Lexus hybrids have traditionally been more about no-compromise performance than pure fuel economy. That looks like it's about to change with the 2010 HS250h, the brand's first distinct hybrid model.

Porsche has released the first official pictures of its upcoming Panamera four-door GT, ahead of its debut next spring (likely at the Geneva motor show). Mechanical details are scant, but the company did reveal a few basics.

Hot on the heels of the new-for-2009 Opel Insignia, engineers are busy prepping an Insignia OPC version that promises to be hot on the street.

If you were holding out for a next-gen 911 GT3 that was radically different than its predecessor, you may be out of luck. We've just received photos of the new 2010 Porsche 911 GT3, and from what we can glean, it's certainly evolutionary.

Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you the best pictures yet of the forthcoming Corvette SS. What, you've never heard of the Corvette SS? That's because it's also been called the Corvette Blue Devil. And, more recently, the Corvette ZR-1.

Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you the best pictures yet of the forthcoming Corvette SS. What, you've never heard of the Corvette SS? That's because it's also been called the Corvette Blue Devil. And, more recently, the Corvette ZR-1.

The first hints that Lexus might sell an exotic sports car came exactly two years ago here at the Detroit auto show with the unveiling of the first LF-A concept. That car's primary goal was to introduce the "L-finesse" design direction to the world, but public excitement pushed the brand to take their toy to the track. But now, just as Nissan did with the GT-R and as Mitsubishi is also doing here with the Prototype X, Lexus is showing a second concept of the same car. Is it just another tease? "The first LF-A was pure concept, but one that we went so far as to conduct engineering analysis on," says Lexus general manager Bob Carter. "This latest concept is much closer to a vehicle that we would bring to market, and one in which we will be gauging consumer interest." In other words yes, it is still a tease. And because it might see production, this swoopier LF-A might be an even bigger tease. Thanks a lot, Lexus.

Significance: No, it isn't the cutest convertible on the market, but at least it's got some cool features. But the heated cup holders and a music-holding hard drive pale in comparison to the top options: vinyl, cloth, and steel are all available.

A 47 percent power bump and a 57 percent torque boost are just the nudges needed to rev the Saturn Sky to the Red Line. A 2.0-liter version of General Motors' Ecotec four-cylinder roused by a dual-scroll intercooled turbo, direct injection, and variable valve timing delivers a hunky 260 hp. Improved driveline mounting (similar to the Mazda MX-5's scheme), a sport suspension damped by Bilstein, ABS, stability control, and upgraded tires take the already capable chassis up a notch. But instead of tuning this Sky to run wild with BMWs and Porsches, Saturn focused on polishing its rough edges. The turbo engine is a torquer, not a spinner, so the Red Line delivers thrust immediately, without waiting for the tach needle to find a sweet spot. The new third gear in the manual box is a more useful ratio, and the optional five-speed automatic is smart enough to downshift during hard braking into a corner. The turbo engine not only speaks more softly than the normally aspirated four-cylinder, it also delivers better fuel mileage. While a couple of clouds still hang over the Sky--a storage-shy cockpit and a clunky convertible top--the arrival of the Red Line is convincing proof that polishing works.

They say you should never buy a used rental car, and now fans of the Ford Shelby GT-H won't have to. While the GT-H is exclusive to Hertz, Ford is adding a retail version, the Shelby GT. The Shelby GT reaches dealers early next year as an '07 model. Ford has yet to finalize specs, but expect all the major GT-H goodies, including the Ford Racing intake and exhaust (and its resultant 25 extra hp), the horizontal-bar grille, the hood pins, and the side scoops. Don't expect the black-and-gold Hertz color scheme; instead, the Shelby GT will have silver stripes over a black or white body. Best of all, though, is that whereas the Hertz cars are all equipped with automatic gearboxes, the civilian version can be had with either an automatic or a manual. Of course, the other good part is that buyers of the Shelby GT won't have to wonder how many knuckleheads performed neutral drops or smoky burnouts in their baby; they'll be secure in the knowledge that all the abuse their cars endure will be owner-inflicted.

