Ford unveiled a freshened version of its large Five Hundred sedan at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. The 2008 model has a restyled front end with Ford's three-bar chrome grille, which appeared in the smaller Fusion sedan and midsize Edge crossover SUV. The biggest news for Ford's big sedan is the addition of more power. A 3.5-liter, 260-horsepower V6 engine replaces the previous models' 3.0-liter, 203-horsepower unit. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models will continue to be offered.

The interior gets some new trim bits. Ford officials say a new sound-deadening package offers a five-percent reduction in overall noise levels. Pricing wasn't announced, but look for the 2008 Five Hundred to arrive in showrooms this summer.

2008 Ford Five Hundred

The 2008 Ford Focus unveiled at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show is this compact car's first redesign since its introduction nine years ago. Focus will have four-door sedan, and for the first time, two-door coupe models. Ford has no plans to offer a hatchback version. Exterior and interior styling is new, and a revised suspension is designed to deliver sportier handling. The sole engine is a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder that teams with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Antilock four-wheel-disc brakes are standard on all models.

Inside, Focus gets standard front side airbags and curtain side airbags. Audio and climate displays are integrated into a single dashtop display. Available is an ambient lighting package that illuminates the cupholders and the front and rear footwells. A driver-adjustable switch can cycle among seven different light colors. The 2008 Focus will be among the first Ford vehicles to come with Sync technology. Sync is the result of a partnership between Ford and Microsoft that allows passengers to connect their MP3 players and Bluetooth-enabled cell phones to the vehicle. The system will download the phone's address book, and its text-to-speech software can read incoming text messages. The system also responds to voice commands for replying to text messages and controlling the MP3 players. Ford didn't announce pricing, but said the 2008 Focus should be arriving at dealers later this year.

2008 Ford Focus

The vision of a four-door Mustang was what Ford had in mind when it unwrapped the Interceptor Concept at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. Ford stretched the Mustang platform to make room for the rear doors. They also beefed up the engine to a 5.0-liter "Cammer" V8 from the Mustang GT's 4.6-liter motor. The Cammer produces 400 horsepower and can run on E85 ethanol fuel. It teams with a six-speed manual transmission with a Ferrari-like exposed shift gate.

Front-end styling invokes that of Ford's F-250 Super Chief pickup truck concept from the 2006 Detroit Auto Show. The engine is kept under a clamshell "shaker" hood. Interior styling is rather basic with low-back bucket seats and headrests that deploy from the roof. Audio and climate controls are hidden behind a central panel. The seatbelts are a four-point design that Ford says are more comfortable and easier to use than the traditional three-point system. Rear passengers receive inflatable seat belts, which is a hint at the direction passive safety devices may go. It remains to be seen whether or not Ford will give the Interceptor the green light for production.

Ford Interceptor Concept

Ford partnered with recreational trailer maker Airstream to create the Airstream Concept, which was revealed at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. This concept crossover SUV is powered by a plug-in hydrogen-electric hybrid fuel cell that Ford says is half the weight and half the cost of current fuel cells. The fuel cell delivers the power needed to recharge the electric motor's batteries, rather than be the primary power source. Each of the concept's orange-trimmed window graphics has a unique shape, and the doors are asymmetric.

Inside, a multi-function single gauge display provides the driver with most vehicle information. A center-mounted instrument panel screen houses secondary information and a camera display. The front seats swivel to face the rear passenger compartment. Rear seating is lounge-style, and in the center is a 360-degree screen for viewing movies, playing games, or displaying a virtual lava lamp. Don't count on the Airstream or anything similar to enter production in the near future.

Ford Airstream Concept