New Car Releases & Previews

The hot new 2009 Volkswagen Scirocco, available to Europeans this August, revives a nameplate originally introduced with the 1974 Scirocco designed by Giorgio Giugiaro. The new Scirocco is based on the current GTI, even offering the same 2.0-litre, 200-horsepower turbo four-cylinder motor. A smaller 158-hp gasoline engine will also be offered at launch, with an even smaller 120-hp gasoline unit and a 138-hp common rail turbo-diesel motor to follow.

On August 26, Mazda will present an all-new crossover concept at the Moscow International Auto Show. It's based on the automaker's "Nagare" design language, which represents a new styling direction for the Japanese brand. Recent concepts such as the Furai, introduced at the 2008 NAIAS in Detroit, and the Taiki, launched at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show, are great examples of what Nagare is all about.

This week, Toyota will unveil a concept based on its popular Prius hybrid sedan. The car will innovate by offering plug-in capability. Company engineers incorporated additional nickel-metal batteries to be charged by plugging the vehicle into a power outlet.