Journal-News

The weather is still cold, but hot new vehicles featured at last month's 2009 North American International Auto Show hold the promise of a thaw.

• Chevrolet Orlando

Just 3 inches longer than a Honda Civic sedan, the arresting Orlando compact minivan boasts seven seats and the potential of 40-miles-per-gallon fuel economy on the highway. The minivan goes on sale in the United States in 2011.

• Ford Taurus

The original 1986 Taurus reinvented the American sedan with its looks, quality and overall excellence. Ford has a chance at repeating that success with the stylish and technically sophisticated 2010 model, which also offers unparalleled interior room. Prices will start at the same $25,995 that the 2009 model goes for.

• Chrysler 200C EV

The exciting torpedo-shaped 200C EV concept car uses the underpinnings of Chrysler's acclaimed 300C sedan to create

an exciting new look for the next generation of the company's smaller midsize Sebring model. The 200C EV's lovely interior features creamy leather, sweeping, sculpted shapes and touch screen controls to eliminate switches and levers.

• Lincoln MKT

The MKT six- or seven-seat crossover wagon is the first car to fully embody Lincoln's new design theme. The MKT will offer a turbocharged direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 engine that cranks out 355 horsepower without any decline in fuel economy from the base 268-horsepower model.

• Audi Sportback concept

The stunningly elegant Sportback midsize concept car provides a very clear look at Audi's upcoming A7 luxury model. Arguably the most beautiful car on the show floor, the Sportback features a powerful and fuel-efficient 3.0-liter diesel engine, Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive system and a new seven-speed automatic transmission.

• BMW Z4 roadster

The first BMW roadster to feature a retractable hardtop, the new Z4 brings a new level of practicality and style to BMW's little sports car. The two-piece aluminum hardtop improves the driver's range of vision and boosts headroom and interior quiet.

• Toyota Prius

The world's best-selling and highest profile hybrid is all new for 2010, with a wedgy new shape and a promise of combined city/highway EPA fuel-economy

ratings of 50 mpg. Passenger and luggage room increase slightly from the previous model. The

Prius' size is virtually unchanged, but it gets an aggressive new look.

• Honda Insight

Honda hopes to regain status in the hybrid market with its new five-passenger Insight. The four-door hatchback layout has EPA fuel-economy ratings of 40 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway for a likely combined rating of 41 or 42 mpg.

• Kia Soul

The latest entry in the growing range of quirky-looking and inexpensive small cars, the Soul adds a new level of style and wit to Kia's lineup, which has heretofore consisted mainly of utilitarian designs without much charm.

With an appealing base price of just $13,330, the Soul aims to undercut competitors like the Scion xB and Honda Element by several thousand dollars.

Kia's stand also showcased an appealing convertible concept-car version of the Soul.

Mark Phelan is the auto critic for the Detroit Free Press. He can be reached at phelanfreepress.com or (313) 222-6731.