What do automakers have planned for the future? Find out in this photo gallery of new cars planned for 2011, 2012 and beyond.
2011 Acura RL
New and redesigned 2011 cars
The RL gets a minor freshening with new front-end styling, new taillights, improved interior trim, and a 6-speed automatic transmission (in place of last year's 5-speed) which boosts EPA fuel economy estimates to 17 MPG city/24 highway (up from 16/22). The RL gets better sound insulation and an industry-first "quiet wheel" that reduces resonance inside the tire to diminish road noise.
2011 Acura TSX Sedan
New and redesigned 2011 cars
The TSX gets mild updates to its grille, front bumpers and taillights. The cabin gets some trim and detail updates, most notably a revised center console, rear seat air vents, a higher-resolution display for the navigation system, and a higher capacity hard drive for the stereo's music server. Updates to both four-cylinder and V6 engines result in EPA fuel economy estimates that are 1 MPG higher across the board.
2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon
New and redesigned 2011 cars
Acura is jumping on the Sport Wagon, um, bandwagon with the TSX. Like the TSX sedan, the wagon is based on the European-market Accord (which differs greatly from the Accord sold in the US. Unfortunately, the new load-lugger TSX misses out on the sedan's V6; instead, it comes exclusively with a 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission.
2012 Audi A7 Sportback
New and redesigned 2011 cars
Audi's upcoming A7 Sportback luxury hatchback is based on the next-generation A6 sedan.
2011 BMW 740i
New and redesigned 2011 cars
This is the new entry-level 7-series, the 740i. (There is also a long-wheelbase 740Li version.) The 740i is powered by a 300 hp twin-turbo inline six, making it the first six-cylinder 7-series in almost a decade.
2011 BMW 5-series
New and redesigned 2011 cars
BMW's 5-series is all new for 2011, and the controversial styling cues of the 2004-2010 5-series have been relegated to the dustbin. The 528i returns with the same 3-liter inline six, though it's now tuned for 240 horsepower instead of last year's 230. The 535i gets a single-turbocharged version of that engine, though output is the same 300 hp as last year's twin-turbo 535i. And lastly, the top-of-the-line 550i (shown here) now gets a twin-turbo 4.4 liter V8 good for an even 400 hp. 535ix and 540ix models feature BMW's X-Drive all-wheel-drive system. All 5s get a new 8-speed automatic transmission, and rear-drive versions of the 535i and 540i is available with a 6-speed stick.
2011 Audi R8 Cabriolet
New and redesigned 2011 cars
The new convertible version of the R8 iscalled the R8 5.2 Cabriolet. Power comes from the 525 hp V10 introduced for the 2010 model year.
2011 Audi A8
Future cars - New 2011 and 2012 cars
Audi's all-aluminum flagship will be redesigned for the 2011 model year. Styling follows Audi's trend towards more angular lines, while all-LED headlights denote the A8's top-of-the-line status. The electronics are more advanced than ever, and the US version of the A8 will feature a more powerful version of the familiar 4.2 liter direct-injected V8 with a new 8-speed automatic transmission.
2011 BMW X1
Future cars - New 2011 and 2012 cars
The X1 is BMW's new entry-level crossover SUV. The X1 went on sale in Europe in fall of 2009, and is scheduled to come to the States in 2011. BMW has announced that the European version will offer three diesel engines and one gasoline-powered unit. They have not officially announced the US engine lineup, but rumors say that the US-spec X1 will get a 258 hp 3-liter inline six and all-wheel-drive.
2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is
Future cars - New 2011 and 2012 cars
2011 sees a new, sportier version of BMW's retractable-hardtop Z4 roadster, called the Z4 sDrive35is. It gets a more powerful version of the Z4's twin-turbo inline six, tuned for 340 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, a twin-clutch automatic transmission, and a racy "M-style" body kit.
2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe
2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe
The handsome coupe version of Cadillac's CTS finally makes its debut as a 2011 model. The CTS Coupe comes with the 304 horsepower version of Caddy's direct-injected 3.6 liter V6, with the buyer's choice of rear- or all-wheel-drive and manual or automatic transmissions. A 556 hp CTS-V version is also on the way.