The new Cayman (minus the S) is not the lightest, cheapest, or cutest Porsche, but it may be the smartest one to buy. What the 245-hp, 2.7-liter flat six lacks in low-end vim it more than makes up in 7300-rpm vigor; lighter engine internals and electric throttle response hurl a heavy-footed operator to 60 mph in less than six seconds on the way to 160 mph. The stout coupe body and mid-engine layout are the ideal serving tray for the chassis engineers' most inspired work. And a base price that's barely over $50,000 means that "value" and "Porsche" can share a sentence. Upgrades--such as a six-speed manual, sport seats, eighteen- or nineteen-inch wheels, a navigation system, active dampers, and the Sport Chrono Package--are dear, so don't linger too long over the options list.

The 911 rollout continues not just with the higher-performance variants but with the new Targa as well. As 911 fans know, the Targa concept has changed somewhat since the model first appeared in 1966. Where the early cars had a removable roof section over the front seats, more recent models have an all-glass roof and a power-operated sunshade with a front section that slides rearward. The 2007 Targa continues with that setup, and it also has a hatch-opening rear window that provides a second way to access the cargo hold behind the front seats. What's new this time is that the Targa will be offered exclusively with four-wheel drive and the wider, flared-fender body style. The Targa 4 gets the standard 911's 325-hp, 3.6-liter flat six, while the Targa 4S packs the larger, 3.8-liter engine and an additional 30 hp. As before, all 911 Targas have pointed rear quarter-windows, helping the cognoscenti pick the Targa out of the 911 crowd.

As self-proclaimed big wigs on the food chain, humans have little fear observing dangerous, wild animals, so long as they're kept in captivity. Mercedes-Benz has taken that philosophy and applied it to its S-class sedan. AMG's 518-hp, 6.2-liter lion resides under the hood of the new S63 AMG, but it's been tamed by Mercedes' finest zookeepers. Enthusiasts can look at it, salivate all over it, and even drive it, all without fear of being eaten alive.

The facelifted 2007 Hyundai Tiburon debuted at the 2006 Paris Auto Show. Hyundai's entry level sports coupe has wooed almost a quarter million buyers worldwide with its great looks, and like the previous generation, this coupe looks champagne expensive with a beer-bottle price tag.

The subtle whine of the supercharger and the healthy growl of the exhaust motivate you to keep the transmission one gear lower than necessary. The well-damped suspension perfectly modulated the optional twenty-inch wheels over rough sections of tarmac, and the light but communicative steering points you exactly where you want to go. This is a car that inspires you to stop, tap the paddle shifter down to first, and hit the gas for another intoxicating run through the gears, just to experience the blissful marriage of the engine and the fast-shifting manu-matic. Welcome to the new Jaguar XKR.

While it would appear that only three parts-two headlights and a grille-have been changed to freshen the Touareg for 2007, Volkswagen clams that they've added more than 2300 redesigned parts. It's what's inside that counts, right? After all, that's where the optional new 350-hp, direct-injection V-8 makes its home. A 3.6-liter, 280-hp V-6 from the Passat now comes standard, and topping the range above the V-8 is a massive turbo-diesel V-10 that belongs in a Panzer tank. The latter returns to the U.S. this year after an EPA mandated hiatus of more than two years.

When the BMW X3 debuted back in early 2004, it seemed to be an anachronism: an upscale, premium-branded, premium-priced, small sport-utility. After all, the Land Rover Freelander had landed like a thud in our market and was on its way to hiatus status. It turns out that BMW was ahead of the curve, though, because for 2007 the X3 has plenty of competition, including the Freelander's successor, the LR2, plus the all-new Acura RDX. Time for a mid-cycle face-lift, then, for BMW's small SAV, or sports activity vehicle. The freshened 2007 model made its public debut at the Paris salon.

