Mercedes Benz CLS350 Carlsson 2012

Engine modifications are available for both the CLS350 gasoline and diesel V6 mills. With the petrol engine, power is increased to 333 horsepower and 302 pound-feet of torque (gains of 27 and 29, respectively), and the oil-burning powerplant now cranks out 320 hp and 575 lb-ft (increases of 55 hp and 96 lb-ft).

Both the gasoline and diesel CLS350s will sprint to 62 miles per hour in just 5.9 seconds – 0.2 seconds faster than the stock petrol car and 0.3 seconds faster than the standard diesel model.

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toyota prius

Now we’re hearing that another as of yet unreleased Prius will be on display, simply referred to as a “Prius concept vehicle.” Concept cars of course range from the mundane to the insane, and knowing Toyota we’re guessing this one will fall squarely into the former category

PRESS RELEASE:

Toyota to Reveal Prius Family of Vehicles at the North American International Auto Show  TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., will stage the world premiere of the Prius family of vehicles at a press conference at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. In addition to the current third-generation Prius and Prius Plug-in vehicle (PHV), the first all-new addition to the Prius Family will debut along with a Prius concept vehicle.  The press conference will be held on Monday, Jan. 10 at 1:05 p.m. EST in the Riverview Ballroom at Cobo Center. A live Webcast will be available at ToyotaNewsroom.com.  A Prius Family Sneak Peak video featuring X Games champion skateboarder Bob Burnquist is available at YouTube.com/Toyota.

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kleer mercedes kleersmsc

We hate wires. We can’t count the number of times that our headphones were unceremoniously yanked from our heads (or ear canals) because the wire got snagged while ordering our Brazilian man-servant about. Kleer solved this problem years ago but still haven’t broken into the mainstream thanks in no small part to the preponderance of low-cost (and low-quality) Bluetooth headphones. That could change with the visibility provided by a new partnership with Mercedes to replace line-of-site infrared technology the company had been using. The deal will equip 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class models with Kleer’s proprietary, low-power, CD-quality digital wireless audio emitted from a pair of video screens on the back of the seats. Occupants wearing the Mercedes-provided Kleer headphones or any compatible pair can then select which audio stream their headphones receive without interfering with Bluetooth or WiFi connected devices. Win, win.

Source: Engadget

tesla_model_s_sedan_road

Tesla’s still got a ways to go before it overtakes those conventional automakers, but darn if it’s not on the right track now. The company today announced a deal with Toyota — yeah, Toyota — in order to collaborate on the “development of electric vehicles, parts, and production system and engineering support.” Reportedly, the tandem will form a specialist team to further these efforts, with Toyota agreeing to purchase $50 million of Tesla’s common stock issued in a private placement. In the short term, Tesla is purchasing the former NUMMI factory in Fremont, California in order to build the Model S sedan and other “future Tesla vehicles,” which should employ around 1,000 workers now to produce around 20,000 cars per year. For those unaware, the NUMMI facility was recently vacated, leaving 4,500 Toyota employees holding pink slips and ginormous frowns; Tesla CEO Elon Musk did confirm, however, that some of those have already been rehired. The good news here is that consumers should see lower prices due to Tesla having access to Toyota’s streamlined supply chain (not to mention those hugely leveraged bulk buy deals), but the bad news is that citizens of Downey, California — a town that was purportedly ready to sign a similar deal with Tesla “tomorrow” — now have to deal with an erupted bubble. You win some, you lose some, as they say.

Source: Autoblog