New Yorkers claim they're a breed apart: Yankees in a country of confederates; liberals in the land of conservatives. They're well-read and worldly-wise, living in a melting pot of colour, creed and nationality.
Yet, in such a consciencious city, with one of the worst gridlocks in the US and with petrol prices at record highs, the popularity of big individualistic off-roaders continues apace. In the bumper-to-bumper car parks that cost $13 an hour, the polished untarnished sheet metal of Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) on 20-inch wheels abound. It's hardly surprising that SUVs dominate the New York auto show.
However on the main floor, there were small signs of a seachange in attitude. The harbinger of this news was to be found in the corner of the hall devouted to Ford and its various sister brands.
At the main stand, chairman Bill Ford introduced the brand's new hybrid Escape model, promising on the US market by September, ahead of Toyota's premium brand Lexus with its RX400h. That's sure to irk several Japanese execs who have long flew the flag of hybrid technology only to see their thunder stolen at the last minute by a US giant counts several significant gas guzzlers in its line-up.
As if to demonstrate the strange bedfellows in today's Ford stable, we were shown a short film of the environmentally friendly, though terribly dull looking Escape tackling New York traffic on its 500 mile plus test where it managed over 38 mpg. This was immediately followed by a presentation on the new Mustang that started with the floorboard-shaking growl of its V8 engine. No doubt the 100,000 Mustang owners gathering later this year for the car's 40th anniversary will not be among those to sign up for the hybrid Escape.
Towards the more mainstream, and certainly aiming to capture more of 'middle America' was Land Rover.Bill Ford was also on hand - at least for a few minutes - to give the new Land Rover Discovery a cheer, but it was New Jersey's Mark Fields - a 'young Turk' in the Ford empire and current boss of the Premier Automotive Group - who hosted the more European element of the Ford empire. PAG as it is known, encompasses Land Rover, Jaguar, Aston Martin and Volvo.
Land Rover has long claimed the Discovery was the affordable Range Rover, but never quite managed to persuade the public nor the press. This model does just that. With its stronger sharper lines and upgraded interior, the new Discovery - due in Ireland in October - is the most impressive looking in the Discovery's 15 year history.
It's also appropriate it was launched in the US, the latest Land Rover to get its world debut this side of the Atlantic, following on from the Range Rover Stormer concept unveiled at Detroit. The British brand is now firmly under the wing of Ford and there are clear design cues coming from its US parent.
While design director Geoff Upex is quick to dismiss suggestions that the new Discovery is completely designed for the US urban audience, he admits that it's a powerful force in the current Land Rover management. Upex is busy working on the new Freelander and the Stormer-based Range Rover Sports - all likely to be influenced by US motoring tastes. Perfectly understandable given that over 50 per cent of Land Rover sales this year will be in the US.
Land Rover has long been able to feed of its off-road ability in terms of sales and the new model features its new Terrain Response system with one of five terrain settings via a rotary switch, varying from on-road to extreme off-road. However, the group is also keen to play up its on-road ability as well, particularly here where the only room to off-road is in Central Park.
Yet if ever there was a symbol of the growth in off-roaders on America's city streets it's the fact that the most lucrative market for Jeep - the DaimlerChrysler brand that specialises in 4x4s - is in the north east, with New York as its hub. Hence the decision to launch the new Grand Cherokee flagship at the New York show. It trundled over a giant in-door dirt track alongside a revamped Liberty model.
Both of these vehicles will be making their way to Ireland and both show distinct signs of a Mercedes influence. At a time when the DaimlerChrysler execs are battling with figures and fighting court battles over the takeover, it would seem that the US brands in the enlarged group are the ones reaping the benefits of the marriage, while Mercedes - still fighting with a faltering reliability rating - offered up a limited edition SL65 AMG with a massive 400bhp.
But there was more than a new set of off-roaders at the show to entice Irish and European attendees. With both Cadillac and Chrysler set to enter the fray over here, we got the chance to see first-hand the Chrysler 300C, an imposing beast set to take on the likes of the 5-series BMW but with enough road presence to take on the 7-series and an engine line-up offering a 2.7-litre or 3.5-litre V6 and a 5.7-litre V8.
Over at Cadillac, the European-bound CTS is no less imposing. It looks every bit a 5-series rival but is aimed to take on the likes of the BMW 330. Though the finish may lack the finesse of European cabins, back room space is impressive. Cadillac also unveiled a new flagship STS that will also come to Europe some time in the future.
Of course, what we would really like to see on our roads, for sheer shock factor if nothing else, is the all-important Escalade, a product that has made the marque the king of Bling and car of choice for every Stateside rapper.
Decked in 24-inch rims - or Dubs as wheels over 20-inches are nicknamed - these are seven-seaters that make Hummers look decidedly minivan. Seven very full seats are set off with a boot big enough to carry all the golf clubs you'd need. With the back seats folded down, any rapper could turn this into his mobile 'crib'. In the Big Apple, size still matters.