Hairdresser heaven

Don't forget to come back early in the new year to follow the auto show action from January 4 on motoring.iafrica.com.

Porsche 911 Cabriolet

There's bound to be a hairdressing war in America, and Porsche is going for broke with its ultimate hairdryer set to break cover in Detroit.

The all-new 911 Cabriolet will be available in standard 911 Carrera and Carrera S trim, with an electric-top capable of opening in 20 seconds and at speeds of up to 50km/h.

Set for South Africa within a couple of months of its international debut, the new 911 Cabrio boasts Porsche Stability Management, Porsche Sound Package Plus, larger wheels and a wind deflector as standard. Carrera S Cabrio's 3.8-litre boxer-six is good enough to get to 100km/h in a claimed 4.9 seconds, while Carrera Cabrio's 3.6-litre lump does the same in 5.2 seconds.

Ferrari 575 Superamerica

Just in case Porsche thinks it can steal the hairdressing gong in Detroit, Ferrari will hit back with an even ruder convertible. And, where better to reintroduce the legendary Ferrari Superamerica badge than in Detroit?

Superamerica brings Fioravanti's innovative rotating-retraction glass roof to market for the first time. And, it's the world's fastest convertible in more ways than one ? the top can be dropped in 10 seconds, and its 320km/h top speed is also a new benchmark.

Derived from the 575M Maranello, the Superamerica is available with either an F1-style or manual gearbox driven by a monster Enzo-derived 7250rpm 397kW V12. Optional kit includes the 575 GTC Handling Package complete with carbon ceramic brakes.

Mercedes-Benz M-Class

At the other end of the scale, Mercedes-Benz will unleash its new M-Class sport-ute in Detroit. The angular new M-Class will be out to get BMW X5. It's 18cm longer, 9cm wider and 2cm lower on the road than the first-generation vehicle, with a wheelbase that's 11cm longer than before. The new M-Class switches from a body-on-frame design to unibody design ? akin to its Jeep Grand Cherokee cousin.

A new G-Class with seven-person seating may also be shown, while the B-Class crossover vehicle, and even the US version of the Smart formore could make an appearance.

Range Rover Sport

Not to be outdone by its upstart rival mentioned above, Land Rover will introduce its X5-rival in Detroit too ? meet Range Rover Sport. Positioned above the new Discovery and below flagship Range Rover, Sport shares its underpinnings with Discovery and is based on the Range Stormer concept. However, the five-door Sport is 14cm shorter and about 70mm lower than the Range Rover with a distinctive sloping tailgate window reminiscent of the original Range Rover. Quicker, more manoeuvrable on the road and boasting the best handling ever from Land Rover, Sport is the most car-like Landy yet.

VW Passat

Volkswagen will be addressing family values in Detroit with the first showing of the next Passat and Jetta. New Passat is 8cm longer, 8cm wider and a bit taller than the current eight-year-old model. Phaeton-like looks and VW's new tall front grille with a chrome moustache ? in the style of new Audis ? signal a new design direction for Wolfsburg.

The Passat will be available with a brand new 127kW 2.0-litre TDI diesel mill as part of a three-diesel range, and the broad line-up of petrol lumps includes a 77kW 1.6-litre four-pot and a 3.2-litre V-6. The new Passat will arrive in Europe in April, with SA launch likely toward the end of the year. An AWD 4Motion version will follow.

VW Jetta

While Passat will grace Detroit, the next generation Volkswagen Jetta will be introduced in Los Angeles. The fifth-generation Jetta, which goes on sale in the US in March, gets a new multi-link rear suspension, a base 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine and an optional six-speed Tiptronic automatic. The DSG semi-manual gearbox will also be offered, as well as other new Golf plusses like electric power steering, stability control, and anti-lock brakes. SA spec should include 1.9 and 2.0-litre TDIs, additional smaller petrol mills, and the FSI Turbo out of GTI. They should break cover later in 2005 ? likely in conjunction with export manufacture from Uitenhage

Audi A3

Not to be outdone by its sibling, Audi will show the new A3 five-door, which is set to migrate to the States and to South Africa next year. Pitched at those hazily-defined, active individuals who never sit down long enough to be properly tagged for observation, A3 treks across the Atlantic in May 2005 as the entry-level vehicle in the brand's US line-up.

Not quite a station wagon, and not quite a hot-hatch, the spacious new five-door will compliment the existing A3 in SA too ? to rival the likes of BMW?s new One, Merc's soon to arrive new A, Golf, RunX, Mazda3, not to mention the Subaru Impreza Sportwagon and other smaller 'estates'.

So, that's it from our Yank auto show preview spectacular, but be warned ? these shows normally turn up some stunning surprises, so watch this space for news from LA on January 4 and from Detroit on January 10. Don't miss motoring.iafrica.com's exclusive show coverage!