2008 New Models: Early View

Not long after each New Year begins, automakers start trotting out a few new models for the coming season. Officially, a 2008 model could be placed on sale as early as January 2007. Not many arrive at dealerships quite that early. But as spring rolls toward summer, the early trickle of new and redesigned models—plus a few that haven't changed all that much—turns into a steadily flowing stream.


Gasoline prices approaching the $4/gallon mark haven't kept automakers from releasing bigger bodies with stronger engines, either. Fuel-economy ratings issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are supposed to be more realistic, starting with the 2008 models. Still, judging by the early 2008 models that have already gone on sale and are expected in the coming week, miserly gas-mileage doesn't appear to be a compelling concern.


All models described below are already on sale, or will be by early summer. A complete rundown of new and reworked 2008 models will be published later in the summer.

Audi
Top news from Audi this spring was the debut of the redesigned TT sport coupe. TTs skipped the 2007 model year but then earned a fresh appearance—with a low greenhouse and slim pillars—for 2008. Offered in 2.0 T (turbo four-cylinder) and 3.2 Quattro form, the latter with V-6 power and all-wheel drive, the TT won the "World Car Design of the Year" award at this year's New York Auto Show. A similarly reworked TT Roadster (convertible) will emerge later.


After launching a Q7 sport-utility vehicle for 2007, Audi intends to release a diesel-engine version for 2008, its 3.0-liter Bluetec diesel engine shared with Mercedes-Benz. Also arriving this fall will be a limited-production Cabriolet (convertible) companion to the RS 4 coupe. And that's now all Audi will surprise us with before the end of this year.