Intro

AUTO ENTHUSIASTS HAD

a chance to forget about record high gas prices and economic uncertainty for a while as they ogled the latest trucks, cars and funky design concepts

at the New York International Auto Show this week.

Some noteworthy appearances at the show: Mercedes' diesel-driven SUVs and the new version of Nissan's trusty Maxima. There were also a few drop-dead gorgeous offerings out of Germany, like the BMW CS sedan, which is for now a concept car, and the race-car-inspired Audi R8.

But it was fuel-efficiency that really stole the show with subcompact and hybrid offerings galore. Hybrid SUVs and pickups promised the best of both worlds: Large capacity vehicles that curb their gas-guzzling ways. The lineup included hybrid versions of such behemoths as Chevy's Tahoe, GMC's Sierra pickup and Cadillac's Escalade.

From the much-anticipated rebirth of Chevy's "king" (a.k.a. the Corvette) to earth-friendly subcompacts, view our slideshow to see what auto makers have been up to:

Mercedes ML320 BlueTEC

Diesel is no longer the smoky, noisy pariah of the auto world that it used to be and Mercedes plans on proving it. Its new M-Class is one of three diesel-driven SUV lines the R-Class and GL-Class are the others. And it's the first line of diesel cars to meet all 50 states' emissions criteria. With a V6 turbodiesel engine and 210 horsepower, the BlueTEC is not only powerful, but also gets about 24 mpg on the highway and an estimated 18 mpg in the city. Expect this Big Blue to hit showrooms this fall, priced somewhere in the mid-$40,000 range.

2009 Nissan Maxima

Nissan hopes the "liquid motion" design theme of its latest Maxima will take this four-door sedan in an even sportier direction than previous versions. On sale this summer, the new Maxima will come in two models the S and SV and will be priced similar to the outgoing model around $28,000. As for fuel economy, preliminary estimates are 26 mpg for highway and 19 mpg for the city.

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Introduced by rapper and car enthusiast 50 Cent, Pontiac's new sport truck is decidedly not for wimps. Boasting 361 horsepower, the G8 is a cross between pickup and sport coupe. GM, which owns Pontiac, is holding a

to find a name for the car, which won't be out until fall 2009. The winner gets one of the first off the assembly line. No pricing is available yet.

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Outdoorsy, earth-friendly types might find Saab's latest BioPower concept car the answer to their prayers. This midsize crossover offers SUV functionality, car-like handling and hybrid-like fuel efficiency. It also includes some cool design perks: The display model featured a fold-down ski rack in the back seat. Powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that delivers 300-horsepower, the BioPower will run on E85 bioethanol, a blend that's 85% ethanol alcohol usually made from corn and 15% gasoline. Saab owner GM says they'll start production in about 18 months.

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Tired of the family station wagon? Then Toyota's new sedan/SUV crossover might be what you're looking for. Introduced at Detroit's auto show in January, the Venza will be available later this year, complete with 268 horsepower and a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. No fuel economy or pricing information available yet.

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"The King has returned... long live the King," proclaims Chevy's web site after unveiling its first new Corvette in more than a decade. GM's most powerful car ever made boasts a 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 engine and more than 620 horsepower. This 'Vette is for true loyalists: Only 2,000 to 4,000 will be made and prices start at $100,000. The 2009 model will roll into showrooms this fall.

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GMC's new full-size pickup is all about heavy-lifting and long-hauling, but it won't break the bank at the pump. GMC says this hybrid truck will achieve 25% greater fuel economy overall, with as much as 40% greater fuel efficiency in the city. But that doesn't make this truck any less tough. The Sierra has a 6,100-pound towing capacity and can drive for more than 500 miles on a single tank of gas. No pricing is available yet.

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Honda claims its second-generation Fit has an even more "enhanced sporty demeanor" than its predecessor. Honda sold more than two million Fits in its first iteration and hopes to further capitalize on America's newfound appreciation for all things small. The 2009 model is just two inches longer and three-quarters of an inch wider than the original. The 1.5-liter, i-VTEC engine gets 120 horsepower. No fuel economy or pricing numbers are out yet, but the first-generation Fit gets between 27 and 34 mpg and sells for about $14,500 to $17,000. The new Fit "should not deviate dramatically from those figures," a Honda spokesman says. The latest Fit will go on sale this fall.