AMG is slowly raising the level of every car in the specialty line, and now the E63 AMG takes its place among the truly sporty offerings from Affalterbach. The specs fit the mold of bigger better more, with 518 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, matching the S Class number for number. The thing to pay attention to this time around is the car’s sporting cred: a 4.4-second to sixty mph time via the 7-speed dual clutch transmission from the SL63 AMG, 3-stage ESP, AMG Ride Control sports suspension with steel spring struts up front and air springs with electronically-controlled damping out back, and four driving modes. The official press release is after the jump and two galleries of high-res photos are below, one with live shots from the show floor and the other full of new official images released by Mercedes-Benz today.

During the Jeep Grand Cherokee press conference this morning, Chrysler vice chairman Jim Press gave the assembled journalists a sneak peak at the interior of the forthcoming Chrysler 300. While little more than a quick glimpse at of the instrument panel flashed up on the screen for a moment, we were able to grab this snapshot for you. We’re sorry that the resolution is not as crisp as we’d like it to be, but until Auburn Hills slips us a high-res jpeg, we figure you’d still enjoy an advanced look.

What it shows is an all-new instrument panel of what looks to be a higher-end model (note the abundance of woodgrain trim and leather surfaces), with the centerpiece being a new widescreen navigation system housed in an oval-shaped enclosure flanked by curved air vents. As expected, there is a wood and chrome-ringed steering wheel, switchgear in the standard places (including dual-zone climate control), a gated console shifter, and what looks to be a very large center console.

The interior is markedly more conservative than what Chrysler teased with the 200C Concept from January’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, but admittedly, that concept was designed to give a future glimpse of the 300’s kid brother, the Sebring). The 200C employed such show car details as a chrome single-spoke steering wheel, a screen in place of the main gauge binnacle, and a sophisticated all-in-one climate/stereo/nav unit that flowed out of a center console.

Despite that, the 300 “spy shot” looks to be a major leap forward in terms of unified style and potentially materials.

No definitive word yet on a date when the rest of the car will be revealed, so for now, 300 fans, you’ll have to be content with this.

Mercedes-Benz brought the new E250 BlueTEC concept sedan to the New York Auto Show today, showing the type of clean diesel sedan that could follow in the wake of last year’s BlueTEC SUV mini-fleet. The E250 BlueTEC boasts a 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel engine with SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) exhaust technology mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. The small diesel motor produces big power: 369 lb-ft of torque at 1600-1800 rpm. Part of the conceptual clean diesel fun comes from a 25-liter urea solution (AdBlue) tank that sits in the exhaust stream and reduces NOx emissions, which helps make the car 50-state legal. This is key, since the E250 was created just for us Yankees, MB says. The concept would also meet Europe’s strict EU6 emissions standards, which won’t be enacted until the later part of 2014. Using BlueTEC in the E250 would probably get the car a 28 mpg city and 39 mpg highway rating from the EPA, Mercedes estimates.

When Mercedes-Benz and McLaren announced in the late 90s that they would collaborate on a new supercar, enthusiasts were hopeful that it would be a true successor to the legendary F1. While the roadgoing McLaren had plenty of technology, it was not dominated by it. Instead it was designed more like a race car with minimal weight and a package optimized for performance in mind. The result was a car designed for the road that scored an outright win at Le Mans in near stock form.

When the SLR appeared, it was clearly far more Mercedes Benz than McLaren. The performance was undoubtedly impressive and it sold in far higher numbers than the F1, but it just wasn’t the same. The SLR is going away this year and for a follow up Mercedes has partnered with in-house performance specialists AMG. Like the SLR, the new SLS is pure Mercedes, but harkens back to the original 1955 300SL. Details are still limited but we do know that the SLS marks the return of the gull-wing to the three-pointed star. The SLS is still a year away from its market launch, but Mercedes is showing sketches of the exterior and production shots of the interior here at the New York Auto Show.

To no ones surprise, Toyota unveiled the Scion iQ concept today at the New York Auto Show. Ever since the iQ debuted in Europe last year, the expectation has been that Toyota would sell the micro compact car as a Scion here in the U.S. to compete against the Smart ForTwo. What surprised us were the modifications made to the iQ for its debut in the States. In keeping with the customization culture that is rampant among Scion owners, the concept features widely flared fenders and super-size 18-inch wheels.

