Acura might not be riding the green wave like other luxury automakers, but it does benefit from strikingly efficient, low-emission gasoline engines, thanks to the experience of parent company Honda. The company is set to unleash a new crossover ute, the ZDX, geared to go toe to toe with Bavarian metal like the BMW X6. Longtime favorites such as the RDX should see some cosmetic changes to keep up with familial design language.

WHAT'S NEW . . .

2010 Acura ZDX
Acura isn't content to let BMW hold a monopoly on the nascent performance crossover segment. The ZDX prototype, which debuted at the 2009 New York International Auto Show, is reportedly powered by the same beefy 3.5-liter V6 engine found in the 2010 TSX. The 280-horsepower mill is coupled to a 6-speed automatic gearbox and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive.
Availability: Fall 2009
Price: Around $50,000

WHAT’S BEEN REFRESHED . . .

Click to enlarge picture2010 Acura TSX (© American Honda Motor Co., Inc.)

2010 Acura TSX V6

2010 Acura TSX
The TSX now comes with significantly more grunt, thanks to a tweaked version of its 3.5-liter V6 that bumps horsepower up to 280. There are also a number of suspension revisions to go along with the more potent engine.
Availability: On sale now
Price: $32,000

2010 Acura RDX
The RDX, Acura's small crossover offering, is expected to receive the same design treatment as the rest of the Acura fleet for 2010. That's to say, like it or not, the nose of the company's turbo 4-cylinder will see the polarizing familial shield for the first time.
Availability: On sale now
Price: $33,895

Alfa Romeo

With parent company Fiat's new interest in Chrysler, next year should see an end to the Italian automaker's long hiatus from the U.S. market. We'll finally get a taste of a few premium-priced yet slick-looking Alfas alongside Fiat's fuel-efficient models. In fact, Alfa Romeo will have three models fit for U.S. consumption.

WHAT’S NEW . . .

Click to enlarge picture2010 Alfa Romeo 159 (© Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A.)

2010 Alfa Romeo 159

2010 Alfa Romeo 159 Sedan
It's been a long time since Alfa Romeo last took to the land of the free, and it's a hard sell to get buyers to snap up cars from what feels like a brand-new company. To put those worries at ease, the Italian automaker is set to introduce the 159 Sedan as its first new model on this side of the Atlantic. With its sights set dead on the BMW 3-Series, the car boasts a direct-injection 260-horsepower 3.2-liter V6 engine, dynamic styling and standard all-wheel drive.
Availability: Late 2009
Price: Starts at around $34,000

2010 Alfa Romeo Brera Coupe
This 2-door has sporty written all over it. A 2+2 hatch that is well-styled with low and attractive lines, the Brera is powered by the same 3.2-liter V6 as the 159 to ensure that it has the bite to back up the aggressive look. Like the more reserved sedan, the Brera should also be able to brag about full-time all-wheel drive and a well-sorted suspension.
Availability: Late 2009
Price: Starts at around $36,000


Click to enlarge picture2010 Alfa Romeo Spider (© Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A.)

2010 Alfa Romeo Spider

2010 Alfa Romeo Spider
For those of you who remember Alfa Romeo for its fun little convertibles, meet the new Spider. Based on the same platform as both the 159 and the Brera Coupe, you can expect similar handling and performance out of this relatively small Italian drop-top. Power should come from either the direct-injection 3.2-liter V6 mentioned above or a fuel-thrifty 2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine, which will probably be more fuel efficient. Rumor has it that there may be a more potent performance model, called the GTA, available in the United States as well.
Availability: Late 2009
Price: Starts at around $44,000

Aston Martin

Next year will be an exciting one for Aston Martin. The long-awaited 4-door Rapide will finally be available to the public, and the super-exclusive One-77 can be had by people with more money than most developing countries. Finally, if you've been itching for a DBS but yearning for a drop-top, too, Aston Martin has added the DBS Volante to its lineup.

WHAT’S NEW . . .

