Spy Shots of Next BMW 3-Series, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Sonata; Toyota Takes Advantage of High Gas Prices, While Dumping MR2 and Celica; Honda Adds sub-Civic; DaimlerChrysler has Labor Pains; and Going Down at Delphi - on TheCarConnection.com

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DETROIT, July 19, 2004; BMW has long been one of the world's most admired brands, but it's also become one of the most controversial, with love- it-or-leave-it designs like the flagship 7-Series. Now it's time for the Bavarian automaker to remake its heart and soul, and TheCarConnection.com has spy shots of the next-generation BMW 3-Series. Readers can decide for themselves if this update finally gets the new look right.

This week, TheCarConnection offers two other spy shots: the '05 Kia Sportage, and the '06 Hyundai Sonata, the first car the Korean automaker will build at its new Alabama assembly plant.

Then go for a ride in the Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6. The initials say it all. More power means more fun from Chrysler's quirky little roadster. And see if the '05 Chevrolet Equinox sets the new definition of the American crossover.

While Big Three truck sales have tumbled in recent months, Toyota's trucks are on a roll. And when you factor in booming demand for the Prius hybrid, Toyota is turning rising fuel prices to its advantage. TheCarConnection has that story, as well as news that the Japanese automaker is dropping its MR2 and Celica models. But will they be back?

In TCC's award-winning Daily Edition, get the word on Honda's "sub-Civic," a new small car aiming to repeat Mini's unexpected success.

In business news, things are getting hot over in Germany, where workers are refusing to accept wage cuts demanded by DaimlerChrysler. And in Detroit, Delphi is in the dumps.

And despite declining share for the Big Three, the imports may actually be good news for the city of Detroit. Find out why on TheCarConnection.com.

What killed Oldsmobile? Get the inside story of a grand brand's demise -- this week, exclusively on TCC.

And in the weekly TCC Tip, see how to restore your car's performance.

Let OnSite Mechanic solve your service problems. Find Kelley Blue Book pricing and more -- on the Web's Automotive Authority, http://thecarconnection.com/ . Web users also can access TheCarConnection through the PR Newswire site http://www.prnewswire.com/ .