2004 New York Auto Show, Steve Bagley, Toyota Honda Nissan Partnership

While New York City is thought by many to be the center of the world (especially by New Yorkers' standards), it's not exactly the focal point of the automotive realm. So, would you be surprised to learn that the Big Apple has been hosting a car show for more than 100 years? It's true. Despite popular myth, people do drive in NYC and they do appreciate the finer aspects of self-guided transportation. This annual display, held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, is an important one within the U.S. show circuit. This year's show had more than three dozen world debuts and several first-time U.S. appearances. Here's a look at what the European's brought to the venue.

2005 Saab 9-7XThis one is much more Saab-looking than the recently released 9-2X (the Saab-aru). The 9-7X obviously borrows components-V8 engine, platform-from its corporate mate, but the styling is distinctly Saab (ignore the jokes about it being the Saab Blazer). From the outside in, from the front grille to the taillights, right on down to the air vent knobs, the all-new all-wheel-drive SUV looks like it came from Trollhttan, which should be a welcome relief to Trolls everywhere. Power comes from two engines, a 300-bhp 5.3-liter V8 and a 275-bhp 4.2-liter inline six, both mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The 9-7X will go on sale in the U.S. and Canada the first quarter of 2005. To date, Saab has no plans to offer the SUV to Europe.

2005 Land Rover LR3Long beloved by off-roaders and country clubbers alike, the Land Rover Discovery II's halo was starting to dim, as its styling and technology became more and more outdated. Thus, many sighs of relief were heard when the all-new LR3 was unveiled. Wearing design cues from the new Range Rover (front fascia, side panels, tailgate), the LR3 hosts new levels of luxury and a plethora of technological innovations. Most significant is Land Rover's Terrain Response(tm)-first showcased on the Range Stormer concept vehicle-which controls and adapts ride height, engine torque response, electronic traction control, hill descent control and transmission behavior based on which of the five terrain settings is selected. The powertrain is courtesy of Jaguar: Its 300-bhp 4.4-liter V8 was re-tuned specifically for the SUV. Another major change is the addition of a "real" set of third-row seats, replacing the previous model's incredibly uncomfortable rear jump seats. The Land Rover LR3 goes on sale later this year.

2005 Jaguar XJLAt 205.3 in., this is the longest Jaguar ever built-it's 4.9 in. longer than the short wheelbase XJ-and it looks it; the car seems to go on forever. The good news is that even with the longest wheelbase in its class (124.4 in.), the XJL is a relative lightweight, weighing just 53 lb more than the SWB version. The more-than-full-sized sedan is also a wee bit taller (0.28 in.), providing increased headroom for front and rear seat occupants. As with the standard XJs, the LWBs have the expected comprehensive range of standard amenities. Engine options are also the same: the 300-bhp V8 and the 390-bhp supercharged V8. It wouldn't be an XJ8L without a Vanden Plas edition, and for those desiring the utmost in luxury, the Super V8 model returns after a 2-year hiatus as well. Both high-end versions will have a list of creature comforts comparable to a five-star hotel.

2005 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG & CLS 500You knew it had to happen: Where there's a CL65 AMG, an SL version is sure to follow. With 604 bhp and an astounding 738 lb-ft of torque on tap, the SL65 AMG is destined to bring g-force-induced grins to the lucky few who can afford one. The AMG-tuned engine (twin-turbo'd V12), suspension, transmission and brakes, along with the special AMG 19-in. twin-spoke wheels, turn the SL into an even more coveted ride. Pricing has yet to be announced, but think near the $150k mark.

Aside from the fact that a four-door coupe is a contradiction in terms, there is nothing wrong with the looks or features of the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLS500. The outward appearance blends equal parts E-Class and CLK-Class, giving the sedan a coupe-like silhouette. Inside, the CLS500 has everything you've come to expect in a Mercedes: soft leather, exquisite wood, high-end electronics, etc. As the nomenclature implies, the "four-door coupe" is powered by M-B's well-known 5.0-liter V8, outputting 302 bhp and 339 lb-ft of torque. The CLS500 will reach U.S. shores in 2005.

2035 Audi RSQNo, that's not a typo. The Audi RSQ is a visionary sports coupe designed for commuting in the science fiction world of "I, Robot." A Twentieth Century Fox production based on the novel of the same name by Isaac Asimov, "I, Robot" is set in a futuristic Chicago and features the RSQ as a special police vehicle driven by lead actor Will Smith. In keeping with the high-tech theme of the film, the RSQ doesn't ride on wheels but on spheres, and hosts an amazing array of technologically advanced, computer-aided functions. Audi emphatically stated the RSQ is a film vehicle only, and even if it were to be built, it wouldn't appear until 2035. "I, Robot" opens statewide on July 16 and in Germany in August.