Autoblog

There's little doubt that General Motors turned its eyes to Saturn for this show, as evidenced by production introductions of the 2007 Outlook, Aura, and Sky Red Line.

If not in sales, perhaps the most significant move by GM is the dawning  of the 8-passenger Outlook, which places the ringed marque into a new segment (and likely a new high-water MSRP). Twinned with the upcoming GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave on the General's new Lambda platform, if nothing else, Outlook impresses with its size inside and out.

With a large chrome grille packing the biggest Saturn emblem to date, the front end of the Outlook is certainly aggressive, both in photographs and in person. While not exactly 'pretty,' it doesn't want for presence. If anything, the nose looks like a more accomplished Relay, had Saturn had the financial wherewithal to start with a clean sheet. In fact, the advent of the Outlook itself calls into question the need for the Relay minivan, though the final verdict will need to wait until pricing is announced. Bookending the sizeable grille are clear-lensed dual element projector beams (high-intensity discharge lamps will be available).

Hit the jump for more impressions and photographs inside-and-out

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Typically known for their stoic pressers, Mercedes Benz juiced up the 2007 E-Class conference with a bit of the 'shock and awe' approach so popular with their American counterparts at Dodge and Chrysler. Given that the new model looks remarkably similar to the outgoing edition, that may have been a worthwhile tactic. In addition to the standard speeches, Benz lowered a man from the ceiling in a chainmail suit with a large staff. Along with three identically-dressed dancers, a large bolt of electricity was generated and sent from the dancers (and the heavy metal hangman) and on through to the E-Class. The sight and the attendant 'zapping' sound was enough to gain everyone's attention, and DCX was thoughtful enough to request that those with pacemakers and aversions to electrical storms step back a bit before the conference started.

The new E's external differences include a new "more aggressive" front bumper and air dam, along with a revamped grille, revised head-and-tail lights, and new side mirrors, but the real action is underneath.

Click through to the jump for more details and live shots, including select high-res images!

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The Bentley Boys have pulled the virtual sheet on their 2007 Continental GTC convertible. Based on the company's sensuous GT coupe, the new convertible will blow-dry hair all the way up to 195 mph, courtesy its V12 engine. Boasting AWD surety for foul weather (and getting all that power to the ground), the GTC would appear to be a plutocrat's transport of choice for sun-and-snow belters alike. Shame it isn't a folding hardtop.

Autoblog will bring you in-person photographs at the unveiling, but for now, sate your luxury jones with the images after the jump.

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Jeep has released a spate of photos of its new 2007 Wrangler Unlimited four-door, which we should be seeing in the metal within a few hours here in New York. The Unlimited boasts the same modular-style removable top that engenders a lot of added flexibility, functioning as a t-top of sorts, a targa, and full-blown, wind-in-the-hair convertible. Be sure to click on the jump for more views inside and out, and click on each image for suitable-for-framing imagery.

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As we've alluded to in previous posts, we're on our way to take in the Press Preview at the New York Auto Show, which starts up tomorrow and runs through Thursday.  Follow through to the jump to see what we're expecting to see, and remember: the same deal applies as it did in Chicago: Let us know if you need anything while we're scoping out Javits. We're going to be tight on time and can't promise we'll get to your request, but the Autoblog crew will do its level best to snap photos and snag the details on the rides you want. What are you waiting for? Sound off in 'comments!'

[Sources: NY Auto Show and Edmunds]

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The fine folks at Aftonbladet and TrollhattenSaab.net may have stumbled on more than an interesting detail regarding the Saab 9-3 BioPower Hybrid concept shown at the Stockholm Autoshow. The Swedish prototype has been touted as the first hybrid to return nearly zero fossil fuel emissions, but it's drivetrain may have been hiding an even bigger secret: it might be a 220-volt plug-in.

As the story goes, the revelation was concealed, perhaps in order to reserve some news for the New York Auto Show. The question now is, if this is indeed General Motors' technology program for the future, will it debut plug-in capability with Saab, or give the limelight to another division?

Refresh your memory on the 9-3 BioPower Hybrid here.

[Sources: Aftonbladet, TrollhattenSaab.net and Saab]

(Top Tip, Swade!)

We're packing our bags and warming up the Autoblog Gulfstream to bring you the most immediate and extensive coverage of the New York Auto Show, but we couldn't take off without first passing on this first lookpeak at Saturn's forthcoming Outlook. Set to premiere later this week in the Big Apple, one thing is for sure-- Saturn's days as a small car company are long gone. A 3.6-liter V-6 with VVT paired with a six-speed automatic has been announced, but we wouldn't be surprised to see a couple of more cylinders announced in NY, given the size of this thing.

Click through to the jump for more views inside and out...

[Source: General Motors]

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According to AutoExpress UK, Toyota is set to go for the green-veined jugular with its next Prius. The automaker's next hybrid will reportedly net a scarcely-believable 94 mpg (113mpg in imperial gallons). The figure comes about as the company has reportedly set a fuel economy bogey of 40km/liter, as it looks to distance itself from the fuel-sipping diesels that are so popular abroad.

Word is that the gains will largely come from replacing the current Prius' nickel-hydride batteries with lithium ion cells. AE further reports that Toyota hopes to have the charged-up hybrid on the road by as early as 2008. While pulling up the MPG, the manufacturer also hopes to improve the car's acceleration, and is expected to drop its 0-60 mph times by more than one second.

[Source: AutoExpress UK]

(Great tip, Jay!)

Luxury automobiles are all about insulating owners and their select company from the din of the outside world. That's why many automakers have increasingly been turning to double-pane glass in high-end automobiles, as it affords a quieter interior and improved thermal efficiency. One thing twice-glazed and/or laminated windows don't help with, however, is easier access for rescue workers in the event of emergencies.

In his latest 'University of Extrication' column, Ron Moore over at Firehouse.com writes about the proper way to forcibly enter just such a vehicle -- in this case, Mercedes Benz's two-generation old S-Class sedan. It's worth a look-- as is any article that references a tool called the 'GlasMaster windshield saw.'

[Source: Firehouse.com]

The demise of Mercury's Ford Freestyle variant appears to have been greatly exaggerated. Or, that's what this new spyshot would have us believe, anyway. The fine folks at BlueOvalNews snapped up a few shots of this distinctly Mercury-esque mule running around on public roads recently, and the waterfall grille and wheel choice appears to give lie to Ford's Anne Stevens' (Chief Operating Officer for the Americas) statement at the Chicago Auto Show that Dearborn is nixing the crossover variant as part of The Way Forward.

Of course, Ford could be using an existing prototype for other evaluation purposes, but the whole thing seems a bit fishy, no?

[Source: BlueOvalNews.com]