Like the current production model, the concept iQ features 3+1 seating with a very compact air conditioning unit that fascilitates an asymmetrical dashboard. This allows the front passenger seat to slide forward so that one adult can fit in the back. The seat behind the driver, however, is strictly for the legless. One new innovation in the iQ is a rear window airbag that provides protection to rear seat passengers whose heads are butted up against the rear glass. The concept also features lots of special lighting and a pop-up 10-inch LCD embedded in the dash.

Scion is just evaluating the iQ for U.S. introduction, but we would be shocked not to see it sold here soon.

First thing this morning at 12:01 am, we gave you a deep dive into the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and earlier we sneaked a few snapshots while the truck lazed about before its press conference. Now, we’ve just returned from Chrysler’s press conference to bring you live shots of a polished silver example that climbed the stairs up to the stage here in New York’s Javits Center.

Shown here in this color live for the first time, we found that silver serves the Grand Cherokee’s newfound contours and angles to very good effect – particularly the muscular door panels. This was also the first glimpse we had of the GC’s new air suspension doing its thing, as it easily clambered up the stage steps at full off-road height (11.1-inches), before sinking to its lowest setting, where it looked for all the world like an impromptu low and mean SRT8 version.

We also managed to be among the first inside the vehicle to bring you a few exclusive snapshots of the model’s rich new orange-brown leather treatment. Click on the high-res gallery below to see the frame-by-frame climb and the interior for yourself.

When the MKV GTI arrived in 2005, many of Volkswagen’s faithful felt the car had lost the edgy look that so many dearly loved. Fortunately the restyled sixth generation GTI has been given sculpted new exterior that features much more aggressive and detailed bodywork. A new front fascia is fitted up front, with wider central intake that now flows into the side ducts styled with horizontal rakes. The upper grille is now smaller and carries the GTI’s signature red striping, and the Scirocco-inspired headlights provide the edgier look that was missing on the previous generation. The rear of the car has a sportier appearance as well with restyled taillights and dual exhaust tips that now exit on both sides of the car through a diffuser-look appendage. Apart from minor styling tweaks, the interior is largely unchanged from the previous generation, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s everything we would expect from a Volkswagen, which essentially means it sets the bar for all others in its class. Power comes from VW’s tried and true turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four producing 210 horsepower and 206 lb-ft torque mated to either a six-speed manual or DSG. Both two- and four-door variants will be available When the GTI arrives in dealerships later this summer.

General Motors introduced the world to the 2010 Buick LaCrosse at the Detroit Auto Show to a chorus of angels primarily positive reviews. Now, GM’s finally decided it’s high time to announce pricing for the entry-level luxury sedan. Base price for the 2010 LaCrosse CX is $27,835, including a $750 destination charge. That sum will net you a 3.0-liter direct injected V6 engine putting out 255 horsepower and 217 lb-ft of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission.

For those keeping track of such things, that’s a good bit less than the starting price for the 2009 Acura TSX ($29,160), Lincoln MKZ ($32,695) and Lexus ES350 ($34,320). Sounds pretty good so far. Let’s add some options. Step up to the $30,395 CXL model and you’ll get heated leather seats, automatic climate control and 18″ alloy rims, among other things.

All-wheel drive is available on the CXL model, starting at $32,570. A top-level LaCrosse CXS will run $33,765 and brings a 3.6-liter version of the DI V6 engine with 280 horses and 259 lb-ft or torque. Want one? Production is scheduled to begin “early this summer,” which, last time we checked, was just around the corner.

If you think the Genesis sedan is nice, wait’ll you get a load of Hyundai’s home-market luxu-flagship, the Equus. The automaker has one prominently on display here at the New York Auto Show this week, and while it’s supposed to merely be a “Look, this is how awesome we can be” thing (there’s no plan for the Equus to be sold here at this time), you can bet Hyundai is taking note of people’s reactions. Outside, the Equus is more ornate than the Genesis, with a bright grille, highly-polished wheels and a pedestrian-impaling hood ornament. The sheetmetal details are nice, too. We especially dig the subtle fender bulges over the rear wheels.

While that’s all well and good, it’s inside the cabin where the Equus shows that it’s truly meant to do battle against the likes of the Mercedes S-Class, Lexus LS and BMW 7 Series. All the toys are present: push-button start, a console-mounted control interface for the in-car systems, classy wood accents, upmarket switchgear, and even Grey Poupon snack trays for the rear passengers. Oh, those rear passengers get massaging back seats, as well. It’s very impressive looking and it stinks of quality. If Hyundai ever decides to gamble and attack the next price segment up from the Genesis sedan, they clearly have the ammo to do so. The Equus is the real deal.