Its shaping up to be a midsize year in the auto world. A number of automakers are rolling out new, sportier, or more luxurious versions of their midsize sedans and coupes, and introducing hybrids in the larger vehicle styles to offer improved gas mileage.


There also is more focus on safety, with in-dash Bluetooth connectivity and voice-activated controls becoming more broadly available in response to laws restricting onboard cell phone use.


One such car is the redesigned Mercedes-Benz C-Class, says Joseph Gutierrez, a sales consultant at Mercedes-Benz of Spokane. Gutierrez says the C-Class cars now are Bluetooth-ready, and have the entertainment control panel near the top of the dash and a multifunction steering wheel that allows the driver to control many of the cars functions with his or her thumbs.


The car is priced in the mid-$30,000 range, he says, and is available with a 3-liter, 300-horsepower V-6 engine and four-wheel-drive or a two-wheel-drive version with a 350-horsepower V-6 engine. For even more power, the C63 is a 6.3-liter supercharged V-8, 507-horsepower engine. The C63 will come out next year, while the four-wheel-drive C300 version will be out in a few months, and the two-wheel-drive C350 model is already on lots.


An all-new model this year is the BMW 1 series, says Lithia Motors Camp BMW and Subaru sales manager Justin Robidoux. The 1 is a small three- or five-door coupe or hatchback, ranging in price from the high $20,000s to mid-$30,000s. It has a six-cylinder inline or twin-turbo diesel engine with six-speed manual transmission standard, disc brakes, and dynamic stability control.


Additionally, BMW is reintroducing its M3 model in a 414-horsepower coupe or sedan. Robidoux says the model was discontinued in 2005, and now has returned following a complete redesign. The M3 has a 4-liter, V-8 engine. Also new for this year, Robidoux says, BMW is offering the twin-turbo 3 series in an all-wheel-drive version. The new models will be out in the spring, he says.


Out already, Robidoux says, are the new Subaru 2008 Tribeca and Impreza WRX, each after a complete redesign. The Tribeca now has a 256-horsepower, six-cylinder engine and four-wheel antilock brakes. The Impreza WRX sedan and wagon are just arriving on the lot and feature a 224-horsepower turbocharged Subaru Boxer engine.


Saturn is introducing a new car, the Astra, to replace its long-time Ion model. The new car, which will be out in November or December, features a four-cylinder, 1.8-liter engine with an automatic or manual transmission in a three- or five-door hatchback in three different trim levels, starting around $15,000, Saturn of Spokane sales consultant Chris Dogas says.


Andy Keys, general sales manager at Wendle Motors Inc., of Spokane, says the 2008 Ford Focus is a complete redesign from the ground up, available in two trim levels in a coupe or sedan, but without a hatchback or wagon version this year. Keys says the Focus is intended to compete among the traditional import buyers and, through a pilot program with Microsoft Corp., is equipped to synchronize with iPod and Bluetooth wireless technology.


Ford also is introducing a completely redesigned Taurus this year, after shelving the model for a couple of years. The Taurus is built on the same Volvo platform as the Freestyle and the Five Hundred, Keys says, but has a retooled suspension for better handling. The Taurus comes in a 3.5-liter, V-6 262-horsepower engine in a sedan or wagon with two trim levels, he says. Additionally, the Fusion sedan will be offered in a hybrid version this year, Keys says.


Jay Griffiths, new-car manager at Spokane Chrysler, says the Sebring convertible will be offered next year in a hardtop convertible style. He says the body was redesigned to make the interior compartment larger. For the standard convertible roof, Chrysler has added a hard cover that comes over the tonneau roof, concealing it when its retracted. He says the effect is that it looks like a car with no cover rather than a convertible. The Sebrings are offered in three trim levels and cost between $25,000 and $31,000.


Alex Sanchez, a salesman at Wendle Nissan Infiniti, says the Infiniti G37 coupe has been revamped with a 330-horspower, 3.7 liter V-6 engine that pushes the car from 0 to 60 in 5.2 seconds. The G37 has a bit wider body, and Infiniti is hoping to use the cars good reputation and high resale value, combined with the new look, to make a splash at under $40,000 for a fully loaded model, Sanchez says. The car also has Bluetooth wireless technology, heated leather seats, power lumbar support, a navigation system, and voice recognition with a nine gigabyte hard drive built in for downloading music into the car. The car will be available in a few months, Sanchez says.


The 2008 Nissan Altima coupe will feature a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with a continuously variable transmission that is designed to shift subtly all the time, reducing shift shock and improving overall gas mileage, Sanchez says. It will also be available in a 3.5-liter V-6. Sanchez says the fully equipped four-cylinder version will cost about $27,000.


Bud Sebens, a salesman with Downtown Honda, says that makers redesigned Accord and Accord coupe will be out by mid-September, along with a new Civic model that comes with a leather interior. Sebens says the latter edition is Hondas response to customer requests for the economy of a Civic, but with more comfort and convenience. Sebens says the maker keeps the features of its new models close to the vest, and even dealers wont see the new Accord until right before its release.


Honda is introducing a hardtop model of its S2000 convertible as well, Sebens says, along with a stripped-down version for racing.


Pontiac will be introducing a G8 sedan later in 2008, says Layne Graff, a salesman for Liberty Lake-based George Gee Automotive, but details on the car arent yet available.


Dishman Dodges marketing firm says the 2008 Dodge Avenger, now a four-door sedan, is the Chargers little brother. The car features Bluetooth technology and a fold-flat front passenger seat that serves as a utility table. Prices for the car start at $19,000.


The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu sedan is completely redesigned as well, with sleeker styling and a choice of two engine sizes, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or 3.6-liter V-6 engine, as well as a 2.4-liter hybrid version, Appleway Automotive Groups fleet manager Ken Mobley says. The Malibu is expected to be available in mid-November, Mobley says. Pricing information is not yet available.


Utility Vehicle, Trucks, and Minivans


Chryslers Griffiths says the big news for Chrysler is the redesigned Town and Country minivan. The minivan is offered this year with a swivel-and-go feature allowing the rear rows of seats to face one another with a small table in between them. Other features include windows in the side sliders that roll up and down and dual DVD monitors with the capability of playing two different movies at the same time.


The 2008 Town and Country, available now, is being offered with a choice of three engines, including a new 4-liter V-6 and has four-wheel disc antilock brakes and standard side airbags. The minivans range in price from $23,000 to $36,000. Griffiths says Chrysler also has added a lifetime power train warranty for its new cars.


Several other models are using the swivel-and-go feature as well, including Dodges 2008 Caravan minivan, which will appear on dealership lots in September.


Wendles Sanchez says the Nissan Rogue crossover utility vehicle is new for 2008, with a 175-horsepower, four-cylinder engine coupled with a continually variable transmission. The Rogue will be available on the lot in a few months, he says.


According to Mazdas Web site, its new Tribute SUV will come in six trim levels with a 153-horsepower, 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder engine or a 200-horsepower, 4-liter six-cylinder power plant. It will be available with front-wheel or four-wheel drive and will range in price from about $20,000 to $25,000.


Saturns Dogas says the 2008 Vue crossover utility vehicle is redesigned and already on the lot. The Vue now has steel side panels rather than last years polymer panels. Saturn has added four-wheel disc brakes with traction control, and is offering the vehicle in three different engine sizes and six trim levels, with either front wheel or four-wheel drive. Other features include six airbags and an OnStar communication and navigation system with a free one-year subscription for the Vue, which ranges in price from $21,000 to $30,000.


Buick is introducing the Enclave, a sister vehicle of the Acadia CUV that GMC introduced in 2007, says George Gees Graff. The Enclave has the same basic styling as the Acadia, with three rows of seats in an all-wheel-drive or front-wheel-drive V-6 version, with optional leather seats, DVD system and dual sunroofs, priced at around $40,000, Graff says.


Hummer is coming out with a new version of one of its models, the H3 Alpha, which introduces a 5.3-liter V-8 motor; the previous H3 had a 3.7-liter inline five-cylinder engine, Graff says.


Keys says Ford is bringing out its 2008 F-Series Super Duty pickup truck in a 6.4-liter twin-turbocharged quiet diesel engine. The truck can tow up to 24,500 pounds with tow command, a feature that allows the truck to directly control a trailers brake system, Keys says. He says the truck, which is geared for a commercial user, also is available in a V-10 or V-8 gas engine and has five trim levels from basic and sport to luxury.


Dishman Dodges marketing consultant says Dodge has two new models of its Ram truck, the 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, which are geared to the commercial market, with a 6.7-liter, turbocharged diesel engine and a 52-gallon fuel tank.


Toyotas Highlander SUV is redesigned for 2008, with three gasoline and two hybrid engine options available in prices ranging from about $28,000 to $40,000, according to Toyotas Web site. Fords Keys says the 2008 Escape SUV is a redesign with a new hybrid option. Dodge will introduce a hybrid version of its Durango SUV later in 2008, and Appleways Mobley says a 2008 hybrid Tahoe SUV will be out later this year as well.


Contact Jeanne Gustafson at (509) 344-1264 or via e-mail at jeanneg@spokanejournal.com.