Breaking a top car were at the Detroit show

We have the future at the Detroit car show seen and it's muscle cars.

Measured, in the number of Beefy vehicles on display at the North American International Auto Show 2014 (as it's officially called), the worldwide automotive manufacturer betting that buyers have become tired of unwieldy and something sexier, want when you are behind the wheel.

"Everyone tries to come up with a show car for their brand," said Dave Sullivan, senior analyst at AutoPacific, referring to a vehicle that draws buyers into showrooms.

It would be a win-win situation for car manufacturers, which are explosive sales year (thanks to demand for trucks) despite the sluggish economy. Muscle cars are generally more expensive, but they give a brand cachet, which helps to sell other vehicles.

It wasn't like last year.

Opened the doors to the Detroit Cobo Center for the 2013 show, welcomed the visitors with an array of new hybrids, plug-in the electric and pure electric cars. You have the chance, some of the latest Green machines on a special course in the basement of the sprawling Convention Center drive.

While a number of green machines are exhibited as the 2014 auto show will open to the public, lit the light in a different direction. This is nowhere more evident than at the Toyota stand.

Only detailed in November last year the Japanese giant plans, a hydrogen car in production to implement by the year 2015. However, while a prototype on display is Toyota's big news for Detroit the FT-1 sports car concept, equipped with a classic high performance internal combustion engine rather than a company many hybrid powertrain.

Toyota is by no means the exception. Muscle cars were spoken preview earlier this week, with hardly a word in abundance during a two-day media alternative-fuel technology.

But for those who could have a relapse in the industry's eating patterns, Federal car makers took pains to point out that their latest performance cars are more economical than past models. The 450 HP Chevrolet Corvette stingray, calls, for example, up to 30 mpg.

Chevy is back with the unveiling of a stronger version of the ' Vette, the new, 625-HP Corvette Z06. Across the floor of Cobo Ford its give the public first look at the all-new, 50th anniversary Mustang.

Kevin Hunter, Toyota's US design Chief, told reporters that his show car - whose name is an abbreviation for "future Toyota"-a "symbol" for his planned direction is inspired by CEO Akio Toyoda, a performance fan and occasional race car driver.

Then there is Nissan. Perhaps no leader is more passionate about battery power as CEO, Carlos Ghosn. But their plans for a high end version of electric cars has Japan's second largest automaker delayed "until late in the Decade" for its Infiniti Division to produce Nissan leaf, said Johan de Nysschen, a former Audi Executive took the helm at Infiniti in late 2012.

In Detroit, the upscale unit focused on the Q50 Eau Rouge, launched a high-performance version of the midsize luxury sedan for 2014.

"The question [is] Division is a serious global luxury brand without a performance" de Nysschen said. He quickly offered a one word answer "No."

Actually, a quick review of the offers other exclusive stands would support this view.

BMW uses to present the show for the new M3 and M4 to high performance models. Mercedes-Benz launches a new 12-cylinder version of the big S-Class sedan and a new, high power S class Coupé.

Lexus, which leads Toyota subsidiary, which rolled out in the past few years a number of hybrids in Detroit, the RC-F, a 450-Horsepower Screamer with the new BMW M4 wanted to compete.

Industry analysts warn that their very definition Halo cars tend to small series. But there is significant demand for some models. The United States accounts for almost half of sales of Mercedes' ultra powerful AMG models, the production of Southern California alone, nearly a quarter of the global demand for US-CEO Steve Cannon.

Double in the so-called premium sport expected between 2011 (when the recession demand tormented Valley) and up to the year 2016 to about 62,000, according to a forecast of AutoPacific.

See more mainstream models the consulting firm expects an increase of 20 percent in demand the new Mustang to 91,000, 2016 drive. Also small Subaru has great expectations for the new WRX STi 'hot hatch', which is reflected in Detroit.

By cutting out of mass, improve the aerodynamics, and use of new technologies, most are far better risks than they were before all these models.

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Fangio of Mercedes-Benz W196R sells for record $29,619,826

Bonhams
Mind-blowing: 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R sold for almost 30 million $.
Update: We have watching video of the hammer falling on the Fangio W196 get. Check it out below. Looks like the car was not really on the block, but that apparently does not deter anyone... or maybe English auctioneers really can sell anything.

Mercedes-Benz W196R housing 00006/54 roared to victory in the 1954, German and Swiss Grand Prix with none other than Juan Manuel Fangio behind the steering wheel.

