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Although Mercedes-Benz has set some records for Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) fines in the past, the company expects it won’t have to pay a penalty for 2010.

Starting this summer, all of Mercedes-Benz’s six- and eight-cylinder engines will use direct injection, which covers every car the automaker sells in the U.S. According to Dr. Thomas Weber, Mercedes-Benz’s head of research and development, this development played a large part in helping the automaker meet the U.S. standard.

“Even for 2009, we aren’t likely to pay much in the way of penalties,” Weber told Automobilwoche. “From 2010 on, we won’t pay anything. That is clearly our goal.”

Vehicles like the new S400 and ML450 Hybrids will certainly help, but Mercedes-Benz is moving towards using forced-induction engines with smaller displacement. For instance, the new twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter destined for its AMG line is reportedly 25 percent more fuel-efficient than the 6.2-liter V-8 it replaces.

We’re not surprised this is a major focus for Mercedes-Benz. In 2006, the company faced a record $30.3 million fine, and a similar $28.9 million fine in 2007. If Weber’s estimations prove correct, Mercedes-Benz has come a long way to reduce fuel consumption while offering customers the power they’ve come to expect.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription required)

So far in Japan, Honda has taken over 7000 orders for its new CR-Z sports-hybrid coupe -- impressive, considering the car went on sale on February 26.

Honda hoped to sell around 12,000 CR-Z hybrids in Japan in its the first year of production, but has already sold more than half that figure in less than one month of sales. Demand for the car in Japan is now causing customers to wait for three months to take delivery of the car.

The CR-Z’s sales are picking up at the right time for Honda, as sales of its Insight are tapering off in Japan. At the current pace of sales, the CR-Z may come close to reaching the same sales volume the Insight saw last year. 93,283 Insights were sold last year in Japan alone, eclipsing Honda’s goal of 60,000. Thus far, Honda is on track to sell roughly 84,000 CR-Zs in its home market.

Honda’s expectations for the CR-Z’s sales performance in the U.S. are slightly lower, with the automaker aiming to sell 15,000 examples annually. Dealers began taking orders for the car on February 25, and early deliveries should begin this summer.

Source: Automotive News

Well ahead of its anticipated Japanese debut, Toyota has reportedly already created a special edition of its Lexus LFAsupercar called the "Nurburgring Edition."

Details are very slim at the moment, but it appears to be tuned for the customer looking to track their nearly $400,000 exotic, or for the buyer who just wants a meaner LFA.

According to The Lexus Enthusiast blog citing a Japanese site, the Nurburgring Edition sports a fixed rear wing in place of the standard LFA's electronically controlled unit, a revised front splitter and canards for extra downforce, a tuned suspension setup (our own Arthur St. Antoine noted the standard version rides "really hard" already), stickier rubber, and a 10-horsepower boost (to around 570 horsepower total). It's reported that it'll come bathed in only four colors (three of which are translatable via Google) -- matte black, black, and orange.

We're guessing the few track-oriented bits will add to the regular LFA's performance stats (and hefty price tag), but we'll be sure to keep you informed once we get the official word from Lexus. 

If you haven't checked out our First Drive of the LFA, or video of it on the Nurburgring, CLICK HERE.

Source: The Lexus Enthusiast

Brabus unveiled the most powerful off-roader ever: the G V12 S Biturbo Widestar based on Mercedes G55 AMG. And, naturally speaking, any car that comes with a title of "world’s most" attached to it will fetch a pretty enormous price tag and in this case, the G V12 S Biturbo Widestar will set you back 394,900 euro.

The G V12 S Biturbo Widestar is powered by the same twin-turbo twelve-cylinder as the Brabus SV12 S, with an impressive output of 700 hp at 5,100 rpm and 973 lb-ft of torque at 2,100 rpm. The result is a sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 163 mph.

The aerodynamic kit includes: wider fenders, Brabus roof spoiler with integrated LED brake light, Brabus door moldings, stainless-steel running boards, LED lights and larger wheels and tires, ranging from 20 to 23 inches.

Press release after the jump.

Brabus G V12 S Biturbo Widestar originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 15 March 2010 14:00 EST.

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While it may be hard to believe that someone can lift the front end of a fully loaded BMW R1200GS and keep the bike steady for enough distance to call the achievement a wheelie, this video simply blows away all expectations.

It shows a very skilled rider performing a 3km wheelie during the 2.26 minutes video on the Beemer in South Africa. Looking at it, you’re not too far off if suspecting this guy can go like this forever and ever as long as there’s no traffic and the road is nice and straight.

It is things like this that spice up one’s journeys and we really like to see people taking bikes beyond what they thing the limits are.

Video: 3km wheelie on a BMW R1200GS Adventure originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 15 March 2010 12:56 EST.

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The500 Pink Edition, which was unveiled last January, is about to get a new sister in the form of a 500C Pink edition.

There’s a limited run of both models though - the coupe version is limited to 500 units while the cabrio version will only get 300 units priced at £13,500 (about $20,300).

The Fiat 500 Pink is based on the 1.2 Pop specification with features including a leather steering wheel and gearknob, Fiat’s Blue&Me infotainment system, new carpet mats, a split folding rear seat, and, of course, a pink exterior color with 16-inch alloy wheels.

Fiat 500C Pink originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 15 March 2010 13:00 EST.

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