Cadillac Presidential Limousine

President Obama arrived at his inauguration earlier this week in a new Cadillac Presidential Limousine, which includes many of the brand's signature design elements.

As the first all-new Presidential limousine since the 2004 Cadillac DTS built for President George W. Bush, the new car has roughly the same overall footprint as the previous model and similar proportions. The dual-textured grille and vertical head- and taillamps are reminiscent of those seen on Cadillac's STS and DTS sedans, while the technologically advanced cabin features executive seating with upholstery that has been cut and sewn by hand. An embroidered presidential seal is positioned in the center of the rear seat back and on each rear door trim panel.

The purpose-built vehicle has been specially designed for presidential use to specifications provided by the US Secret Service. Developed and tested by specialists, the vehicle features an armored body, 8-inch-thick doors, bulletproof glass, a separate oxygen supply and an airtight interior to protect against a chemical attack. It was subjected to an extreme testing regimen to ensure performance in the field.

Mitsubishi i MiEV Sport Air

Mitsubishi Motors will reveal a new i MiEV Sport Air concept at the 79th Geneva International Motor Show in March. Using the same nomenclature as the Saab 9X 'Air', the new car is an open top variant of the i MiEV Sport design study first unveiled at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show.

Like its hardtop counterpart, the two-door concept has a bold, wheels-at-each-corner stance and accentuated fenders, while chiseled body lines guide airflow to cool the rear-mounted electric motor. Above the cabin, a 'clear cutaway' roof is said to enable the driver to 'enjoy the exhilaration of fresh-air motoring while also highlighting its eco-friendly qualities', according to the Japanese automaker.

Claimed to emphasize exhilarating driving pleasure by providing a balance between environmental and dynamic performance, the car has a lithium-ion battery pack mounted in the floor for a lower center of gravity. It measures 3450mm long and has a 2550mm-long wheelbase.

Opel Ampera preview

Opel has released a teaser sketch of its new five-door extended-range electric car ahead of its public debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March.

Based on the Voltec powertrain and chassis architecture of Chevrolet's Volt, the Ampera promises to surpass that car in terms of style by some margin. The body appears to be nearly identical between the A- and C-pillars, but the deformed horseshoe-shaped headlamp design and two-bar grille come straight from the 2007 Flextreme concept, as do the car's tree-branch alloy wheels. Sadly, the Ampera prototype will feature a conventional rear hatch rather than the Flextreme's novel two-piece gullwing design.

Audi Sportback concept

Audi unveiled the Sportback concept at the 2009 NAIAS today. With systematic refinements to the brand's characteristic design elements, the five-door model offers a glimpse at the Audi's future design vocabulary.

The Sportback concept - which measures 4950mm long, 1930mm wide and 1400mm high - features a pronounced coupé-like silhouette and a large rear hatch, providing access to a 500-liter trunk. According to Audi, the vehicle is 'boldly progressive for the luxury class'.

Check out the gallery below for more images of the Sportback, and be sure to read our 2009 Detroit Auto Show Contest for more details on the five-door luxury concept.

Kia Soul'ster concept

Kia unveiled a two-door concept based on the recently released Soul at the 2009 NAIAS. Called the Soul'ster, the four-seat concept's elemental design was inspired by basic, utilitarian vehicles like the International Scout. It is the first vehicle born out of Kia's newly opened design center in Irvine, California.

For additional details on the concept and to see our own unique photographs, read our forthcoming Detroit Auto Show Highlights, coming soon.

Lincoln MKT

Ford's Lincoln division unveiled the all-new 2010 Lincoln MKT at the 2009 NAIAS in Detroit today. The new luxury crossover enters the segment with the brand's signature exterior design theme, a three-row interior and intuitive technologies - including optional Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Warning with Brake Support, Active Park Assist and Blind Spot monitoring.

The Lincoln MKT, larger than the two-row MKX mid-size premium crossover, joins the MKS luxury sedan launched in 2008 and the new MKZ sedan that hits the US market this spring.

For more details on the design of the new crossover read our forthcoming Detroit Auto Show Highlights. Until then, see the 43 images in the photo gallery below.

Volkswagen BlueSport concept

The 2009 NAIAS was the venue chosen to debut Volkswagen's latest concept: the BlueSport.

"It is the symbiosis of outstanding technology and timeless Volkswagen design that makes this car an exceptional sports car. Its styling is clear and is reduced to the essentials; the car body itself has a lean and linear structure," explained Volkswagen chief designer Walter de'Silva.

The interior features interesting details, such as lightweight, leather-upholstered, single-piece seatbacks and a touch-screen interface.

Read our forthcoming Detroit Auto Show highlights for more information on the new concept and see the photo gallery below.