The legendary off-road brand is also introducing two new models that bring Jeep into new market segments—the all-new Compass and Patriot. Both these vehicles share a platform with Dodge’s new Caliber; however, they look quite different and have different capabilities and goals. Compass is the first model from Jeep that is not expected to handle the tough Rubicon trail. Instead, it’s designed to provide the functionality of a sport-utility vehicle with the performance, handling, fuel economy and price of a compact car. Compass features a Jeep seven-slot grille, round headlights and trapezoidal wheel openings. The windshield is steeply raked and the side profile shows the uniquely sculpted fender shapes with standard 17-inch aluminum wheels or optional 18-inch wheels. Compass is powered by a 172-horsepower engine and is available with front- or all-wheel drive. Meanwhile, the Patriot has more traditional Jeep styling—in fact, quite reminiscent of the original Cherokee. The squared lines, signature 7-slot grille and short overhangs contribute to its style as well as its off-road capability. And unlike the Compass, the Patriot has earned the “Trail Rated” badge through a higher ground clearance and a new four-wheel-drive system called Freedom Drive II. This system features a second-generation continuously variable transmission with a low range (CVT2L) that engages when the off-road mode is activated. Patriots with Freedom Drive II feature 17-inch all-terrain tires and aluminum wheels, a full-size spare tire, an air-filtration system, skid plates, tow hooks, and fog lights. The off-road Patriot is also 1 inch higher and meets Jeep off-road capability requirements for traction, water fording, articulation, maneuverability and ground clearance including 9 inches of ground clearance, a 29-degree approach angle, a 33-degree departure angle and a 23-degree breakover angle. Additional body sealing and high-mounted drivetrain vents support the Patriot’s 19-inch water-fording capability. Both Patriot and Compass arrive in showrooms later this year. Additional Coverage: Jeep Patriot
 

Kia

Kia debuted its all-new 2007 Sorento in March at the 2006 New York Auto show. While it looks similar to the model it replaces, there are many improvements and upgrades under the skin. Exterior changes to the new Sorento are rather subtle, featuring redesigned front headlights, a revised front grille insert, more rounded bodyside cladding, and redesigned taillights. Inside, the center console, gauge cluster and floor console are covered in new, upscale wood and metal trim materials. Safety features have been upgraded for 2007 as well. Already a recipient of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) five-star rating for front and side crash tests, Sorento features front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, side-curtain airbags, ABS, stability control, traction control, a tire-pressure-monitoring system and active front head restraints. Under the hood is a new all-aluminum 3.8-liter V6 that produces an impressive 262 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, teamed with a 5-speed automatic transmission. This is a 38 percent increase in power over the previous year’s engine, and has more horsepower than the Toyota 4Runner V8. The Sorento also boasts a class-leading 5,000-pound towing capacity. Truly off-road capable, Sorento is available with a full-time automatic Torque-on-Demand four-wheel-drive system with low range that detects wheel slippage 200 times per second. Four-wheel-drive Sorentos also come with an Eaton limited-slip differential that transfers up to 50 percent of torque between the rear wheels.
Lamborghini 
 The Lamborghini Murcielago is the ultimate example of an exotic sports car, featuring extreme styling, outrageous performance and sales in very small numbers. Now the Italian automaker is raising the bar with the all-new Murcielago LP 640. The new alphanumeric designator refers to the engine position—”longitudinale posteriore”—and its tremendous output of 640 horsepower.This is an increase of 60 horses over the outgoing generation of Murcielago—accomplished by increasing the displacement of the V12 engine to 6.5 liters, as well as a “coherent review of every engine component.” Maximum torque of 487 lb-ft is achieved at 6000 rpm. With added power comes increased performance—62 mph in just 3.4 seconds on the way to a new top speed of 211 mph. Power is directed through all four wheels via a modified 6-speed manual transmission. All that power is handled with a revised suspension system as well as 18-inch alloy wheels fitted with Pirelli P Zero “Rosso” tires. Braking is also improved, with optional ceramic carbon brakes that have six-piston calipers. The bull’s skin has also been reshaped. With even more aggressive looks, the new Murcielago features new front and rear bumpers, new rear taillights, a single rearexhaust incorporated into the rear bumper and, on request, the engine cover can be made from glass.
Lexus

There are plenty of new and revised models coming from Lexus for the 2007 model year, ranging from SUVs to high-performance hybrid sedans. But the biggest news is the complete redesign of the flagship LS luxury sedan. The LS 460 carries on the L-finesse design style that the brand first introduced in the GS and IS sedans. Available for the first time in an extended wheelbase version, the LS 460 L provides the utmost in comfort for rear seat passengers. The rear of the car has two sculpted seats and there’s an optional ottoman package in which, rather like in a private jet, the right-hand seat reclines by up to 45 degrees with an adjustable footrest and built-in massager. Entertainment comes from a Mark Levinson audio system that promises theatre-level quality from its 19 speakers, while a hard drive can store no fewer than 4,000 songs. LS 460 gets its name from the size of its engine—a 4.6-liter V8 engine with a dual fuel-induction system that delivers 380 horsepower. This is teamed with the industry’s first eight-speed automatic transmission. The new LS comes out this fall, and will be followed sometime in 2007 with the LS 600h, a V8 hybrid version of this luxury sedan. Sporting a powerful hybrid powertrain right now is the new GS 450h. An impressive 339 horsepower is generated from teaming a powerful 3.5-liter V6 teamed with a high-output electric motor. Zero to 60 mph is reached in just 5.2 seconds, and combined city/hwy fuel economy is rated at 26 mpg.
Lexus  Also new for 2007 is the Lexus ES 350. Moving into its fifth generation, the ES is the latest Lexus sedan to be designed with the L-finesse style. With a longer wheelbase and a wider track than the ES 330 that it replaces, the ES 350 has a long hood, a pulled-back greenhouse and a short decklid—all characteristics of L-finesse design, resulting in a sleek, modern exterior. The interior of the ES 350 reflects the brand’s luxury roots with premium wood, polished metal and leather accents throughout. Standard equipment includes Optitron gauges, dual-zone automatic climate control, 10-way power front seats, a sliding center console, a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, illuminated front cupholders, and an interior LED soft-lighting system. Powered by a new 272-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine coupled with a 6-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with sequential shift, the ES 350 offers considerably improved performance over its predecessor. Also getting more power is the RX SUV. The RX 350 replaces the RX 330 with the new name derived from the more powerful 270-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine that improves both performance and fuel economy, according to Lexus. The 2007 RX 350 gets a number of upgraded features including an acoustic glass windshield, additional insulation in the door panels, instrument panel and floors for improved interior quietness.