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" From the floor of the New York International Auto Show, contributor Ken Juran files up-to-the-minute reports and photos.  NEW YORK \u2014 Sales volume is the big indicator for carmakers for many reasons. At auto shows like this one, the big-volume marques are the ones that get the coveted stands upstairs at the Javits Center. Hyundai, for example, was once banished to the basement level with the other also-rans. But this year, the burgeoning Korean manufacturer moved on up to Level 3, while Volkswagen was kindly asked to set up on Level 1. Taking advantage of its perch, Hyundai unveiled its seventh new vehicle in two years, the 2007 Elantra. Fewer than $14,000 buys a 49 percent stiffer body structure than the previous Elantra, six airbags, electric power steering and a roomier interior. But wait, there&amp;#039;s more: The new Elantra has some uncommonly (for this segment) upscale features such as heated seats with leather upholstery. And all this while the 2.0-liter variable-valve-timing four-cylinder engine squeezes four more miles out of each gallon of gas and is clean enough for a SULEV rating.  To drive home the point of just how much owners love their Hyundais, the carmaker brought customers to the press conference. It was unique and down-to-earth for an event that could have come off as a thin ploy. Well done. By the way, Hyundai says they intend to surpass a half-million in sales in 2006. And those are big numbers.  Over at Honda (also on Level 3, with annual sales at 1.3 million), we saw the 2007 Element SC Prototype. Taking the original versatile Element to the streets, this new iteration will be a real urban warrior with a lowered roofline, a 3-in.-lower suspension, 21-in. wheels and glossy black interior trim. The kicker is the carpeting that covers the floor, doing away with the washable plastic interior of the current Element. Power will come from a 166-hp 2.4-liter iVTEC Four (10 hp more than &amp;#039;06) mated to a either a manual or automatic five-speed. Honda also announced the availability of the Phill natural gas home refueler in New York state in the fall, to fill up the Honda Civic GX in the comfort of your own garage. See the May issue of Popular Mechanics for more on alternative fuels.  Mazda officials said that online shoppers are clamoring for more information on the recently unveiled turbocharged CX-7 crossover, which arrives in ports in 30 days. Here in New York, they chose to launch the next size up, the seven-passenger CX-9, which traces its lineage back to the successful Mazda6 sedan&amp;#039;s platform. The CX-9 (unrelated to CX-7 in terms of engineering) is the biggest Mazda ever. It was developed specifically for North America\u2014and for a different customer than its smaller sibling. One nice feature is the one-touch sliding second-row seat, allowing easy access to the third row. A 3.5-liter V6 coupled to a six-speed automatic provides go power.  Also taking the stage here is the Mazdaspeed3, a higher-performance version of the compact Mazda3. Take 250 hp from a turbocharged direct-injection Four mated to a six-speed manual with front-wheel-drive torque management and you&amp;#039;ve got yourself some giddyup. The car will share showroom space with the current\u2014and larger\u2014Mazdaspeed6. Finally, if you&amp;#039;re coming to the Javits Center here in Manhattan and you too are clamoring for more information on Mazda, walk across 11th Avenue and look for Zoom-Zoom City. The tented exposition will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about Mazda.  Earlier: Nissan Revamps Two Winners. The 2007 Hyundai Elantra. Happy Elantra owners help Hyundai unveil the new model to the press. 2007 Honda Element SC Prototype. Here&amp;#039;s the new Mazda CX-9 crossover, with a red Mazdaspeed3 in the background. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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