First Drive: Pontiac Solstice Roadster; First Look: Next-Gen Jaguar XK; Test-Drive: New Mercedes S-Class; Sneak Peek: Fisker Coachbuilding's Latigo and Tramonto; GM, Ford Face More Plant Closings; Lamborghini Lays Out Plans. This Week on TheCarConnection.com

DETROIT, Aug. 29, 2005 -- There was an audible gasp when General Motors rolled out the Pontiac Solstice concept car during the 2004 Detroit auto show, but few believed the striking little roadster would ever make it into production. In fact, it has, and the 2006 Solstice is everything anyone could have hoped for, peppy, fun-to-drive and delightfully affordable -- as TheCarConnection.com reports in this week's issue.

TCC also provides a preview of the next-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and the first pictures of Jaguar's next-gen XK sports car, along with spy shots of the next Volvo S80, Hyundai Elantra and Mazda's breakthrough CX-7 crossover.

Can a Belgian designer and German businessman revive the lost art of coachbuilding? Check out this week's issue of TheCarConnection.com for an inside look at Fisker Coachbuilding, and the California firm's striking new models, the Tramonto and Latigo. At $200,000-plus what can you expect from the 600-hp Tramonto, beyond 0-60 times of 3.6 seconds?

Will Lamborghini put the radical Concept S show car into production? Find out more as TCC talks with the automaker's new CEO.

Then take a spin in something a bit more affordable as TheCarConnection.com puts the new Mitsubishi Evo IX through its paces.

In business news, see why there's so much debate over new fuel economy standards, and whether they'll actually make much of a difference.

And TheCarConnection reports that both General Motors and Ford face the likelihood of new plant closings, despite the gains made with employee pricing programs. What plants are on the line? Check this exclusive report.

Then see how Lexus is rolling out a fleet of striking, sporty new cars in a bid to build up its brand identity.