Geneva Motor Show: Mercedes-Benz Vision C 220 BLUETEC concept
AUTOBLOG.COM | Posted Mar 13th 2007 9:07AM by Noah Joseph
Click on the image above to view our high-resolution image gallery.
Rival carmakers are in a race to develop the most efficient practical alternative powerplant solutions, with some Japanese carmakers focusing on hybrid technology, while their European rivals concentrate on developing efficient diesels. French carmakers have their advanced diesel particulate filters, while Mercedes-Benz has been leading the German advance with BLUETEC, the technology that enables the use of fuel-efficient diesel engines while reducing the comparatively higher emissions that have traditionally kept diesels out of the green books.
Mercedes was the first to bring BLUETEC to the American market with the E320 BLUETEC, soon after joined by BLUETEC versions of the R-Class, M-Class and GL-Class sport-utility vehicles, that can arguably stand to benefit from environmentally-conscious, fuel-efficient powertrain solution most. The latter was previewed at the Detroit show in January with the Vision GL 420 BLUETEC concept. Following on the same formula, Mercedes showcased its new C-Class with the Vision C 220 Bluetec at last week's Geneva show.
The "Vision" moniker designates this as a production preview showcar, as opposed to the design studies and styling language concepts displayed by other carmakers. This concept, details of which we brought you in advance of the show, slips a new four-cylinder diesel into the new C-Class, which has already sold over 55,000 units since its introduction in January. The smart money is on Mercedes putting the concept's 2.2-liter diesel engine, with its 170 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, behind the sportier grille in the new C-Class sometime after it hits the US market in September. Follow the jump for the full press release, and be sure to check out our high-resolution image gallery below, including shots of the Vision C 220 BLUETEC concept from the Geneva show floor, and the freshly-updated gallery of the new C-Class below that.
AUTOBLOG.COM | Posted Mar 11th 2007 12:17PM by Alex Nunez
Click image for gallery containing one additional photo
AB reader John M. Sullivan emailed us this morning with the photos you see here. During a ski trip to Colorado, John made a stop at the Coors Brewing Company for a tour and noticed what he believed to be a pair of disguised Dodge Nitros outside. He said the drivers were pretty tight-lipped, which comes as no surprise, and since the Nitro's been out a good while now, it struck us as being odd that they'd be tooling around under cover. A closer look at the photos reveals that the camoed-up SUVs in the parking lot are none other than the forthcoming '08 Jeep Liberty, which shares its genetics with the Nitro, likely undergoing high-altitude testing.
Note the trademark Jeep grille and round-look headlamps behind the front bra. From the looks of things, the red one's a Limited, given the chrome trim on the liftgate and roof rails. The Liberty should be making its debut soon (New York, perhaps?), and we're looking forward to seeing the finished product minus all the coverup.
Thanks to John for sharing his find with us! The enclosed gallery contains high-res versions of both his photos.
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my WIFE even said that was a cool car 
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