We do not imagine, it roared Bonhams auction block at the today's Goodwood Festival of speed (a lot at the same time reach to cover his ears would perspective cause a lot of confusion from an auctioneer), but the results were incredibly anyway: bidding reached $29,619,826 before the Hammer came down.

Yes, nearly $30,000,000. That is not quite double in the current record price paid for a car at an auction-a $16,390,000-1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa at the Pebble Beach sold in 2011.

14 Mercedes-Benz W196s produced there are 10 today-- a survival rate much better than that of the men who drove cars. But Fangio association with chassis 00006/54 makes it, well, especially. One-of-a-kind, in fact. That it is a bit of a surprise given a still privately owned.

Mercedes retained possession after it from racing, retired, but at some point the car-first was sold to a British collector then to a French collector, then to a German collector and then was bought and resold, which brings us to where we are today.

We are not sure who will now take the car home, but your wallet is considerably lighter. The fuel injected, tube-framed, open wheel legend would quite nicely in the Mercedes-Benz Museum existing quivers of the silver arrows perched. It is hard to imagine that the automakers a chance, this automotive artifact again pass; Earlier this year, when the news that the car would be auctioned broke, we have a couple Benz officials they had no interest in acquiring it. They seemed surprised that the car had reappeared, but something about a hasty would give not us (if tempting) "no comment."

So we'll see.

00006/54 Crossed the block prior to housing a few other bits of the W196 Automobilia, some accessible even for those without GDP Tuvalu at their command. A child size mobile model of the car sold for a not too shabby $8.688, although its 50cc engine can hold no candle to the 2, 5-liter version in the real deal (not that you own nothing this kind of makes her little Fangio would entrust).

A one eighth scale version of the famous car costs $5.288 and for lovers with a tough budget, a Fangio-signed photo of the driver in a W196 Grand Prix of Monaco in 1955 would sell for a mere $1,133.

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Benz's bright idea: Light up the hood ornament

Let's be honest, for many car buyers the hood ornament or badge on the front of the car is their way of making a statement, especially with luxury brands. Well, Mercedes-Benz is taking its iconic three point star and putting a new shine on it, by offering a Benz badge that lights up.

Make no mistake, this will be the coolest feature some buyers will gladly show off by driving their new Benz to in front of neighbor's homes after dusk. Mercedes introduced the option with a video highlighting the many incarnations of the Mercedes star over the years.

Mercedes is offering the illuminated star on select models including the new E-Class, the M-Class, GL-Class and CLS-Class sedans. In some cases, depending on the model year, Mercedes dealers can retrofit the LED lighting feature. Mercedes described the new illuminated star as, "Bright, but sophisticated. And it's your opportunity to announce to the world: 'This is my Mercedes-Benz!'"

For years, hood ornaments were truly ornaments sticking up and announcing that you were driving a Mercedes-Benz or Cadillac or, if you could really afford it, a Rolls-Royce with the "Spirit of Ecstasy." Over the years fewer cars carried hood ornaments and more transitioned to badges on the front grill. At first, they were fairly discreet, but not anymore. Now they are big and pronounced. Clearly the designers of cars got the memo from the marketing folks about the importance of plastering the brand on a particular model so everybody knows what's driving down the street.

In recent years, as more people worked on ways to customize their cars, adding LED lighting to accent features of the car has mad the badge on the grill a new frontier. Go online and you'll find plenty of kits that let you re-do your badge so it's illuminated, often in a variety of different colors.

Now Mercedes is bringing the feature to big Benz star in the front grill. You have to wonder, what's next? Will other automakers follow the Mercedes lead when it comes to LED accents on the hood badge?

© 2013 CNBC LLC. All Rights Reserved

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Updated Mercedes-Benz GLK350 is greatly improved.

Dan Carney

The Mercedes-Benz GLK350 comes with nine air bags: front air bags, front side-impact air bags, front pelvic air bags, a driver's knee air bag and window curtain air bags.

By Dan Carney, msnbc.com contributor
Compact SUVs are selling like the latest fashions, not only for buyers of mainstream brands such as Honda and Ford, but also premium brands that include Audi and Land Rover. Mercedes-Benz wants a bigger share of that growing market, so the company has greatly improved the GLK350, its contender among compact SUV models since its debut in 2010.

The original iteration of the GLK seemed to be the product of too much corner-cutting, turning off prospective buyers with a decidedly subpremium interior and a lack of exterior detailing. Worse, Mercedes’ signature array of safety gadgets was absent, and the vehicle was powered by an old-tech 90-degree V-6.

