NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - For a city whose denizens spend more time on the subway than the freeway, New York still manages to grab the automotive spotlight for a few weeks each spring.

The annual New York International Auto Show, traditionally following auto affairs in Detroit, Los Angeles and Chicago, again delivers a full slate of concept creations and new production models. First dibs go the media, with the public show running Friday, April 9 through Sunday, April 18 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in Manhattan.

Here's a sampling of the Wednesday show roster, from the first of two media preview days:

2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee -- Once the SUV king of every trail and well-to-do suburb, the Grand Cherokee has fallen behind in recent years. Jeep looks to reclaim its status with an all-new 2005 model. On sale in fall, the Jeep flagship should handle more nimbly thanks to rack-and-pinion steering and an independent front suspension. And yes, it's got a Hemi in it, an optional 5.7-liter, 340-horsepower V-8 that can shut down half its cylinders to save increasingly precious fuel. Three new four-wheel-drive systems will be offered; a new five-speed automatic transmission features manual-shift function. Big options include electronic stability control, a navigation system and rear-seat DVD player.

2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 -- On sale in September, the second-generation SLK roadster looks to maintain its sumptuous feel but toughen up its performance. The striking exterior takes cues from the McLaren SLR supercar; a 3.5-liter V-6 pumps out 272 horsepower, allowing 5.6-second dashes from 0-62 mph. An optional seven-speed – yes, seven -- automatic transmission with manual function is notable, along with sportier steering and suspension and safety features such as head curtain airbags. A so-called "Airscarf" system pumps warm air through the headrests to keep occupants cozy on chilly open-roof days. A ferocious SLK55 AMG version, with 355 horsepower from a naturally-aspirated 5.4-liter V-8, should reach dealerships by early next year.

2006 Mercedes CLS500 -- Blending four-door practicality with the sleek roofline of a coupe, the CLS-Class comes to America early next year as a 2006 model. The CLS coupe incorporates every technology and doohickey known to man or Mercedes, including electro-hydraulic brakes, an air suspension, adaptive cruise control, adaptive headlamps, keyless entry and the latest in airbags and safety. Mercedes' stalwart 5.0-liter V-8 pumps out 306 horsepower; a seven-speed automatic transmission is an industry first.

2005 Cadillac STS -- Gunning for respect in the $40,000-plus luxury car market, Caddy will mercy-kill the Seville and replace it with the rear-drive STS. Derived from the underpinnings of the smaller CTS, the full-size sedan gets 255 horsepower from its standard 3.6-liter V-6, or 320-horsepower from a Northstar V-8. Optional all-wheel-drive (initially on V-8 models only) is a first for a Cadillac car. Like the SRX sport-ute, the STS gets the slick Magnetic Ride Control suspension first used in the Chevrolet Corvette. Other key technologies include stability control, adaptive cruise control, a remote starter and a head-up display.

2005 Acura RL -- The current RL is a virtual non-entity in the luxury race, but Acura hopes to rectify that with an all-new version. As with last year's TL, the production RL on sale this fall will closely match the concept on stage in New York. Acura is touting its Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive system, which distributes available power not just between front and rear but also left and right wheels. The RL also shows off Honda's new ACE (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) structure that creates better crash alignment between tall SUVs and trucks, and also dissipates crash energy more effectively.

2005 Audi A6 -- Audi's redesigned A6 is hard to miss, with its chin-scraping grille that's the new signature look for the luxury brand. The roomier A6 will start in the low $40,000s with a 255-horsepower, 3.2-liter V-6; or in the low $50,000s with Audi's 335-horsepower, 4.2-liter V-8. Quattro all-wheel-drive models go on sale by early November, followed later by front-drive versions. Six-speed automatic or manual transmissions are available. The A6 incorporates Audi's MMI (Multi-Media Interface), a rotary console knob that manages vehicle functions much more intuitively that BMW's similar iDrive system. Other goodies include adaptive front headlights that illuminate around curves, and adaptive cruise control.

2005 Land Rover LR3 -- Disco is dead: The Land Rover Discovery will be replaced around November by the LR3, an all-new, seven-passenger luxury SUV that will slot in size and price between the compact Freelander and extravagant Range Rover. Chiseled-yet-elegant styling draws heavily on the larger Range Rover; power comes from Jaguar's 4.4-liter, 300-horsepower V-8, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Permanent four-wheel-drive features a new "Terrain Response" system that lets drivers choose one of five terrain settings to optimize traction and electronic controls for any surface. A fully independent air suspension is standard; available features include adaptive headlights that swivel to peer around curves.

