The US-spec Ford Focus never had the sales success of its European namesake, for obvious reasons: the ungainly vehicle always had the appearance of a spartan economy car that simply lacked the perceived quality of its European counterpart.  The all-new Focus, however, signals Ford's intention to market the vehicle as a new global contender, and its newfound aesthetic is indicative of the Blue Oval's goals.

Shown in Detroit in four and five-door variants, the third generation C-segment vehicle was developed in the Ford of Europe's Cologne based-studio in Germany under the direction of Stefan Lamm, Ford of Europe's exterior design director. It implements the company's kinetic design theme but also pushes it one step further. The exterior design, created by lead designer Murat Gueler, is more upmarket than the Euro Focus it will soon replace and it accentuates the dynamic theme by appearing "fast whilst standing still," as Lamm told CDN.

The new Focus features a change in proportions over its Euro counterpart with a sleeker overall aesthetic, demarcated in profile by a pronounced featureline which begins just over the front wheelarch and drops down at the start of the front door, running across both door handles before kicking back up to accentuate the rear haunch. The trapezoidal lower and thin single bar grille give a new impression for the front and brings the car in line with its new Fiesta sibling and Mondeo, while the chrome-trimmed DLO elevates percieved quality.

The driver-focused interior, shroud in high-quality materials and designed by Tiago Dias under the direction of chief interior designer Ernst Reim, is also leaps and bounds ahead of its North American market predecessor, moving more towards premium German brands. The L-shaped IP is canted slightly towards the driver and features deeply recessed 3D dials and vents that are mounted vertically on the IP, while the center stack (with 8-inch LCD screen on premium models) doesn't exclude the front passenger.

Mini's product portfolio will double in the next two years as Coupe, Roadster and Crossover vehicles are added to its existing Hatchback, Convertible and Clubman models. And if the 2010 Beachcomber concept is anything to go by there's apparently yet another possible avenue for the successfully expanding brand - a door-less, roof-less, four-seater beach buggy.

Recalling the spirit of the 1960s Mini Moke, the Beachcomber has a chunkier, less golf cart-like 21st century exterior based directly on the forthcoming jacked-up, all-wheel drive Mini Crossover (which will have normal doors and roof and go on sale autumn 2010).

The concept's design was by Fabien Clottu (exterior), Oliver Sieghart (interior), and Claudia Geidobler (color and trim) but despite its sunshine-focused subject matter the car was not designed in LA at BMW's Designworks but in Mini's Munich studio, as Oliver Sieghart joked, "we have a good imagination."

The concept also has the option of a soft roof that can unfold from a small compact unit to open up like a tonneau cover for a boat - fastening on to the windscreen, the rear panel and the side openings with transparent plastic inserts for windows. More robust plastic insert panels are also available if the elements get too much. Mini says the A- and C-pillars have also been strengthened and along with the high sill contribute to good torsional rigidity to make up for the lack of a B-pillar.

The high-tech interior features wetsuit-style seating material and also a central 'power rail' running the length of the car that occupants can plug and slide their portable electronic devices along, for user maximum user convenience. This will also make production in the Mini Crossover.

BMW Group design boss Adrian van Hooydonk told Car Design News: "It just shows the Mini brand has picked up a lot of steam. At Frankfurt last year there were two concept cars and we're going to build those. We don't have any direct plans for this one yet, but if you bear in mind the Mini Moke and many parts of the world where people want to drive like this, there is serious meaning behind it."

The Audi A8 shown at the NAIAS in Detroit was only one of only three production debuts at the show, but the A8 actually made its first public appearance at an exclusive event in Miami late last year. Seeing the car next to its Audi brand siblings on the show stand it is immediately apparent that the A8 could only come from the Ignolsadt based automaker.

The exterior design, developed by Torsten Wenzel, is conservative and has been created to ensure the model wouldn't age too quickly or alienate its intended target demographic. Its LED headlamps and trapezoidal grille combine to give the A8 a strong DRG while its low slung roofline and static shoulderline emphasize the horizontal aspects of the design, making the vehicle appear very long and sleek. Measuring 5137mm in length, 1949mm in width and 1460mm in height, the new luxury sedan significantly exceeds in length and width of its predecessor but is 16mm lower. The sculptured convex and concave surfacing of the aluminum body panels adds some drama to the profile, underscored by a dynamic lightcatcher in the lower half of the doors, but this appears to be the only forward aspect of the design. At the rear, the taillamp mask shape is in keeping with other models in the range.

Speaking to designers at the show, general opinion was split between those who felt the evolutionary design was classic and elegant to those who believed it was simply not progressive enough.

As we've come to expect from Audi, the interior design is a stunning example of refined elegance blended with high levels of technological innovation. Based on a 'wraparound' theme, the cabin is encircled by a circumferential curve which integrates a low tiered IP that is separated by contrasting materials and textures. A prominent 8-inch wide screen that pops out in the center displays information ranging from the vehicles nav and audio systems to the operation of its multifunction seats and can be operated via a touch screen pad with handwriting recognition. The driver-focused environment ensures that all the controls are within easy reach while details such as stubby gear selector set in the black lacquered center console and the brushed aluminum-clad speaker grilles add a technical feel to the interior.