Cars of 2008: A Sneak Peek

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Crazy for Convertibles

Other manufactures have deployed 2008s to generate excitement for variants available on the market right now. And there's nothing better to get the heart racing than a sexy drop top.

Chrysler's aging Sebring sedan, for one, was in desperate need of a refresh, which is exactly what it got earlier this year. But even the updated model drew one question from the lips of on-lookers: what about the convertible?

At the L.A. Auto Show, Chrysler answered those questions with a substantive sneak peek at the 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible. The car will be available with an optional hard top, the newest de rigueur feature in convertibles weighing in around $30,000.

Audi's TT sports car, meanwhile, was a stunner when it came out and a sales winner for the company. Now the brand has re-penned the car, giving it more aggressive lines in hopes of helping it compete with fare from the likes of Porsche. The 2008 model year roadster will be available with Audi's 3.2 liter V6 that pumps out a growling 250 horses.

Staying With Strong Markets

Another important trend in the 2008s already revealed is sustaining momentum. Notably, domestic manufacturers are hoping to predominate in markets that have traditionally been strong for them or ones in which their fortunes may be improving.

Ford (F) built its brand on tough trucks, primarily the F-Series (see BusinessWeek.com, 4/19/06, "America's Favorite Pickup "). And though Asian manufacturers like Honda, Toyota, and Nissan (NSANY) are trying to make incursions into the embattled domestic's territory, Ford is still the market leader for pickups. For now.

The company will introduce new version of the Super Duty series, an upsized and up-powered line, partly to maintain its edge and to further hone its rep. One model is slated to pack a torque-laden 6.4 liter, 350 horsepower diesel engine as well.

Saturn is on a roll. The company, long known for dowdy, plastic cars, is reshaping itself with the help of some striking new models, including a roadster, mainstream sedan, and large SUV-type crossover. For 2008, Saturn will launch a redesign of the smaller Vue SUV. Both the exterior and interior will be entirely redesigned to mesh with new models that sport aggressive and sexy styling.

Finding Customers

Perhaps the biggest trend in the 2008s the industry already knows about is prepping vehicles to acquire new segment customers. Manufacturers both foreign and domestic are banking on new models to help drive sales.

Buick's Enclave crossover, due as a 2008 model, will be based on General Motors' new Lambda platform and, therefore, will closely resemble sibling vehicles like the Saturn Outlook (see BusinessWeek.com, 11/30/06, "Saturn's Great New Outlook"), GMC Acadia, and possibly a future Chevrolet product. The new product will reportedly take the place of the Rainier SUV and Terraza minivan, its seating, cargo capacity, and fuel economy making it a bridge between those two types of vehicles. Expect V6 and V8 engine options as well.

Land Rover is recasting its former Freelander small SUV as the LR2 to sell to Americans as a 2008. The new model adopts the geometric look of its larger siblings, the LR3 series (see BusinessWeek.com, 8/18/06, "Grand Rover") and BusinessWeek.com, 12/28/05, "2006 Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged"). The model should carry a base price of around $35,000 and is intended to bring younger, less affluent buyers into the Land Rover fold.

Unlike previous incarnations, this model has improved ground clearance and is expected to provide better off-road capability, partially as a result. It will reportedly share its inline-6 engine with the newly unveiled Volvo S80.

Even with the gas crunch letting up a little and driving season winding down, small is in. The big news is that small is no longer the sole purview of economy cars. Audi made a big splash with its diminutive A3 (see BusinessWeek.com, 7/13/06, "Rowdy Audi") at hatch that can be optioned up to cost more than $40,000. Volvo isn't happy to let Audi have all the turf. It's introducing the C30 hatchback in the U.S. as a 2008. Although it's small, the car sports a host of safety features that make it worthy to wear the Volvo brand name.

Click here to see what you might be driving in 2008.

Matt Vella is a reporter for BusinessWeek.com in New York.