What will be the coolest technology at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS)? Here's a spotter's guide to checking out cockpit controllers, navigation systems, great audio, hybrid engines, and just-plain-cool stuff.

The NYIAS runs from Friday, April 14, through Sunday, April 23. If you're serious about seeing the cars, take a personal wellness day on a weekday and go sooner, not later; show goers can be tough on cars. But weekends are when you'll see celebrities, giveaways, and contests (such the U.S. Lawnmower Racing Association STA-BIL Racing series). Since New York's Javits Center (11th Avenue, between 34th and 39th Streets) is so notoriously hard to get to, a foul-weather day will hammer attendance, so that's the best time to go.

Cockpit controllers. Head for the BMW booth to see the company that started it all, with iDrive (and they're still taking grief over it). Then check out Audi, a company that's doing it right, with MMI. Also see the (Audi-like) Mercedes-Benz S550, Acura RL and TL, and Infiniti M45/M35. For more on controllers, see our story,"Car Controllers Evolve".

LCDs. What car doesn't have them, at least of the higher-end offerings? If you can get the company to turn the display on (and even then, somebody usually breaks it), sit in the Infiniti M45/M35. This is the best integration of display, cockpit controls, and cockpit controller, which is why it's PC Magazine's winner of the Digital Drive award, as best high-tech car of 2006 (on newsstands now; the story will be online April 25).

Navigation systems. You'll be indoors, and a GPS needs to be outdoors to work. So there's not much to see beyond canned demos. Still, do check out the new OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation, which works pretty well, considering there's really no display to speak of—just words coming at you.

Hybrid technology. Make a beeline for the Toyota and Lexus booths, as well as Honda's. But if you're looking for alternative ways to get great acceleration and economy from smaller engines, take a look at BMW's capacitor-drive demo and Mercedes-Benz's Bluetec low-emissions diesel engines. And GM is pushing cars that burn a mix of ethanol and gasoline. Actually, any automaker using turbocharged or supercharged engines is now calling their vehicles fuel-efficient devices.

Great audio. On the main show floors, you can't really crank it up. Instead, go outside to the Urban Tuner Salon for both audio and show-car prototypes. An increasing number of mainstream cars offer line-in jacks and CD players that play MP3s and, typically, WMAs.

Concept cars. You'll find just a couple at the NYIAS. We suspect the Los Angeles Auto Show, moving from January to November this year, will be a hotter spot for concept cars. In New York, you can see the Acura MDX SUV, Pontiac G6 GXP sporty car, and Scion Fuse sport coupe.

Brand-new cars. There's more than one kind of "new": really new, "more than just a model-year change" new, North American–introduction new (meaning it was probably announced last month at the Geneva Auto Show), and "the factory just built it" new. These models count as really new or significant-facelift new: the Bentley Continental GTC convertible, BMW Z4 coupe/M coupe, Ford Shelby GT-H, Honda Element, Hyundai Elantra, Infiniti G35, Jeep Patriot, Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Lexus LS hybrid, Mazda CX-9, Mercedes-Benz E class, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Altima, Nissan Maxima, Saturn Aura, Saturn Outlook, Saturn Sky Red Line, Suzuki XL-7, and Volvo XC90.

Non-tech trends. See smaller cars from Toyota, Nissan, and Honda. See bigger SUVs from second-tier Japanese makers (such as the Mazda CX-9 and Suzuki XL-7). See Korea continue its charge on Japan with bigger and better cars. See American automakers, especially GM, with much-improved SUVs. See how well its new lineup helps Saturn get back in gear. See if the newly announced Infiniti G35 redesign has what it takes to unseat the BMW 3 Series.

Booth models. Shame on you for asking! Mainstream automakers have stepped back to more family-values models of all genders. Ferrari traditionally couples elegant cars with elegant models in evening dress, at least for the press days. Tuners and autosound purveyors often bring somewhat more, um, provocatively dressed models, plus posters and autograph pens. Check back for a detailed report.