Posts Tagged ‘Javits Center’

It’s the Year of Electric Cars and Micro Mobility Vehicles at the 2022 New York International Auto Show

After two years of virtual car exhibits, the New York International Auto Show is back. Even with the shortage of computer chips for new and existing cars, electric cars, SUVs, bikes and scooters are the stars of the show.Spokespeople  will tell you that EV vehicles are here to stay: charging stations are becoming more commonplace throughout the country and in more urban centers than ever as people recognize the cost savings versus skyrocketing gas prices. We can only hope.

Lamborghini ©Meryl Pearlstein

This show is all about innovation and adaptation. And some fun, too.

With cars, SUVs and EV driving tracks set up on the first floor, and test areas for micro mobility vehicles (e-scooters and e-bikes) and multiple EV driving areas on the lower level plus the ever-popular outdoor Camp Jeep off-roading course, you’ll have a lot of exploring ahead of you. Electric cars, concept cars, hybrids and exotic vehicles steal the show this year. From now through April 24, this show is a must for any car lover. Show hours are daily from 10am-10pm and Sunday from 10am-7pm.

Jeep Rubicon on Off-Roading Track ©Meryl Pearlstein

Among the trends at the Auto Show this year:

Electric vehicles are big news. Big ones, small ones, crossovers. Everyone seems to have a variety of versions in popular colors like “flat grey” and white. Among them are the new VinFast from Vietnam and new INDI from California; the exciting EV versions of Volvo’s luxurious SUV, the XC 40 Recharge; and the expanded line of Infiniti and Lexus EVs.

VinFast ©Meryl Pearlstein

Check out the fabulous Mustangs (including the electric Mustang Mach-E), Camaros, Chargers and Corvettes as well. The style options seem more exciting than ever.

Mach 1 ©Meryl Pearlstein

Perhaps it’s because we haven’t attended this car show in two years, or maybe it’s because the designers have put more time into introducing these stunning vehicles.

Corvette ©Meryl Pearlstein

In the exotics area, there’s a neon green Lamborghini on display and a white Bentley SUV for those of you interested in that sort of thing. But I’d prefer the sexy navy Bentley Continental GT convertible displayed next to it or Elvis Presley’s white 1956 Lincoln Continental, brought to the show from its home in Memphis.

Elvis Presley's 1956 Lincoln Continental ©Meryl Pearlstein

In striking contrast to Volkswagen’s playful electric take on their beloved VW Van, the ID.Buzz, the Rolls Royce SUV sits very proper and austere.

VW ID.Buzz ©Meryl Pearlstein

If you’re not in the market for a new car, or if you have kids in tow, there are plenty of fun activities as well. Try out the Hyundai racing challenge stimulator or let the kids stand on one of the smaller e-scooters. Subaru has partnered with the National Park Service to create a video landscape showing scenes from parks around the country.

Hyundai Racing Course ©Meryl Pearlstein

Hungry? Nearby Hudson Yards has lots of choices from casual to formal.

Courtesy Little Spain

Little Spain is a food hall with Spanish specialty stands hawking patatas bravas, churros, jamón ibérico and more. There’s also a bar, an all-day Spanish Diner, a sit-down grill restaurant (Leña) and the newly re-opened Mar. Conceptualized by superstar chefs Jose Garces and Ferran Adrià, El Mercado is a colorful place for refreshment after the car show

E-bikes and e-scooters ©Meryl Pearlstein

You can find more information for the New York International Auto Show at http://www.autoshowny.com/. Tickets are $17 for adults and $7 for children under 12, and can be purchased online or at the show.

Posted by Meryl Pearlstein
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Hurry! The New York International Auto Show Ends This Weekend

Schedule your time this weekend to spend at least a few hours of the 2017 version of the New York International Auto Show.  With cars and SUVs set up on the first floor, and trucks and a few SUVs on the lower level, you’ll have a lot of exploring ahead of you. Electric cars, hybrids, new SUV models, concept cars and luxury vehicles are all on display. From now through April 23, this show is a must for any car lover. Show hours: Friday and Saturday, 10am-10pm. Sunday, 10am-7pm.

