Audi RS4
WHAT: Audi's ultimate A4 has a 4.2-liter, direct-injection, 420-hp V-8that outmuscles the next BMW M3 (400 hp) and Mercedes C55 AMG (390 hp). Six-speedstick only.
WHEN: Breaks cover at this month's Geneva show.
HAULING: One-ups M-B and BMW with Avant (wagon).
BMW M6
WHAT: The seriously hotted-up version of BMW's 6-series has a 500-hp,5.0-liter V-10 that will blast the car from 0 to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds, accordingto BMW, although not all of that power is available right away. The final one-fifthof the engine's allotment can be unleashed only via a button mounted near theshifter-not that you can't have a little fun with the paltry 400 hp availableat ignition. The V-10's 385 lb-ft of torque at 6100 rpm will leave a nice tread-shapedcalling card. Helping to put all that muscle to the road will be huge nineteen-inchwheels (8.5 inches wide in front, 9.5 in the rear) and BMW's seven-speed sequential-manualtransmission featuring Drivelogic, which alters the shift characteristics tomatch the driver. Gears can be selected via either the shift lever or the requisitewheel-mounted paddles. Saving weight was key to upgrading the already stellar6-series. Utilizing carbon fiber for the roof and bumper mounts and omittingsome electronic gizmos such as Active Steering and Dynamic Drive allowfor a lower center of gravity and improved dynamics.
WHEN: Early 2006.
GOT A NAPKIN? WE'RE DROOLING: We can't wait to get our hands (and rightfeet) on one of these bad boys. There will be a convertible, too.
Cadillac STS-V
WHAT: The supercharged STS gets upgrades like those on the CTS-V butwith a slightly lower power-to-weight ratio.
WHEN: Fall 2005.
FIRST TIME: GM's 440-hp, 4.4-liter Northstar V-8 and Hydra-matic six-speedslushbox both debut on the STS-V.
Ford Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, and Mercury Milan
WHAT: Ford's newborn triplets, which partially replace the Taurus andthe Sable, are a tick smaller in most directions and will be built on a modifiedMazda 6 platform. The front-wheel-drive cars get a 160-hp, 2.3-liter in-linefour (five-speed manual or automatic trannies) or a 210-hp, 3.0-liter V-6 (six-speedautomatic only). All-wheel drive will be a later option.
WHEN: Fall 2005.
DO WE NEED THEM?: The Ford and Mercury, yes. But Lincoln needs
a proper flagship, not this.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
WHAT: The sixth-generation S-class is sleeker than the current car, witha tail treatment that looks similar to the Maybach's. Under the skin, the newS has air suspension, optional all-wheel drive, a seven-speed automatic transmission,and conventional hydraulic brakes rather than the E-class's controversial electronicbrakes. The U.S. market initially gets 4.6- and 5.5-liter V-8s, and later on,a new V-12 will be offered as well. Also expect an AMG V-8, probably not superchargedthis time, and a crazy twin-turbo V-12. Inside, the S gets higher-quality materialsand an all-new Comand multimedia controller that will be similar to the systemsfrom BMW and Audi but, one hopes, easier to use than BMW's iDrive.
WHEN: Debuts in September at the Frankfurt show and goes on sale in theU.S. in early 2006.
RICH 'BURBS AWAIT: Still projects mega status.
Volkswagen Passat
WHAT: The slightly larger sixth-gen Passat will get seven engine choicesin Europe but only two here. Several new technology items trickle down fromthe top-dog Phaeton.
WHEN: Mid-2005; wagon, late 2005.
SAVING FACE: The Passat gets the new angular VW "face" thatyou also can see on the GTI (opposite) and the Jetta (page 28). To us, it lookspretty close to the Audi beak.