Set to debut at the Paris Auto Show in a month’s time, Mercedes-Benz has just released a short video clip of the 2012 CLS, after officially revealing the new design just last week. The CLS not only changed the automotive landscape with it’s coupe-styled sedan form and just four seats, it changed Mercedes. The popularity of the CLS led the German luxury automaker to design all its future models taking cues from the CLS.

Debuting back in 2004, the original CLS still looks ahead of its time and so we’re not surprised to see that the second-generation car is slightly more evolutionary. Still, it seems to be setting yet another new design direction for the three pointed star, with a bold new grille adapted from the SLS supercar. It also appears to have an even more coupe-like profile with an elongated hood and shorter trunk section. Also of note is the full use of LEDs on the front of the car with 71 bulbs used for the headlights, running lights, turn signals and side market.

The interior is more familiar to the rest of the Mercedes, although we love the 3-spoke steering wheel.

No official details have been released regarding engines but we expect the 2012 CLS to use the latest powertrains from Mercedes, including an entry-level direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 with 306-hp. The CLS550 model will then work with the new twin-turbo 4.7-liter V8 with 429-hp and 516 ft-lbs of torque.

Topping off the range will be a CLS63 with a new twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 instead of the current 6.2-liter. Power will be an impressive 536-hp and an incredible 590 ft-lbs of torque. And as exciting as that is, we expect that like the 2011 Mercedes CL, Mercededs will offer an AMG Performance Package bumping power to 563-hp and 664 ft-lbs of torque.

And along with big power increases, expect fuel economy to improve by as much as 20 percent.

We’ll bring you more details and photos in the lead up to the 2010 Paris Auto Show, plus full coverage from the show floor.

GALLERY: 2012 Mercedes CLS

Check out the video after the jump:

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Ford will build a Police Interceptor version of the new 2011 Explorer with the vehicle set to debut next week. LeftLaneNews has confirmed the crossover model will join the Taurus Police Interceptor in Ford’s lineup of offerings to law enforcement agencies across America.

No details are yet available, but rumors suggest the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine from the Taurus could be made available for this package, with an AWD system.

Ford currently has a 27 member panel made up of from different law enforcement groups that is advising Ford on just what is needed by agencies across America and how best to modify the current models in order to deliver Police Intercepts that best meet the needs of those in uniform.

[Source: LeftLaneNews]

Owners of Ferrari‘s new 458 Italia are taking delivery of their coveted exotics and it seems that more than just a few of those owners are quickly learning to do without. Several incidents of 458 fires have made headlines over the past month, compounded by the usual group of excited owners wrecking their cars.

The spike in red hot Ferraris going up in flames has prompted the Italian automaker to launch an investigation into possible causes.

Recently Ferrari issued a statement that “The company is currently investigating the particular incidents in which cars have apparently been involved in a vehicle fire, and it is currently treating these as separate incidents. Until these investigations are complete, Ferrari is unable to provide any further comment.”

[Source: AutoCar]

Ford will debut a concept version of a high-performance Focus model at the upcoming Paris Auto Show. Calling it an “exciting performance model” it will be a concept and not a production version, but it’s likely to be quite close to reality with Ford already announcing plans to deliver a “global performance model” of the new Focus using EcoBoost technology.

This won’t be an RS model and Ford recently announced the turbocharged 2.5-liter 5-cylinder in the current Focus RS has been discontinued as it no longer meets increasingly strict emissions requirements.

We’re excited by the possibility that this new high-performance Focus (possibly named ST in Europe and SVT in the U.S.) will get a 250-hp version of the EcoBoost 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, however, there’s also a strong possibility that we’ll see a smaller turbocharged 1.6-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder with closer to 180-hp.

[Source: AutoCar]

Despite Ford’s sale of Land Rover to Tata over a year ago, there appears to be a strong continuing partnership between the two automakers with the latest reports indicating the Range Rover Evoque crossover will get the American automaker’s EcoBoost technology.

The light-weight Range Rover is believed to get a version of the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine that will debut later this year in the 2011 Ford Edge. The new engine should help deliver significantly improved fuel economy numbers over anything else in the Land Rover lineup, with a 0-60 mph time of around 8 seconds and a fuel economy rating of close to 30-mpg.

Land Rover won’t confirm or deny the reports but is believed to announce the new EcoBoost powerplant at the 2010 Paris Auto Show.

[Source: AutoCar]

While we’re still anxiously awaiting the release of Audi‘s RS5 in America, tuners in Germany have already gotten their hands dirty with the car and finding gobs of horsepower with very little effort. While the stock 450-hp figure already seems potent enough, especially given how beautiful the RS5′s styling is, SKN has already taken the 4.2-liter V8 past 500-hp with a simple ECU re-tune and Milltek Hockenheim Edition exhaust system.

Actual horsepower figures and pricing hasn’t been released by SKN yet, just that they’re already finding the real potential of the RS5. Suspension wise they lowered the car on a set of Bilstein PSS10 coilovers and mated a set of 20-inch BBS CH-R wheels onto each corner. The 20×10.5-inch wheels are wrapped with Pirelli P-Zero rubber in a 285/30/20 size.

