Mini Paceman

Mini has revealed initial photos of a new concept that will be unveiled at the forthcoming NAIAS in Detroit. Essentially a two-door variant of the Countryman, the Paceman concept retains the Mini family appearance from the front - the familiar chrome-ringed headlights frame the three-slat grille - but the Paceman sports a more defined and angular hood to emphasize its face.

It is in side profile, however, that the biggest distinction can be made between the Paceman and the Countryman. Larger diameter wheels, wheelarches and side skirts add an element of aggression to the design. The roof and pillar arrangement are arguably the strongest elements of the new vehicle: the more aggressive and sloping roof meets at a wide C-pillar to create a more dynamic profile. The rear lights are also new, positioned at the outer edges of the rear in an attempt to emphasize the new car's wider track.

Though the company has yet to reveal photographs of the Paceman concept's interior, we expect the predominant focus to be on the oversized speedo and distinctive minimal dash, as with all Mini interiors. The center console that becomes a central rail will also be carried over from the Mini Countryman, while individual sculpted rear seats that share a singular backrest create a fully contoured passenger support, cocooning the rear occupants.

GMC Sierra

The GMC Sierra HD concept is a study into combining heavy-duty truck capabilities with a more believable off-road performance. Set to debut at the forthcoming NAIAS in Detroit, the concept adopts a purposeful stance with its wide track and tall profile. The major focal point of the truck is the large grille that extends down into the skid plate, which dominates the front end.

The boxy yet purposeful LED headlights sit neatly between the large grille and the bulbous arches, beneath which are large diameter off-road tires. The angular and taught exterior plays a unique trick in lending itself to cloaking the size of the truck, while also accentuating the proportions and masculinity of its design. The bed of the Sierra features a 'circuit board' protective cover and houses a 110v power outlet and air compressor in either rear fender.

The interior of the Sierra HD concept mirrors the simplistic and masculine exterior appearance, whilst being interspersed with luxury. Premium fittings, such as an integrated 80gb internal hard drive, two-tone grey leather seats and a steering wheel complimented by 'carbon-fiber' effect leather, adorn the cabin, while accessing the interior is made easier by the inclusion of power-assisted side steps that swing down to aid ingress and egress.

Nissan Sunny

Nissan is reviving its famous Sunny nameplate for a new entrant to the burgeoning Chinese C-segment sedan market. The car will then go on global sale across 170 countries, under different names dependant of territory.

At 4,426mm long, 1,695mm wide, with a 2,600mm wheelbase, the Sunny is thoroughly conventional in its dimensions, yet there has obviously been a conscious effort to imbue this three-box sedan with a more monobox aesthetic, following on from the Nissan Ellure concept. Hints of the innovative LA concept car can also be spotted in its grille-dominated DRG, arcing DLO and high, short rear deck, created by pulling back the C-pillar. However these appear to be styling cues rather than true architectural innovations.

Inside, the Sunny's Micra/March roots are far easier to spot, with a familiar IP architecture and the inclusion of its smaller sibling's donut-like HVAC controls. The Sunny's emphasis is clearly on rear-seat comfort, its long wheelbase offering more than average leg room, while rear passengers are also treated to a separate HVAC system.

Kia KV7

Kia is clearly keen to grab the last of 2010's headlines by releasing this teaser render of its upcoming concept, the KV7, due to be unveiled at the Detroit auto show.

The large crossover appears to preview a replacement for the Korean manufacturer's Borrego. While the exterior's clamshell tailgate, muscular wheel arches and Ford Explorer-aping lamp graphics (from this view, at least) may be directly relative to a production model, it's unlikely that the rear gullwing door openings will make the transition.

Its interior features lime-colored captain's chairs in the front and middle rows, a wooden floor covering and an IP that neatly mirrors Kia's 'tiger face' grille.