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dealers in showrooms everywhere proclaim the advent of the "Class of 2006"
with sparkling new models laced with the latest in slick lines, power and comfort.
Many
of these new models represent entirely new concepts with fresh features and forceful
powertrains for superior performance. Others are actually existing products which
carry more assets or reveal keen new styling details plus more gear added to the
list of standard equipment. And as a class, all represent sophisticated concepts
containing high-tech controls and advanced mechanical systems plus the latest
innovations for safety. Vehicles
in the 2006 class no longer fit neatly into a few simple categories such as sedans,
coupes, pickup trucks or even sport-utility vehicles. While these configurations
continue in many sizes, today's class also encompasses diverse new categories
due to the emergence of crossover cars of multiple purposes that blend one type
of vehicle with another to forge something entirely different. Latest examples
for 2006 shows up with Chevrolet's HHR (Heritage High Roof), a retro-styled wagon
resembling a cross between a 1949 round-top Suburban and the contemporary pop-top
SSR pickup convertible. But
big-time horsepower still rules. Chevrolet rolls out a new rendition of Corvette's
fabled Z06 which carries race-honed gear like carbon-fiber composite fenders and
an awesome engine. And at Mercedes-Benz, the new SL65 AMG roadster scores a hand-built
6.0-liter 12-cylinder engine with twin turbos attached to push the power numbers
above 600 hp. With
all of these developments, we've assembled a capsule guide to illustrate what's
new about the Car Class of 2006. All of these innovations are cataloged in the
Model Review that follows. Use it to sort through the automotive Class of 2006,
the largest yet with the utmost in power, performance, comfort and snazzy styling.
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