Ahead of its debut at the Beijing Auto Show, Mercedes has just unveiled its new Shooting Break Concept – which by all accounts is a near-production vehicle. In many ways this is the CLS equivalent of the E-Class wagon although its not quite as innovative as this new wagon-meets-hatchback design is already being popularized by German rivals BMW and Audi with vehicles like the 5 Series GT and A5 Sportback.

The design of the Shooting Break Concept takes from the Mercedes Fascination design concept as well as the new F800 Style Concept – not to mention the brand’s new SLS exotic. Mercedes says this new concept takes the coupe design in a new direction. Mercedes, after all, can be credited for introducing the 4-door coupe with the original CLS.

As for what’s under the hood, well, Mercedes is previewing a new direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 with 306-hp and improved fuel economy that is expected to make its way into numerous other Mercedes products – and is much needed too. In addition, reports suggest a new single-turbo 4.6-liter V8 will deliver over 400-hp and 400 ft-lbs of torque.

Scheduled to debut at the Bieijing Auto Show, there’s a possibility the Shooting Break Concept Car (codenamed X218) could be joined be a concept or production version of the second generation CLS.

Will the Shooting Break be the next CLS in terms of setting a trend and starting a new segment, or is it more likely to have the success of the R-Class? Leave your comments below:

GALLERY: Mercedes-Benz Shooting Break Concept

Official release after the jump:

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General Motors CEO Ed Whitacre is expected to announce today that the automaker has already paid off all of its $6.7 billion in loans to the U.S. and Canadian governments. Back in November, GM announced it would begin paying back the loans and today Whitacre is scheduled to make the announcement that the remaining $5.8 billion has now been returned to the taxpayers that supported the American auto giant when it was in trouble.

A press conference is set for later today at GM’s Fairfax, Kan. assembly plant, where Whitacre is also expected to announce the expansion of production facilities there. Currently the plant builds the Chevrolet Malibu and Buick LaCrosse.

This payback is, however, just a small potion of the almost $50 billion in taxpayer dollars used to support GM through its bankruptcy. As a result of that, the U.S. government still holds a 61 percent stake in the automaker. This news, however, is a sign that GM’s recovery is happening more quickly than expected. The U.S. Treasury had said it would agree to sell off its shares in GM once the debut is reduced to $3 billion – so expect an announcement of that nature to follow.

[Source: AutoNews]

These days it seems everything costs more. When it comes to buying  a new full-size truck, start being liberal with the options and before you know it, the sticker price is well north of $35,000, before taxes, freight and the rest of it. But compared to some parts of the world, we have it comparatively easy. In Europe, the concept of a full-size pickup is virtually non existent – instead manufacturers peddle what we would call compact or mid-size pickups, but frequently charge what we would consider full-size prices. Nissan sells the Navara (a localized Frontier), Toyota has the Hilux, Mitsubish has the L-series and Volkswagen has, well this:

The Volkswagen Amarok is priced at 26,203 Euros (given current rates of exchange that’s about $35,300), but this also includes the dreaded value added tax (VAT) on goods and services, which in Germany, is 19 percent.

But what kind of specification do you get for that price exactly? Well, a base crew cab truck, powered by a 122-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine, coupled with a six-speed manual transmission. At that price it’s also two-wheel drive only. If you want power transmitted to all four wheels, be prepared to spend another $2,500. And if it’s a proper 4×4 system with a transfer case, you want,  then you’ll also need to upgraded to the twin-turbo 2.0-liter diesel engine, rated at 163-hp.  And that extra 43-hp is expensive – try 30,844 Euros (equivalent to $41,530) by the time you’re done and that still includes a four-cylinder engine.

But here’s the real pincher. The Amarok comes in three trim levels; besides base there’s Trendline and Highline. These add power locks and windows (they’re not even available on the base truck), plus Highline models get 17-inch wheels, chrome exterior mirrors and two-tone paint. But the price of entry for all this? 37,169 Euros (equivalent to $50,050) for the Highline. As compact/midsize trucks go, that’s some serious coin, especially one with a four-cylinder engine.

By comparison, a stateside 2010 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab, in  4×2 V6 form starts at $23,675, before tax, title and registration. And even when you’ve added those you’ll still be well under $30,000.

So,the next time you’re visiting your local dealer and you balk at paying $35,000 for an F-150, Silverado or Tundra, spare a thought for our cousins across the pond. Especially when you consider that the Amarok is built in the New World (Pancheco, Argentina to be exact) and shipped across the Atlantic.

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]

The 2011 Mustang is receiving quite the attention these days thanks to a recently updated design and the new high-horsepower, fuel efficient 3.7-liter V6 and 5.0-liter V8. With all things Ford Mustang, we knew it wouldn’t take long before Saleen SMS Supercars would produce its own version, specializing in high performance while accenting the newest Stang’s already good looks. Steve Saleen founded Saleen Autosport in 1983 and hasn’t looked back since, producing high performance, modified Mustangs with daily-driving as their main focus.

SMS Supercars is Steve Saleen’s vision of producing lifestyle performance automobiles – the complete package. From bumper to bumper, each SMS Supercar has been modified from the factory to personify its owner. Most recently is the new 302 Mustang release, carrying the 302-nomination thanks to the change in displacement for 2011′s V8.

Two versions of SMS Supercars’ 302 Mustang will be offered, one for the naturally aspirated enthusiast and one for the forced induction fan. The naturally aspirated version produces 440-hp from the factory 412-hp. Meanwhile the supercharged 302SC version will boost its way to 535-hp and 450 ft-lbs of torque.

Aesthetically the 302 Mustang receives its proprietary body kit, hood, heat-extracting grilles on the outside, while suspension upgrades gives the car a more aggressive stance on its 20-inch wheels and tires. Peeking behind the classy five-spoke wheels are SMS-branded brakes. Nowadays no custom vehicle is complete without interior upgrades. The SMS 302 Mustang sports Alcantara seats, 200-mph gauges, short-throw shifter and more.

For those that just want the nitty gritty tech specs, the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter does 0-60 mph in under 4.5 seconds while the 302SC blasts away at 4.3 seconds. Neither of these vehicles can be had without paying a premium however. The NA model is available with an MSRP of $54,990 and the 30SC sports a $64,990 price tag.

GALLERY: SMS Supercars 302 2011 Ford Mustang

The official press release is available after the break.

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It’s hard to say whether or not the Honda Type-R moniker shares the prestige it did a decade ago with the Integra Type-R. But Honda has recently announced the discontinuation of the Civic Type-R sedan starting August 2010. To us it makes sense, since Honda doesn’t quite have the popularity with their sedans, but rather their hatchbacks and coupes. The hatchback variant of the Civic Type-R will continued to be produced in Europe and imported to Japan, a vehicle that’s much more relevant to those markets.

It seems that North America will never get their hands on either of these vehicles right now, which is disappointing considering how well the Integra Type-R did. For those wanting to know what they’ve missed out on, the Civic Type-R sedan was powered with a 2.0L inline-four that put out 225-hp and 158 ft-lbs of torque. And in-line with all Type-R models, stiffened and tuned suspension components allowed it to handle much better than its “lower-model brethren.” There were once rumors that it would find its way over to North America, but sadly there is little left to hold on to. For now we’ll just have to settle for the Honda Civic Si sedan.

A recent surge of celebrity, thanks to Super Bowl ads and a bid to host SNL, has brought all things Betty White into the spotlight again, and this time, it’s the 88-year-old comedian and television series veteran’s custom 1977 Cadillac Seville that’s making headlines.

Given to her by her late husband Allen Ludden, a television personality and game-show host, White’s Caddy, which she named “Parakeet,” has been donated to the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum in Hershey, Pa (not be be confused with the Antique Tractor Museum in St. Olaf). The custom Seamist Green Seville that she owned for 25 years was once the most expensive Cadillac of its time, and back then, this model came packed with all the luxe goods. But nothing is too good for this Golden Girl alum, and her hubby had extra touches added such as a custom paint job, an AT&T phone and small dash plaque that reads “Betty.” Remember, it was 1977 – that “mobile phone” was probably so gigantic, it must have had to ride shotgun in the passenger seat.

Donated to the museum by its most recent owner, Nicholas Ferrantino of Houston, Parakeet has less than 18,000 miles clocked on the odometer and is still in mint condition. Also on display with the car is a photo sampling that chronicles White’s career and shots of the Cadillac being used on-air in the series “Mama’s Family.”

White first donated the 1977 Seville to the Los Angeles Humane Society in 2002 (she’s a fervent animal lover and activist). As to how she gets around these days, White’s still sticking to her beloved Caddy – and she still names them after her feathery friends. “I had yellow Cadillac — that was Canary,” she said. “And this one was Parakeet. I have a silver one right now which is Seagull.”

[Source: The New York Times]

We absolutely love the MINI John Cooper Works (JCW) edition (reviewed here and here) and for 2011 it’s going to get more hard-core. According to the MINI experts at MotoringFile and thanks to some new spy photos from LeftLaneNews we have better insight to what the mid-cycle updates will include.

For starters, the JCW will stand out from the Cooper S a bit more thanks to a new aero kit that will be standard in all markets. This kit will also get an aggressive race-style rear diffuser, similar to the one on the JCW Challenge edition cars (see above). As for under the hood, the new JCW engine will get BMW’s Valvetronic technology that should deliver at least 215-hp and improve fuel economy as well. Inside a redesign will include a new center stack with a new hard drive Navigation system and MINI Connect.

As for the Copper and Cooper S, in North America the 2011 models will get updates already in place in Europe.

The 2011 JCW model is expected to debut at the Paris Auto Show this Fall.

[Source: LeftLaneNews via MotoringFile]

In the interest of fairness, we do think it’s incredibly difficult to market a new car. After all, how are you supposed to get attention from prospective buyers — especially when your latest city car is geared toward the youngest demographic possible?

Audi is trying to coax a few more eyeballs onto their A1 city car by releasing Beat Driver (iTunes link), an iPhone / iPod Touch / iPad game. The purpose? Steer through a fictional landscape (think F-Zero or Wipeout), drive into pulsating blocks, get powerups, and avoid the dreaded black “X” block.

As an avid iPhone users, we immediately downloaded and fired up the game — and were pleasantly surprised to find a track by Canadian band Metric (“Gold Guns Girls”) as one of the in-game songs. Torpedo, Tommy Sparks, The Music, White Lies, The Rakes, La Roux, The Fall, and Lo-F-Fnk also contribute tracks.

After a quick test drive, here’s the verdict: the music is good, but the game is awful. It’s a tired concept that doesn’t make use of any features of the iPhone / iPod Touch / iPad platform, and was clearly cranked out for some middle manager at a marketing firm to tout its success through numbers of downloads.

And despite an “international high score list,” Facebook, and Twitter integration, it comes off as a desperate attempt to pander to the “cool kids” that Audi so desperately wants in the A1.

As reported earlier today, Toyota has now officially announced it will comply with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s civil fine of $16.4 million for not issuing a recall within an acceptable timeframe. The recall in question focused on 2.3 million vehicles for sticking accelerator pedals.

In a statement the Japanese automaker accepted the fine, but not the terms behind it, stating that it does not believe it violated the Safety Act. “We believe we made a good faith effort to investigate this condition and develop an appropriate counter-measure. We have acknowledged that we could have done a better job of sharing relevant information within our global operations and outside the company, but we did not try to hide a defect to avoid dealing with a safety problem.”

Toyota says it agreed to the fine to avoid further litigation but also to move beyond the issue and focus on improving quality. “This will allow us to focus on delivering safe, reliable, high quality vehicles for our customers and responding to consumer feedback with honesty and integrity. These have been core Toyota values for 70 years, and we pledge to make an even greater effort to adhere to this philosophy now and in the future. We also welcome a new, more transparent chapter in our relationship with NHTSA, consistent with our commitments to Congress and the American people.”

While the $16.4 million fine isn’t much for an automaker, the negative public perception generated by it can be much more significant. Toyota now seems to be quick to issue recalls and vehicles needing to be recalled don’t appear to be lacking with an announcement late last week of a recall for the Sienna minivan and just today for the Lexus GX460.

Official release after the jump:

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Toyota has just announced that it will recall the Lexus GX460 luxury SUV in order to update the vehicle’s stability control software. The recall applies to just 9,400 2010 model year SUVs – which only recently went on sale. This recall comes as just a few weeks ago Consumer Reports issued a “Do No Buy” label for the GX460 after its testing showed that the vehicle stability control (VSC) program allowed the car to slide completely sideways during emergency maneuvers – which could cause a rollover in real world circumstances.

“Toyota’s objective is to provide a high level of safety and quality, while meeting or surpassing governmental regulations.  Our engineers have conducted tests to confirm the VSC performance issue raised by Consumer Reports, and we are confident this VSC software update addresses the concern,” said Steve St. Angelo, Toyota chief quality officer for North America.

Toyota says all Lexus dealers will have the new software by the end of April, at which point owners are encouraged to make an appointment to have the new software installed. Owners will also be contacted by Toyota in late May.

“From the moment we heard about this issue, Lexus and our dealers acted quickly to resolve the situation. Our dealers will now personally reach out to customers to set up appointments to make this modification. Lexus has always been about providing exemplary customer satisfaction and this will be another opportunity to demonstrate that,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager.

In addition, GX460 owners who aren’t comfortable driving their vehicle until that point will be given a loaner vehicle by their dealership until the recall work can be completed.

Official release after the jump:

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