What's ahead among European vehicles

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What's ahead among European vehicles

Opel designs, new BMW coupe among the plans

Buick And Opel

General Motors' German Opel brand is traditionally among Europe's best sellers. It's now providing the design and engineering for much of Buick's vehicle line, including a compact sedan called the Verano that should go into production at the Orion Township assembly plant north of Detroit in about a year.

The Verano will share key design elements with Opel's Astra compact and Astra Sports Tourer station wagon.

The Astra Sports Tourer wagon is a key model for Opel in Europe, where station wagons are big sellers.

There's no current plan to sell the wagon in the U.S. However, it would be relatively simple to add the nifty family hauler to Orion or another U.S. GM plant if demand for the car develops.

BMW 6-Series And X3

BMW calls the gorgeous 6-series coupe a concept car, but its elegant lines are nearly identical to the upcoming production model.

The new 6 has classic BMW coupe touches like a long hood and short front overhang. The elegant roof flows down into a short rear deck, while a dynamic crease runs the length of the car from front wheelwells to taillights. The concept adds modern features like LED headlights, a head-up display and 10.2-inch screen for BMW's iDrive control system.

The new X3 is larger and better equipped than the SUV it replaces. BMW will build it alongside the company's X5 and X6 SUVs in Spartanburg, S.C. It's the first time the X3 will be produced in America, or at a plant BMW owns. It outsourced production of the first-generation X3 to an Austrian plant owned by Canadian supplier Magna.

Mercedes-Benz CLS

Mercedes hinted at the glorious new CLS luxury sedan with a show car at the North American International Auto Show in January.

The production model is even better, with a long elegant nose, sculpted flanks and a flowing roofline.

The new CLS premieres a new design theme Mercedes plans to use on all its cars. It goes on sale in the U.S. in 2011.

Among other features, the CLS has 17 LEDs for all its exterior lighting.

The interior offers a choice of two woods, carbon-fiber or piano-black trim and leather wrappings so extensive that it takes about four cowhides to upholster a single CLS.

Land Rover Evoque

The new Evoque luxury SUV is Land Rover's smallest vehicle and a key to the brand's plan to boost its fuel efficiency. It shares its platform with the larger LR3 model, but has just two doors and a modern, coupe-like appearance.

The Evoque closely resembles a concept vehicle Land Rover debuted at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit several years ago.

The design features short overhangs and generous ground clearance for off-road capability. Magnetically controlled shock absorbers will adjust to differing terrain and driving conditions, while an electric steering system helps save fuel. A 240-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with turbocharging and direct fuel injection will power Evoques sold in the U.S. Prices for the Evoque will start at around $45,000 when it goes on sale in fall 2011.

Mini Electric Scooter

Mini gets even smaller with three battery-powered electric scooters. It's calling them concepts, but don't be surprised if Mini builds them.

The brand is already testing electrically powered versions of its little two-door car.

The Mini Scooter E borrows key design elements from Mini cars, including round headlights and multicolored paint schemes.

The scooters' electric motor is packaged in the rear wheel. They can be charged from any outlet, but Mini won't say how long it takes or what their battery range is. Mini has never built a two-wheeled vehicle.

Read more: What's ahead among European vehicles | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20100930/BUSINESS01/9300443/1210/business01/Whats-ahead-among-European-vehicles#ixzz1115cQsQb