Click to enlarge picture2010 Aston Martin Rapide (© Aston Martin)

2010 Aston Martin Rapide

2010 Aston Martin Rapide
The company's first 4-door, dubbed Rapide, is built to take on the likes of Porsche's Panamera. Aston Martin's sedan is powered by the same 6.0-liter V12 found in the much smaller DBS Volante. However, the mill churns out 470 horsepower in family guise — 40 horses less than in the convertible.
Availability: Early 2010
Price: Around $200,000

2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
Adding a bit of drop-top fun to Aston Martin's new-decade portfolio is the DBS Volante. The car is built as a 2+2. While that technically means it has back seats, we wouldn't recommend that anyone over 10 actually attempt to use them. An automatic cloth top keeps the elements out when the going gets wet, and a 510-horsepower version of the company's hand-built 6.0-liter V12 provides plenty of power.
Availability: Late 2009
Price: Around $300,000

Click to enlarge picture2010 Aston Martin One-77 (© Aston Martin)

2010 Aston Martin One-77

2010 Aston Martin One-77
Only six One-77s will find their way to this side of the pond next year, and only 77 (fitting, right?) will be built worldwide. Since they are individually tailored to the buyer, each should be somewhat unique. Aston Martin has billed the super-exclusive car as a paradigm — i.e., the pinnacle of what the company can do in terms of performance — and the 7.2-liter V12 with 700 horsepower would seem to attest to that statement.
Availability: Late 2009
Price: Around $2 million

WHAT’S BEEN REFRESHED . . .

Click to enlarge pictureAston Martin DB9 (© Aston Martin)

Aston Martin DB9

2010 Aston Martin BeoSound DB9
Aston Martin has partnered with Bang & Olufsen to produce the BeoSound DB9 — a DB9 outfitted with a special sound system that has been specifically developed for the car. Sporting twin acoustic lens speakers and cosmetics to match the car's interior, Aston Martin says it sounds unlike anything else out there. Of course, if the music isn’t enough to keep you in the cockpit, the DB9’s 6.0-liter V12 should be.
Availability: Late 2009
Price: $269,000

Audi

Despite the global sales downturn, Audi has actually gained market share in the U.S., mainly because its product offerings are solid. To celebrate, the company is rolling out all-new A5 and S5 Cabriolets, as well as spicing up engine choices in a few key product areas. The mighty R8 will lose its top and have a taste of the company's powerful 5.2-liter V10, and the A3 will benefit from diesel power for the first time in the U.S.

WHAT’S NEW . . .

Click to enlarge picture2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet (© Audi of America)

2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet

2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet
The 2010 A5 Cabriolet is set to replace the aging A4 Cab next year. Unlike other drop-tops in the luxury segment, this car will boast a traditional soft-top to save weight. Two engines will be available, including a fuel-thrifty 2.0-liter 4-cylinder and a more potent 3.2-liter V6. Brand new styling all around and a slew of tech goodies inside promise to make this convertible worth a look.
Availability: Fall 2009
Price: Around $42,000

2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet
The A5's more muscular sibling, the S5 Cabriolet packs some serious grunt, thanks to a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 that puts out 333 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. You will be able to choose from either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed double-clutch unit.
Availability: Fall 2009
Price: $52,700

2010 Audi R8 Spyder
Audi unveiled a convertible version of its R8 supercar at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Available only with the 525-horsepower 5.2-liter V10 engine found in the top-of-the-line coupe, the soft-top 2-seater should have plenty of get up and go. Buyers can choose between a 6-speed manual transmission and an R tronic automatically shifted manual and, like the coupe, the R8 Spyder boasts the company's quattro all-wheel-drive system.
Availability: Mid 2010
Price: Around $160,000

2010 Audi S4
Audi has focused on doing more with less with its newest generation S4, the A4's sinister twin, and the result is a car powered by a 3.0-liter TFSI V6 engine. The supercharged six-cylinder generates a heady 333 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque — enough to tango with the BMW 335i any day of the week. Choose a fantastic six-speed manual transmission or the company's new seven-speed dual clutch unit to put power to all four corners, resulting in a zero to 60 mph time of around 5.1 seconds. The best news is that this mean sedan does it all with 17 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.
Availability: Fall 2009
Price: Starts at $49,000

WHAT'S BEEN REFRESHED . . .

Click to enlarge picture2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI (© Audi of America)

2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI

2010 Audi R8
Audi has added a new engine option to its all-wheel-drive supercar. The R8 can now be had with the company's 525-horsepower 5.2-liter FSI V10. While the car isn't set to be available until the end of 2009, the first model sold in the U.S. at a charity auction for more than $500,000. We expect the actual price tag to be significantly less.
Availability: Fall 2009
Price: $123,000

2010 Audi A3
Good news for diesel fans — Audi's diminutive A3 will finally be available in the land of the free with a 2.0-liter TDI engine. With 140 horsepower, 236 lb-ft of torque and astronomical fuel economy, this is the wagon of choice for families looking for an alternative green solution.
Availability: Early 2010
Price: $32,000