It seems as though Geneva was just yesterday and before we know it, our shores light up with the automotive glitz & glamor of an international auto show, this time in the Big Apple.  The second press day is occurring as we speak, but we thought we’d show you some of the performance-oriented and exotic participants who have gotten coverage so far.  So, without further ado, let’s take a look:

2014 SRT Viper TA

As if the new Viper GTS isn’t enough to get your heart racing and tires smoking, SRT has unleashed a new snake in NYC.  First and foremost, it is actually nice to see this rendition of the car go more for light modification than balls-to-the-wall extreme performance.  The Viper GTS is an extremely powerful car as it is, so this version actually adds a bit of variation and additional exclusivity to the Viper line-up (a la Bugatti Veyron).  In the ‘TA’ expect upgraded Brembo brakes, a carbon fiber x-brace under the hood, carbon fiber front and rear spoilers, revised two-mode Bilstein suspension, and an exclusive Crusher Orange paint job.  Only 33 units will be available when the car goes on sale later this year.

Subaru WRX Concept

A really exciting addition to the high-performance showcase in NYC is Subie’s WRX Concept, a design study that gives us all kinds of juicy hints at the future of Subaru’s sporting intentions.  In general, Subaru has been doing very well in terms of sales, attracting new customers, and continuing to develop, capable, reliable, and safe cars.  But, as we all know, their WRX models have always provided AWD, forced induced sporting goodness and this new design scheme is very, very handsome.  Other than looking good, no details have been revealed, but its carbon fiber roof, prominent wheel arches, and prominently raised hood mean light, AWD, turbocharged goodness.

2014 Mercedes CLA45 AMG

Without proceeding any further let’s get to the heart of the matter: this is the most powerful series-production four-cylinder engine in the world.  When it comes down to it, the proof is in the pudding – this car packs an astounding 178 horsepower per liter on pump gas.  Overall, this screaming baby Benz puts out 355 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, and is good for a sprint to 60 in just 4.5 seconds.  In addition, power is put to the tarmac via MB’s 4Matic AWD system and a 7-speed dual-clutch tranny.  A new four-link rear suspension, firmed-up components, and an active exhaust system will top off Benz’s new baby racer.

Jaguar XJR & XKR-S GT

Jaguar really brought the power to this year’s NY Auto Show.  Not only did they debut an all-new XJR, but the most fiery XK ever, the XKR-S GT, made its debut.  The XJR seems to be a bit delayed seeing as how the new XJ appeared 3 years ago, but one should remember that a supercharged rendition wasn’t absent.  Regardless, we’re stoked that the XJ has found its inner beast once again, and now in its new beautiful skin.  Expect 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque courtesy of a supercharged 5.0-liter V8, all of which is good for a sprint to 60 in just 4.4 seconds.  While the XJR is an evolutionary model, the new XKR-S GT is a brand new high-performance vehicle from Jaguar.  The XKR-S GT is a stunningly beautiful GT and packs a complementary punch under skin.  In fact, the GT borrows the same exact powerplant as the XKR-S, but is tuned and tweaked in ways that truly make cars go quicker on the track (i.e. suspension, aerodynamics, contact patches, brakes).

– Evan W.

Additional coverage at Autoblog