We're just back from the 2010 Detroit auto show and nursing our sore feet from several days of taking it all in at Detroit's Cobo Center. Taking a look back at the hurricane of posts on The Car Connection, along with our other core sites Motor Authority and Green Car Reports, we've picked just a few standouts.

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As the 2011 Z4 sDrive35is, a new version of the Z4 roadster, will soon go on sale, details have been released. The car was given several major modifications, which include a revised straight six cylinder engine with Twin Turbo Technology, High Precision Injection and the M Sports Package, complete with M Suspension.

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With plenty of rumors and a few decision changes by the folks at GM, Chevy confirmed at the Detroit Auto Show that the tiny Spark model will be offered in the United States in 2011. Originally shown as the Beat concept at the New York Auto Show back in 2007, the car has evolved slowly and last year launched in Europe.

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As expected, Volvo brought along an all-electric C30 hatchback concept to the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. While this isn't a production vehicle at this point, Volvo says the car is a fully drivable prototype with a complete interior, full instrumentation, and enhanced battery packaging.

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Europeans go crazy for the Volkwagen Golf, but not so much for the Jetta. Like, not crazy at all. Americans, on the other hand, will give props to a hatchback, but what we really love is big butts and we cannot lie a trunk in which to put our junk. According to Inside Line, Audi has decided to stop letting its A3 hatchback be a whipping boy while trying to sway American tastes and instead it has committed to bringing us an A3 sedan.

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Nissan is putting the economic slump, which so cruelly affected to auto industry last year, well and truly behind it, boasting today that it will have eight new or revised models on sale in the U.S. within the next 12 months. Despite the harsh financial conditions of last year Nissan chose to soldier on with development work on its new models, explained the automaker’s U.S. chief, Carlos Tavares, who spoke yesterday at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.

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We don't use the word "I" very much in our writing at TCC, but this time, I suppose I'll have to: I'm going to give my take on the 2010 Detroit Auto Show from the vantage point of my office, which lies -- inconveniently -- about 1,000 miles to the south. What can I add to the discussion from here in New Orleans? Well, while Marty, John, and Bengt are surrounded by the "trees" of the convention.

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With the Jeep Grand Cherokee set to launch later this year as a 2011 model, Chrysler’s Jeep brand is adding a new Liberty trim level as well as two new option packages for the Wrangler. Officially debuting at the Detroit Auto Show are the Jeep Liberty Renegade, Jeep Wrangler Mountain Edition and Jeep Wrangler Islander Edition.

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"The Golden Age of Small Cars," says Margaret Brooks, Chevy's Small Car Marketing chief. Automobile Magazine: You're rolling out three new small cars, the Chevy Cruze, which replaces the Cobalt; an all-new Aveo, and a new nameplate, the Spark, a minicar. All of them, presumably, will need to have base prices of less than $20,000.

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Along with the launch of the FT-CH Concept here at the Detroit Auto Show, Toyota also let out a juicy little tidbit that's been rumored for quite some time: a so-called Prius Family of vehicles. Says Jim Lentz, Toyota Motor Sales president, "The strategy is still taking shape and obviously it will require additional models to qualify as a family.

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At first glance, the BMW ActiveE concept is little more than a 1 Series with a questionable paint job. Seriously, the ActiveE looks like it's been sniffing blue paint. However, should you choose to look more closely, you will notice it's missing tailpipes. Also, someone ripped off the fuel-filler door.

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The roof, too. That's right folks, Mini rolled out a concept of a concept. The Beachcomber (see above) is based on the Mini Crossover. However, the Crossover is no longer just a concept, as it will be making its way to production soon. And it's not alone, as Mini has also green lit the Coupe and Roadster. All three will be produced at Mini's Oxford, UK plant.

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Under the blanket of winter, Detroit is smoking hot, caught in the throes of the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. And the latest hot concept to hit the Web is the 2012 Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept. The XTS Platinum Concept is a preview of the upcoming Cadillac flagship sedan, intended as a range-topper to top the CTS in its many forms. But can it live up to the hype? Excellent question.

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Ever since its introduction in 2006, the Lincoln MKX hasn’t fully delivered on its potential. Based on the Ford Edge, the MKX offered a very generous feature list, but its appearance was deemed too conservative by some (especially the egg-crate grille) and its interior materials—as we pointed out in our Bottom Line of the 2009 Lincoln MKX—left something to be desired in a luxury vehicle.

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The 2010 Detroit Auto Show opens in Detroit today with a new crossover concept from GM, the GMC Granite. The Granite may be on display as a concept car, but it's closely related to a new vehicle already headed to Chevrolet dealers, the 2011 Orlando. It's a safe bet that GMC will get a version of the Granite to sell in the 2012 model year, but GM hasn't confirmed its plans for the small wagon just yet.

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