By Tim Plouff

Power is still very much ‘in’ as larger horsepower numbers populate every builder’s lineup. From the Hemi-powered 425-hp Grand Cherokee SRT-8 to the 505-hp Corvette Z06 to the 197-hp Honda Civic, power sells.

Take a quick look at these stars of the show, plus visit our photo gallery, to view more show cars. The show runs through this Sunday, Nov. 13, with discount tickets available at AAA. Saab

Saab fans have always been suspicious of the GM ownership deal but their fears should be allayed with the new lineup.
Started in 1947 by 16 aeronautical engineers, Saab likes to claim that it was “born from jets.” After 50-years of doing business in New England, its largest U.S. market, Saab has an all-new 9-5 series for 2006, including the 9-5 SportCombi, plus the return of the 9-3 SportCombi wagon.

The 9-5 is redone from stem to stern. The track is wider, the body and suspension is new, and there is only one model now instead of three confusing designations for the same car. Power comes from a new 2.4-liter turbo four, 260-peak hp, while the base price drops over $2,100 to $34,800. A new tag line, “Why drive a car when you can fly a Saab,” will drive the brand forward with five models for 2006.

2007 Chevrolet Tahoe — America’s best-selling sport utility vehicle is completely new. The exterior is sleeker and more athletic, while the interior refinement is unsurpassed in this segment. Going on sale in February, along with a new Yukon, (Suburban sales follow by summer, all-new full-size pickups by fall) the 2007 Tahoe features a larger cabin with more passenger and cargo room plus improved noise, vibration, and harshness suppression. The track is wider and the center of gravity is lower for greater stability while GM’s Stabilitrak system is standard.  There is a new frame, new suspension design, larger brakes and new rack and pinion steering gear. Tire pressure sensors are also standard.
The engine lineup includes Generation IV Vortec aluminum block V-8’s with variable valve timing and Displacement-on-Demand cylinder deactivation. Base power is a 290-hp 4.8-liter V-8. Optional engines include two different 5.3-liter V-8’s, two 6.0-liter V-8’s with up to 355-hp, plus a new 400-hp 6.2-liter engine. Six-speed automatic transmissions are also new. Chevrolet promises an increase on what were already the highest fuel economy ratings in the segment, plus better crash test ratings.
Options include: 20-inch wheels, power rear liftgate, power running boards, 8-inch DVD entertainment screens, heated second row seats, rear camera system, remote starting, touch-screen navigation system, heated washer fluid, three row side airbags, Rainsense automatic wipers and much more.

Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky — Small two-seat convertibles don’t account for big sales numbers, but they sure attract a crowd and generate a healthy halo effect for successful builders. GM is counting on this benefit with the new Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky.
Each features a fully independent sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shocks, fast ratio power steering, rear wheel drive, 18-inch aluminum wheels, an Asisin 5-speed manual transmission, and a SOHC, 16-valve aluminum Ecotec four with variable valve timing and 177-hp. Weighing only 2,800 pounds, these two charming speedsters also have a manual soft-top with glass rear window and optional leather seating inside. Built in Wilmington Del. at a former Saturn plant, the Solstice and Sky clearly have the Mazda Miata squarely in their crosshairs.
The Solstice’s production is sold out until spring, but supply will still be tight as that is when Sky production begins. Base price is only $19,995.

Ford Explorer — Ford’s most popular family vehicle, and the country’s best-selling sport utility vehicle, receives a serious upgrade for 2006. A new face fronts a truck that gets a revised chassis and more interior features. Two-tone leather seating is now available, plus flat-folding second row seats and power folding third row seats. Satellite navigation is new, while improved powertrains increase fuel economy and power delivery.

Buick Lucerne — The all-new Lucerne sedan, not the village, features five- or six-passenger seating as it replaces the aging LeSabre and Park Avenue in Buick’s expanding lineup. Firsts for Buick include Magnetic Ride Control, heated and cooled front seats, heated windshield washer fluid, Harmon-Kardon stereos, remote starting, navigation system, Stabilitrak and optional Northstar V-8 power. Shorter than the departing Park Avenue, the Lucerne has a longer wheelbase for greater control and stability. On sale now, the Lucerne comes in three trim levels: CX, CXL and CXS.

Other cars

Toyota FJ Cruiser — A return to Toyota’s Land Cruiser off-road roots is apparent with the FJ. It comes with 17-inch tires, off-road skid plates, 239-hp 4.0-liter V-6, vehicle stability control, traction control and a rubber floor inside.

Lexus IS250 and IS350 —These handsome sport sedans are modeled after BMW’s successful 3-series lineup. Both come with rear or all wheel drive and high-output V-6 engines; a 204-hp 2.5 liter in the IS250 and a 306-hp 3.5-liter in the IS350. 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions are available plus Lexus provides a 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty. Pricing starts at $30,580 for the IS250.

Jeep Gladiator — This concept truck is close to what we will actually see in production later next year. A three-door cabin with roots in the Wrangler body, the Gladiator has a removable rear window, beefy off-road chassis, and a small pickup bed with factory applied bedliner.

Saturn Aura — This upscale appearing mid-size sedan could easily be confused with Acura’s handsome TL. Featuring the first of many new 6-speed GM automatic transmissions and a refined five-passenger cabin, this new Saturn illustrates that GM is committed to this brand. Center-mounted dual exhaust pipes suggest more than the usual V-6 power too. Saturn promises a spring debut, but no pricing has been announced.

Chevy TrailBlazer SS — This sport utility hot-rod packs a Corvette-based 6.0-liter V-8 under the hood making 390-hp. No need to be late with this sinister looking truck.

BMW M5 — This sports sedan is the most powerful BMW ever sold in America. Arriving here just two weeks ago, the highly anticipated M5 has a 500-hp V-10 engine and a 7-speed sequential shift transmission. List price is $82,000 but you get four years of free maintenance. Look out Mercedes, look out Viper; dad and the family just blew by you!

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 — Not to be left behind in the horsepower wars, Chevy’s newest Corvette is also the most powerful, most expensive, quickest, and fastest ‘Vette ever sold. A 7.0-liter 505-hp V-8 propels the Corvette from 0 to 60 mph in under 3.5 seconds with a tested top speed of almost 200 mph. List price is only $65,000, another performance bargain from the bow-tie brand.

Audi S4 Quattro 25th Anniversary — Audi has been selling Quattro 4-wheel drive in America for 25-years. To celebrate, it has built only 250 special edition S4 sedans. The 4.2-liter V-8 makes 340-hp and is backed by a 6-speed manual transmission. Get in line quickly for this $62,000 collector’s item.

Ford Fusion and Mercury Zephyr — These new mid-size sedans are cleanly styled rivals aiming for a bigger piece of the family market populated with Camrys and Accords. Built in Mexico, these two are based on the successful Mazda-6 platform. A 160-hp four-cylinder engine is standard; a 220-hp V-6 is optional along with one of the new 6-speed transmissions that Ford and GM have developed together. A Mercury version titled Milan is due out later in the year.

Honda Civic — The 2006 Civic is much bolder looking while packing a new chassis and a larger body. There are sedan, coupe, and Si models again with a 197-hp Si model available for serious tuners and Civic fans. The Civic Hybrid has more power and even greater fuel economy too. Expect Civic sales to increase as gasoline prices fluctuate wildly.