Autoblog UK

Mercedes-Benz chose the occasion of the New York Auto Show to exhibit the E 250 BlueTec, a prototype specially conceived for the North American market. Essentially, this model is an E 250 CDI with pioneering exhaust gas after-treatment technology. Core components of the BlueTec system are two SCR catalytic converters with an AdBlue injector positioned upstream. The after-treatment process is monitored and controlled by an array of sensors. According to Mercedes, the E 250 BlueTec returns a fuel consumption of 42.7mpg. This clean E-Class is due to arrive in Europe some time during autumn 2009, but with the E 350 BlueTec V6 diesel as its engine.

In New York, visitors were allowed to marvel at a limited dream. There will only be 600 units of the Chevrolet Corvette GT1 rolling off the lines. This limited edition will bear the name of "Championship Edition". Words are not required - pictures are enough, so dive into the gallery!

While the American car industry is in a flap, the South Koreans are presenting something that is flapping in a different way in order to fly over American competitors. The wild wings are owned by a bird named Hyundai Nuvis.

At the New York Auto Show, visitors were truly amazed when the Nuvis opened its doors. The dream pilots from the California Design Center had certainly come up with a few ideas. "It was our objective to create a living machine that is always on the move and that would be at one with driver and passengers", explained Studio design head John Krsteski. Not a single line on the concept car stands still. So is it really flapping? The outstanding style element are the large wing doors of this Korean four-seater. Its feathered cloak - or rather bodyshell - is to look like brushed aluminium to underscore the premium aspirations of the Nuvis. The central console is treated with blue acrylic paint and further blue elements are found inside in the shape of a lighting strip on the floor. This blue design concept is to suggest associations with flowing water. The vehicle is powered either in pure electric mode, by by the petrol engine alone, or by both working in concert. Hyundai wants to present this drive concept in America with the next Sonata generation.

Too busy to go to New York? No problem. We've put together a display of the 25 best images from the New York International Auto Show in the gallery below. Look, download, enjoy.

Prior to its US market launch, the new Subaru Legacy had its premiere at the New York Auto Show. The car is due to reach American dealers in the summer and then to make its first appearance in Europe around twelve months later. The flagship model from Subaru has been lengthened to 4.73 metres and its wheelbase extended by eight centimetres to give its five passengers more legroom. The new Legacy makes a more impudent and aggressive impression than its predecessor, with the bodywork of this mid-range family car now looking much sportier. They have obviously kept the four-wheel drive and also the horizontally opposed engine delivering either 170 or 265 horsepower. For Europe, they are also planning to offer a 150bhp boxer diesel. Alongside the notchback version of the Legacy, there will also be an estate as well as an off-road version called Outback.

Toyota subsidiary Scion has just unveiled the iQ Concept at the International Auto Show in New York. Following the surprise success of the Smart ForTwo in the US market, the Toyota iQ could literally beget a 'scion' to take on the already established micro-compact car. Visually, this iQ makes a much more aggressive impression than its Toyota parent. The massive wheel arches, substantial sills, front spoiler lip and special tyres are all intended to attract a younger class of buyer.

At the New York Auto Show, the ailing US car giant Chrysler showed there's life in the old dog yet with the debut of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee. As before, this large SUV is based on the same platform as the Mercedes M-Class, but the looks have been considerably pepped up. The biggest external changes compared with the current model are to be found in the now more angular front as well as in the side profile of the five-seater. The overall length of the Grand Cherokee has been increased by five centimetres and the wheelbase has extended by 13cm to 2.92 metres. This means that passengers on the back seat can stretch out their legs a bit more. In choosing an engine for the European market, they are likely to stick with the six-cylinder diesel built in cooperation with Daimler and familiar to us from the previous model. The new Jeep offers three different four-wheel drive systems. This SUV won't be appearing on the American market until the end of 2010. No announcement has been made about any launch date for Europe.

There has long been a link between BMW and art. The latest creation is unusual by any standards. Up to now, the bodywork has served as a canvas for all types of artist, but South African action artist Robin Rhodes decided to try something different. While everyone else was busy painting Easter eggs , he got behind the wheel of a BMW Z4 and used it as a brush.

It looks like this 'creative navigator' (his own words) alternately dipped the tyres in red, yellow, green and blue paint before trying out all of the gears on the car at short bursts. The gallery provides artistic inspiration for us all as we contemplate our next choice of auto or wheel trim purchase.

At Easter, for some strange reason, we all become fixated on bunny rabbits – well almost all of us. At Honda, they also spare a thought for the four-legged friends who loyally accompany their four-wheeled owners. At the New York Auto Show, the Japanese car maker is exhibiting the 'Dog Friendly Honda Element Concept'. By which they mean the components that turn a trip for a pooch into an exclusive excursion. It starts with a convenient ramp for boarding and alighting. A nicely padded couch on a raised platform turns even the longest journey into a pleasurable outing. A ventilator ensures fresh air and agreeable temperatures at all times. And there are a host of additional features to excite our canine companions.

Mitsubishi is celebrating a further world premiere at the New York Auto Show with its Outlander GT. The prototype is a sporty compact SUV with many new technologies, including 'Idle Neutral Logic'. This system switches the transmission into neutral as soon as the car comes to a stop. Visually, the "Jet Fighter-Grill" which was taken from the Lancer Evolution stands out. The Japanese are describing the Outlander GT as a genuine Mitsubishi and during the coming days, further information will be provided about this prototype.