production cars this February including 2010 Cadillac SRX and 2010 Bentley Continental GTC Speed. Those who prefer luxury cars to muscle cars must hold their breath. 2009 McLaren SLR Stirling Moss is coming to sweep you off your feet. This million dollar ultimate luxury car is any car lover’s fantasy. In addition, pioneers in American automobiles, Ford will be present with its 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Coupe & Convertible and 2010 Ford Taurus super cars. So, car lovers have good reasons for celebration this February.

There has never been a lack of designs that provide us with hints on what the cars of the future are going to look like, with Japan and German car makers making the most interesting and realistic-looking concepts, that could get into mass production in the near future. One such car is the BMW i8 concept, which was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, and it’s expected that the Bavarian car manufacturer is going to start producing it in 2013. It’s also known as BMW Concept Vision Efficient Dynamics, and is part of BMW’s “Project i”.

This is a plug-in hybrid, that is powered by a high-performance 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder combustion engine, providing 220 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, that works in tandem with two electric motors. This combination provides excellent performances, reminiscent of the best sports cars in the world, but also makes for a very good fuel efficiency at the same time. So, it goes from 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds, with a top speed of 160 mph. The fuel consumption is rated at 70 mpg, and it has an ultra-low emissions rating of 99 grams per kilometer, according to the manufacturer. You can travel up to 20 miles before the lithium-ion batteries need to be recharged, which is one of the aspects of the i8 that must be improved.

Inside, this coupe can accommodate 4 people, with two pairs of sports leather seats in the front and the back. The control panels and all the instruments are arranged in a way that allows you to enjoy a sporty and aggressive ride, and still be in control of the vehicle. There are three-dimensional displays which give information on engine speed, navigation and entertainment functions, as well as battery levels.

The exterior design makes it look as a real futuristic car. It has a lightweight, aluminum chassis, with the sunroof, windows and windshield made of polycarbonate glass. The doors and the roof are completely transparent, which gives you a clear view of the inside and provides a lot of light into the cabin. But, the innovations don’t stop here. The BMW i8 features something that is rarely seen on cars – laser lighting. There are laser headlights instead of LED lights, which makes the car a lot more energy efficient than most similar concept cars.

This amazing sports car should become available for purchase in 2014, and according to some speculations, it will definitely cost over $150,000.