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By Nick Kurczewski, Contributor


Whether debating where to find the best pizza, or trying to convince a cabbie the best route to the airport, New Yorkers are never shy about expressing their opinion.


Count on this holding true when the New York Auto Show opens its doors to the public on Friday and closes them April 11. Automakers from around the globe will make their case to, arguably, the toughest car critics in the world.  


After all, the next generation of green vehicles faces few challenges larger than the ones encountered here on a daily basis in the Big Apple. Plug-in hybrids and electric cars sound great, in theory. But you try plugging one in when your apartment is on the 20th floor! Car buyers are now looking for smarter and more economical transport - but not at the expense of style, power and convenience.  


New York is set to showcase a range of production and concept cars that balance the wants and needs of today's savvier car buyer. Here's a preview of what to expect at this year's show, with North American and global debuts held during Wednesday and Thursday's media-preview days:



2011 Lexus CT 200h


Lexus is pitching the CT 200h to a younger clientele as a green-minded premium compact hybrid. The four-door hatch debuted at the Geneva Auto Show, but this marks the first appearance of the CT 200h on U.S. soil.


Lexus will definitely be hoping the car makes more of an impression in New York than it did in Geneva. Blame the subdued European debut on the CT 200h's conservative looks, or the fact that media attention remained firmly fixed on Toyota (parent company of the Lexus brand) and ongoing recall woes concerning sticking gas pedals.


The drivetrain of the CT 200h is more exciting than the me-too exterior. A 1.8-liter four-cylinder VVT-i engine coupled to the Lexus Hybrid Drive system makes this a "full hybrid," with twin electric motors driving the wheels and recharging the battery pack.


Yet for some reason Lexus opted to use nickel-metal hydride batteries, not longer lasting and more powerful lithium-ion or lithium-polymer. U.S. sales of the CT 200h begin in early 2011.
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Tags: Auto Shows, BMW, Diesel, Emissions, Fuel Economy, Hybrid, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Lincoln, Porsche, Scion, Volkswagen, 2010 New York Auto Show, 2011 BMW x5 xDrive35d, 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, 2011 Kia Optima, 2011 Lexus CT 200h, 2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid, 2011 Scion iQ

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2010 New York Auto Show: More Hybrids, Diesels and Fuel-Sippers Rolling Our Way was originally published by Green Car Advisor. Read the full story by clicking here.