2005 Saab 9-7X -- With umpteen offshoots of GM's midsize SUVs available, does the world really need another? Yet Saab and its GM parent believe the 9-7X, at roughly $37,000-$45,000, will be distinctive enough to make people overlook its Chevy TrailBlazer ancestry. Built in Ohio beginning in January, the first-ever Saab SUV aims for a Euro blend of sport and luxury. All-wheel-drive is standard, with a choice of GM's 275-horsepower inline six or its 300-horsepower, 5.3-liter V-8. The roster of standard safety gear includes rollover sensors and head-curtain airbags.

2005 Mini Cooper Convertible -- Hurry, summer: The topless version of England's dashing Mini Cooper goes on sale around July. A fully automatic soft top retracts in just 15 seconds, offered in three colors – black, green or blue – and featuring a heated glass rear window. A clever sunroof feature retracts the first 16 inches of the soft top, and can be operated at up to 75 mph. The compact folding top is also designed to maximize cargo space in the Mini's smallish rear hatch. The convertible also adds two signature exterior colors to the Mini's already-huge palette: Hot Orange and Cool Blue.

2005 Jeep Liberty Diesel -- Jeep's popular compact SUV gets a facelift for '05, but the big news arrives this fall with a clean-burning diesel version, a first for a U.S. compact sport-ute. The 2.8-liter engine combines 160 horsepower with a massive 295 pound-feet of torque. The diesel should boost combined mileage to about 25 mpg, a 25 percent improvement, with a corresponding reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

2005 Jaguar XJ long-wheelbase -- The nimble new Jaguar XJ gained a decent back seat for '04, but apparently not enough for some space-hungry Americans: A trio of long-wheelbase models joins the 2005 XJ lineup in September, the XJ8L, XJ8L Vanden Plas and the Super V-8. Each grows five inches in length and wheelbase, carving out three more inches of rear legroom versus standard models. The Super V-8 becomes the Jaguar flagship sedan, with 390 horsepower from its supercharged 4.2-liter engine. Stretched versions gain only about 53 pounds on average, thanks to the XJ's svelte aluminum structure.

Ford Mustang GT-R -- As Ford readies its first truly all-new 'Stang in 27 years, the GT-R concept shows them already plotting the modern Mustang's return to serious road racing. The GT-R starts with 85 percent of the 2005 Mustang's parts – but it's the other 15 percent that could give grassroots racers a potent, relatively affordable ride in a variety of series including American LeMans and SCCA Trans-Am. Inspired by the Grabber Orange 1970 Boss 302 race cars driven by Parnelli Jones and others, the GT-R features a 440-horsepower "Cammer" V-8 engine that can easily be tuned to deliver 500-plus. The brawny concept features huge fender flares, a soaring rear spoiler, stainless steel side exhausts, and a dose of lightweight carbon fiber inside and out..

Buick Velite -- Buick has raised hopes with several concepts in recent years, only to dash them. But at a Tuesday evening unveiling at Manhattan's swanky Splashlight Studios, Buick execs insisted the Velite concept stands a genuine chance of reaching production. The stretched four-seat convertible is derived from the new Zeta platform that will underpin premium models from GM and its Aussie Holden subsidiary; the concept was built by famed Italian coachbuilder Bertone. A twin-turbocharged, 3.6-liter V-6 produces 400 horsepower, hooked to a six-speed automatic transmission. The soft-top Velite draws cues from Buick's design past, including a boattail rear and portholes in the front fenders.

Volvo YCC -- It's the ultimate chick car – yet the Volvo YCC (Your Concept Car), designed by and for women, has several features men could learn to love. Wide-entry gullwing doors can open automatically when you approach. There's no gas cap to fiddle with; just plug the nozzle into a receptacle and fill 'er up. Other elements include computer-aided parallel parking, easy-clean paint, sets of changeable seat covers and a smart key that stores your optimal driving position based on body type. Don't forget headrests that won't mess up a ponytail – ideal for women or would-be Fabios.