Chevrolet has announced their new compact SUV, the Captiva. This will be the brand's first diesel powered compact SUV, and has been conceived with the European market in mind. First seen as the S3X concept at the Paris Motor Show last year, it will go on sale next summer after its launch at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show in March. The 2.0-liter common-rail direct-injection diesel produces 150PS, and there is also a 140PS 2.4l petrol unit. The Captiva will be available with either five or seven seats, the latter offering an advantage over rivals such as the Land Rover Freelander that makes do with just five. Despite Britain and France considering greater penalisation for SUV drivers, sales in Europe are still expected to rise 46% over the next four years.

Volkswagen's overhaul of its commercial range has brought typically automotive design to vans, the new Caddy in particular being a good example of having the resolution usually reserved for passenger cars. This new campaign started three years ago with the Transporter, and is now being rounded off with the Crafter. Sister car to the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Volkswagen has given a different face to the Crafter that is more sculpted and masculine than before, while features now include standard-fit ABS and ESP. The vertical theme of the front face is also brought inside to define the orientation of the dashboard. Under the hood, all models have a 2.5-litre five-cylinder diesel unit, with outputs ranging from 89PS to 164PS, and are available with the choice of three wheelbases.

2006 Dodge Challenger concept

With the 2006 Dodge Challenger concept, yet another former all-American hero is brought back from the dead. According to Tom Tremont of Chrysler's Pacifica studio in California, the concept draws upon the first 1970 version as the most iconic of the series, and will be presented at the Detroit Motor Show in January, with a 425PS version of the the same Hemi V8 that was used on the original. Chrysler Group Design's Senior Vice President Trevor Creed said, “This concept possesses the heritage and classic forms of the original Dodge Challenger. However, the ability to use the Dodge Magnum … architecture as the concept's foundation allowed us to bring a new level of quality and fit-and-finish to a muscle car icon.” Production is pencilled in for 2009, which would be 35 years after the last one was produced.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai Motor Company has released details of their new Santa Fe SUV. It has been developed at a cost of just $155 million over a 26 month period, and the result is larger and better resolved than the outgoing model. The extra size allows an additional row of seats and greater passenger comfort, and will take it head-to-head with the Chevrolet Captiva. Engine options include a new 2.2l turbo-charged diesel with 153PS and a 189PS 2.7l petrol V6, while Americans will also have the option of a 3.3l version. The recent launch of the Santa Fe in South Korea will feed the European and non-American markets, Hyundai's new facility in Alabama serving the United States in Spring next year instead.

Suzuki will start production of the new SX4 in December, a new small SUV to be launched at the Geneva Motor Show next year. It has been developed as a joint venture between Suzuki and Fiat, who will also sell their own variation, the Sedici, and will be built in Hungary. Developed under the concept 'X-over revolution', the SX4 is available in two variants: Urban Line and Outdoor Line, bringing the exterior trim to pertain to passenger cars and SUVs respectively. Engines will range from a 1.5-liter petrol unit with 99PS to a 120PS diesel motor, which is exclusively available with a six-speed manual gearbox. The SX4 will join the recently launched Swift and Grand Vitara as Suzuki's third world-strategic-model.

Toyota has launched a new compact sedan in Japan called the Belta. Based on Toyota's design philosophy of Vibrant Clarity, its proportions differentiate it from most small three-boxers. Despite its long wheelbase, it has the tightest turning circle in its class, suiting its typical urban environment, while the efficient 1.0 or 1.3 petrol engines keep emissions and fuel consumption to a class minimum. Inside, the IP is vertically orientated, and the binnacles are centrally mounted. The Belta uses the same platform as the new Yaris, and is currently sold only in Japan.

Following local legislation, foreign carmakers wishing to sell in China must ally themselves with domestic companies. In 1984, Volkswagen joined Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation and the Bank of China in order to establish a presence there. Designed at SVW Design Center, this is the new Passat Lingyu, which seemingly takes the body of the previous-generation Passat-based Skoda Superb, and mates it with new graphics to take it closer to the latest Western-market Passat. Three-box sedans are particularly popular in China, and Volkswagen has already sold 410,000 Passats since its introduction five years ago. This latest version will be launched in six variants of the two petrol engines available: the ubiquitous 1.8 turbocharged four and the 2.8 V6.