At Last, a Celebration of the Sippers

But at this year’s New York International Auto Show, where two days of press previews began on Wednesday ahead of Friday’s public opening, automakers seemed on-message — and on the same page with consumers — with a focus on fuel economy, no matter the type of vehicle. Even diversions created for media attention were well intended: an appearance by Kiss band members for Mini promoted a charity auction of four customized Countryman models.

Mark Reuss, General Motors’ North American president, spoke with a reporter just offstage from the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu midsize sedan, whose Eco version is projected to earn an E.P.A. rating of 26 m.p.g. in town and 38 m.p.g. on the highway.

Mr. Reuss said that today, despite energy volatility and disasters both natural and man-made, G.M. and other automakers can only sharpen their focus and avoid short-term distractions.

“We’ve quit trying to predict gas prices and Libyan crises, and to just get a solid business model that grows share and profits,” Mr. Reuss said.

As the last major show of the season — it runs through May 1 — New York’s show is one last chance for automakers to wow shoppers with their latest creations. Stressing the influence of fuel-economy numbers, companies suggested that 40 m.p.g. has become the new 30.

For compacts like the new Honda Civic — perhaps the most critical mass-appeal car unveiled here — membership in the growing 40-m.p.g. club has become a no-excuses requirement. From now on, cars that fail to measure up might well be hooted off the show stage.

The Civic avoided that fate with a frugal HF model whose 41 m.p.g. highway rating tops any rival equipped with an automatic transmission. A new Civic Hybrid betters that at 44/44 m.p.g. for city and highway.

Even the athletic Mazda 3, once a fuel-economy laggard, now boasts 40 highway m.p.g. The 2012 model that goes on sale this fall uses an advanced gasoline engine technology the company calls Skyactiv. The 2012 Subaru Impreza sedan can’t chin the 40-m.p.g. bar but it manages 36, impressive for an all-wheel-drive car.

Perhaps more than any car at the show, it was a Mercedes-Benz design study, the Concept A-Class, that signaled what might be the new normal. Sensing that Americans would reject its compact yet utilitarian hatchback, Mercedes had not brought the A-Class to the United States. But a strikingly reimagined A-Class design study will spawn production versions that combine luxury and 4-cylinder economy.

Here are some of the significant showroom models seen in New York:

BMW Z4 SDRIVE 28I The Z4 roadster recently jazzed up its styling inside and out. Now the 2012 base model, on sale this fall, gets BMW’s first 4-cylinder engine in the United States since the 318ti of 1999. A 2-liter, twin-scroll turbocharged 4-cylinder steps in for the previous 3-liter in-line 6, delivering 240 horses and 260 pound-feet of torque.

CHEVROLET MALIBU Looking to capitalize on the well-received Malibu sedan, Chevy’s reworked 2013 model borrows Camaro styling cues, including its rectangular taillamps, while muscling up and adding space with a three-inch gain in width. A new Eco version adopts G.M.’s e-Assist hybrid system; the car goes on sale next year.

FIAT 500C On the stylish stiletto heels of the 500 coupe, the 500c cabriolet offers a retractable canvas awning.. The al fresco Fiat goes on sale this spring, starting at around $19,500.

FORD TAURUS AND TAURUS SHO Showroom bound next spring as 2013 models, the mildly reworked Taurus and high-performance SHO get more-appealing interiors with Ford’s latest MyTouch infotainment system. The Limited model will add a fuel-efficient 2-liter Ecoboost engine, with a twin-turbocharged Ecoboost V-6 soldiering on in the SHO.

HONDA CIVIC Honda seems to be betting that subtle improvements, not radical design changes, will keep the 2012 Civic ensconced as a best-seller. But the new Civic’s interior, unimaginative in its styling and choice of plastics, seemed to please no one. (The Civic Si version’s cabin was a happy exception). The fully redesigned Civic is available in coupe, sedan, hybrid, spunky Si and natural-gas-powered editions. Already on sale, the Civic’s prices cover an equally broad swath, from a DX coupe at $16,355 to $27,500 for a loaded Hybrid.

HYUNDAI ACCENT Starting at just over $13,000, Hyundai’s entry-level model costs more but delivers more, with a sedan and hatchback that trade formerly forgettable styling for the shapely “fluidic” design language of the larger Elantra and Sonata. On sale in May, the 2012 Accent manages 138 horsepower from a 1.6-liter engine, with 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

KIA RIO In a show where econoboxes seemed to breed like Tribbles on the original “Star Trek,” the Rio actually managed to stand out, thanks to the talented efforts of Kia’s design chief, Peter Schreyer. The Rio hatchback goes on sale in summer, the sedan in fall, both starting at $12,990. The Kia should earn the coveted 40-m.p.g. rating from the E.P.A. It shares its 1.6-liter, 138 horsepower engine with its Hyundai Accent sibling, but adds a fuel-saving engine stop-start system.