Audi: The A6, new and arriving in November will offer a choice of engines: 255-hp, 3.2-liter V6 or 335-hp 4.2-liter V8. Longer and wider than its predecessor, the A6 has standard all-wheel-drive on the V8 and the Multi Media Interface (MMI) used on the A8L.

Buick LaCrosse and Terraza: LaCrosse is the newest sedan in the Buick lineup, replacing the Century and Regal. You can opt for a 240-hp. 3.6-liter V6 or a 200-hp. 3.8-liter V6 engine, five or six- passenger seating configuration. The LaCrosse shares the same platform with the Chevy Impala and Pontiac Grand Prix. The Terraza is the new Buick minivan, sharing the same platform as the Chevy Uplander, Pontiac Montana SV6 and Saturn Relay. These new minivans offer 7-passenger seating, third-row 50/50 fold-flat bench seat and available removable cargo center. They will be powered by a new 200-hp. 3.5-liter V6 engine and offer optional all-wheel-drive.

Cadillac: On sale in September, the STS will replace the time worn Seville, much resembling Cadillac’s import chaser` the CTS. A luxury-performance sedan, the STS will compete with BMW and Lexus, is rear-wheel-drive and has a 255-hp V6 standard engine, optional 320-hp. V8 with all-wheel-drive.

Chevrolet: Cobalt replaces the tried and true Cavaliar this Fall as Chevy’s "premium small car." Offered in a sedan or coupe, Cobalt is powered by a 2.2 or 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine to start and will add a super-charged 2.0-liter later. SSR: gets an optional 6-speed Tremec M10 manual transmission and Generation IV 6.0-liter LS2 V8 engine, 390 horse. Equinox: All-new compact SUV for ’05. Features a sliding rear seat with 8" range, 3.4-liter V6 and standard front-wheel-drive ($20,995), and optional on-demand AWD ($22,970). Silverado Hybrid: powered by a standard Vortec 5300 V8, HydraMatic 4L60-E four-speed automatic transmission and the first hybrid (gas/electric) truck.

Chrysler: 300 sedan. Already in dealer showrooms, the Chrysler 300C and RT trim versions are doing very well. A rear-drive sedan, the 300 offers two engine choices: 5.7-liter, 340-hp. Hemi V8 in the RT and 300C trims.

Dodge Magnum and Dakota pickup: Magnum is the big news at Dodge for 2005. Powered by the same two engines as in the Chrysler 300 sedan, this crossover vehicle resembles a station wagon on steroids. A different kind of vehicle, the Magnum’s rear suspension is patterned after the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Dakota pickup is new for 2005, larger and more powerful. On sale this September, Dakota gets a 210-hp. 3.7-liter V6 as standard and two V8’s from which to choose. Ride and handling are purported to be improved due to new suspension in the front and revised leaf springs in the rear. Full-time four-wheel-drive is an option.

Ford Five Hundred and Freestyle: Beginning its mad dash to add several new vehicles in the next few years, Ford introduces the all-new Five Hundred sedan and Freestyle cross over vehicle. Larger than Taurus, Five Hundred is available with four-or all-wheel-drive, provides elevated front seating and sports a trunk the size of Montana. The Freestyle, a small size SUV has an available third-row seat that folds flat and offers a lot of practicality.

Honda Accord and Odyssey: Accord will be offering its own hybrid this fall, the first midsized sedan with a gas/electric powertrain. The 240-hp. 3.0-liter V6 engine uses an electric motor, and new variable displacement system that saves fuel by shutting down three cylinders during cruising and using all six when needed. Odyssey gets a makeover for 2005 with 255-hp.V6. Honda lends its variable displacement to the Odyssey, which saves gas by shutting off three cylinders during cruising. The third-row seat folds flat, and two more inches of legroom is added.

HUMMER H2: Different than the first H2, the SUT has a truck bed and spare tire. With room to haul cargo (30 cubic feet), the H2 SUT’s interior doesn’t differ much from the H2 SUV. It comes with one of the largest sunroofs, luxurious leather and all the amenities you’d want. If you need additional room, the rear window goes down into the Midgate and the Midgate and rear seat fold forward, creating a 4x6 foot truck bed. Powered by the Vortec 6.0-liter V8 engine with 325 horse, the base price for the new SUT is $51,995.

Jeep Grand Cherokee: A tad redesigned in front, the Jeep is available in one of three different 4WD systems. Three engines are available: the 5.7-liter hemi-V8 (think Dodge trucks), 4.7-liter V8 and a 3.7-liter V6 that replaces the six-cylinder of its predecessor.

Land Rover: Replacing Discovery is the LR3 that borrows its 4.4-liter V8 engine from Jaguar, teaming it up with six-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive. Seating for seven will be possible in this SUV with fully independent suspension, "terrain control" and ABS.

Lexus GS300/GS430; RX400H Hybrid: Redesigned for 2005, the GS300/GS430 sport sedan will be available Spring 2005 as a 2006 model. Two engine choices included a 3.0-liter V6 and 4.3-liter V8, both teamed with Lexus’ sequential-shifting six-speed automatic. It will have AWD, a first for Lexus. The RX400H Hybrid midsized SUV sill have a 3.3-liter V6 engine and Toyota’s hybrid powertrain, The 270-hp engine will pull down about 30 mpg, with superior acceleration.

Mercedes-Benz: The SLK350 is the spittin’ image of its big brother, the classy SL. In fact, watching it come down the street, it’s hard to tell them apart from a distance. Sportier and more powerful than its predecessor, the SLK will arrive this fall with a bigger V6 engine with variable valve timing, a longer and wider stance, and rack-and-pinion steering.

Nissan Pathfinder, Xterra, Frontier: Sharing the same platform the Xterra, Frontier and Pathfinder ride on the same platform developed for Titan and Armada. The Pathfinder will bow in late 2004 offering both front and rear independent suspension and a third-row seat. All three are powered by a 4.0-liter V6, 250-hp engine. The Frontier will be available in crew and extended-cab configurations and four-wheel drive will be optional on both trucks.

Pontiac GTO: Back for a second go-round, the all-new GTO sports a powerful LS2 V8 engine with 400 horse. Fifty more horsepower than the first GTO, its equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Pontiac G6: Sharing a platform with Chevy Malibu, the new G6 midsize performance sedan will have a 200-hp 3.5-liter V6 under the hood. The four-door version arrives first, followed by a 2+2 coupe and convertible. A 240-hp 3.9-liter V6 will arrive in 2005 and a 170-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder in 2006.

Saab 9-2X: This all-new entry-level small wagon is priced at $23,000 for the base model and is based on the Subaru Impreza WRX, if you can believe it! An all-wheel-drive wagon, the 9-2X resembles a Saab all right, with two available 4-cylinder engines at 165 horse for the base model and 227 horse as an option. ABS, side airbags and leather are all standard.

Saturn: ION Red Line Quad Coupe: Saturn beefs it up with the 2005 ION Red Line quad coupe. A supercharged compact that arrived in 2004, ION is Saturn’s performance vehicle priced at around $21,000.

Subaru Legacy and Outback: Introduced earlier in 2004, the all-new Legacy wagon and sedan gets a complete makeover with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder and GT turbocharged, 250-hp engines. All-wheel-drive is standard. Outback raises its ground clearance by an inch, categorizing it as a light truck.

Toyota Highlander, Tacoma: A stablemate to the Lexus RX400H, this hybrid SUV is expected to arrive in early 2005 (Lexus in late fall or early 2005). Tacoma pickup is newer and wider than the previous version with improved interior room, towing capacity and cargo space. ABS is standard, as are side curtain airbags and stability control (options).