It's about an hour and a half into the first press day at the 2012 New York International Auto Show, and several manufacturers not only seem to still be assembling their show stands but some of them are actually rebuilding their show cars. The relaxed and - dare we say it - rather ramshackle nature of the thing is quite unlike the major European events.
SRT Viper literally got the locals whooping
This is, after all, New York. You'd expect a motor show here to be huge. But actually it's basically spread over two and a half modest-sized halls, with a few bits and pieces dotted around and between.
Naturally one of these areas is dedicated almost exclusively to pick-up trucks. Although for some reason Ford's latest Mustang line-up is stuck down there as well.
Relaxed or not, this isn't to say there are no interesting cars here. We've already covered the 1,100hp Shelby Mustang, the new 640hp SRT Viper - which drew a crowd fit for a Lamborghini unveil at Geneva, only with less shoving - and the 630hp Mercedes SL65. Here's what else caught our eye.
Travis Pastrana's Dodge Dart - see vid!
Let's start with the SRT stand. In addition to rocking the Javits Center with the punishing V10 bark from both road and race versions of its new Viper, Chrysler's now standalone performance brand was proudly displaying a wide selection of other Mopar machinery.
This ranged from carbon fibre-clad Abarth 500s (complemented by leather-clad booth babes - only worth mentioning due to the general lack of this kind of shenanigans throughout the show), to the Dodge Dart RallyCross. This is a 600hp all-wheel drive version of the first all-new, Fiat-era Dodge. No, you can't buy one - but Travis Pastrana seems to be having fun.
Old Chevy Impala more interesting than new one
Sticking with the Yanks, Chevrolet rolled out an all-new Impala and the rather ungainly looking Traverse crossover, while the Lincoln brand got a reboot courtesy of the all-new MKZ. The safest thing to say about these is that they're clearly aimed at Americans.
Colour me beige
And if you think that sounds facetious, don't call us, call one of the Japanese manufacturers that was also unwrapping a new saloon in New York. Acura RLX, Nissan Altima, or whatever - they've all got a certain vibe about them. Do they really think Americans don't want to buy good-looking cars?
While we dig out the flameproof overalls, just you go and take a look at the new Honda Crosstour Concept. Now do you see what we mean?
About the only non beige Nissan on show
Anyways, speaking of Nissan, its new van-based New York taxi was, if not proudly on display, then certainly visible. Posh cousin Infiniti has finally got its version of the Leaf electric car, too - the astonishingly inventively named LE.
But if it's electric cars you're after look no further than the Fisker Atlantic concept. With second-generation range-extender technology this may appear almost identical to the existing Fisker Karma, but it promises significantly enhanced performance for less money. Clever construction - including a 'spider' roof - means plenty of passenger room, and the combination of rear-wheel drive and instant electric motor torque has us dreaming of big skids. An all-wheel drive option will also be offered for the less emotional.
Fisker at least dared to show some style
Meanwhile, back with the Europeans
Alongside pick-up trucks American is the land of the SUV, so it's a bit of a surprise that it's taken BMW until now to introduce the X1. Still, a new 306hp version makes it worth the wait; new Gran Coupé drew plenty of attention, too - ditto the M6 convertible.
And do we really need to talk about the new Hyundai Santa Fe?
Of course, just to be really confusing, some of the most important New York news concerned cars that weren't even there. While Land Rover slapped yet another layer of paint on the DC100 concept, Jaguar casually let slip (in a highly orchestrated manner) that the C-X16 would be going into production - as a roadster and called the F-Type. Exactly why it chose to do this without having the car in the faux spyshots on hand rather smacks of a testing accident to us, but that would be casting aspersions.
Aw, you Brits are just so cute, etc...
Besides which, Mini did the same thing - confirming a forthcoming GP2 model the night before the show opened, but having little more interesting on its stand than a double-decker bus, a red telephone booth and a British post box. Well, not quite: there was the Countryman JCW, and the Yachtsman.
April fool.
Returning to performance cars for a moment, New York represented the US debut of the third generation Porsche Boxster, and we did spend quite a bit of time ogling the Scion FRS. This appears to be essentially identical to the GT 86 - right down to the piston logo - but it is worth noting that Toyota's trendy offshoot gets a stripped back basic version; only Subaru will offer this option in the UK.
Why are old cars always more interesting?
Buried away in a lower hall a short walk from the modern exhibits there's also a small selection of "classic" cars. It was worth seeking this out just to see the 1921 Ford Model T Speedster - fabulous patina - but we were less convinced about the E-Type with blended in MX-5 taillights.
This is very far from the weirdest exhibit, however. That prize goes to the Terrafugia Transition. Parked right in the middle of the main concourse, this represents the realisation of that long-held car-meets-plane fantasy. It actually flies, and apparently drives. But we suspect the dream looked better while it was still in our heads.