Audi Chairman of the Board revealed that the automaker is planning to present the next-generation A8 in November and extend its range with the new A5 Sportback sometime in 2009. Stadler confirmed earlier reports that Ingolstadt based company is also working on a hybrid version of the Mercedes GLK rivaling Q5 SUV and that the A1 minicar is due for a 2010 market launch with the Q3 small SUV following in 2011.

The A5 Sportback is in essence the production version of the sleek-lookingSportback Concept that was first shown in Detroit in the beginning of the year. Expect to see a familiar Audi engine lineup, including the latest 2.0-liter TSI with 211HP, the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 with 290HP and a 3.0-liter V6 diesel cranking out 240HP.

The A5 Sportback is precisely what they’re looking for. This vehicle will pose a genuine innovation in the B segment: a revolutionary vehicle concept offering the ideal blend of functionality and aesthetics.

As for the brand new A8 sedan (see the spy shots here), Stadler said claimed that it will be the sportiest model in its segment and that it will redefine people’s notions of a luxury car’s interior.

The A8 will be the sportiest luxury sedan in its class – and set new standards with regard to interiors. Its precision and build quality are second to none. This model naturally means a great deal to us, because it played a greater role than any other car in the rise of the Audi brand. And we will unveil it to the world in a remarkable fashion in late November.

Meet the Acura ZDX concept, or shall we say, a very close to production version of the Japanese firm’s forthcoming crossover that is due to go on sale in the States in the fall of 2009. While most of us were questioning BMW’s decision to add the X6 in its lineup, the Honda folks quickly picked up the idea and came up with their own four-door coupe crossover – we know, it sounds ridiculous…”The ZDX is truly a luxury performance coupe - plus,” said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. “The emotional coupe styling coupled with a luxurious and dramatic interior and surprising versatility, allows the ZDX to define its own segment and attract an entirely new customer.”While we wouldn’t actually fall in love with its exterior styling, we must admit that Acura’s designers seem to have done a better job than their Bavarian counterparts. An interesting detail are the hidden rear door handles that are concealed in the C-pillar. Aside from a few minor details such as the headlamp and tail light housings, the exhaust tail pipes and quite possibly, the front bumper, don’t expect to see other differences on the production model.At 192.4 inches or 4887mm long, the ZDX prototype is less than two inches longer than the MDX (190.7 in.) but nearly 12 inches longer than the RDX (180.7 in. or 4590 mm). However, with a height of 61.8 inches, it’s also around 7 and 4-inches respectively lower than its two crossover siblings.Inside, the five-seater ZDX is virtually production ready though don’t expect to see the hand-stitched leather dashboard and the two-tone trim, or at least not in the basic versions of the crossover. The prototype’s cabin also features a panoramic glass roof which runs the entire length of the vehicle.Acura said that this fall’s production version of the ZDX will be powered by a V6 engine mated to an all-new, 6-speed automatic transmission that drives all four-wheels through Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system.