Luxury Vehicles

The 2007 Audi allroad quattro Midsize Wagon is the bottom gray car. Audi knows that it's aiming for a small niche with the next generation allroad, but if it can make a profit on this low volume off roader more power to it.What I Know: Despite the addition of the Q7 SUV to its lineup, Audi has decided that it will build a next generation 2007 allroad to round out its portfolio. Introduced in concept form at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show, this upscale station wagon will continue to provide all-wheel capability along with greater ground clearance and a hardier suspension than the A6 Avant on which it's based. Styling is expected to remain true to the concept with Audi signature shield leading the way. The 2007 allroad Quattro will share its 3.2-liter FSi and 4.2-liter V8 engines with the A6, and there is some speculation that the American versions of the car might be available with a turbodiesel V8. Expect the 2007 Audi allroad Quattro to cost around $50k when it goes on sale in 2006.

The 2008 BMW M3 Compact Coupe is the Black Car in the snow. Eight-cylinder power finally makes its way to the M3, but with more competition than ever before it's going to need more than just extra displacement to stay ahead of the game.What I Know: Now that the 3 Series sedan is in full production, BMW will be turning its attention to the next version of the 3 Series coupe, the most anticipated version being the high performance M3. With so most of its competitors now using V8 power, the M3 is expected to add a couple cylinders as well. Power will come from an all-new 4.0-liter V8 with roughly 400 horses and a quick-shifting SMG transmission. No word yet on whether it will incorporate some of BMW's more advanced features like Active Steering and Active Roll Stability, but its going to need all the help it can get with a car like Audi's RS4 to contend with. Expect to see it debut sometime next year.

The 2007 Audi TT Compact Coupe is the light blue car.This will be a tricky update for Audi given the TT's unique styling, but improved guts underneath should make it competitive regardless of what it looks like.What I Know: Although it still looks good after all these years, the TT is headed for a complete redesign in 2006. Altering the look of a car that depends so heavily on styling for its appeal is always tricky so expect an evolutionary design update that doesn't stray too far from the original. It's expected to share a platform with the A3 and will continue with a mix of four- and six-cylinder powerplants.

The 2008 BMW M3 Compact Coupe is the black car.Eight-cylinder power finally makes its way to the M3, but with more competition than ever before it's going to need more than just extra displacement to stay ahead of the game.What I Know: Now that the 3 Series sedan is in full production, BMW will be turning its attention to the next version of the 3 Series coupe, the most anticipated version being the high performance M3. With so most of its competitors now using V8 power, the M3 is expected to add a couple cylinders as well. Power will come from an all-new 4.0-liter V8 with roughly 400 horses and a quick-shifting SMG transmission. No word yet on whether it will incorporate some of BMW's more advanced features like Active Steering and Active Roll Stability, but its going to need all the help it can get with a car like Audi's RS4 to contend with. Expect to see it debut sometime next year.

The 2007 Cadillac Escalade Large SUV is the black SUV.There's nothing more difficult than following up a surprise hit, but if Cadillac can do it twice in a row the Escalade could go down as one of the most popular SUVs ever.What I Know: When style is one of your main selling points you can't afford to get stale. Cadillac is currently readying an all-new Escalade that will debut in early 2006, taking the vehicle's trademark style a step further with all-new sheet metal, a redesigned fascia, unique doors and front fender vents, and a brand-new interior with LED-lit instrument panels. New features for the 2007 Escalade will include standard StabiliTrak with anti-rollover technology, new four-wheel disc brakes with improved ABS, a power-assisted rear liftgate, power fold-and-tumble second-row seats, larger DVD screens, navigation systems, Generation 6 OnStar, and roof-mounted head curtain side airbags with tethers for all three seating rows. In addition to these new standard appointments, the Escalade will also sport unique High-Intensity Discharge headlights and standard 18-inch wheels, with mammoth 22-inch wheels available as an option. Additionally, the 2007 Escalade's interior will be more luxurious than that of any of its kin and platform mates. Sadly, the anticipated V12 will not see the light of day on the 2007 Escalade, with power-greedy owners having to settle for a top-of-the-line 400-hp, 6.2-liter V8 instead. In addition to the extra power, the new V8 will be more efficient thanks to the application of Variable Valve Timing and Displacement on Demand cylinder deactivation. The standard 2007 Escalade comes out in the first quarter of 2006, with the ESV and EXT versions of the vehicle due out later in the year.

The 2007 Lincoln Aviator Midsize SUV is the White SUV.With a brand-new platform, the Aviator will be refashioned as more of a sport wagon in order to compete with the likes of the Lexus RX 330.What I Know: Initial reports that Ford would drop the Lincoln Aviator from its lineup in 2005 were only partially true: yes, the Aviator will no longer be manufactured in its current form after July of this year. The vehicle will reappear in the fall of 2006 as a sport wagon instead of a traditional SUV. The next generation of the Aviator will share its underpinnings with the Mazda 6 rather than borrowing the Ford Explorer's platform. With such a major change made to the foundation of the vehicle, it should be no surprise that the 2007 Aviator will look a great deal different than the contemporary model. Despite its completely revised package, though, the Aviator will feature all-wheel drive and large wheels and tires. It's also believed that Ford will power the vehicle with a new 250-horsepower-capable 3.5-liter V6, which it will share with the upcoming Ford Edge midsize crossover, among others. This engine will be paired with Ford's new 6F six-speed manual transmission, which will enhance both performance and fuel economy.

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