Detroit Three Target: Camry, Accord, Altima

These are the cars you recommend to friends, family, and neighbors. The front-drive midsize segment is the backbone of Toyota, Honda, and Nissan, where they help fund more passionate models like FJ Cruiser, S2000, and 350Z. And now, with $115-plus-per-barrel oil, strict new fuel-economy standards, and the global food prices versus biofuels battle brewing, new realities are pushing back the surge toward rear-drive V-8 sedans, and the Detroit Three are finally getting some decent four-cylinder/six-speed automatic powertrains in these cars.

This is your family-car future, America.

GENERAL MOTORS

2010 Buick Invicta: The LaCrosse moves to Epsilon version 1.5 architecture in early 2009 and therefore says goodbye to the V-8-powered Super. It promises a quietly luxurious, high-quality interior as previewed by a high-zoot concept at the Beijing motor show. We hope it ditches the LaCrosse name for Invicta, previously used from 1959 to 1963.

2010 Opel/Vauxhall Insignia/2011 Saturn Aura: The Saturn Aura briefly was the new face of GM before the better-looking, higher-quality Chevy Malibu took over. Indications are the next Aura will be as close to the Insignia as the Saturn Astra is to the Opel Astra, which is to say, minor trim changes, the two markets' different lighting standards, and engines.

2010 or 2011 Pontiac G6: Once mired in a plan to switch to RWD, realities of CAFE mean that two rear-drive Pontiacs, the G8 and Solstice, are enough, thank you. While there's precious little intel on the new car, rumor is a new 2.8-liter V-6/hybrid powertrain will launch on the 2009 model. The future of the G6 coupe and convertible is in question.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu: And thus the process starts all over, again. In GM's good old days, new midsize models for each division would launch in the same model year. Design work has just begun on this car, and all we know for sure is that it has to contribute to a 34.0-35.7-mpg CAFE standard.

CHRYSLER

While sales for the Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring have grown slightly, it's clear that in this slow sales year, Chrysler LLC's midsize sedans are simply catching a few of the buyers who are running from SUVs in droves. Chrysler LLC co-president Jim Press has told the small design/engineering group called Project D to deliver a car that'll be better than the 2012 Toyota Camry and to do it more quickly than the standard five-year product cycle allows. Here's what we see happening:

Dodge Avenger: Chrysler promises a major facelift with cosmetic and dynamic improvements to the sedan, which we should see before 2010. The Trident Project (Mercedes, Chrysler, Hyundai) Phoenix V-6 is scheduled for installation in 2010. An all-new Avenger will arrive no later than the 2012 model year, four years after the current car's launch. As a key model in Chrysler's planned European offensive, designers may dust off the idea of a wagon/hatchback version, as predicted by the 2003 Avenger Detroit show concept.

Chrysler Sebring: The same mid-cycle cosmetic and dynamic enhancements should, at the very least, get rid of those silly Crossfire-style hood strakes. When the 2011 Avenger arrives, the Sebring sedan will be discontinued as part of Chrysler's Project Genesis to combine all Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep dealerships. A new, 2012 (or earlier) Sebring convertible will have much less sheetmetal distinction from the Avenger replacement, compared with current Sebring/Avenger. The cars' Phoenix V-6 will be on the smaller side of that new engine family, probably 2.5 liters in a range that goes up to 3.8 or 4.0 liters.

FORD

Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan: Set for a facelift and new powertrain in the 2010 model year, the Fusion/Milan is one Ford product that doesn't need much work. For 2010, both nameplates get an optional hybrid powertrain that will be similar to the Escape's 2.3-liter I-4-based system. An all-new Fusion (and Milan, if Mercury survives) should arrive in 2012, but may slip to the 2013 model year to converge with the European Ford Mondeo, a car that for now cannot be sold in the U.S. because of certain safety or emissions standards. Ford is working on a coupe version of the U.S. Fusion, which may launch a few months ahead of the sedan.

Sounds promising, but remember Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima will be all-new for 2012 and Honda Accord is to be changed in 2013.