It’s that time again, a new year and new models are hitting the showroom. We longer have to wait until the gong sounds ringing in the new year to see the new models. Rather, they are now introduced at all times of the year. This is some of what’s in store for 2003:

MDX Luxury SUV: enhancements to engines, 20 more horsepower, new 5-speed automatic transmission, Vehicle Stability Assist system tuned to work with 4-wheel drive; dual piston front brake calipers added, dynamic torsional rigidity increased; interior upgrades (improved Navigation system), three new exterior colors.

CL Type S: now with available 6-speed manual transmission, 260 horsepower engine;

3.2 CL: Safety enhancements; limited slip differential added to manual transmission models; revised grille, headlights, new taillight lenses; OnStar standard on models equipped with Navigation.

3.5 RL: safety enhancements. New interior color, three new wood trims, three new exterior colors, new taillight lens design, new alloy wheel design.

3.2 TL: OnStar system becomes standard on models equipped with Acura Satellite-Linked Navigation System. Two new exterior colors.

A4 Cabriolet: North American introduction four-passenger convertible. Brushed aluminum trim, electro-hydraulic fully automatic top (folds in 24 seconds), 3.0-liter V6, 220 hp. aluminum engine
Multitronic transmission, FWD. Mid-model addition: Audi 1.8 T, 170 hp.

Z4: All-new replacement for the Z3 roadster. From about $32,000.

SRX: Cross between a wagon and SUV.

Escalade ESV: fancy version of Chevrolet Suburban.

Silverado SS: Super Sport, high-performance truck, 345-hp., V8 engine, 20-inch aluminum wheels, AWD. Optional satellite radio. Price not set.

SSR: "Super Sport Roadster." Cross between a classic pickup/ convertible, with retractable hardtop, 5-foot covered truck bed, 290-hp V8 engine. Starts around $35,000.

Corvette: 50^th anniversary; special "Anniversary Red" edition available in coupe, convertible; 350-hp., V8 engine. From $49,000.

Pacifica: New SUV

Crossfire: sports coupe, blending American design with German technology and engineering. 215-hp, V6 Mercedes engine, rear spoiler that pops up at 50 mph. Starts around $35,000.

Town and Country minivan: Adds power sunroof, DVD entertainment system, power-adjustable pedals.

Daimler/Chrysler Maybach: Custom-built V12, 550 hp ultimate luxury vehicle. Starts at $300,000.

SRT-4: "Street and Racing Technology" high performance Neon, with turbocharged 215-hp., 4-cylinder engine. Standard 5-speed manual transmission, 17-inch wheels, rear spoiler, 6-speaker audio. On sale in Spring. From $20,500.

Viper: Next-generation

Ram Truck: heavy-duty version; overhaul for 2500 and 3500 series: new engines (305-hp Cummins turbodiesel and 345-hp Hemi Magnum V8).

Caravan minivan: Adds power sunroof, DVD entertainment system, power-adjustable pedals.

Escape HEV: first hybrid gas/electric SUV, powered by 300-volt battery and gas 4-cylinder engine, expected to get 40 mpg/city driving. Price not set.

GT40: Retro-mobile with racing roots.

F150 truck: Commemorating its 100^th year, Ford introduces the Heritage edition with a chrome grille and running boards, two-tone exterior and 17-inch wheels. From $26,000.

SVT Lightning truck with supercharged Triton V8 engine.

Windstar minivan: New feature including Advance-trac stability-control system.

Pilot SUV ("the ultimate family adventure vehicle"). Replacement for Passport has carlike ride, three rows of seats, second-row console with kids’ activity tray. From $27,500.

Element: SUV aimed at young, active lifestylers.

Infiniti: G35 sport coupe, following the launch of the all-new G35 sport sedan.

M45: All-new performance sedan.

FX45: All-new luxury crossover vehicle.

