Letter from the Editor

It’s that time of year again when the new vehicles make their appearance and auto shows have already begun. This coming year-2006-will see some 101 new or redesigned models. Cars from most all manufacturers, in various shapes, sizes and configurations. As in years past, it will be difficult to choose just one. We hope the following list will give you a peek into what’s coming and what has already arrived on the auto scene.

Aston Martin: DB9 Volante (convertible sports car $173,050), Vanquish 5 (sportscar with 60 more horse than original Vanquish, $256,350)), V8 Vantage (upped production to 4,000 units, sportscar, $115,000 est.)

Audi: A3 (A 4-dr. hatchback, $25,460-$26,860), A6 Avant (wagon version of A6, $46,870), Q7 (crossover, $45,000-$60,000), RS4 (ultimate sedan with4.2-liter V8, $67,500 est.)

Bentley: Arnage Drophead Coupe (convertible, $310,000 est.) Continental Flying Spur (sedan, $164,990)

BMW: 3-Series Coupe ($32,000 est. due in Spring), 3-Series, Sedan ($30,995-$36,995, 3.0-liter V6 with choice of 215, or 255 horsepower), 3-Series Wagon ($34,695 325xi sportswagon), 5-Series Wagon ($51,795 back after 2-year absence), M5 (more power and higher tech, 5.0-liter V8, est. $86,000), M6 (2+2 version of M5 sedan, $100,000 est.)

Buick: Lucerne (replacement for LeSabre and Park Avenue, 4.6-liter V8, $27,000-$33,000 est.)

Cadillac: Escalade, Escalade EXT, STS-V (high-performance version of sedan, using a 4.4-liter supercharged Northstar engine with 469 hp. $75,000 est.), XLR-V (high-performance version of the roadster, $90,000 est.)

Chevy: Avalanche, Cobalt SS (Supercharged 2.0-liter engine and fancy duds for the tuner set, $18.790), Corvette Z06 (look out world, this plastic/aluminum powerhouse will out perform the best of ‘em, $65,800), HHR (Chevy’s answer to the P.T. Cruiser with lots of space, great looks and affordable price, $15,990-$18,790) Impala SS (performance meets flagship refinement in a 5.3-liter LS4 engine configuration, $27,790), Malibu/Malibu Maxx SS (Now priced at $24,375-$24,600 with more to offer: Adding a 240 hp. 3.9-liter V6, new front/rear fascia, full SS treatment and sportier suspension), Monte Carlo SS, Tahoe/Suburban, Trailblazer SS ($33,600-$39,200; the SS is an optional $5195 package).

Chrysler: 300C SRT8 (Hemi V8, Brembo brakes, 20-tires/wheels, etc.; this is a powerhouse at $42,595)

Dodge: Caliber (Replacement for Neon, this adorable four-door hatchback starts at $16,000), Charger/Charger SRT8/Daytona R/T (5.7-liter Hemi version, $39,000 est.), Magnum SRT8 (Hemi-version, $37,995), Viper SRT10 coupe ($87,000 est., 500 horse!).

Ferrari: F430 ($170,045-$204,867 convertible and coupe), Superamerica (est. $290,000 convertible).

Ford: Explorer Sport Trac (Due in Spring, $25,000 est. price, next generation: New stowage features, updates in performance, style), Fusion (New to the lineup, based on Mazda 6, powered by 2.3-liter Mazda 4-cylinder; 5-speed gearbox, manual or automatic, $17,995 base)

GMC: Yukon (restyled).

Honda: Civic, Ridgeline (new body-on-frame pickup truck, four door cab and five-foot bed, $28.215-$35,155).

Hummer: H3 (Baby Hummer falls in line after H2 and big daddy H1. Based on Chevy Colorado pickup, H3 sports a 3.5-liter in-line five cylinder, $29,500-$32,625).

Hyundai: Sonata (all-new for 2006-see our review, this mid-size sedan is offered in both 4-and-6-cylinder engine, a great buy at $18,495-$23,495), Accent (all-new for ‘06, Accent is larger and has more standard equipment-CD stereo and six air bags-$11,500 est.) Azera (new to the lineup, Azera will replace flagship XG350 and compete with Ford Five Hundred and Toyota Avalon 3.8-liter V6, 265 hp., $24,500-$27,000 est.) Entourage (new minivan to come in late 2005), Sante Fe (redesigned this year, now top-of-the-line SUV for Hyundai).

