By Jeremy Sinek for MSN Autos

Detroit, Mich. - Talk about being blind-sided by a curve ball out of left field. We knew Buick was planning to unwrap a small crossover at Detroit, and we thought we knew what it would be: obviously, a Buick version of the Chev Equinox/GMC Terrain, designed to compete in the compact luxury segment against the likes of the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes GLK.

By Greg Migliore, AutoWeek

Playing it safe clearly was not an option for Ford with the redesign of the 2013 Fusion.

The body is dramatically creased, in contrast with the current slab-sided barge, the grille looks stolen from Aston Martin, and the interior and chassis were completely redone. Ford also is rolling out a plug-in hybrid model that's said to get at least 100 mpg-e when driven in all-electric mode.

That's right--Ford has turned the Fusion into a Chevrolet Volt fighter, as if squaring off against the Toyota Camry, the Honda Accord and the Hyundai Sonata isn't enough. The Fusion is being revealed on Monday at the Detroit auto show and hits the market in the middle of this year.

By Jake Lingeman, AutoWeek

Volkswagen is presenting one of its most fuel-efficient vehicles at the Detroit auto show, the 2013 Jetta Hybrid. VW says the car gets 5.2 L/100 km combined and will be able to hit speeds of 70 km/h on electric power alone.

The Jetta hybrid will be motivated by a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine developing 150 hp, while the electric motor adds 27 hp. The unit puts out 184 lb-ft of twist and weighs in at just 216 pounds. On hard acceleration, both engine and battery combine to make 170 hp. Power is transferred through VW's seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which was downsized for this application to 163 pounds.

By Justin Couture, MSN Autos

Although it wasn't explicitly singled out during its official unveiling, it was crystal clear which vehicle Cadillac had in its sights when it was developing the new ATS sedan. As with pretty much every other brand – German or otherwise – Cadillac has its sights set on the BMW 3 Series.

With the next-generation CTS set to grow to rival the 5 Series and A6 in size, the ATS's 4.6-meter-long length puts it in the heart of the compact luxury sector. It rides on a brand new platform, and the preliminary specs lend it good performance credentials. Weight distribution for this rear-drive sedan is a perfect 50/50. As for weight, for a change, it's not one of the class' heavyweights. Promised to tip the scales at less than 1,542 kg (3,400 lbs), it undercuts Audi's A4 and Benz's C-Class by some 45 kg (100 lbs).  

When it enters production this summer, the ATS will be available with three different engines. The base engine – the so-called “fuel-economy leader” – will be a naturally-aspirated, direct-injected 2.5-litre four-cylinder which should be good for about 200 horsepower and nearly 190 lb.-ft. of torque. It will be available in rear or all-wheel drive, and comes standard with a six-speed automatic. On the other end of the spectrum will be the direct-injected 3.6L V6 from the CTS, tweaked to produce nearly 320 horsepower. Like the 2.5, it’s auto-only, with optional AWD. Both will run happily on regular unleaded.

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

Next Monday and Tuesday are the media preview days for the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and several MSN Autos Canada contributors will be there. Between preview coverage on The Passing Lane, live photos and blogging from the press conferences, and a big post-event wrap afterwards, nothing will escape our attention.

But the auto show biz isn't what it used to be. Rarely are there complete surprises on show day since most of the information is leaked early. So we already know about which serious vehicles will be making their debuts in Detroit: the new Acura NSX, the Lexus LF-LC concept, the Nissan Pathfinder, plus all kinds of hybrids, plug-in hybrids and other green vehicles.

So what are you most excited about? Personally, I'm very interested in seeing the new Cadillac ATS up close and personal.

Keep your eyes peeled for all our coverage on the main MSN Autos Canada page next Monday.

By AutoWeek

Fresh photos of the stunning Lexus LF-LC sports car were released on Wednesday ahead of the live debut next week at the Detroit auto show.

Clad in a blazing shade of blood red, the LF-LC suggests a future sports car for the luxury brand. The concept has a 2+2 configuration and a hybrid powertrain. It was designed at the company’s Calty studio in Newport Beach, Calif.

The shots show an angled, angry grille evidenced on the LF-GH concept at the 2011 New York auto show, which closely previewed the 2013 GS sedan.

By Diana T. Kurylko, AutoWeek

Volvo will show a gasoline plug-in hybrid crossover concept at the Detroit auto show featuring technology that eventually will go on vehicles destined for the U.S. and Chinese markets.

The XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept has a range of as many as 600 miles in hybrid mode and can go as many as 35 miles on the electric motor. Combined fuel economy is more than 50 mpg, Volvo said.

The hybrid crossover has a 280-hp turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine and a 70 hp electric motor. Volvo said it put a T8 badge on the concept because the hybrid's combined 350 hp is equivalent to that of an eight-cylinder engine.

By Greg Migliore, AutoWeek

Lexus has released an official teaser shot of its sports-car concept headed for the Detroit auto show, confirmed to be called the LF-LC.

The sharp 2+2 concept was created at the company's design studio in Newport Beach, Calif., and is expected to have an unspecified hybrid powertrain.

By Dale Jewett, AutoWeek

Nissan will use the Detroit auto show to offer a first look at a redesign for the Pathfinder SUV and is teasing the new car with a photo released Monday.

The new Pathfinder, which goes on sale next fall as a 2013 model, will continue to have three rows of seats and can hold seven passengers. But the SUV is ditching its boxy look for a more aerodynamic shape, including a sweeping character line that runs from the front fender and down the side of the body.

By Greg Migliore, AutoWeek

BMW's posh 5-series is getting an eco-friendly sibling—with a mean streak.

The 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 makes its official debut in January at the Detroit auto show, packing 335 hp with an “e-boost” function that enhances acceleration. It arrives in the U.S. market in the spring.

Still, the ActiveHybrid5 maintains considerable green cred; it can drive under electric power for two and a half miles (at an average speed of 35 km/h), and it can reach speeds up to 60 km/h on electricity. There is also a coasting mode, which decouples the engine and shuts it off at speeds up to 160 km/h.