From New York: Which foreign automaker is making a car for dogs?

The one and only jgoods gave us a great overview of what the domestic automakers will be showing off at the New York Auto Show. What about our foreign friends, you ask? Mercedes and Lexus will be showing off some hybrid SUVs (RX 450h and ML450, respectively), and Mitsubishi will reveal their aggressive new Outlander.

Here’s a preview of some of the other vehicles foreign automakers have brought to the show:

Porsche 911 GT3

With the controversial Panamera taking up so much of the auto world’s press, it’s nice to see this refreshingly sexy 435-hp stunner.

Scion iQ concept

Remember the Toyota iQ we’ve talked about before? Scion’s getting a concept version, too, with a look they call “fierce.” I call it “jet ski on wheels.”

Acura ZDX

Acura says the production version of this concept will go on sale this fall. Acura’s VP of sales says,

The emotional coupe styling coupled with a luxurious and dramatic interior and surprising versatility, allows the ZDX to define its own segment and attract an entirely new customer.

Right. They could’ve at least acknowledged that BMW created the segment with their X6 (which is getting its own attention, mostly due to the new M version and its 555-hp V8).

2010 Land Rover Range Rover

I have a thing for Range Rovers. High price and reliability issues aside, I find the look striking and the luxury inviting. The 2010 version gets an all new and all mighty 510-hp, 5.0-liter V8, along with updates to that intimidating appearance.

2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI

VW’s press release for this car compares the driving experience to that of a Porsche 911. If that were true, VW wouldn’t able to build enough of these. I will acknowledge, though, that it looks slightly less like a bar of Lever 2000 soap than previous versions. And that’s a good thing.

Dog-Friendly Honda Element Concept

Just for fun, I want to share Honda’s latest innovation. We all know people haul their dogs in their cars, and now those dogs can travel in comfort! This car features: a cushioned pet bed in the cargo area with an elevated platform; pet restraint systems;a load-in ramp to accommodate access to the cargo area; second-row seat covers with a dog pattern design that matches the bed fabric; all-season rubber floor mats with a toy bone pattern; a spill-resistant water bowl; and Dog Friendly exterior emblems.

No, I’m not kidding. But I sure wish I was. 

Concept or not, do you think it’s smart to build a car that caters to dogs?

-tgriffith

Related posts:

• IISI's vision for the development of a Future Steel Vehicle clearly addresses ...
• The 4.528 mm / 178.2 in. long GLK will be initially offered with the choice ...
• BREAKING: More Porsche Panamera pics surface
• Ray Giovannoni’s ‘36 Ford
• Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera: US West Coast debut

Related posts:

• Lincoln’s MKS sedan (shown in concept form here) will go on sale in 2008 ...
• NAIAS 2008 TRIP …Part 3
• Nissan is Going to Launch Three Vehicles to Go Head to Head With Scion in 2009
• Choosing a president by his… car?
• Who Cares About the Prius When the New MINI D Gets 72.4 mpg!