It’s no secret that the revival of the Maybach brand by Mercedes parent company Daimler has been a flop. Perhaps it’s because of how much the cars shared with their S-Class counterparts, but apart from the odd Russian oligarch, the world’s wealthiest folks have decided to stick with faithful British brands like Bentley and Rolls-Royce when it comes to their ultra-luxury needs.

The ability of British brands to built true luxury cars has apparently not gone unnoticed by Daimler and according to a report by the Financial Times, Daimler may source Aston Martin to build the next generation of Maybach models.

In exchange, Aston Martin would reportedly get access to engine technology from Mercedes-Benz, something AM desperately needs as its 6.0-liter V12 engine (used in almost every vehicle it sells) is quickly becoming outdated.

A Daimler spokesman has denied the report, but did comment that the lines of communication between the two automakers is open. This comes as no surprise as Aston Martin’s Lagonda concept (which debuted at the Geneva Auto Show two years ago) was based on the Mercedes GL platform.

While still mostly a rumor, the story doesn’t have any obvious holes in it with Daimler eager to partner with other automakers (including recent agreements with Renault/Nissan/Infiniti), while Aston Martin is no doubt eager to find a large partner to offset costs, especially with rivals like Ferrari being owned by Fiat and Lamborghini by Volkswagen.

[Source: Reuters]

It’s hardly news, but it is worth a watch. Aston Martin has just released another glam video highlighting the connection between its street and race cars.

The short video, featuring both the V12 Vantage and the Gulf DBR1-2 Le Mans race car puts the focus on the British automaker’s big 6.0-liter (actually a 5.9-liter) V12 engine, that powers both machines. Plus, it’s used in every other Aston Martin model, with the exception of the V8 Vantage.

The V12 Vantage only recently went on sale in the U.S., using the smaller V8 Vantage body but upping horsepower from 420-hp to 510-hp. As for the DBR1-2 racer, it is soon set to be phased out in favor of a newer model that is designed to better compete with the diesels of Audi and Peugeot. Still, despite its gasoline disadvantage, it still managed to win the Le Mans Series in 2009 and took three podiums in 2010.

Check out the video after the jump:

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Contrary to a rather exciting recent report that’s been circulating, Ford won’t be bringing the Falcon to U.S. shores, meaning we won’t get to appreciate some Ford of Australia engineered RWD V8 sedan goodness unless we book a day long flight to down under. Original plans to bring the Falcon to the U.S. (requiring Ford of Australia to engineer a new left-hand drive version of the car) were reportedly canned in 2008 and have not been revived.

It’s not all bad news, however, with Ford still likely to bring the Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) Falcon GT’s supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine to America. Execs at the Blue Oval’s Aussie division have confirmed their desire to export this new engine, which in the top-level Falcon makes 449-hp and 420 ft-lbs of torque.

As for what it would be used for, both the Mustang and Ford Raptor are obvious choices.

[Source: Car & Driver]

Sporting a facelift so subtle not even the designers at Mercedes are likely to be able to distinguish it from last year’s car, photos and details on the 2012 C-Class have just been released ahead of the car’s official debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

The most noteworthy changes are, however, under the hood with the addition of a new 4-cylinder base engine as well as a more potent top-trim V6. The new C250 model is powered by a direct-injection 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that makes as solid 201-hp and 229 ft-lbs of torque. As a result the new car is a little short on power when compared to the mid-level 3.0-liter V6, but it does have more torque and delivers substantially better fuel economy with a 24-mpg combined rating, as compared to 20-mpg for the C300. Any reason to buy the C300 then goes completely out the window when you realize both cars hit 60-mph in 7.1 seconds.

As for the top-level C350, it finally gets more power thanks to a direct-injection V6 engine that produces 302-hp and 273 ft-lbs of torque, up 34-hp and 15 ft-lbs respectively.

Changes to the exterior, while minimal, are evident, including new headlights with LED running lights and a new hood. Inside the changes are more dramatic with the C-Class adapting cues from the new E-Class’s impressive interior. Like the E, the C-Class now get a list of extensive safety features like Attention Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Assist.

Check back for full details from the Detroit Auto Show with coverage starting January 10th, and in the mean time check out our Detroit Auto Show Preview here.

GALLERY: 2012 Mercedes C-Class

Official release after the jump:

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While we’re thrilled to have the new 2011 WRX STI on sale here, as usual, Subaru Japan has one-upped the U.S. offering with the new 2011 WRX STI Spec C. The Spec C packs 304-hp and 317 lb-ft of torque from its 2.0L powerplant thanks to a revamped ECU and ball-bearing twin-scroll turbocharger.

In addition to the revised turbocharger and ECU, Subaru equips the Spec C with a mechanical rear limited-slip differential and the front chassis has been reinforced with a new cross member. To lighten up the load on the WRX, the hood has been swapped out for an aluminum version, there is a smaller battery and lightweight 18-inch wheels wrapped with Bridgestone Potenza RE070 tires. Optional equipment includes the ever-popular Recaro seats.

