Volkswagen Jetta

Volkswagen have released the first official photos of the all-new fifth generation Jetta, which is to make its worldwide public debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January. On sale this coming March in the U.S. and Canada, the Jetta is Volkswagen's most popular model in the U.S., accounting for about 40 percent of the brand's overall volume in this market and is perennially the Number 1 selling European nameplate sold in the U.S.

Based on the new Golf launched in Europe last year, the Jetta carries over the new multi-link rear axle and platform but introduces a new powerful 2.5 liter five-cylinder engine with 150ps. The design takes the theme of 'baby Phaeton', with all-new skin panels compared to the Golf. The doors feature an upper swage line above the door handles and a more upmarket look for front and rear bumpers. The taillamps also introduce a new 'drop-eye' motif that VW have previewed on several concepts recently. The new Jetta's interior will be roomier than ever with a larger trunk and more occupant space to match the expectations of the North American customer.

Volkswagen will also offer its revolutionary transmission called DSG - an automated manual transmission system offering the inherent efficiency and economy of a manual with the ease of operation of an automatic. Other new technology includes an electro-mechanical steering system, ESP and new-generation ABS brakes. The new Jetta will be built at VW's Puebla, Mexico plant.

Chrysler Firepower concept

The first sketches and details of DaimlerChrysler's forthcoming concept cars, to be introduced at the 2005 NAIAS Show in Detroit, have been released. The Firepower concept is a Viper-based grand tourer which, according to Chrysler, is said to demonstrate the brand standards of elegance, refinement and affordability. Powered by a 6.1-liter Hemi V8, the vehicle is rooted in a feeling of luxury and performance through sleek design and precise engineering. The Chrysler-branded concept pushes beyond the sports car realm by blending expressive detail and engineering. The two-seater concept features a tinted glass roof that extends to the rear tailgate, allowing driver and passenger an enhanced feeling of spaciousness

Jeep Gladiator concept

The Jeep Gladiator is a lifestyle pick-up with all the capability of the famed Wrangler. It is said to be an authentic statement of Jeep brand heritage, featuring the historic box side-mounted spare of past models. The 'Flexible Utility Truck', features an open-air canvas top, an expandable truck bed and a stow-away rear-seat cushion.

Rover coupe concept

To celebrate the centenary of the British marque, Rover have unveiled a new coupe concept based on the 75 sedan. The concept keeps the length and wheelbase of the standard car but with longer doors and a height reduced by around 50mm, riding on 19” 5-spoke alloy wheels.

Peter Stevens, Rover's design director says: “I want people to turn away for a moment from post modern brutalism and to enjoy the elegant and timeless lines of the 75 Coupe's design. The true character of a Rover comes from its ability to present a cosseting environment with comfort and refinement being the high priorities, elements that should be expressed in the form and detailing of the exterior of the car”. Previous Rover coupe models include the P5 model of the 1960's and the 800 in the 1990's.

MG coupe concept

MG Rover have revealed photos of a new fixed-head coupe based on the midship TF sportscar to celebrate 80 years of the MG brand. The concept features a new teardrop side DLO and arched roof profile with a clean exterior look enhanced by the deletion of exterior door handles, which are integrated into the new door mirrors. Other changes include an extended front aero splitter and a longer tail-spoiler in the bootlid to reduce drag. 17" Gunsmoke five-spoke OZ alloy wheels, similar in design to the MG XPower SV, complete the design. The concept is fitted with a 2.5-litre KV6 engine with 200bhp and a top speed of 145mph.

Mecury Meta One concept

The Mercury Meta One concept will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in January. This crossover concept hints at the design future of the Mercury brand, and features an experimental powertrain, advanced electronics personalization features and active safety systems. It features a Lane Departure Warning system which alerts drivers who might be wandering out of their lane and Collision Mitigation by Braking (CMbB), which can detect an impending collision and help slow the vehicle to reduce the impact of the crash.

Audi A6 Avant

Audi have announced details of the new A6 Avant model to go on sale early next year. The lines of the car continue the clear architecture typical of Audi but have been taken in a more sporty direction with a faster rear tailgate angle and shallower window profile than the previous model. The rear graphics and 'hooked' taillamps echo that of the recent A4 sedan and Avant launched at Paris Show in September.

