These days, even here atCar and Driver, fuel efficiency is becoming as predominate within our automotive dialogue as 0-to-60 times and top speeds. Formerly relegated to the spec page in many of our articles, fuel economy is now front and center in the discussion. Sure, when gas was cheap, it was easy to focus on the fastest and most thrilling model in a lineup.

The OSM, or Open Study Model, is a two-seat roadster—like the CR-Z hybrid sports car first shown at the 2007 Tokyo auto show—designed to show that Honda can produce a low-emissions car that’s still sporty and fun to drive.

As this is primarily a design concept, Honda’s keeping mum about powertrain options—odd for a car that it is touting as eco-friendly—though we wouldn’t be surprised to see the same hybrid drivetrain as the CR-Z.

In designing the OSM, which bowed at the British auto show, Honda aimed for a look that was “clean and dynamic.” As such, the roadster shares many similarities with the CR-Z, including a sweeping front end with narrow LED lights and a gaping air intake. The rear end is rounded and bulbous with a giant strip of LED taillights. In fact, the OSM looks like a convertible version of the CR-Z.

Should you get onJeopardy! here’s the likely question to the answer, “A very popular video game about racing”: What is Gran Turismo? Well, that’s one answer.

Gran turismo (or grand touring) is a term cooked up by car-crazy Italians ages ago to describe an automobile that could do it all. A GT combined the handling and high performance of a sports car with the ability to transport two grown-ups and their luggage in comfort across great distances. In the process, GTs also became synonymous with power and beauty, all the way back to the Alfa Romeo 8C-2900B coupes of the 1930s. Generally, GTs are front-engine because that way they have a usable trunk and good visibility. GTs are special, too, often the most glamorous cars their makers produce and among the most expensive.

Which brings us to the two cars you see here, the Ferrari 599GTB Fiorano and the ­Aston Martin DBS, both of which embody the modern meaning of GT.

The Aston Martin is the newer of these two vehicles. It was introduced at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Élégance in August 2007 but didn’t go on sale in the U.S. until earlier this summer. The name pays homage to the crisply styled coupe from 1967, and it is, essentially, a more muscular, faster, and more expensive version of the DB9 that has been on sale since 2005.

It doesn’t sound like the Nissan-Renault Alliance plans to buy Chrysler anytime soon—no matter how many speculators insist it is inevitable.

Industry watchers can’t be blamed for adding two and two and coming up with four. Ever since Ghosn failed to broker an alliance with General Motors a few years ago to add the third leg of a stool that now consists of the Japanese Nissan and the European Renault, Ghosn has said he remains interested in a North American partner. And with a Ford tie-up seemingly thwarted by that automaker’s family ownership and control, Chrysler loomed as the obvious target.

The speculation only got louder with a pair of product partnerships: Nissan will build a version of its Versa B-segment car to be rebadged as a Dodge, and Chrysler will build a version of its Ram as the next-generation Titan full-size pickup.

2009 is shaping up to be a critical year for automakers as they rush to react to the specter of high fuel prices. Check out the highlights below (follow the links to our in-depth reviews) and then browse by make or model to see the rest of what’s new for ’09.

Cars

As many new-vehicle buyers abandon thirsty SUVs and trucks, they begin to turn to more efficient sedans and wagons. All-new models such as the Mazda 6, Toyota Corolla, and Hyundai Genesis should be high on anyone’s shopping list. Enthusiasts will also want to pay particular attention to the Cadillac CTS-V, Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, Nissan GT-R, and Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart.