Press releases aren't generally that interesting. In fact they're downright boring and offer little actual meat to fill any story, or blog post. But yesterday GM announced that they would introduce 19 new, or significantly enhanced, powerplants for the 2007 model year.

One we were well aware of will be the 260 hp turbocharged Ecotec for the Pontiac Solstice GXP and Saturn Sky Redline. But probably more significant to the entire range will be the new six-speed automatic transmissions dealt out to a variety of platforms.

There's also the hybrid system of the Vue Greenline and a new V6 with Active Fuel Management that deactivates cylinders when not needed to please enviros and cautious car shoppers. The AFM system is usually reserved for V8s, but the fuel-saving V6 [shown here] will be available in the Chevy Impala and answers the recent media swarm over mpg figures.