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Chevrolet introduced the most track-capable Corvette in the brand's history via the 2015 Corvette Z06. At the heart is an all new 6.2-litre LT4 supercharged V8 engine that will deliver no less than 625bhp and 861Nm of torque. It will be linked to either a seven-speed manual with Active Rev Match or a 8L90 new eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters to enhance both performance and efficiency. Extensive use of aluminium and magnesium allows the 8L90 to be 4kg lighter than the six-speeder in the predecessor. Along with design features that reduce friction, the 8L90 is expected to contribute up to five percent greater efficiency, when compared with a six-speed automatic. The stiffer design of the aluminium frame allows the Corvette Z06 to be offered with a removable carbon fibre roof panel for the first time - and offers 60 percent more structural rigidity than its predecessor. To deliver optimum grip levels, the Z06 is fitted with larger Michelin tyres. The front tyres are 1.5 inches wider while the rear tyres are two inches wider than the Corvette Stingray. Additionally, a track-focused Z07 Performance Package adds unique components for true aerodynamic downforce, Michelin Pilot Super Sport Cup tyres for enhanced grip, and Brembo carbon ceramic-matrix brake rotors that improve braking performance. The cabin is distinguished from the Corvette Stingray by unique colour schemes that emphasises the driver-focused cockpit, and a unique flat-bottomed steering wheel. The cabin offers two seating choices, a GT seat, for all-around comfort, or a Competition Sport seat with more aggressive side bolstering, for greater support during track activity. The Z06 also benefits from interior details designed for high-performance driving, including a steel reinforced grab bar and soft touch materials on the edge of the console. The new Corvette Z06 will be available in early 2015 and performance data will be announced closer to the start of production.

With the world premiere of the Beetle Dune at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Volkswagen gave the public the chance to see a Beetle with a cooler, off-road look. Finished in an 'Arizona', yellow/orange metallic paintwork, the flared wheel arches are finished in a contrasting black. It is no Land Rover for sure, but it looks tough enough to take on the gruelling Dakar Rally don't you think? Overall, the Dune has grown compared with the R-Line model - on which it is based. The overall length has increased to 4,290mm and the car is both 50mm higher off the ground and 20mm taller. The wheel housings widen the body by 27mm per side to give a total width of 1,864mm. Mechanically, the Dune uses the running gear from the Beetle R-Line. Under the hood, there's a 210bhp rated turbocharged 2.0-litre TSI engine running the front wheels. Combined with a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, the Beetle Dune has a manufacturer estimated fuel economy rating of up to 12.3km/L. As with all U.S. Beetle R-Line models, the electronic XDS differential is also offered as standard. The wheel arch extensions transition into brushed aluminium sill trim panels, between which there's a chrome plated underbody skidplate. Meanwhile, the distinctive Dune logo is placed ahead of the rear fenders. The bottom of the door mirrors are in black, with the rest of the mirror being vapour-coated in aluminium. The front end is revised by the adoption of a new hood, which has a raised centre section, flanked by prominent air vents. Similarly the redesigned front apron features a large central air intake. The Dune team also revamped the interior, with two particular areas of attention. The dashboard is painted in the body colour, while the classic Beetle bin has been replaced by a grab handle that features contrasting black soft-touch material with 'Arizona' and aluminium accents. The outer surfaces of the front sport seats and the two rear seats are upholstered in 'Titan Black' leather, while the centre surfaces are made of 'Ceramic' coloured 'Gobi'breathable sport fabric. The leather and fabric areas and the front and rear of the head restraints have decorative body coloured stitching.

Infiniti has formally premiered the Formula One inspired - the Q50 Eau Rouge performance sedan concept - at the Detroit Auto Show. The Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge expresses the firms design vision of a high-performance Q50 premium sports sedan. Featuring custom aerodynamic bodywork, the Q50 Eau Rouge is lower and wider. The performance sedan is inspired by masculinity, aerodynamics, refinement and power. The Q50 Eau Rouge mirrors components from the successful RB9 race car and almost every exterior panel is custom to the Q50 Eau Rouge. In fact only the front doors and the arch of the roof pillars are retained from its stock brethren. According to the premium Japanese marque, the interior of the Q50 Eau Rouge was designed to offer command and comfort. Precision control is afforded by a high-grip sports steering wheel and paddle shifters akin to Formula One. Red infused carbon fibre detail the doors - while the centre console complement the exterior styling. Once again, a darker shade of chrome replaces the more energetic silver chrome in the red cockpit. "If we built this car I would expect it to feature over 500bhp and 812Nm of torque. Through our various alliance partners, we have access to a range of engines featuring this performance capability which, with a fair amount of engineering effort, can be developed to exhibit Infiniti character and accommodated within the Q50 engine bay," said Johan de Nysschen, President of Infiniti Motor Company Limited.