Among the trends that are apparent this year:

SUVs are big news. Big ones, small ones, crossovers. Everyone seems to have a variety of versions in popular colors like blue and red. Of particular note, Alfa Romeo has joined in with the stylish Stelvio. Who knew that you could  up the raciness quotient started by Porsche’s Cayenne with an Alfa Romeo? The Stelvio is quite striking and will be available in the US in 2018.

Smaller cars are getting a visible style makeover. Just take a look at the Toyota Camry and the Honda Civic, and you’ll see what I mean. Add leather, trim, and some stylized exterior appointments and bright colors, and, poof, you have an affordable alternative to higher-priced BMW 3 series of the Mercedes C-Class. Well, almost.

Speaking of BMW, the all-new 5 Series has a dedicated area so you can decide for yourself whether the changes are significant or not. The styling doesn’t seem all that radically different, but under-the-hood shows the improvements.

Hyundai’s high-end division, Genesis, displays their attractive sedans, soon to be introduced in the US.

The new Lincoln Continental is luxurious as ever but markedly different from the Continental of yore, with sleek door handles and lines.

If you’re not in the market for a new car, or if you have kids in tow, there are plenty of other fun activities as well. Try out the Hyundai racing challenge stimulator or the Nissan interactive GTR Driving Experience.

Virtual reality stations are offered by Jaguar, Ford and Acura.

And, of course, there’s the ever-popular outdoor Camp Jeep off-roading experience. Line up early and put your driving gloves on!

Hungry? Check out Clyde Frazier, Walt Frazier’s massive basketball and sports restaurant around the corner. Cocktails are named after some of Frazier’s signature basketball quotes: “Loosey Goosy,” “Stumbling and Bumbling” and “Moving and Grooving.”  Main courses span the U.S. with mac and cheese, burgers, and blackened Scottish salmon, and add Asian accents with Thai lobster curry with jasmine rice.  While you wait, you can duck into the half court at the end of the bar and shoot hoops in this tribute to one of the Knicks’ greatest players. 485 Tenth Avenue. arkrestaurants.com/clydefraziers/

Where to go:  Jacob Javits Center, 11th Avenue between 34th and 40th streets, New York City.  Hours:  10am-7pm. http://www.autoshowny.com/.   Tickets are $17 for adults and $7 for children under 12, and can be purchased online or at the show.

Posted by Meryl Pearlstein
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Easter Vacation with the Relatives: Go to the New York International Auto Show Instead

Schedule your time this weekend to see what’s in store on the automotive horizon.  If you love cars, as I do, you’ll find this year’s selection at the New York International Auto Show filled with technological advances that will make your head spin, as well as some other concept cars and prototypes that seem truly space age. Plan on spending a few hours to see nearly 1000 of the latest new cars and trucks. From now through April 3, this show will wow any car lover.

Among the news that was revealed at the show this year:

The 100th anniversary of BMW will be celebrated in the US in the fall. Stay tuned for big happenings countrywide.

Mercedes-Benz’s 2017 C-class line-up will hit the US in a big way this summer along with facelifted and less-pricey CLA models.

Jaguar is poised to take on its BMW and Mercedes counterparts with a new entry-level model, the stylish XE.  Service is included, as is for BMW, in the pricing.

BMW’s luxe 7 series models include wireless charging stations for your phone, gesture control, and headrest-mounted tablets for back-seat riders.

If your hands are full with bags and groceries, Maserati lets you open the trunk by waving your foot beneath it, provided you have the key in your pocket or bag.

Single-person vehicles designed by Elio Motors (www.eliomotors.com/team) will be manufactured in Shreveport, Louisiana, with a starting price of $6800.  Sunroof extra, of course.  Toyota has a concept car that’s similar.  Both seem very odd to me, and much like a car version of a Vespa. They seat two people, but in tandem.  Projected MPG for the Elio is 84, based on a 3-cylinder version.

