The Liberty Renegade, which goes on sale later in the first quarter, is being slotted between the Liberty Sport and Limited models.

The Wrangler Islander also arrives in the first quarter, while the Wrangler Mountain will reach dealers in the second quarter. Both packages will be available on two-door Wrangler and four-door Wrangler Unlimited 4×4 models.

The Liberty Renegade features a 210-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 and Selec-Trac II full-time, shift-on-the-fly active four-wheel drive, as well as 16-inch wheels and all-terrain tires. Exterior highlights include dark neutral metallic wheel flares, lower side sills, front and rear fascias and body-side moldings, black headlamp bezels, deep-tinted glass, foglamps, skid plates and tow hooks.

Premium cloth seats, leather trim and driftwood accents dress up the cabin, and a Sky Slider open-canvas roof is available.

The Islander package is being offered on Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited 4×4 models. Features include unique exterior colors and decals, black side steps, Moab 17-inch wheels, 32-inch tires and custom seats with blue stitching. The package price is $1,120.

Also available on the Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited 4×4, the Mountain package gets painted 17-inch Moab wheels, 32-inch tires, black taillamp guards, anodized graphite interior accents and a choice of three exterior colors. The package price is $1,820.

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2010 Jeep Wrangler Islander

The XJ Coupe rumors started when Jag’s design director Ian Callum let it slip that his team has drawn one up. But an unnamed European source with knowledge of Jaguar’s future product plans has told Inside Line that he is unaware of any such project being worked on. He said he has never even heard the idea seriously discussed.

But the less expensive and higher-volume C-Type is a go. Inside Jaguar it’s referred to as the “small sports car.”

Like the larger Jaguar XK, the new C-Type’s chassis will be an aluminum monocoque, and we expect the C-Type will be available as a coupe and a soft-top convertible. But unlike the XK it will probably have just two seats. And we’re told it will be a 2012 model.

But what engine will it use? Jag’s latest naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 is just too expensive and thirsty for a small sports car in this class, and Jaguar doesn’t have much else besides a six-cylinder diesel. So this is what makes the most sense; Jaguar will chop a couple of cylinders off its new V8 and create a new V6. And while they are at it, Jag’s engineers will borrow some technology from their former owner and create a turbo version.

Remember, Ford owned Jag until five or six minutes ago, so Jaguar having an EcoBoost-style V6 as part of its future plans is no stretch. Plus, Jaguar needs smaller engines to put in all of its cars as fuel efficiency standards tighten. So the V6 and turbocharged V6 would then also find their way into the XF, XK and even the XJ.

Although the V8 isn’t practical for the base car, Inside Line has been told Jaguar will leave enough room between the C-Type’s fenders for its supercharged 5.0-liter V8 so it can make a hot-rod R version of the C-Type. That would be the one to have. Hell, Mercedes did it with the SLK55 AMG.

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2011 Jaguar XJ Coupe

Besides the exterior changes, the Amigo VX features an ARB Air Locker locking front differential, a rear sport bar, a Borla exhaust system, step bars, 18-inch wheels, Recaro seats, special gauges, and a MOMO steering wheel. The Rodeo VX has similar equipment, such as 18-inch wheels, a roof rack with a rear spoiler, a Borla exhaust system, a custom instrument panel, Recaro seats and a MOMO steering wheel.

Why should you care?
Unless you are a big VehiCROSS fan, these two concept vehicles shouldn’t concern you much. The lower body cladding is supposed to protect against damage obtained while driving off-road, but who is going to drive off-road using 18-inch wheels and low-profile tires? The macho cladding seems to work on the VehiCROSS, but here it just looks weird. We’ll take a regular Amigo or Rodeo, thank you.

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Isuzu VX Amigo and Rodeo

In its second year, the G37 Convertible gets a revised interior and upgraded entertainment and navigation systems, as well as power folding mirrors.

The G37 Convertible Sport 6MT now includes as standard last year’s Premium package, including Bose Open Air Sound System with 13 speakers and 2-GB Music Box, driver’s-seat memory and power lumbar support, climate-controlled front seats with cooling, power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel and a rear sonar system.

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2010 Infiniti G37 Convertible

The base 2010 Camry, which is part of the Japanese automaker’s massive throttle recall, starts at $20,145, including a $750 destination charge. The base 2010 Honda Accord LX starts at $21,765, including a $710 destination charge.

The most expensive model in the lineup is the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited with a navigation package, which tops out at $28,115, including shipping. The sporty 2011 Hyundai Sonata SE model starts at $23,315, including shipping.

Hyundai raised the price of the base Sonata by $495 over the outgoing 2010 model.

The base 2011 Sonata GLS is equipped with a 198-horsepower 2.4-liter inline-4 linked to a six-speed manual transmission. The “Popular Equipment package,” which bundles 16-inch alloy wheels, a power driver seat, chrome interior door handles and other features, adds $750 to the bottom line. Options on the 2011 Sonata SE model include a $2,600 navigation and sunroof package.

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2011 Hyundai Sonata

Yesterday, the 2011 Toyota Avalon, rival to the big, front-wheel-drive Hyundai, got its own round of nips and tucks. The 2011 Azera arrives in dealerships in the spring. Pricing has not yet been announced.

The 2011 Hyundai Azera GLS gets an enhanced 3.3-liter V6 with variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust side; previously it was only on the intake side. The result is an estimated 260 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 233 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm — this is up from 234 hp and 226 lb-ft in the 2010 Azera.

Hyundai predicts the revised V6 will return 20 mpg in city driving and 28 mpg on the highway — up from 18/26 on the 2010 version. Also helping economy is the new six-speed automatic transmission, which the company engineered in-house. Hyundai says it’s 26 pounds lighter than last year’s five-speed automatic. It’s standard on all 2011 Hyundai Azeras. Expect to see it used widely in Hyundai’s line, as this transmission is compatible with just about any transversely mounted engine.

The 3.8-liter DOHC V6 in the 2011 Azera Limited also gets a horsepower bump, again thanks to the addition of variable valve timing on the intake side. The revised engine delivers an estimated 283 hp at 6,000 rpm and 263 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm — up from 263 and 257, respectively.

Hyundai said it also expects fuel-economy gains with the bigger V6. The previous 3.8-liter V6 returned 17 mpg in city driving and 26 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. The revised version is expected to return 19 mpg in city driving and 27 mpg on the highway.

The 2011 Azera models also get a fuel economy indicator that displays a green light to indicate when driving habits are contributing to good fuel economy.

Cosmetic changes on the 2011 Hyundai Azera include a new front bumper fascia, redesigned headlamps, a new chrome grille and round foglights. The rear gets new LED taillights and a redesigned bumper. Cabin changes are minor and include aluminum graining on the center console.

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2011 Hyundai Azera

2010 Hummer H3T: All-new for 2009, the Hummer H3T is the pickup version of the H3, an idea that seemed really snappy when it was introduced as a concept vehicle in 2004. Now that the idea of a pickup truck as anything other as a work truck seems problematic, the H3T’s sales potential seems problematic. And you have to say that the addition of a 5-foot cargo bed on a wheelbase that’s been stretched 22.3 inches makes the H3T a little problematic as a rock-crawler like the Jeep Wrangler. But if you choose the H3T Alpha with its 5.3-liter V8 (now E85 fuel-friendly!), then this truck occupies the same space as the recently introduced Ford F-150 SVT Raptor.

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2010 Hummer H3

More often than not, though, Honda uses the “concept” suffix to preview a new production vehicle that will appear at Honda dealers mere months after the auto show. Honda did just that at the 2005 Chicago Auto Show with the Civic Si Concept. Such is the case with the Honda Odyssey Concept, which is — wait for it — a concept for the next-generation Honda Odyssey minivan. And, we must say, it’s not a bad-looking thing.

Honda says that it has gone for a lower, more planted stance for this new generation of minivan, the production version of which will go on sale this fall to do battle with the reworked 2011 Toyota Sienna. The concept is a bit lower and 1.4 inches wider than the current production minivan, dimensions that will likely make it to production. It rides on the same 118.1-inch wheelbase as the current Odyssey. Of course, it always helps to make a vehicle look low and sleek on a stand at the auto show if you bolt on ginormous wheels and use manhole covers for brake discs. Those are less likely to make it to your local dealer.

Adding distinction to what is taut-but-spare bodywork is the “lightning bolt” beltline. This feature is intended to provide third-row passengers with a better view out of the vehicle. But it’s also intended to be a signature styling feature for Honda’s new production minivan.

So what do we know about the 2011 Honda Odyssey, other than that it will look pretty much like this except with smaller wheels and less concept-y headlights? Well, Honda says that it estimates the new model will return 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway. That’s a significant improvement from the current Odyssey’s 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway, and it also bests the 2011 Toyota Sienna’s 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway. Keep in mind, the 2011 Honda figures are estimates and the company hastens to add that it estimates fuel-efficiency for “select models,” by way of “enhanced aerodynamics” and “advanced powertrain technologies.” Could there be a fuel-economy special model in the future of the 2011 Honda Odyssey?

The concept and the production versions of the 2011 Odyssey have been designed and engineered in the United States (California and Ohio). The production vehicle will be built in Alabama.

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2011 Honda Odyssey Concept

The sporty version is the SS V-Series Special Edition sedan, Sportwagon and Ute lineup. These are notable for a new twin-nostril front fascia with dual hood scoops. The sedan gets a deck-lid spoiler and chrome highlights.

The family-value model is the International Special Edition sedan, and the Sportwagon adds such features as leather seat trim, Bluetooth connectivity and 18-inch alloy wheels — in all, the equivalent of $6,800 in extra features, says Holden. The International models get Holden’s all-new 3.0-liter direct-injection V6, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Optionally, the sedan can get a 3.6-liter dual-fuel LPG V6 with four-speed automatic transmission.

The Ute SS version of the V-Series Special Edition starts at $43,110, the sedan at $50,190 and the Sportwagon at $52,025. All prices are for models with a manual transmission.

The International editions are priced at $32,680 for the sedan and $34,500 for the Sportwagon. Metallic paint costs $500 extra.

The new Holdens go on sale in Australia in November.

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And while we’re on the subject of “V” words, company founder John Hennessey dares to mention the Bugatti Veyron in the same breath as the midengined Venom, which will use the company’s mighty twin-turbo V10 engine fitted to either a six-speed manual or optional sequential gearbox. In a lightweight chassis that weighs nearly 1,500 pounds less than the Veyron, Hennessey figures the Venom is good for a 0-to-60-mph acceleration time of less than 2.5 seconds.

Says Hennessey: “Right now, we’re taking a serious look at building two concept cars that could be shown to the public sometime in 2009. If there is enough demand, we may consider doing a very limited production run of the Venom GT.”

If the green light is given, the car would be produced at the company’s new facility just west of here at Lonestar Motorsports Park.

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Hennessey Venom