Infinti: M35/M45 (all-new for 2006 in showrooms earlier this year, powered by 3.5-liter V6, 280 hp. (M35) and 4.5-liter V8, 335 hp.(M45), these beauties offer a five-speed manu-matic transmission with available all-wheel-drive (V6). $40,710-$47,560).

Isuzu: i280/i350 (rebadged versions of Chevy Colorado pickup, this pickup will be a four-door, rear-wheel-drive pickup, $17,649-$28,018).

Jaguar: XJ Super V8 Portfolio (Est. price $100,000. Previewed as Concept Eight. Available in two colors-black cheery and winter gold-this supercharged V8, 400 hp. Is the ultimate in luxury and performance), XK4.2 (Spring, replaces current XK8 sports car, supercharged V8 engine, $70,000-$85,000 est.), X-Type Sport Wagon ($36,995. A wagon to compete with BMW and Mercedes, this cargo hauler sports a V6 with 227 horse),

Jeep: Commander (new entry with third-row seating, Commander is built on the Grand Cherokee platform. Three engine choices-3.7-liter V6, 4.7-liter V8, Hemi V8-base price is estimated at $31,000, Grand Cherokee SRT8 (first Jeep to be designated and powered SRT8, this is the most powerful Jeep ever built at 6.1-liter Hemi V8, 420 hp., February 2006, $46,000 est.)

Kia: Rio (One of the least expensive cars on the market at $11,000-$14,000, this small sedan gets upgrades), Sedona (Jan. ’06 from $22,500-$26,000, lighter than current generation), Sportage (After an absence, the all-new Sportage is back, longer/wider/taller/more refined, $16,490-$22,290).

Land Rover: Range Rover Sport (Smaller and sportier, this all-new R.R. is at long-last something to look at. A nice riding and quiet SUV, you can still take it off-roading, if you must! $56,750-$69,750.

Lexus: GS, GS450h (Due in March, hybrid with 3.5-liter V6 and electric motor, $49,000), IS250/IS350 (three versions available:IS250 with 2.5-liter V6, 204 hp.; IS250 AWD and IS350, RWD 3.5-liter V6, 306 hp. Still trying to beat out the BMW 3-Series, it’s getting closer, $36,500-$42,500)), RX440h (Hybrid luxury SUV with a 3.3-liter V6 teamed with two electric motors, $49,185).

Lincoln: Zephyr (all-new entry-luxury sedan to replace the LS, based on Mazda’s 6. Powered by Mazda’s 3.0-liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic, $29,995).

Lotus: Exige ($54,000, hardtop sports car, wioth 1.8-liter 4-cylinder, 190-hp. Toyota engine).

Maybach: 57S ("S" for special, this 6.0liter version of its turbo V12 car, strongly resembles the first Maybach. Priced at $360,000 the "S" goes on sale in March).

Mazda: 5 (A smaller minivan with a folding third-row seat, six air bags and a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. Manual or automatic transmission, this new offering will come in at $17,995-$19,510), CX-7 (Spring 2006. We can’t wait for this crossover new car to the lineup. Based on the MX-Crossport concept it will fit in above the Tribute, $25,000 est.), Mazdaspeed 6 (turbocharged 2.3-liter four and 274 hp., this is the pepped-up version of the sporty 6 sedan, $28,555), MX-5 (the all-new Miata, now called the MX-5 only, this is a beauty and even better than the previous generations, $20.435-$26,035. Available in two versions).

Mercedes-Benz: CLS55 , AMG, M-Class (New unibody SUV gets new styling and two engines: 3.5-liter V6, 268 hp. (ML350) and V8, 302 hp. (ML500), R-Class , S-Class ($89,000 est. pricing point, will be bigger and faster with lots of high-tech features. Powered by a 5.5-liter V8 and 388 horse, the new S debuts in January), S65 AMG, SLK55 AMG

Mercury: Mariner Hybrid (SUV hybrid est. at $29,500. rated at 33 mpg.), Milan (all-new sedan priced affordably from $18,9950$21,995, replaces the Sable, along with the Montego. Based on Mazda 6, you can choose between a 2.3-liter, 4-cylinder, 160 hp. Engine or a 3.0-liter V6, 221 horse. Both mated with a six-speed automatic transmission. Two trim levels will be offered).

