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Fall is always a hot time for a car guy, because the new cars are coming, and we find out what we can expect. Albeit the news is not what I'd call universally good, word is the Shelby GT350H WILL indeed be in production, and Alfa Romeo is slated to make its return to the U.S. market with the drop-dead sexy (to my eye, anyway,) Brera, and the admittedly-expensive-but-lust-list-worthy 8C Competizione, an Alfa like one has not been in Lord only knows how long. Never mind the Dodge Challenger and VW IROC/Scirocco, both on the respective bill for Daimler-Chrysler and Volkswagen. Sadly, I myself could do without the forthcoming Audi R8, AND this much-ballyhooed new LF-A coupe from Lexus, both of which are a bit too doorstop for my taste; and we all thought the Triumph TR-7 from the 70's was bad, although in it's manner, the ad slogan for this prehistoric funk was dead-nuts on the money--"The shape of things to come." Well, okay, adaptations have been made along the way, but it was indeed prescient with regard to the shape of the future. Speaking of the shape of the future, Peugeot's new 908RC, which America will in all likelihood never see, is a fantastically sexy, super-advanced 4-door super car, that goes from 0-60 in under 5 seconds with a 5.5 liter V-12, producing 700 horsepower, and it runs on diesel. That's right, the age of the super-diesel begins now. Audi's diesel-powered R8 LeMans racer has proven the merits of the concept, and it could very easily be it's own wave in the future. Interesting to think what a hybrid diesel like this could do for the automotive landscape. Surely would shake things up a bit. Style-wise, I could go either way. Citroen's concept Metisse and Renault's Nepta concept roadster are both stunningly bold, beautifully done designs, and I continue to be a fan of Mercedes Benz' CLS sedans. Audi's Q7 is as unnecessary as its Porsche Cayenne cousin, and Porsche's forthcoming 4-door adaptation of the 911, tenatively named the Panamera, answers a question I honestly think few have asked. And for the specialty mavens, the Spyker C8 warrants little or nothing with a derriere of suitable size for a soccer match. On the upside, if this beast can be thought to have one, is the matched set of Louis Vuitton luggage fitted to this sizable behind as standard. The lesson here? Never let your sense of style be interfered with by the amount you feel it necessary to pack. If you're taking enough to where it gets ugly, leave something at home. Apparently, though, this mess of a car features prominently in the new movie 'Basic Instinct 2.' Sharon Stone is older now, you'd think she'd be wiser herself.....And dare I say it, Hyundai's Arnejs (funny name though, huh?) concept is beautiful, if at this point not the most original piece of work I've yet witnessed. Sorry, I couldn't get away without saying it, sadly, it's true. And yes, even the new BMWs are worth a look, if not the artful Teutonic wonders I drooled over as a younger man. The "Bangle effect" has been suitably reined in for the better with all of them, from 3-series to 7-series, although the flying-buttress convertible top on the 6-series coupe I still deign totally wrong. Finally, with regard to the Aston Martin DBS featured in the new James Bond movie "Casino Royale," 007 should never have been without an Aston Martin. (where did the notion of the BMWs come from, anyway?!) It's always a comfort for me to see him in one. My name is Teacher, Peter Teacher......