NAIAS
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it_Auto_Show_Index.S286.A9795.html

GM Walks the Green Line

For the record, General Motors actually does have a hybrid in its
lineup, a pair of them, in fact, but the gasoline-electric versions of
the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups have barely moved the
needle so far. But the automaker believes it can take the technology
mainstream over the next several years. For 2007, GM will launch the
new Saturn Vue Green Line. It's a so-called "mybrid," or "mild hybrid,"
if you prefer. The hybrid-electric system in this '07 model cannot be
used to operate on solely electric power, though the Vue Green Line's
gasoline engine will shut off when in idle - with the brake applied.
The electric motor will add an extra measure of power on take-off or
during hard acceleration. Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdzick
announced the Vue Green Line will get an estimated 27 mpg City, 32
Highway, or about 20 percent better fuel economy than the conventional
Vue. In a surprise move, the automaker is pricing the hybrid at less
than $2000 above the gasoline version of the crossover/ute. At that
modest premium, GM marketing director Mark LaNeve estimated a buyer
could recover the added cost in about four years of driving 15,000
miles annually.



GM Says More Hybrids Coming

Along with the Vue Green Line and GM two pickup hybrids, the automaker
now plans to have at least a dozen gasoline-electric vehicles on the
market before decade's end, covering virtually every segment of the
market from small cars to large trucks. During a Sunday evening
preview, GM officials rolled out the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, the
first new model to use the new Dual-Mode Hybrid technology. Current
gasoline-electric systems work most effectively in stop-start urban
conditions. The Dual-Mode technology is designed to work at highway
speeds as well. It's a full-hybrid system, meaning that in rush hour
traffic, a motorist is likely to creep along only on electric power,
explained GM's powertrain director, Tom Stephens. On average, the
technology should boost the SUV's mileage by about 5 mpg. A hybrid
version of the Cadillac Escalade will be added to the mix in 2008,
officials added. The Dual-Mode system should carry a significantly
higher premium than the less complex hardware used in the view,
according to GM insiders.



Hybrids a Loss Leader, Wagoner Says

If for no other reason than to stay competitive with the hybrid
powerhouse, Toyota , General Motors must bring the technology to the
mainstream market, said GM CEO Rick Wagoner. But there's at least a
short to mid-term downside for the financially strained carmaker. "No
one makes money on hybrids," Wagoner asserted, even Toyota , which
claims it is in the black with its Prius Hybrid. "Over time," added
Wagoner, if the company's sales of gasoline-electric vehicles reaches
at least 1 million annually, GM should be able to turn a profit on the
technology, but when that will happen, Wagoner said he does not know.
And that's why GM found it necessary to enter into a joint venture with
DaimlerChrysler and BMW, he explained, to develop the new Dual-Mode
hybrid system. "That's a way to get at" lowering each company's costs,
Wagoner said.



Lexus LS460L Gets Eight Speeds (to get hybrid powertrain at NY Auto
Show in April)

Lexus is determined to outdo its German rivals -- that much became
apparent at the world launch of the LS at the Detroit show, at which
Lexus showed the long-wheelbase version of the car. The new vehicle
gets a 4.6-liter V-8 with 380 hp and 370 lb-ft of torque, coupled to an
eight-speed automatic. Zero to 60 times of 5.5 seconds are promised.
Power is up 36 percent from the previous generation with equal or
better fuel economy, Press said. "Yes, we've one-upped them," U.S.
sales chief Jim Press said during the unveiling. In a dig at rivals BMW
and Mercedes-Benz, Press also noted that the five-year-old copies of
the LS are more reliable by Lexus' measures than brand-new sedans from
the competitors.

The new 203-inch long-wheelbase LS gets a raft of tech equipment that
Lexus officials said they would delve into more deeply at March's
Geneva Motor Show. They include a 19-speaker Mark Levinson sound system
with an internal hard-drive server that can store 4000 songs, making an
iPod seem hopelessly retro. There's also a reclining rear-seat option
with extendable ottomans a la Maybach, and a cooler and a separate DVD
entertainment system. An intelligent park system will help drivers put
their cars into tight spaces with only a little brake assist from the
driver, Press added. The "ultimate Lexus," Press promised, will be on
display at the New York show in April. it will be powered by a hybrid
powertrain.



