2012 Mercedes-Benz C-class / C250 / C350

Worldwide, the bestselling Mercedes-Benz cars are the C-class sedan and wagon. But since the CLK ascended the Mercedes product hierarchy to become the E-class coupe, the marketing folk in Stuttgart think there’s even more sales potential in the C range. And that’s why Mercedes engineers developed the new two-door, four-seat C-class coupe. But this new car is not just a smaller version of the E-class two-door. It is mainly a cheaper version. The C coupe costs only about $1500 more than an equivalent C-class sedan, and it shows. The design is less expressive, with simply shaped wheel arches...

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BMW 1-series with turbo four-cylinder power

Meet the next-generation BMW 1-series. The upcoming baby Bimmer will sport all twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder engines burning either gasoline or diesel, hauling around a car that's grown in every dimension except height. BMW also is expanding its use of eight-speed automatic transmissions to the 1-series lineup and making the BMW EfficientDynamics technology package standard. For the next-gen 1-series, that means automatic start/stop functionality on both manual and automatic transmissions and an eco pro mode. Activated using what BMW terms the "driving experience switch," eco pro tweaks...

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Mazda to halt Mazda 6 output in Michigan

Mazda said Monday it will stop building the Mazda 6 at its AutoAlliance International joint venture plant with Ford Motor Co. in suburban Detroit after the sedan's current life cycle. Mazda Motor Corp. said that production of the next Mazda 6 will be consolidated into the company's plant in Hofu, Japan, confirming reports from Japanese media citing unnamed sources. The Mazda 6 is built at three sites: AutoAlliance International, Mazda's 50-50 joint venture with Ford, in Flat Rock, Mich., and in plants in Hofu, Japan, and in China. In its announcement, Mazda said it is studying plans for the future of AutoAlliance, repeating similar statements made last week. Ford spokesmen have declined to comment on Mazda's plans for Flat Rock. Ceasing...

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Maserati GranTurismo 2011 -Convertible

Test jalopies rarely show up on a Saturday evening, but this one did. The Maserati GranTurismo convertible stopped a dinner party in its tracks by sliding out of a three-axle trailer in front of our West Coast bureau—top down, quad pipes spluttering, looking like Athena’s left Puma in its umpteen coats of waxed Blu Oceano enamel. If your ego demands that you make an even grander entrance, may we suggest renting the USC marching band? Builders of luxury convertibles have split between folding hardtops and canvas. Rational heads in search of extra ultraviolet go for a Mercedes-Benz SL and its metal...

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