GALLERY: 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C

Read AutoGuide’s Review of the 2011 Subaru WRX STI by Clicking Here

Land Rover has teamed up with the specialists at Centigon to release an armored variant of the Discovery 4 luxury SUV. The armored Discovery 4 can take on machine gun fire, 33 pounds of TNT and even a pair of DM51 grenades. The additional security has been certified by QinetiQ.

Hardly a light vehicle in stock form, the added protective weight pushes the SUV to over 7,800 lbs. To help cope with the weight, Land Rover has upped the performance of the truck’s 5.0L LR-V8 while also adding more luxury amenities in the interior.

Additional upgrades include an independent air suspension, upgraded air springs, retuned dampers, larger sway bars and Alcon brakes in the front and the rear.

No pricing was announced, but the armored Discovery 4 does come with Land Rover’s standard full three-year, 80,000 km (approximately 50,000 miles) warranty.

GALLERY: Land Rover Discovery 4 Armored

Official release after the jump:

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Porsche has gotten tired of being the fastest machine on the road, so in order to pursue some new thrills, the automaker has decided to dominate the hills as well. Now, you can scream down the snowy slopes on the Porsche sled.

A few years ago, Porsche Design launched an award-winning aluminum sled for kids, and has the company has decided to follow it up with an advanced composite bobsled. This sled comes equipped with parabolic skis that feature a slight bend in the runners for better ‘steerability’ and has kept the weight of the sled down to just 8.8 lbs. It’s even certified to TÜV safety standards.

This is one of those gifts that you give under the pretence that the kids are going to play with it, but we all know better than that, don’t we? You just want to brag that you took your Porsche out on the snow and it handled like a dream.

[Source: Next Cars]

If you like going around a track faster than just about anyone else, the Radical SR3 is the car for you. It is also currently the fastest ‘street-legal’ car to lap the 13-mile Nurburgring circuit in an incredible 6min 48 secs.

For pure driving enthusiasts, the fact you can tweak this car in infinite ways to suit your driving style, and the availability of many different engines to propel you along with, has won this car respect and a loyal following.

For Radical fans, the news is just about to get even better, as two new versions will be unveiled at the 2011 Autosport International Show next month.

The SR3 SL will feature Ford’s new 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, with some radical (get it?) tweaking, so in this application it will produce 300-hp, which is a lot when you consider the whole vehicle weighs just under 1,500 lbs. This model will also feature a six-speed paddle shift gearbox and a fly-by-wire throttle. Not extreme enough for you? Radical will also be offering a ‘Race Pack’ that will feature changeable engine mapping, an FIA approved fuel-cell, and a high downforce rear wing.

Want even more grunt, then how about the SR3 RX. This features a 2.7-liter V8, developed by RPX and it should produce nearly 400-hp.

So if you always wanted a Radical, you’ll have two new reasons to stop making any excuses.

[Source: Pistonheads]

Mercedes-Benz‘s latest and greatest isn’t even out on the market yet and famed Benz-tuner Carlsson has already released renderings of what its tuning package for the styling sedan will look like. Promising to debut the CLS at the Geneva Auto Show in March, Carlsson looks to enhance the exterior and performance of the four-door coupe.

On the outside, the CLS will receive a standard treatment with an all new front bumper, a carbon fiber lip, stainless steel grille inserts, LED fog lamps, new side skirts with built-in air inlets and a new rear diffuser.

For performance, Carlsson has released specs for the CLS350 CGI, taking horsepower to 333-hp and torque to 302 ft-lbs from the factory 306-hp and 273 ft-lbs. For the CLS350 CDI, horsepower will reach 320-hp from the factory 265-hp while torque jumps from 479 ft-lbs to 575!

And as with all available Carlsson tuning packages, you’ll be able to outfit it with a variety of 19- or 20-inch wheels depending on your taste. No pricing has been announced.

GALLERY: Carlsson Mercedes-Benz CLS

If you’re a big fan of the CLS, check out AutoGuide’s video from the reveal of the CLS63 AMG model at the LA Auto Show after the jump:

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After the Second World War, BMW produced a city car that was cheap and compact, and it was called the Isetta.

Since then the company has gone onto create bigger and better machines, but it seems that BMW wants to go back into the city car business.

For the past year, rumors have been circulating the internet about a possible return of the Isetta, albeit in a rather more conventional and safer form. Now it seems that BMW is closer than ever to produce their city car and according to the e90.com forum, the German automaker has filed a registered trademark for i1, i2, i3, i4, i5, i6, i7, i8, i9.

Why so many names? Just to protect itself and prevent another car company from having a similar name.

BMW execs have already confirmed the Megacity car will launch in 2013 in Europe as the first mass produced car to use a carbon fiber shell. They’ve even released sketches of what it will look like (above).

[Source: e90]