Mopar’s string of factory-built, blue-on-black, special-edition models continues, but in a break from tradition, Chrysler’s aftermarket parts and accessories wing isn’t starting with a Dodge product. Instead, its latest limited-edition effort -- the Mopar ‘12 300 -- is based off the Chrysler 300.

No Chrysler product needed a makeover as desperately as the old Sebring. Awkward styling, a low-rent interior, and subpar dynamics did the Sebring no favors in one of the industry's most cutthroat, competitive segments. Thankfully, the 200, which debuted as an all-new model for the 2011 model year, banishes many of the Sebring's most unloved qualities. New exterior styling, including front and rear clips patterned after the 2009 concept car of the same name, lend the 200 an upscale appearance, but the most welcome change lurks within. The blocky, rock-hard plastic surfaces are largely a thing of the past. Soft-touch materials are applied to the dashboard and door panels; 200S models go even further, adding larger wheels, dark exterior trim, and fancier seating materials. The 173-hp, 2.4-liter in-line four remains the base engine; a six-speed automatic transmission is standard for most trims, but the entry-level LX retains an antiquated four-speed transmission. It's worth the extra money to step up to Chrysler's new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, which is available only with the six-speed automatic. With 283 hp on tap, it offers a surprising amount of power and doesn't drink much more fuel than the four-cylinder. While new suspension geometry, dampers, and stiffer springs lend the sedan a sportier feel, the 200 convertible feels less refined, exhibiting some of the flex and shimmy that plagued its predecessor. Still, it's a comfortable cruiser and one of the few mid-size convertibles on the market.

The makeover Chrysler performed on its large sedan for the 2011 model year was extremely successful. The 300 still feels like a big, broad-shouldered hunk of American muscle, but it exudes a surprising amount of European flair, thanks to LED headlamps, a stellar interior, and an available panoramic sunroof. Lest you think the company is content to rest on its laurels for 2012, Chrysler has made a surprising number of revisions. Two new trim levels -- the 300S and the 300C Luxury Series -- join the fold, allowing buyers to add a sporty look and sumptuous cabin materials, respectively. Cars equipped with the 3.6-liter V-6 are now fitted with a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission and are once again available with all-wheel drive. The biggest news for 2012 is the 300's biggest engine. The performance-tuned SRT8 model rejoins the 300 lineup after a yearlong hiatus, and it's better than ever. A 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 provides a muscular 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, and adaptive dampers pull double duty, curbing body roll on the track and soaking up bumps on the road. In fact, even the lesser 300 models offer a remarkably pleasant drive. With the advent of the eight-speed automatic on six-cylinder models, there's arguably less need than ever to opt for the 5.7-liter Hemi. The 3.6-liter V-6 offers respectable power without resorting to typical eight-cylinder gluttony, and the smooth-shifting eight-speed transmission both aids acceleration and bolsters fuel economy.

After flooding the market with crossovers, SUVs, and family-friendly haulers that were marketed as anything but minivans, automakers appear to be rediscovering and rededicating themselves to the minivan segment. To its credit, Chrysler never left -- instead, it pushed to find new ways to refine and evolve the minivan concept with the Town & Country. While the basic architecture of the current model dates back to 2007, last year's overhaul ushered in some welcome changes. We're happy to report that the anemic 3.8-liter V-6 is gone; a new 283-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 now provides ample power to move the 4621-pound vehicle. Engineers extensively retuned the suspension, replacing the soft, floaty demeanor of the old van with a firm, vaguely European feel. Undoubtedly, the best news lurks behind those dual sliding doors: the rock-hard blocky plastics that dogged previous Town & Countrys are largely a thing of the past. Soft-touch materials run throughout the cabin, and a new dashboard -- which incorporates a waterfall center console -- is both elegant and ergonomically pleasing. Fold-flat second- and third-row seats are standard, although optional new "quad" second-row buckets add extra bolstering and adjustability in an attempt to increase passenger comfort. We'd love to see Chrysler improve the feel of its switchgear and reduce ambient road noise, but by and large, the 2012 Town & Country feels more like a premium minivan than ever before.

After flooding the market with crossovers, SUVs, and family-friendly haulers that were marketed as anything but minivans, automakers appear to be rediscovering and rededicating themselves to the minivan segment. To its credit, Chrysler never left -- instead, it pushed to find new ways to refine and evolve the minivan concept with the Town & Country. While the basic architecture of the current model dates back to 2007, last year's overhaul ushered in some welcome changes. We're happy to report that the anemic 3.8-liter V-6 is gone; a new 283-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 now provides ample power to move the 4621-pound vehicle. Engineers extensively retuned the suspension, replacing the soft, floaty demeanor of the old van with a firm, vaguely European feel. Undoubtedly, the best news lurks behind those dual sliding doors: the rock-hard blocky plastics that dogged previous Town & Countrys are largely a thing of the past. Soft-touch materials run throughout the cabin, and a new dashboard -- which incorporates a waterfall center console -- is both elegant and ergonomically pleasing. Fold-flat second- and third-row seats are standard, although optional new "quad" second-row buckets add extra bolstering and adjustability in an attempt to increase passenger comfort. We'd love to see Chrysler improve the feel of its switchgear and reduce ambient road noise, but by and large, the 2012 Town & Country feels more like a premium minivan than ever before.