New Camry Adds Distinctive Appearance, Hybrid Model

Toyota today pulled the wraps off the sixth generation of its
best-selling Camry sedan, which will replace the current version that
was introduced for 2002. As expected, the new 2007 Camry is highly
influenced by the current Avalon, introduced last year, and also
inherits various design cues and features from upmarket Lexus models.
While the dimensions aren't markedly different than those of the
current Camry it will replace, the proportions have been changed to
make it more rakish and flowing, with a more sophisticated headlight
and grille treatment, a softer-sloping rear pillar, and the wheels
pushed farther out to the corners, increasing wheelbase by about two
inches.

The Camry will have a standard 158-hp, 2.4-liter in-line four that's a
revision of the existing engine. The next generation V-6 makes a much
bigger leap in power, with the optional 3.5-liter - basically the same
engine as is offered in the Avalon - offering 268 hp and 248 lb-ft of
torque. The V-6 is mated to an all-new six-speed automatic
transmission, while the four-cylinder goes with either a five-speed
automatic or a five-speed manual. Most notably, Toyota is offering the
latest version of its Hybrid Synergy Drive system on the Camry, pairing
it with a four-cylinder engine for an emphasis on fuel economy rather
than all-out performance; though the hybrid powertrain still delivers
up to 192 hp, with EPA fuel economy of 43 city, 37 highway, an official
range of well over 600 miles, and 0-60 in less than nine seconds.



Subaru Reviews B5 Concept

The Subaru B5-THP made its North American debut today in Detroit . The
world premiere of the concept vehicle was in October in Tokyo . Subaru
is eager to show its Turbo Parallel Hybrid (TPH) powertrain system and
lithium-ion battery technology that lies underneath the skin of the
sporty two-seater. The powertrain consists of a thin, 10-kW motor
generator between the vehicle's turbocharged boxer engine and the
automatic transmission. In the B5-TPH the boxer operates up to 30
percent more efficiently than a conventional gasoline engine. Subaru
did not announce any production plans.



Mitsu Eclipse Spyder Bows; Concept-CT Too

The Mitsu Eclipse coupe is being joined by a convertible version that
will be sold as a 2007 model. The convertible will offer 2+2 seating
and a choice of GS or GT trim levels; four- and six-cylinder engines
are expected, and a 650-watt Rockford Fosgate sound system will be an
option.

Alongside the Eclipse Spyder on the Detroit show floor was the
Concept-CT. A B-car concept conceived as a city vehicle with green
technology, the vehicle will sport a hybrid powertrain that uses
electric motors at each wheel to deliver all-wheel drive. The concept
was penned at the company's Cypress , Calif. , design studio.



European GMs to Get Hybrids

Hybrid engines will appear in the Chevrolet Captiva and Opel/Vauxhall
Antara SUVs by 2009.

Both cars are built on the same platform as the next Saturn Vue, so
it's natural to assume they'll get the same hybrid system that's in the
Green Line version of the Vue, unveiled at the 2006 NAIAS. But that's
not right, said Nick Reilly president and CEO of GM Daewoo, based in
South Korea . "It will be a version of the two-mode hybrid system that
was unveiled in the Tahoe. It's going to be two or three years away,
and that's going to be the first application of the unit (in those two
brands) because it's something that's not being done by other people."

So what about in other cars? Reilly confirmed: "There's work going on
across the product range and there will be four or five applications
across the two brands of Vauxhall and Chevrolet."





LA Auto Show
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os_Angeles_Show_Index.S287.A9814.html

More Power for Porsche Cayenne

Porsche has given its Cayenne Turbo even more power. The Cayenne Turbo
S, which made its debut today, gets 71 extra horsepower thanks to
extensive upgrades, including a larger intercooler and three psi higher
turbo pressure. Besides its 520 hp, the Turbo S also has more torque -
532 lb-ft between 2750 and 3750 rpm. Acceleration to 60 mph should take
4.8 seconds, and the Cayenne's new top speed will be 167 mph, making
the Cayenne Turbo S the second-fastest Porsche after the Carrera GT.

After the presentation we spoke with Wolfgang Dürheimer, Executive Vice
President, Research and Development, to see if this is the power limit
for the Cayenne . Dürheimer realizes there are tuners who could go
further, but Porsche has developed the Cayenne with a margin, and the
Turbo S is on the edge of the possibilities and capabilities of its
underpinnings. Mr. Dürheimer further confirmed that buyers can expect a
hybrid version of the Cayenne at the earliest by the end of 2008 as a
2009 model.


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