Mitsubishi: Eclipse, Eclipse Spyder (all-new for ’06, this popular two-seater is larger and stiffer. Based on the Galant platform, it’s powered by a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder with 162 hp. The GT model gets a 3.8-liter V6, 263 horse and choice of five-speed automatic or six-speed manual. 18-inch tires are optional, $$19,994-$25,294), Lancer EVO IX ($29,000-$36,5000. At these prices, the Lancer EVO has grown up and is ready for some serious tuning/racing. Power is boosted to 286 horse and EVO is available in three models: RS, IX, MR), Raider (Old name, new vehicle. This time a pickup truck, four-door double cab or two-door extended cab with choice of two engines: 3.7-liter V6, 210 hp., or 4.7-liter, V8, 230 hp.).

Pontiac: G6 coupe/convertible (New last year, this sedan/coupe replaced Grand AM. Coupe is available now, convertible in early ’06, $22,955-$24,610 for the coupe, $29,000 est. for convertible), Solstice (All-new and hot-hot-hot, this two-seater can’t be made fast enough. Priced at a reasonable base of $19,995, orders are already being taken for 2007), Torrent (all-new SUV for Pontiac lineup. Twin to the Chevy Equinox, Torrent takes over for Aztek, $24,000).

Porsche: 911 C4S (Carrera 4 with AWD goes on sale in November at $87.865, Cayman S ($59,595 on sale in January ’06 the Cayman resembles a Boxster but with as a coupe 3.4-liter V6, 295 hp.).

Saab: 9-3 Sportcombi (a station wagon of sorts, this new entry gets a new 2.8-liter turbo V6 engine, 250 hp. with six-speed manual or automatic, $32,900, 9-7X ($40,000 -I-6 version- and $42,000-V8). New SUV for Saab based on Chevrolet TrailBlazer.

Saturn: Sky (all-new roadster to appear in Spring ’06 based on the Pontiac Solstice. Powered with a 2.4-liter inline 4, 177 hp. Engine with standard five-speed manual or optional five-speed automatic. Saturn hopes it will bring shoppers into the showroom. Our guess: They won’t have enough).

Subaru: B9 Tribeca (all-new crossover SUV and different enough that it stands out from the rest. Priced from $30,695-$33,895, Tribeca is a luxury SUV with ruggedness, seating for 7-third row-and a V6, 250 hp. Engine.) Impreza WRX STi ($32,500 moves tuners up a notch with this Turbo 2.5-liter H4, 300 hp. Engine. New design cues and beefed up power and suspension make this a much sought-after car.)

Suzuki: Grand Vitara (Finally, a redesign and update of this small SUV, after seven years of a much the same, uninspiring package. Bigger and better looking, Vitara is now a unibody structure and 4-wheel-drive).

Toyota: Echo , FJ Cruiser (Somewhat retro, this off-roading SUV sports a 4.0-liter V6 with 245 hp. On sale in March $28,000). Highlander Hybrid, RAV4

VW: Jetta GLI, Passat, Passat Wagon (New for 2006, the Passat has been redesigned. Bigger and more luxurious, it will sell for an estimated $25,000-$34,000), GTI (This new version looks different and has a new engine, a 2.0-liter FSI turbo, 197 hp. Six-speed manual or DSG transmission, all are front-wheel-drive, $23,000), Golf (Due in Spring at an est. $16,000 starting price, the Golf is all-new with a 2.5-liter five, 150 hp., or a 1.9-liter TDI and six-speed automatic or six-speed DSG transmission).

Volvo: C70 (Spring ’06, est. at $30,000, the C70 gets an overhaul. Retractable hardtop and 2.5-liter five-cylinder, 218 hp. turbo engine, V50 (sportwagon with optional turbo-charged five-cylinder, 218 hp. Engine, $26,915).