Mini Moke
When your whole brand centers on a single retro icon, success hinges upon stirring the pot with niche variations on the central theme. The latest Mini's slightly larger platform affords greater bandwidth for such riffing, including the possibility of all-wheel drive. Hence, the beloved Jeep-like Moke and even a micro pickup truck variant are now possible. The original doorless, canopy-topped Moke had its roots in military duty, but a new one would be aimed at crossover buyers in the U.S. and likely would be assembled in Spartanburg, South Carolina, around 2010.
TO SUM UP: At what point does Mini become Maxi?
Nissan Rogue
Like VW, Nissan is joining the compact crossover market late. The Rogue is already on sale in Europe as the Quashqi with a variety of engines, while we have one choice: the 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter four with a continuously variable transmission. On sale this fall, the Rogue is eight inches shorter than a Murano and at 63.4 inches tall, almost carlike. The Murano, which is due for its own major makeover for 2008, will remain a two-row-seat vehicle only.
TO SUM UP: Nissan joins the segment with an appealing design.
Chrysler Town & Country & Dodge Caravan
GM and Ford have discovered it's near impossible to keep up with the latest minivan interior innovation, which in the new Chryslers includes optional second-row swivel captain's chairs with a stowaway table between rows two and three and an optional dual DVD system that lets the second and third row play different movies or games. Less tumblehome makes more headroom. Town & Country and Caravan have distinct front sheetmetal and tail-end styling. On sale this fall with a 240-horse 4.0 V-6 as top engine.
TO SUM UP: America's remaining minivan leaps ahead of the Asian competition...for now.
2008 Chrysler Town & Country
Dodge Caravan
Volkswagen Neeza Concept
Turn this one over and it says "Made in China." Styled in Shanghai for a Beijing Motor Show debut, this sleek wagon looks like an Audi Q7 clone, but it's almost two feet shorter. Some say its styling foreshadows that of the Audi Q5 'ute; others see a brand-extending niche product that could be cheaply spun off VW's new Tiguan SUV architecture for sale in Europe and maybe North America. Engines range from the 170-horse Twincharger 1.4-liter four to the Passat R36's 300-horse VR6.
TO SUM UP: This Passat/Q7 love-child seems best suited to Sino/Euro tastes.