When the original Chrysler 300 debuted in 2005 (make that the modern original, as the nameplate first appeared in 1955), it was a dramatic affirmation that the classic American sedan -- a big, rear-wheel-drive, V-8 -- could still be relevant, rather than just some hoary old throwback suitable only for sunbelt geezers and the livery trade. With its blocky, vaguely Bentley-esque design, the car was an immediate hit. It was a darling of today's tastemakers, the hip-hop crowd, and was frequently customized. Much was made of the fact that Snoop Dogg phoned up then-Chrysler president Dieter Zetsche ("Doctor Z") looking to get one.

Usually, how a car drives, not how it looks, is what wins me over. Completely scratch that with the new Chrysler 300 SRT8. Even though the sedan's insane amount of Hemi power is intoxicating, its stunning looks are even more seductive. While I prefer white paint on this model, our black 300 still had me swooning. The front grille is like a black lipstick smirk on an attractive fascia. The car has a great stance, and rides on a set of black-mirror-chrome wheels that immediately grab your attention. Everything on the dark exterior is a turn-on.

It's a challenge for anyone to keep up with the constantly changing roster of cars on dealership lots. For car lovers it's an even tougher task, because beyond knowing that a certain model exists, you need to know where it fits in the automotive firmament. That's why we've gathered every new model due by the first half of 2012 and categorized them, not alphabetically or by some government-defined size class, but by their relevance to buyers, enthusiasts, and the companies that build them. Some cars thrust automakers into new segments, while others drive just like last year's model. Some cars protect the sanctity of the manual transmission, while others advance performance with the latest technology. Some cars address rising fuel-economy standards, while others disguise obscene speed in stealthy sheetmetal. Here are the 85 new arrivals shaping the automotive world for 2012.

If you’re looking for a car that can keep passengers comfortable, entertain the driver, and look sharp at the golf club, the best bet is a full-size, V-6-powered sedan like the three we’ve gathered here -- all priced at around $40,000

When the images of the new Chrysler 300 were first released, I was instantly sold on its exterior design. But now that I've seen it in person, I'm not so sure. The overall shape is very similar to that of the previous generation car -- albeit bolder, more muscular, and more elegant -- but the tiny details that look nice from a distance look busy and slightly garish when you step closer. This is especially true when viewed from the rear where there are numerous small pieces of chrome in and around the taillights and on the bumper.

I preface my comments on the Chrysler 200 convertible by noting that I have a lot of experience with its predecessor, the Chrysler Sebring convertible. There was a trip from Ann Arbor to Sarasota, Florida, and back for Thanksgiving 1996. There was Boston to Provincetown, Fourth of July weekend 1998, with four of us squeezing in for the drive back to Logan. And there was a day trip, Fourth of July 1999, Ann Arbor to Saugatuck, over on Lake Michigan, with my friend Charley and a cooler of fried chicken, prepared to his southern grandmother's recipe, in the back seat. All this is to say that I know what the Chrysler four-seat convertible is all about: It's not a sports car and I don't expect it to be one. It's an entry-luxury, comfortable, capable, stylish American droptop, an accessible indulgence for someone of reasonable means.

Things had been on a positive trajectory for all of 2011 (and even into last year), but the auto industry hit an air pocket in May. After seven months of year-over-year increases, total industry volume fell by 4% compared to last May. The overall market slowed to an 11.8-million-unit annual pace, which is the first sub-12-million number we’ve seen since August.

At board meetings, on test tracks, and in design studios, decisions are being made today that will influence what you drive tomorrow. Automakers are hard at work creating the next generation of automobiles -- cars that are faster, sexier, more efficient -- while trying to keep their development secret. Like you, we are nosy as hell. Unlike you, we have a vast network of snoops, gossips, and disgruntled former employees who have helped us uncover the information we present here. Our annual Sneak Preview feature contains the industry's future products -- as far out as 2019 -- that are worth saving your milk money for.

After a good first quarter, the auto industry entered the spring selling season with its engine still revving. Deliveries topped 1 million, for an annualized selling rate of 13.2 million units. If that pace can be maintained, it would make for a very healthy jump over 2010's 11.6 million vehicles, but it would still be a couple million short of the bubble years.