The hand-built Dutch Spyker sport car returns to the show this year with the new C8 Preliator.  Only 50 of these cars will be produced worldwide. The car is sold through its first US dealer, Manhattan Motor Cars.

There’s a kids’ play area that might come in handy as you meander through the two floors of cars, trucks, SUVs, and vintage cars.

Where to go:  Jacob Javits Center, 11th Avenue between 34th and 40th streets, New York City.  Hours:  10am-7pm.  www.autoshowny.com.  Tickets are $16 for adults and $7 for children under 12, and can be purchased online or at the show.

Posted by Meryl Pearlstein
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Learn Everything Having to Do with Travel at the New York Times Travel Show: March 1 and 2

New York Times Travel Show: March 1 and 2If you love to travel, this is one weekend to stay put in New York City. One of the largest travel showcases around, The New York Times Travel Show, happens Saturday (10am-6pm) and Sunday (11am-5pm) at the Javits Center in Manhattan. www.NYTTravelShow.com Exhibitors from locations around the world are eager to meet you at their booths, with many demonstrations and giveaways as well.  It’s a great opportunity to ask questions about places you’ve always wanted to visit as well as to enjoy music, children’s entertainment, food, and the arts. 655 West 34th Street. 212-216-2000.

You can view an interactive map of exhibitors here or visit www.NYTTravelShow.com for more information, New York Times Travel Show hours, exhibitors and directions to the Javits Center.

Some of the highlights of this year’s show by day include:

SATURDAY, MARCH 1

New York Travel ShowCooking Demo about drink and foods that will help combat the challenges of travel (jet lag, overindulgence, etc.) by Celebrity Chef Candice Kumai, 11-11:30am, Taste of the World

Presentation about Medical Tourism – PROMED Costa Rica. 11:45-12 Noon, Location TBD

Demonstration by world-renowned Chef Michael Laiskonis with cuisine from Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia.  12 Noon, Global Stage.

Chinese Lion Dancers Performance – Macau Government Office – 12 Noon – 12:30pm, Asia Stage

New York Times Travel Show: March 1 and 2Traditional Hungarian Folk Dance — Hungarian National Tourist Office – 2pm, Location TBD

Cooking Demo by Celebrity Chef Anne Burrell (“Food Network” star and world traveler, author of “Own Your Kitchen”) – 2-2:30pm, Taste of the World

Presentation on Educational Adventures (learning adventures in 150+ countries) – Road Scholar – 2:30pm, Location TBD

Traditional Mongolian Costumes and Mongolian Music with horse-headed fiddle – Selena Travel Mongolia – 3-3:30pm, Location TBD

Wine Tasting – South African Tourism – 4:15-4:45, Global Stage

SUNDAY, MARCH 2

New York Times Travel Show: March 1 and 2Lithuanian Folk Dance Performance by dance group “Viesulas” – Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia – 11-11:15am, Asia Stage

Presentation about Medical Tourism – PROMED Costa Rica – 11:45-12 Noon, Location TBD

Lithuanian Children’s Folk Band Performance by “Spindulelis” – Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia – 1-1:15pm, Asia Stage

Traditional Hungarian Folk Dance — Hungarian National Tourist Office – 2pm, Location TBD

Presentation on Educational Adventures (learning adventures in 150+ countries) – Road Scholar – 2:30pm, Location TBD

Lithuanian Children’s Chorus “Varpelis” – Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia – 4-4:15pm, Europe Stage
BOTH DAYS

New York Travel ShowSilent Auction – Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association Education Foundation – Booth 121

Leprechaun Spokesperson — Journey through Ireland — Booth 368

Caribbean Steel Pan Players & Rum Tasting – St. Kitts and Nevis - Booth 321

Expert Talks on World Travel– Yampu Tours – Booth 545

Garret McNamara (world record holder for surfing the largest wave in Nazare, Portugal) Discusses Surfing in Portugal– Portugal on Tour — Both 676

Posted by Meryl Pearlstein
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