Jeep Trailhawk concept

What happens when you combine the rugged and utilitarian stance of a Jeep Wrangler with the design language used on Jeep's bourgeois SUVs like the Grand Cherokee? Well you get something that looks like the Jeep Trailhawk concept that was shown in Detroit. This concept's name was inspired by its bird of prey scowl front graphics, a feature we could see reappear on future Jeep products, most probably on the next Grand Cherokee.

The Trailhawk is built on the same 116-inch wheelbase frame as the four-door Wrangler Unlimited and also gets the open air treatment. Because no B-pillar is apparent above the beltline, all the windows can be rolled down (the trapezoidal rear side windows also retract fully into the body), leaving only what looks like a T-top roll cage behind the windshield, which is painted in a lighter shape of gray than the lower portion of the body.

Exterior designer Nicho Vardis notes that because of the long wheelbase "the dash-to-front axle dimension is dramatically long, giving the vehicle a sense of forward motion" and his boss, Ralph Gilles, adds that "the overall proportion of the Trailhawk is taken from the iconic absolute ruggedness of a Wrangler... its short overhangs and the way it celebrates its wheels with dedicated fenders are the key features of this design".

The interior, by Cliff Wilkins and his team, also expresses the duality of utilitarian chic that characterizes the exterior. Created with "the spirit of travel and adventure" in mind it is meant to be as indulging as traditional luxury interiors, but more playful and trendy, hence some features like the removable iPod-compatible audio system located at the rear.

Dodge Grand Caravan

DaimlerChrysler's minivan duo - Dodge Grand Caravan and its more upscale sibling the Chrysler Town & Country - have an all-new exterior and interior. Ralph Gilles, now VP design for Jeep/Truck Color and Trim Studios and Specialty Vehicles, has supervised the evolution of what has become an icon for Chrysler. His challenge was to make an emotional vehicle out of the minivan to rub out the 'soccer mom' stigma associated with that type of vehicle. With almost vertical sides, a wider roof and edgy, tense surfacing the team created a more muscular vehicle and moved away from what Gilles calls the "love my pudge" ovoid design of the last generation. Pushed-out rocker panels and tighter gaps between body panels and around the wheel arches gives the new van a more intimidating and stable stance.

An important part of a minivan's appeal comes from its interior design and a lot of effort has been made there for the fifth generation. Even if a carry-over floor had to be used, the original 'Stow'n Go' system (the second and third row seats folds flat in the floor) now becomes 'Swivel'n Go'. With this evolution the second-row seats can swivel 180 degrees to face the now power-folding third row. The second row seats are engineered to protect their occupants even when facing to the rear. Many other "yummy interior features" , as Gilles puts it, will please typical minivan buyers: stain and odor resistant fabric, "zen-like" ambient halo lighting and pinpoint reading lamps for all passengers, and a three level sliding and removable center console. The Chrysler minivan will get earth tone materials inside while the Dodge sticks to a more conventional color palette.

In Europe this vehicle is branded as a Chrysler Grand Caravan. Volkswagen, through a partnership with DaimlerChrysler, will market its own version of this vehicle for 2009.

Chevrolet Malibu

GM unveiled the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu in Detroit, built on a revised version of the Epsilon platform. In the North-American market, this midsize sedan has the tough mandate to compete with such cars as the Accord, Camry and Sonata, and regain market share for GM. For this to happen, the Malibu had to change its image, improve its perceived quality and shed its reputation of blandness. John Mack, Director of Design for Small and Mid-Sized Car Interiors, confesses: "We don't want the Malibu to be a commodity. We don't want it to be in the rental fleet business. We really want it to be this very affordable midsize sedan. And we want it to be a very expressive statement."

'Expressive' was the key word for the Malibu design, and a good part of that expression comes from the new front end: the dual-port grille, said to be the "new face of Chevrolet", looks more aggressive in the flesh than what pictures can convey. Helped by a lengthened wheelbase the new Malibu has a dynamic stance and a lower and longer greenhouse (also made possible by the outward projecting panoramic sunroof).The rear graphics are certainly the weakest point in this new design; the dual rounds theme for the taillights, inspired by Chevy heritage, is not convincing and seems to be an afterthought.

The interior design is also based on the Chevy heritage of dual cockpits seen in Corvettes of the late 50s and early 60s. The Malibu will come with daring two-tone color scheme for the interior, like the "brick and ebony" combination displayed in Detroit on the high-end version, and premium materials. The goal, according to John Mack is to "give the customer more than they expected".