SCOOP: 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class MPV Caught…White-Handed

Our team of spy photographers have snagged the production version of the upcoming 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class dressed in a see-through plastic wrap as the car was being loaded off the transportation truck.

Clearly descended from the current-generation of Stuttgart’s mini-MPV model, the new B-Class follows a more conservative styling language than its smaller sibling, the 2012 A-Class, official patent images of which we showed you in May (see here).

The five-seat 2012 B-Class is based on an all-new front-wheel drive platform, dubbed MFA, which features a conventional unibody and replaces the sandwich structure used on the current A and B-Class models.

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Honda CR-Z Mugen: All you Need to Know about Honda’s Hottest Hybrid Yet

We’ve already shared initial information and a video on the Mugen-fettled CR-Z that Honda is about to launch at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, but today, the Japanese carmaker came out with all the juicy details, as well as more photos of the sporty hybrid concept.

According to company’s European division, the CR-Z Mugen sets out to prove that hybrid cars can be exciting to drive, with the one-off special producing “Civic Type R-like performance” while also remaining true to the original, eco-friendly character of the run-of-the-mill CR-Z.

Colin Whittamore from Mugen Euro explains the philosophy behind the creation of the CR-Z Mugen:

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GK2G: Go Karting Goes High Tech with Beau Reid’s Latest Conceptual Study

I want to live in a world designed by Beau Reid. The Floridian futurist and designer makes today’s cutting edge technology look old fashioned. Moreover, his name sounds like the alter ego of a Golden Age superhero. His latest automotive-themed creation is the GK2G (Go Kart 2 Go): a Formula 1-inspired, fold-able kart racer.

Weighing in at a lithe 65 pounds (30 kilograms) thanks to its all carbon fibre construction and lightweight lithium-ion batteries, the all electric concept has a theoretical top speed of 60 mph (100 km/h).

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Dragster Steering Wheel Falls Off During Race

We can think of many things going wrong during a run in a dragster but having the steering wheel fall off together with the column after launch on such a powerful vehicle is perhaps one of the worst possible scenarios imaginable.

Yet, that is exactly what happened to Russ Parker during a race at an Oregon dragrstip last weekend. “I must say that we are laughing at it now, though at the time it was not so funny,” Parker wrote on his Youtube page.

Follow the break to watch the incident unfold from the in-car video footage.

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VIDEO: Automobile Mag’s Take on the BMW 1 M Coupe vs M3 Debate

From the moment BMW introduced the new 1 M Coupe, it was more than evident that the smallest member of the Bavarian firm’s M family would be compared with the brand’s most illustrious product, the M3 Coupe.

Automobile Magazine’s West Coast Editor Jason Cammisa voiced his thoughts on the 1 M Coupe versus M3 debate in a rather amusing way during his first drive of the sports car in California.

The skinny? “If you want an M badge, go ahead and buy an M3. If you want what an M3 could be, buy one of these things [the 1 M Coupe]”. Follow the break to watch the full video.

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New Ferrari FF gets Ready for its First Tuning Job

Not even Ferrari’s most recent models are exempt from the manic hands of tuners. What we have here are preliminary renderings of what could be the very first tuning job on the freshly revealed, all-wheel drive Ferrari FF supercar. Read more »

Multiple 2011MY Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep Vehicles Recalled to Fix Steering Columns

A dozen vehicles from the three core Chrysler brands covering more than half of the company’s 2011 models are being recalled in the United States to fix a potential problem with the steering column.

The recall covers 11,351 vehicles and affects certain 2011 model year Dodge Journey crossovers, Jeep Wranglers, Chrysler 200s, Chrysler 200 Convertibles, Dodge Avengers, Dodge Nitros, Jeep Liberty SUVs, Dodge Calibers, Jeep Compass crossovers, Jeep Patriots, Dodge Grand Caravans and Chrysler Town & Country minivans.

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