FV Report: Automotive News weekly update

For those of you who haven't figured it out yet, Automotive News is the industry paper of record. If Bill Ford should come within 500 feet of Carlos Ghosn or Bob Lutz says anything at all, you can bet it will be in AN on Monday morning. Unfortunately, as many of you do know, most of AN's content requires a subscription -- and it's not cheap. Which is a shame since the Detroit paper's army of reporters is hard to beat when it comes to digging up information on future products. With that in mind, I've decided to do the reading for you each week. I'll comb AN's extra large pages in search of anything relevant to future product and give you the abbreviated version. Don't expect a bombshell every Monday, but rest assured that whenever AN reporters print new information it isn't some rumor they heard from their cousin's friend's sister who works at the plant. On to this week's report…
This issue is a big one for future vehicles as the paper's annual new model forecast is included in the mix. The focus is on the Europeans turn this time around, but instead of laboring through each and every vehicle on the various lists I'll just highlight any noteworthy info or predictions in alphabetical order by make:

Alfa Romeo -- Alfa will show a production version of the 8c Competizione concept in Paris this fall. It will be the first car to go on sale when Alfa Romeo reenters the U.S. market in 2008.  

Audi -- An A3 convertible could go on sale in 2008 along with the A5 which is essentially a coupe version of the A4. Possible A7 based on A6 hardware may debut in 2008.

Bentley -- look for a refresh of the Continental GT in 2008, following by a similar restyling of the Flying Spur sedan in 2009.

BMW -- the 1 Series is still a maybe, the M3 could be another year and a half away and the 7 Series will get a redesign in 2008. Two crossover still on the drawing board, one an R-Class competitor, the other a smaller midsize vehicle. Possible Z6 roadster based on the 6 Series chassis.  

Cadillac -- coupe and crossover versions of the 2008 CTS are in the works, but neither vehicle has final approval yet. BRX could be the name of the crossover while the coupe would probably retain the CTS badge. Jim Taylor, general manager of Cadillac, says without final approval neither car is a sure thing, but we would be surprised if both vehicles don't get the go ahead.

Ferrari -- A new entry-level model is being considered but if approved it won't go on sale until 2009 in the U.S.

Jaguar -- S-Type gets a redesigned in the spring of 2008 and there could be a crossover by 2010.

Maserati -- new GT coupe expected to debut in Geneva next spring.

Mercedes Benz -- No big news here. A new C-Class next year followed by a new CLK based on similar hardware a year later. A C-Class crossover is possible in 2009. Rumored P8 supercar to be built by McLaren still not approved yet.

Volvo -- S60 redesign won't come until 2009. XC50 expected in the spring of 2008 using components from the S40. XC90 gets new six-cylinder engine next year.