Dream Machines

Published: 20-Jan-2008

Ed Welburn, design chief at General Motors, has to be the happiest guy in Detroit. Not so long ago, GM was mired in a design drought that would have made our Maple Leafs' recent cup-less plight seem a trifle. Once the company that created the trends, The General had penned one Cimarron too many with absolutely nobody paying attention to the somnolent designs emanating from its studios.

Well, thanks to a recent spate of stylistic triumphs -- Buick Enclave, Saturn Sky, Chevrolet Malibu, etc. -- and with a little help from this year's announcement of a 550-horsepower version of the CTS -- Cadillac's press preview was the hottest ticket in Motor City.

And Welburn was literally the cat that swallowed the canary, his Cheshire grin just one of the indications of how wonderful it must be to be back on top of the game. Often deferring to fellow GM division heads, he nonetheless allowed how, yes, the absolutely gorgeous Cadillac CTS Coupe concept was a) likely to be produced, b) would almost assuredly be available with a diesel for European consumption and that c) it, too, would share the 6.2-litre supercharged V8 that makes the latest CTS-V such a powerhouse.

	Ford Debuts Electric Plug-In Hybrid Crossover Vehicle The Edge crossover concept vehicle could go the first 25 or 30 miles each day on energy from the power grid.
	Nissan Announces Pricing on 2007 Altima Hybrid Priced at $24,400 MSPR, the Altima Hybrid has been certified by the Internal Revenue Service as meeting the requirements for the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit, thereby qualifying for a tax credit of $2,350.
	Honda to Debut Hybrid Sports Car Concept at Geneva Auto Show The Small Hybrid Sports Concept is a sports car that features advanced hybrid technology - proving stylish design and driving enjoyment can be combined with low environmental impact. It was designed by Honda R and D Europe, based in Offenbach, Germany.