It’ll be a little bit longer until we’ll see the RS5 in America, and with the price tag it comes with it’ll be interesting to see how popular it’ll become. But there’s no question that we should be seeing plenty more from the aftermarket for Audi’s new player in the sports coupe segment.

GALLERY: SKN-Tuned Audi RS5

[Source: Automarket.ro]

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Based out of High Springs, Florida, Droptop Customs is a specialist in converting coupes to convertibles. The newest creation to their line of products is Cadillac‘s CTS Coupe and we have to say there’s a sort of sporty elegance to the final product. We’ll have to wait for this year’s SEMA show to see it in person, but given their track record we’re confident that it’ll be a solid conversion.

And even better are the expectations Droptop Customs has, anticipating to sell around 3,000 of these babies a year. The conversion will consist of a fabric soft-top that will retract into a space above the luggage compartment. Droptop Customs states that the aerodynamics have not been modified – but seriously, who cares if you’re getting a convertible.

We’ll keep our eyes open for the completed deal at SEMA this year.

GALLERY: Droptop Customs 2010 Cadillac CTS Coupe Convertible

[Source: TopSpeed]

Now here’s a Corvette that we can see ourselves in. Howard Tanner of Redline Motorsports teamed up with Dan Carlton of DeNooyer Performance to unleash the HTR-GS640/SC. We’re not quite sure why they’d make it such a mouthful to say rather than just calling it a really badass Corvette, but really, the name is about the only complaint we have.

The foundation for the HTR-GS640/SC is a Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport that has been overhauled from bumper to bumper to become a true automotive enthusiast’s sports car. Under the hood is an Edelbrock E-Force supercharger equipped with long intake runners to provide major low-end torque. In the head are new valvesprings and retainers to support the new cam. Bolt-ons include a Borla exhaust system and MGW short-throw shifter.

The price tag is set at $82,000 which isn’t bad at all considering the performance you’re getting rivals a ZR1. And the best part of it all is that DeNooyer Performance will warranty the car for three years or 36,000 miles. So if you’re interested, give DeNooyer a call – they’ll even take trade-ins and offer financing. Score!

GALLERY: Redline Motorsports, DeNooyer Performance HTR-GS640/SC

[Source: AutoBlog]

Want to set the mood while you’re driving with some help ambient lighting? Hey, it’s not that kind of mood we’re thinking of (so get you’re mind out of the gutter). These days, more vehicles are adding ambient lighting as a standard or optional feature because it makes drivers feel safe.

A soft illumination around the center console, door handles and pulls, cupholders and sometimes across the dash and in the footwells, ambient lighting has, in the past, been seen as a cosmetic feature. But according to a study conducted by BMW and the Lighting Engineering Group at Ilmenau University of Technology in Germany, this type of lighting can increase a driver’s perceived safety and quality of the car.

Research from the study found that ambient lighting increases spatial perception. This makes the car interior feel more spacious and it may also decrease fatigue at night. Unfortunately, information regarding ambient lighting’s influence on helping the driver stay alert or ability regarding changing the driver’s mood or performance was inconclusive.

Other interesting facts from the study include that drivers thought this type of lighting made the vehicle’s interior design and finish more attractive and the controls easier to use.

A critical factor in the study was the brightness of the ambient lighting. When the lights got too bright, drivers complained that it became distracting. The lights had to be kept below 0.1 candelas per square meter in order to keep the glare from forming on the plastics of the interior. This helps reduce the possibility of distraction. If a vehicle does have this type of system installed, the study found that drivers want to be able to control the illumination levels.

Most automotive manufacturers already include an ambient lighting system in their vehicles, and Ford has taken it up a notch, offering consumers the choice of seven different colors to set the mood.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Not to be outdone by Hamann and their SLS AMG tuning kit, famed Mercedes-Benz tuner Brabus has unleashed their rendition and we’re picking our favorite: Brabus. And while there isn’t any sort of real performance tuning being done (just yet), we’re still favoring the mild aesthetic upgrades over Hamann’s version. Or maybe we just find the sleek black more fitting to the SLS AMG’s sexy lines.

And as we all know, Brabus does some serious testing on their products prior to releasing them out on the market. Their body kit for the SLS AMG is no different, getting thorough runs through the wind tunnel prior to getting the stamp of approval. And with a car as high-profile as Mercedes-Benz’s SLS AMG, we’d expect actual aerodynamic improvements from Brabus. So up front is a carbon fiber front spoiler, new front fenders, covers for the upper air inlets and a subtle rear spoiler. The fenders feature illuminated letters that is pretty sleek.

For wheels, we’re actually digging the Monoblock F Platinum Edition mesh-design wheels they put on their demo car. Brabus states that they’re available in 20- or 21-inch variety. The demo car features a staggered 20/21 front/rear setup. Brabus is also offering suspension upgrades to either lower the vehicle 40 mm or raise it by 50 mm.

And for those that are looking for some performance, Brabus did release a titanium sport exhaust system for the SLS AMG. There’s no horsepower figures, but we’re guessing it’s significantly lighter than the factory unit with Brabus’ weighing in at a scant 26 lbs.

Official press release available after the break.

GALLERY: Brabus Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

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