Aficionados of powerful performance sedans will likely focus their attentions on the new 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8, but the rebirth of the big bruiser isn't the only news tied to the large sedan. In fact, Chrysler has formally announced the 2012 300 will, at long last, be mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Sure, we like the all-new Chrysler 300 plenty. It's the best car of the newly updated stable of Chrysler Group offerings, and it has improved markedly over its predecessor. But that's not the version of the car that gets the blood boiling and the rubber burning. The new 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 is, and it's coming soon to a Chrysler dealer near you after its debut at the 2011 New York auto show.

In 2010, Chrysler revealed its youth-oriented S-branded product line with the 300 sedan. The content-packed formula continues today with the unveiling of the 200 S sedan and convertible at the New York auto show.

I am a minivan expert.

Chrysler has been a front-runner in the minivan segment since the company invented the category way back in 1984. That doesn’t mean it has continuously offered the best minivans on the market, however. The 2011 update to the Town & Country (and Dodge Caravan) is much welcomed—and much needed, particularly when you consider the fit-and-finish complaints we had about our Four Seasons 2008 Town & Country and the All-Star award we recently bestowed upon the impressive new Honda Odyssey.

After February's surprisingly strong sales results, showroom traffic eased up slightly in March. The annualized sales pace slowed a bit from February, but still hovered around 13 million units. That means the first quarter of 2011 was much better than we have been doing the past couple years, although it's far off the pace of five or so years ago. Compared to this time last year, March was better by 17%. High gasoline prices have cooled truck sales a little -- at least relative to cars. Notice that the Honda Accord knocked the Chevy Silverado out of second place this month, and the Nissan Altima very nearly passed it as well. Predictably, small cars have gotten a boost and, according to Ford sales analyst George Pipas, now account for 1 in 4 new vehicle sales, up from less than 1 in 5 as recently as December. Should the demand for small cars continue, most manufacturers are better positioned today than they were three years ago, when the last bout of $4-a-gallon gasoline hit. With better small cars as well as more fuel-efficient offerings among their mid-size and larger vehicles, carmakers should be in better shape even if high gas prices stick around into the spring selling season.

The last Sebring convertible and its sedan sibling were prime examples of Chrysler having completely lost its way. Cars like the Sebring led the former Chrysler Corporation to near ruin. Although well-intentioned, the Sebring droptop wasn't sporty or sufficiently luxurious or the least bit rewarding to drive. To top it all off, it was ugly, the ultimate proof that the leaders in Auburn Hills were distracted or simply didn't care anymore, since Chrysler had in the previous decade produced so many good designs.

It was December 2008, mere weeks after former chairman Robert Nardelli pleaded with the U.S. Congress for bailout funding for Chrysler Corporation. The company was up against the ropes, sales were tanking along with the economy, and the product lineup was heavy on misses, light on hits. An increasingly desperate Chrysler invited the usual scrum of automotive journalists, pundits, and analysts to the company's design dome in Auburn Hills for a sneak peek of the next-generation Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger sedans, among other future models, in an attempt to prove that this was a car company and a roster of products that were worth saving. There on the dome floor sat two draped vehicles; there was no time or inclination for such niceties as elevated turntables. The drapes were unceremoniously peeled away, revealing two crisply executed sedans that were distinctly American and clearly related to the existing cars, yet substantially different. It was immediately evident that these were not just pinpoints of light in Chrysler's gathering darkness, they were kliegs, and they were vivid proof of the talent that resided in the vast Chrysler headquarters complex even through the years of Daimler mismanagement. To quote Madonna, they had style, they had grace. In those grim days, though, we weren't sure if they had a chance in hell of ever seeing the showroom floor.

Chrysler has refreshed its entire lineup for 2011, which sounds mighty impressive until you remember that the brand has been reduced to just four vehicles in recent years. Despite the small product portfolio, Chrysler's vehicles were in desperate need of updating and among the surviving nameplates, no Chrysler needed as much attention as the Sebring mid-size sedan. From the day it launched in 2007, the Sebring was a vehicle far less competent and compelling than the mid-size stalwarts, the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, not to mention the rising class of mid-size cars from Ford, Chevrolet, and Hyundai. To catch up to the pack, Chrysler's designers, engineers, and product planners have given the Sebring a makeover so thorough that the company is giving the car a new name. The Sebring is now the Chrysler 200.

Chrysler has been showing off its expansive range of revised 2011 models over the past several months, but one -- the 2011 Chrysler 300 model -- remained somewhat under wraps. That no longer seems to be the case, however, as the automaker released a handful of photos detailing its new flagship.

The Chrysler 300 was named the car of the year in 2005 and it has not had many changes since then. 2011 will prove to be a big year of change for this full size Chevy sedan. The new model will still be rear wheel drive and will still have the DOHC V-6 engine with the option to upgrade to a Hemi V-8. There are some major body changes that are expected and some new interior upgrades that will make this vehicle ready to compete with other sedans offering all the latest gadgetry. There are some other design changes taking place on the interior that will give more room in the cabin of the Chrysler 300.