2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible
Future cars - New 2011 and 2012 cars
The Camaro convertible will be a late arrival in Chevy dealerships for 2011; look for it in the first quarter. Like the Camaro coupe, the convertible will be available with both V6 and V8 engines; pricing will start at $30,000 even.
2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
New and redesigned 2011 cars
The Corvette Z06 is available with a new Z07 package which includes several elements from the ZR1, including Magnetic Ride Control, Brembo ceramic brakes, and 20-spoke wheels (19" front/20" back) shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires. The CFZ Carbon Fiber package includes more ZR1 bits, including a black carbon-fiber splitter, rockers and roof panel and body-color rear spoiler. (The Z06 in this picture has both packages.) Also new: A Z06 Carbon limited-edition model which combines the Z07 package with a carbon-fiber hood, splitter, and rockers along with black wheels, mirrors and headlights plus a custom leather-and-suede interior with body-color stitching.
2011 Chevrolet Cruze
Future cars - New 2011 and 2012 cars
his all-new compact sedan replaces the Cobalt. LS models get a 138 hp/125 lb-ft 1.8 liter 4-cylinder, while Eco, LT and LTZ models are powered by a 1.4 liter turbocharged direct-injected four that puts out the same 138 hp but 148 lb-ft of torque. Chevrolet says Eco models with the 1.4 and 6-speed manual should get 40 MPG on the highway. The Cruze comes standard with electronic stability control and 10 airbags, including knee airbags for both driver and passenger. Unlike the Cobalt, the Cruze will not be available as a two-door coupe -- only as a 4-door sedan.
2012 Chevrolet Spark
Future cars - New 2011 and 2012 cars
The Spark is a 5-door subcompact that will fit into Chevy's lineup beneath the Aveo. The Aveo, meanwhile, will move upmarket, morphing into a larger, sportier car closer in size to the Volkswagen Golf.
2011 Dodge Challenger
New and redesigned 2011 cars
The king-of-the-hill Challenger SRT8, shown here, gets a new 6.4 liter V8 (that's 392 cubic inches, same displacement as a classic HEMI engine of the 1950s) goo for 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. Improvements to other Challengers include an updated dash and seats, revised suspension for the R/T and a new 3.6 liter engine and available sport-tuned suspension, brakes and tires for the V6-powered SE.
2011 Chrysler 200 sedan
New and redesigned 2011 cars
The 200 replaces the Sebring, and it's essentially the same car with a round of significant updates, including revised styling and an improved interior. The 2.4 liter adds an (optional) 6-speed automatic transmission, while the 3.5 liter V6 is replaced by Chrysler's new 283 hp 3.6 liter Pentastar engine.
2011 Chevrolet Volt
Future cars - New 2011 and 2012 cars
VOLT: Chevrolet's revolutionary range-extended electric has finally arrived! The Volt uses a battery and an electric motor to drive the wheels; when the battery's 40-or-so-mile range runs out, a small gasoline engine supplies electricity to keep the car running. Primary charge for the battery comes from plugging the car in, so it's possible to commute day after day without using a single drop of gasoline.
2011 Dodge Charger
The new Charger features a more aerodynamic profile, lower hoodline, LED taillights with a race-track motif, and an updated interior. Charger SE and Rallye models will get a 3.6 liter V6, while the top-of-the-line R/T gets HEMI V8 power and optional all-wheel-drive. New electronics include adaptive cruise control and a blind-spot warning system.
2011 Dodge Durango
New and redesigned 2011 cars
The Durango is all-new for 2011, and is essentially a stretched version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The new Dakota seats seven and features side-curtain airbag protection for all three rows of seats.
2011 Ford Edge
New and redesigned 2011 cars
The 2011 Edge gets refreshed styling and the four-cylinder version of Ford's Ecoboost lineup of turbocharged direct-injected engines. Ford hasn't announced power output, but the 2-liter is expected to come in at around 230 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque -- compare that to 285 hp and 253 lb-ft for the 3.5 liter V6, which remains in the Edge lineup. The Edge Sport shown here, introduced last year as an appearance package, gets some teeth for 2011 in the form of a 3.7 liter V6 that produces 305 hp and 280 lb-ft and a paddle-shift 6-speed automatic. Other Edge improvements include a quieter, more refined cabin and the MyTouch system, which reduces buttons by using workflow-oriented LCD screens and cell-phone-inspired steering wheel controls.
