As well as revealing the new XFR at the Detroit Auto Show, Jaguar also pulled the covers off the 2010 Model Year XK and XKR coupe and convertibles that receive all-new V8 engines. With a displacement of 5.0-liters, the all-new AJ-V8 Gen III direct-injection engines deliver more power and performance with greater efficiency than their 4.2-liter V8 predecessor. In the XKR, the supercharged 5.0L V8 produces 510HP and 625Nm of torque propelling it to 60mph from standstill in 4.6 seconds.

The XK coupe and convertible models feature a naturally aspirated version of the AJ-V8 Gen III that delivers 385HP and 515Nm of torque allowing the coupe to hit 60mph in 5.2 seconds. Jaguar claims that both the XK and XKR have improved fuel economy and CO2 emissions which meet the forthcoming EU5 emissions legislation.

As expected, the new V8 unit will also find a place in the coming months in several Land Rover models.

The exterior changes for the 2010 XK and XKR models include a new front bumper with aluminum effects, new LED rear lights and a new lower rear body valance. Inside the cabin, both models gain the pop-up gear selector from the XF.

In parallel to the U.S. debut of the Touareg V6 TDI, Volkswagen also introduced a new special edition model of its high-end SUV at the Detroit Show that will only be available in the States. Offered with the new 225HP V6 TDI and two gasoline engines, the 280HP V6 FSI and the 350HP V8 FSI, the “Lux Limited” gets a styling package that includes side skirts and customized front and rear aprons complemented by a set of 20-inch alloy wheels.

VW offers the Touareg “Lux Limited” in five exterior colors: “Biscay blue”, “Black magic pearl effect”, “Campanella white”, “Galapagos gray” and the “Biscay blue” color which is new to the product lineup. Inside, the special edition model features a two-tone leather interior combined with special interior accents based on the particular color variant.

Trying to appeal to a younger and more modern audience, Ford took the covers off the very European-esque, “Lincoln C” concept at the Detroit Show. The new baby Lincoln does not only look European -too be precise, it looks like a rejected Renault project…- but it is also based on the Euro-market Ford Focus platform using FoMoCo’s new 1.6-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine that delivers 180HP and 180 ft.-lbs. of torque. This is the first time that FoMoCo has publicly showed off this engine that will find its way under the hood of Euro-Fords like the Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo in the very near future.

In the Lincoln C, the 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine is paired with Ford’s all-new dry, dual-clutch PowerShift six-speed transmission, helping the concept achieve 43 mpg U.S. on the highway.

Open up the concept’s suicide doors and you’re welcomed by a contemporary and minimalistic interior. Among the car’s highlights is the Citroen-inspired, hubless steering wheel that offers the driver an unobstructed view of the instrument panel. According to Lincoln, thanks to the cars width -two inches more than conventional C-class vehicles- it offers the roominess of a 1961 Continental at almost half the length. In modern terms, the vehicle has the overall length of a Ford Focus and the overall width of a Lincoln MKZ.

According to Peter Horbury, FoMoCo’s executive director of Design, younger contemporary consumers in the U.S. have already grown accustomed to the notion of premium quality in a small package. “During the past decade, people have gotten used to the idea that you could pay more money for a smaller version of the real thing,” said Horbury, citing the evolution of music players from tapes to CDs to MP3 players as an example.

“The same philosophy can be applied to the automobile,” he added. “People will be happy to buy a smaller car that is better for the environment and more maneuverable in the city as long as the vehicle has all the attributes they want.”

The art deco inspired coachwork of the Aston Martin Lagonda Vignale was penned by designer Moray Callum, and constructed by Ghia of Turin.

First seen at the 1993 Geneva Auto Salon, the Lagonda Vignale was a concept of what Ford thought a 4-door Aston Martin limousine should look like, and it was shown to guage public opinion of such a model.

Built on a Lincoln chassis, the Aston Martin Lagonda Vignale was powered by a 4.6 litre V8. Only 2 Lagonda Vignale’s were constructed, one sold at auction in 2002, and fetched

The Aston Martin Virage made its debut at the Birmingham Motorshow in 1988, The Virage was designed by John Heffernan and Ken Greeley and was applauded for its styling. It proved to be quieter and more comfortable than the earlier V8’s.

The new engine was developed in co-operation with Callaway Engineering and was fitted with new cylinder heads with four valves per cylinder for better breathing and to overcome power losses inevitable with the use of catalytic converters. This was to allow the engine to run on unleaded fuel anywhere, but particularly in America.

In March of 1992, a 6.3 litre version of the Virage was revealed with a top speed of 174 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds. Handling and braking were improved and for the first time on an Aston Martin the option of ABS was offered. The chassis was quite a bit different from any previous design although it retained the same basic dimensions for wheelbase and track. But computer aided design (CAD) had enabled the chassis to be refined, lighter yet torsionally stronger. Body changes were minimal with flared wheel arches, revised front spoiler, and an optional rear spoiler.

In 1993,came the Mk II 6.3 litre Virage which had been reworked and improved to create 465 bhp @ 6000 rpm and 460 lbs-ft of torque at 5800 rpm. A ZF 6-speed manual was also available. 0-60 mph stood at 5.2 seconds with the Mk II conversion.

The Volante made its world premiere at the 1990 Birmingham Motor Show, it was a full four seater to recapture that grand touring spirit. The fully powered hood was mohair, the interior hand stitched Connolly hide with polished burr walnut. Utilising the same 5.3 litre V8 used in the Saloon, some cars were also converted to the impressive 6.3 litre specification.

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage was predictably enthusiastic, and it certainly generated the right sort of publicity for Aston Martin, though it was the Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante version which was the mainstay of production at Newport Pagnell.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage, launched at the Birmingham Motor Show in 1992, was the second model to be given this name in its own right, rather than just an uprated version of a current product. The first was the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, the Company Developments version of the Aston Martin DBS.

While this model did bear a passing resemblance to Aston Martin Virage, careful examination would have revealed many differences. The most obvious were external details, the only Virage panels were the door and roof skins.

The frontal aspect had obvious differences, two groups of three headlamps, each group behind a single heated lens while the grille over the opening above the bumper moulding had a unique appearence.