XKR Coupe/Convertible ($81,975/$86,975): coupe gets more power, standard Brembo brakes, ‘Intelligent" technology, new wheel design choices, four new exterior colors

Liberty Renegade: Name makes a comeback to the Jeep lineup to denote adventurous model. Integrated activity light bar, "bolted on" wheel flares, removable side steps, unique wheels, two-tone front fascia. V6, 3.7-liter, 210 hp. standard.

Land Rover: all-new Range Rover debuts; third redesign in 32 years. $70,000 and up.

Mazdaspeed Protégé: aimed at youthful market.

Mazda6 sedan

E-Class: Redesigned luxury sedan with a seat that automatically adapts to the driver’s contours, optional "smart" cruise control, Harmon-Kardon audio system; V-6 or V8. Starts at $47,500.

SL55 AMG arriving in showrooms this Fall: 493-hp, supercharged 5.5-liter V8.

G500 AMG version also arrives with 5.5-liter V8 engine, 347 horsepower.

E-Class: New generation E320 (221 hp, 3.2-liter V6): E500 (302 hp, 5-liter V8). New four-link front suspension and optional 420-watt Harmon/Kardon Logic 7 digital surround sound system.

CLK: New generation coupes: no visible pillar between door window and back seat window. Models are CLK320 (215 hp, 3.2-liter V6; CLK500 replaces CLK430 (302-hp, 5-liter V8).

CL Class: mildly restyled; CL600 has new bi-turbo V-12, 469 hp. engine.

S-Class: sedan adds new safety system that automatically performs several functions to help prepare car and riders for crash (PreSafe system).

M-Class SUV: DVD-based navigation system added. Can be retrofitted to models back to 2000.

Mountaineer SUV: adds new standard and optional features, including power adjustable pedals, compass.

Montero SUV: Restyled, new grille, fascia, light appearance group. Powered by 215 hp., 3.8-liter V6. Dynamic skid control new.

350Z: Return of the Z car. All-new with 287 hp., V6 engine. Convertible due in February. From $27,000.

Compact Frontier pickup truck adds a power-operated retractable top, and 10 more horsepower.

Murano crossover SUV: Sleek, all-new vehicle. 240-hp., 3.5-liter V6. First North American standard application of Nissan’s Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT); front and AWD offered.

Xterra: Adds 10 hp. to engine.

Pathfinder SUV: first Nissan to offer Satellite radio.

Grand Am: freshened exterior.

Aztek: Rear-seat DVD entertainment system, satellite radio options.

9-3: Resdesigned compact sport sedan with standard stability-and-traction control. Two turbocharged engines: 175-hp, 2-liter four-cylinder and 210-hp, 2-liter four-cylinder. From $26,500.

Ion: New small car, coupe and sedan replacing S-Series. Larger than S-Series, more interior room, powered by 2.2-liter Ecotec four-cylinder, 137 hp. Five-speed manual standard; CVT, five-speed automatic optional.

L-Series restyled; Vue SUV includes front-drive, V-6 version. New option: audio system with 8-inch subwoofer, 180-watt amplifier.

Baja: carlike pickup, AWD. Comes with roof-rack, optional lights and rear bars with optional attachments for kayaks and snowboards. From $24,500.

Scion: New brand aimed at youthful drivers. Two models initially, adding a third later which will go on sale in California next year, then across the U.S.

Avalon, Celica, Echo, MR2 Spyder, Land Cruiser all restyled slightly; interiors updated.

MR2 Spyder gets upgraded interior with chrome, metallic-look accents; new 6-speed manual transmission.

Sequoia SUV offers available rear-seat DVD entertainment center.

Tundra truck gets a new model: V8 StepSide.

Sienna minivan: Adds power sliding doors.

Beetle Convertible: All fabric roofs black. New Beetle hardtop gets new Chromaflair body color package on two special edition models; back seat revised.

XC90: First SUV from Volvo; midsize, AWD, with third-row seat, standard traction control, skid control and rollover protection system. From $36,000.

V70 XC gets name change, now XC70.

C70 coupe: Discontinued.

Horsepower climb from 160 to 170 hp for S40 and V40 models; and to 196 and 245 respectively for the two C70 engines.