Nissan provided an advanced look at its future design direction with the world debut of the Nissan Sport Sedan Concept design study. It previews a future production vehicle - probably a CLA competitor - intended for owners with a passion for cutting edge design and driving dynamics. The Nissan Sport Sedan Concept was created by Nissan Design America in California and developed at the Nissan Global Design Centre in Atsugi, Japan. Design aspects of the Sport Sedan Concept will be adapted to all future Nissan models including the new V-Motion front aspect, 'floating' roof and boomerang shaped headlights and taillights. The 'V-Motion' movement at the front end flows from the chromed grille up through the hood. The front of the Sport Sedan Concept also incorporates the large LED boomerang headlights, a deeply scooped front fascia and wide, sloped windshield. The profile is equally powerful, with its dynamic lines adding a strong sculptural feel and connecting the custom 21-inch aluminium alloy wheels mounted with low-profile 275/30R21 tyres. The final exterior touch is the unique 'Strad Amber' paint that was inspired by the craftsmanship and rich finish of noted classic violins. Aren't Violins brown and not goldish? Regardless, the elaborate candy colour paint finish is achieved through application of an orange-amber top coat over a base of gold paint, creating a distinctive depth and bespoke richness. The Sport Sedan Concept's interior also offers cues to future production designs. The edgy and geometric look was inspired by modern furniture, apparel and accessories. Premium materials are found throughout, with the use of diamond shaped graphics on the quilted seats, stitching and panels complementing the high-contrast colours and metallic accents. The front-wheel drive Sport Sedan Concept is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine - capable of producing north of 300bhp - linked to a sport-tuned Xtronic CVT and features an innovative suspension layout with performance dampers.

Ford Fiesta, VW Polo, Honda Jazz - Take a close look at the Chevrolet Aveo RS concept. It has caught my attention and you had better pay attention too! Starting with the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, Chevy is out to change the Aveo's cheap and boring image into a product that we might actually desire. The process begins with the Aveo RS concept, which provides a preview of what to expect from the next-generation production Aveo when it arrives in showrooms sometime next year. The Aveo RS has much more attractive proportions with a wider stance and longer profile that make it look much more aggressive than the current model. It also adopts some of the smaller Spark's styling cues. Inside, the Aveo RS has similarities to the smaller Spark and other larger Chevrolet's like the new Cruze and Equinox. Like the Spark, its instrument pod consists of a round speedometer with a rectangular digital display to the right sitting on top of the steering column. Since this RS version is meant to be a hot hatch, GM has equipped it with suitable seats to hold the driver in place during aggressive maneuvers. On the show car, the seats are finished in actual leather with stitching that matches the blue exterior. Power in the RS comes from the turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder producing 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque that will also do service in the larger Cruze. The torque gets sent to those over sized 19-inch wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. I believe that the production model will come with an automatic option. The Ford Fiesta is rumoured to be equipped with the 1.6L EcoBoost engine in the foreseeable future, and the VW's Polo will be powered by a 1.2L TSI unit soon. Let's hope we can see a 'triple threat match' among these 3 hot hatches in the near future!

Yes. Honda has officially launched the CRZ at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. The specs are as per my earlier posting on the car but one surprising item is the fuel economy of this hybrid vehicle. 31mpg city/38mpg highway are pretty disappointing figures. So if you think you're helping the environment by running one of these babies you're not. A small city car like a Daihatsu Mira or the Perodua Viva would burn less fossil fuel than the admittedly more stylish CRZ. I don't think Honda is trying hard enough. I still have to say that the bad mileage is due to those extra heavy batteries. If you tried lifting the battery of your current petrol powered car you'd see my point. While the current generation of electric hybrid car batteries are smaller, lighter and more efficient than the average battery of a car, you still need dozens of them packed together and that increases the weight in a car. Hence the lame performance figures and even lamer fuel consumption figures you see published. So fun, sporty, low slung coupe the CRZ is, in certain ways, but not in performance and economy. It looks closer in performance to the Honda Insight, not a Honda CRX. Where's that 2.0 liter VTEC engine, Honda? The interior looks pretty Honda to me. The Civic as well as the Hybrid design philosophy is maintained. An interior that would look fresh even after you've owned it for a few years by the looks of it. As for exterior looks, I find it decent looking at most angles but not in its side profile where the CRZ looks unbalanced. This made me look twice at the picture to check whether I was looking at it correctly. Maybe its the angle in the official photos, but I truly think that the front overhang is ridiculously long for the short wheelbase and the rear looks a little chubby and stumpy. But that chin! It's as if this car was made to plow snow during heavy winters in Alaska. David Coulthard must have been an inspiration for the designers. I have to restate that these new pedestrian safety features are making cars look like they have too long a chin. For example, look at the Peugeot 407. If they reined in the chin a little or if the car had a slightly longer rear, it would balance the looks better. At least Peugeot is in the midst of changing their design philosophy. I think the pedestrians should look where they're crossing so that designers can design cars that can look prettier and balanced looking again. Back to the topic at hand, I have to view the car in the flesh before I cast my final judgment on the looks.