Cargo space has grown to 1660 liters and all new A6 Avant versions have two securing rails recessed into the floor that are fitted with four sliding lashing eyes. These can be used to secure individual items of luggage and to divide the trunk into separate compartments as desired. An underfloor plastic storage tray provides additional secure stowage for wet or muddy items. As a final touch, the powered tailgate can be opened and closed remotely from the key fob and the required opening angle can also be infinitely varied - impressive for the golf club car park

Aston Martin Racing DBR9

Aston Martin Racing has unveiled the DBR9, which will spearhead the British marque’s return to international motor racing in 2005, with the debut race scheduled for the 12 hours of Sebring, Florida, in March 2005. Aston Martin Racing will run two cars at Sebring and then move to Europe to prepare for the Le Mans 24 hours in June 2005. This will mark Aston Martin’s return to the race which was won outright in 1959 with Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby. In recognition of this, the DBR9 will follow the Le Mans-winning DBR1 and Works DB3S and carry the same green and yellow livery as the cars which dominated sports car racing in the late 1950s.

The DBR9 GT racing car is based on the latest Aston Martin production DB9, but is significantly modified for competition use. The DB9’s bonded-aluminium body architecture is shared with the DBR9 and provides both with a lightweight rigid chassis. The race engine uses the same aluminium cylinder block and head as the DB9’s 450bhp 6-litre V12 unit, but with modification is expected to produce in the region of 600bhp.

Aston Martin Racing’s design team made extensive use of Computational Fluid Dynamics to optimise the aerodynamics before producing the final body surface. The panels are hand made from carbon-fibre composite, helping the car meet its 1,100kg minimum weight and giving it a power to weight ratio of 550bhp per tonne - more than double that of the road car.

Subaru B9X

At the 2004 South Florida International Auto Show, Subaru of America announced details of the 2006 Subaru B9X, a three-row seven-passenger 'crossover utility vehicle' scheduled for launch in 2006. The B9X is based on the platform of the Outback, and will be powered by a 3.0 liter six-cylinder engine.

Pontiac Torrent

Pontiac have announced plans to produce a new sport utility vehicle, the 2006 Pontiac Torrent. Based on the same platform as the Chevolet Equinox, the Torrent will be powered by a 185 hp 3.4-liter V6 engine in either a front-wheel or all-wheel-drive system. According to Pontiac the specially tuned suspension system will allow for the utility and capability of an SUV without sacrificing the precision handling characteristics normally associated with a performance car.

The Pontiac Torrent will make its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2005, and is scheduled for introduction in fall 2005.

Hummer H3

The 2006 Hummer H3 has been unveiled at the California International Auto Show in Anaheim. Following the H1 and H2, the H3 delivers Hummer off-road capability in a smaller, more fuel efficient package. Compared to the H2, the H3 is 16.9 inches shorter in length, 6 inches shorter in height and 6.5 inches narrower.

Powered by the Vortec 3500 engine with dual overhead cams and variable valve timing, the H3 is projected to reach peak fuel economy of up to 20 miles per gallon. The H3 will be the first Hummer to offer the choice of a manual or an automatic transmission. An electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system is augmented with features such as a fully locking rear differential, traction control, underbody shielding and GM's StabiliTrak vehicle stability enhancement system. Tire packages up to 33-inch are offered, larger than any other midsize SUV.

Honda Ridgeline

First seen as a concept vehicle at the 2004 Detroit Auto Show, Honda's all-new four door, 4WD truck will be named 'Ridgeline' when it goes on sale in spring 2005 as a 2006 model. Honda announced the Ridgeline name at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturer's Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, where it displayed an updated concept version of the truck with a new paint scheme, revised suspension and new wheel and tire package.

According to Honda, the Ridgeline is a next-generation truck, taking the utility and versatility of an open-bed truck and adding a new dimension of dynamic performance, integrated styling and packaging efficiency previously unattainable in traditional body-on-frame trucks. The Ridgeline takes advantage of a fully integrated, closed-box frame with unibody construction to deliver superior ride, handling and packaging efficiency along with half-ton payload capacity and stronger body rigidity versus traditional body-on-frame trucks. Inside, the Ridgeline will feature a 'full size' five-passenger interior in a more maneuverable and garageable mid-size truck package. Ridgeline will be powered by 3.5-liter V-6 engine and 5-speed automatic transmission with a fully automatic 4-wheel drive system. The production Ridgeline will make its world debut at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next January.