Yes, you read that right. Only a couple years after their debut, BMW's 325i and 330i four-door sedans are slipping out the door with nary a wave goodbye. Taking their place are the 328i and 335i four-doors-powered by a 220-hp, normally-aspirated 3.0-liter six and a 300-hp, twin-turbocharged six, respectively. The 328i engine is essentially a differently-tuned version of the 325i/330i's six-cylinder, while the 335i sedan's engine is identical to the one found in the just-released 335i coupe.

Yes, that's right, the SLR hasn't exactly been selling well. What's that, you say? You mean, if you had $452,750, you wouldn't go buy an automatic-transmission-equipped Mercedes---no matter how cool and pimpy and McLaren-built it was---either? Us too.

Its name may sound like some sort of African veldt-dwelling wild animal ("Watch as the Antara mauls its prey! Don't get too close, kids-it just might bite yer 'ead off!"), but the Opel Antara is nevertheless a significant vehicle. Opel's latest small sport-utility (remember, Opel is owned by GM) shares the platform of the next Saturn Vue. And while the Vue hasn't ever been anything we've lusted over, if past Opel-GM product sharing is any indication, the next Vue, the Antara-based Vue, ought to be pretty good to drive.

As concept cars go, the Dodge Avenger may not be the most exciting thing on four wheels, but it at least looks promising. And although Chrysler's famously ordinary mid-size Sebring sedan fails to make us wet ourselves with glee, the Avenger concept--which was reportedly been built on the 2007 Sebring's platform--at least exudes some excitement. Dodge claims that the Avenger "hints at the next-generation global D-segment vehicle from Dodge," but we're fairly sure it does more than "hint." Power comes from a turbocharged 2.0-liter diesel four; that engine will likely be offered outside North America shortly after the production car's launch.

The GT3 RS is a Porsche 911 for those with no fear. We didn't get the 996-series GT3 RS, but Yankee speed freaks soon will be able to flog the 997-series follow-up. The RS is lighter than the already svelte GT3 thanks to the use of carbon fiber for the car's hood panel and its adjustable rear wing. Wider rear fenders like those from the 911 Carrera 4 cover the RS's increased rear track. Sharing its 415-hp flat six and six-speed manual gearbox with the regular GT3, the RS will be offered with black or silver paint as standard, but buyers can pay extra to have their cars sprayed in funky, 1970s-style shades of orange or green. The 911 GT3 RS hits the track in early 2007.

Mazda's power retractable hard-top version of the MX-5 roadster, which it will sell alongside the current soft-top version, hits dealers this month. While its official--and extremely literal--name, the Mazda MX-5 Power Retractable Hard Top, is a little ridiculous, cost and weight penalties of less that $2000 and 75 pounds, respectively, aren't.

The Land Rover LR2 will step in early next year for the late, unlamented Freelander. The LR2 is powered by Volvo's new 3.2-liter in-line six, which will make 230 hp and 234 lb-ft of torque. The transversely mounted engine is hitched to a six-speed manu-matic. Four-wheel drive and LR3-style Terrain Response system are standard. Inside, the five-seat SUV comes with keyless ignition, an oversize sunroof, and power seats. Options include navigation, swiveling headlights, and Bluetooth. Safety is enhanced by standard stability control with rollover mitigation and front, side, and side curtain air bags, plus a driver's knee air bag. We're eager to see if the LR2 betters its predecessor as much as the LR3 did the Discovery. The LR2 will have to if it hopes to take on the BMW X3, the Acura RDX, and a host of new premium small SUVs coming out in the next few years.

If this big red chunk of hotness looks familiar, it's probably because you've seen it before: Alfa unveiled a concept version of the Competizione at the Frankfurt show in 2003. That look-but-don't-drive concept pretty much blew everyone's minds (the headlights look less bugeyed in person, we promise). A year later, at the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours, Alfa pulled the wraps off of a roadster version of the car. It too was gorgeous.