2008 BMW 1 Series

BMW's pint-sized 1 Series hits dealerships in spring 2008 in coupe form. Two versions will be offered initially: the 128i and 135i, both of which feature inline-six-cylinder power. A convertible version is also in the works.BMW says the 1 Series was inspired by the company's legendary 2002 coupe, and it does share that model's blocky looks, with an upright grille and less-than-sleek C-pillars. The 128i's inline-six makes 230 horsepower, while the 135i uses a twin-turbo inline-six that kicks out 300 hp; with the twin-turbo engine, the 135i can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. Both models are also available with an automatic transmission if you'd rather let the car do the shifting.With the 1 Series, BMW promises a pure driving car without too much gadgetry getting in the way. However, iDrive is available with the navigation system. Standard features include a 60/40-split folding rear seat, six airbags and simulated leather upholstery; real leather is optional.

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Yes! Roadster

Never heard of Yes! before? That's probably because the German sports-car maker is using the 2008 Chicago Auto Show to launch the brand in the U.S. There will only be two models offered later this year, both roadsters with either the standard 255-horsepower V-6 or a 355-hp, turbocharged V-6. The company also says it will offer an optional upgrade to boost power to 415 hp.Dealers will be announced after the auto show, but expect them to be of the exotic variety. The 255-hp version starts at $77,995 and the 355-hp turbo roadster will set you back $97,995, which isn't out of range for buyers of the midlife-crisis variety, but the cars' exclusivity will probably make them hard to come by in the U.S. Each roadster is handmade by six mechanic teams in Germany.The performance numbers sound good, but the looks — the gas cap is in the top-center of the hood — are a bit out there.

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2009 Volvo XC60

Volvo is jumping into the small luxury SUV game with the XC60. It joins an ever-growing group of very good vehicles, like the BMW X3, Acura RDX, Land Rover LR2, Infiniti EX35 and Mercedes-Benz's upcoming GLK. Can Volvo play the safe card and win buyers?That's what the company says it isn't doing, at least with the design. While it certainly isn't boxy, we're not sure if the lines are as universally appealing as the Infiniti EX35 or as true to their brand as the Land Rover LR2. At first glance the interior looks similar to other Volvos, but the floating center stack is actually off-center, skewing toward the driver. It's an odd effect, but it might turn out to be quite practical.Under the hood is an energetic turbocharged T6 six-cylinder pumping out 281 horsepower — more than any other SUV in this segment. It will be the only available engine in the U.S. when it goes on sale in early 2009. All-wheel drive will be standard, which makes us worry that the entry price might be high. But considering that parts of Volvo's lineup — like the S80 and XC70 — are priced well below the competition, we'll have to wait and see.As for safety, the XC60 comes with a crash-avoidance feature that can tell if you're about to run into the car in front of you, and it then applies the brakes to avoid the accident. Volvo is calling it "City Safety" in the XC60, but it sounds much like the collision warning system in other vehicles in Volvo's lineup, sometimes as part of a $1,700 option package. City Safety is standard in the XC60.

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2008 Volkswagen Tiguan

We've already seen full production images of the upcoming compact SUV from Volkswagen, but the company released more information in Frankfurt, much of which applies to the versions coming to the states. The most interesting news is that there will be three subtle variations of the Tiguan to fit different buyers' offroad desires.We don't know how well it will sell, but if you need a larger entry angle, you can buy the Tiguan Track & Field. The model has a 28-degree entry angle and a driver-selectable offroad mode. For those who just want the utility of the Tiguan for their daily commute and weekend runs to Ikea, there will also be Trend & Fun and Sport & Style trims. Of course, VW says even these street-friendly Tiguans can take less extreme trails.There's no final word on which engine will make it to the U.S., but we'll bet on some variation of the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine that's found in many other VW models. There are also plans for a diesel version to come stateside, but don't expect more news on that until the first major U.S. auto show in Los Angeles this November.

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2009 Volkswagen Scirocco

Though it's been absent from the U.S. for a while, Scirocco is one of Volkswagen's more recognizable nameplates, and it's been resurrected in the form of a two-door hatchback that has room for up to four people. Details are few at the moment, but Volkswagen says the Scirocco will be offered with an adaptive suspension and both diesel and gas engines. We'll have to wait and see if the diesel engine option makes it to the U.S.The Scirocco's profile is reminiscent of Volvo's new C30 hatchback, with its sloping roofline and long side windows. Rather than a version of VW's corporate chrome grille, the Scirocco has black upper and lower sections that are separated by a molded bumper. A small rear spoiler finishes off the liftgate.Inside, the dashboard layout closely resembles the GTI's, and occupants in both the front and back get sculpted bucket seats.

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2009 Volkswagen Routan

Volkswagen famously got into a game it didn't know how to play a few years ago when it debuted the Phaeton luxury sedan with a big price tag, putting it into a segment it didn't have a place in. Minivans are actually a VW trademark, with the iconic Microbus and even the Eurovan in the 21st century. The Routan hopes to reclaim the minivan mantle for the company, but it looks to be not much more than a Chrysler underneath the skin.Now, that's not to say the new Dodge and Chrysler minivans aren't good. They have a lot of value, but it looks like VW skimped on revamping the Routan interior with its trademark high-quality materials. The company says the Routan will start under $25,000, though, which might sway someone looking at a similarly equipped Town & Country or Dodge Grand Caravan, which start at $27,895 and $27,000, respectively, when equipped with the same 3.8-liter engine.Stability control and power sliding doors will also come standard.How much of a Chrysler is the minivan? Both engines are from Chrysler, as is the optional touch-screen navigation unit with hard drive, which Chrysler calls MyGig. Not borrowed is the popular Stow N' Go seating feature or the new Swivel N' Go setup; that could be a deal-breaker for buyers. The Routan will be built in the same assembly plant as the Dodge and Chrysler products, too.

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2009 Volkswagen Passat CC

Volkswagen tried to compete with luxury automakers when it debuted the ill-received Phaeton a few years ago. This year, the company is at it again with the Passat CC. Volkswagen is calling the four-door a coupe, and it has a sloping roofline much like that of the Mercedes CLS. The CC is about 1.5 inches longer than a regular Passat and just slightly wider.We're not sure where VW is going with the Passat CC. The company says the driving dynamics will offer a more sporting ride, but there isn't much talk in the voluminous press kit about much that's been done to the car to make it perform better than a standard Passat. Engine choices are the same as the regular sedan, with the six-cylinder gaining roughly 15 horsepower. The minimally wider stance won't help handling that dramatically, nor will the more aerodynamic shape.There are a lot more technological gadgets added to the CC, though, including an adjustable suspension system called Dynamic Drive Control, which will probably be an option in the U.S. We usually find systems like this neither dynamic nor interesting in real-world driving. There will also be a park assist system — as part of an option package — that will steer the car into a parking spot using cameras, sensors and software much like the new Lexus LS. Drivers will control the braking and acceleration during the maneuver, but the car will turn the steering wheel to fit into a tough spot. A Lane Assist program sounds similar to Infiniti's setup, correcting the Passat CC if it strays into a lane it shouldn't. All-wheel drive will also be available.Pricing hasn't been finalized for the CC, but we know it will start in the mid- to high-$20,000 range and could easily top $40,000 when well-equipped with features like park assist. That's still roughly $20,000 less than the Lexus LS460 that parks itself.

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