Thankfully (with maybe a nudge from tepid sales), the company realized that Mercedes buyers really believe the company’s “The best or nothing” slogan.

So the company has whipped up as thorough a refreshing of the model as you’re likely to find in a vehicle getting an upgrade only three years after its introduction. There is plenty in the upgraded model to excite would-be SUV buyers.

The biggest change is in the cabin, where the obviously budget-minded decor has been replaced by the kind of genuine luxury we've come to expect from cars sporting the three-pointed star. In place of the drab gray plastic found in earlier iterations of the model, there is now burled walnut or black ash accenting the dashboard and door panels. And the brushed aluminum highlights convey a high-tech feel.

Perforated “MB-Tex” vinyl is the standard upholstery, in a nod to the continuing price sensitivity of entry-level luxury buyers. It's also noteworthy that today’s perforated vinyl seats aren’t the thigh-searing nightmare you might recall from the back seat of Dad’s Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser.

Of course, most Mercedes customers will likely upgrade to leather rather than “synthetic leather.” Their reward will be the ambient cabin lighting, which is bundled with the cowhide. The magnitude of the GLK’s interior upgrade is the most dramatic I’ve seen since the 2011 Dodge Journey.

Outside, the change is more subtle, but tweaks to the front and rear fascias and lights convey a more expensive look, with better detailing to the bumpers and lighting in keeping with similar models offered by other manufacturers in this market segment.

Changes found beneath the exterior are also impressive. A 302-horsepower, direct-injected 60-degree V-6 now purrs under the hood, using gas 15 percent more efficiently than the old engine. There are no EPA numbers available yet, but based on the earlier model's 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway rating, look for the new model to rate about 19/25. During mostly mountainous highway driving, I saw 23 mpg for the all-wheel-drive version and 25 mpg for the rear-drive model.

The 60-degree design is inherently better-balanced than the former 90-degree engine (which was just a V-8 with two cylinders lopped off), so there are no fuel-wasting balance shafts needed now. The direct fuel injection squirts fuel with precision directly into the combustion chamber to better control combustion. It also allows a higher compression ratio for more power.

Early next year, Mercedes will offer a fuel-saving 190-horsepower, 2.1-liter four-cylinder diesel with twin turbochargers in the GLK250 BlueTec model. The growing number of modern, efficient clean diesels remain outside the mainstream, but this niche is growing as more drivers discover the fun of driving high-torque turbodiesels.

The seven-speed automatic transmission is programmed in such a way that it seems less prone to downshifting one gear too many when accelerating than many automatics.

Electric power steering replaces the old hydraulic power steering, which also boosts fuel savings. This “improvement” is often a cause for distress because many electric power steering systems are poorly developed and lack the feel and feedback provided by good hydraulic systems. But the GLK’s electric system combines with the leather-wrapped steering wheel to give the driver a good feel for the car’s handling on the road. It even avoids the pitfall of excessively boosted assist at parking-lot speeds.

The engineers have outfitted the GLK with all the safety doodads that were missing before. The new GLK includes blind-spot warning and lane-keeping assistance in addition to its automatic braking system.

The Pre-Safe Brake system uses radar for the automatic cruise control to detect objects in the road. If the driver doesn’t react to a possible collision, Pre-Safe issues an alarm and applies up to 40 percent of available braking power to automatically slow the car. If the driver still doesn’t respond, when the car is 0.6 seconds from impact, the system fully applies the brakes to reduce the severity of the impact.

The engineers might have gotten a little carried away with other widgets, such as the stalk-mounted shifter, which requires the driver to press inward on the end of the stalk to put the car in park. And to select reverse from park, you click the stalk upward, rather than downward, as you would with a conventional column-mounted shifter, which seems likely to cause confusion.

There was a time when Ford thought we should all press on the end of the turn signal stalk to blow the car’s horn. They eventually stopped swimming against the tide and returned the horn to the steering wheel, and hopefully alternative shifter schemes will also fade away as the novelty of electronic shifting wears off.

The navigation/infotainment display in the center of the dashboard is eye-catching. Unfortunately, Mercedes’ interface continues to be challenging to navigate. With practice it works, but it is never obvious, simple or intuitive to use. Most drivers will cope with this flaw by rarely using many of its capabilities.

In more mundane areas, the GLK is solid, with typical rear-seat and cargo space. The back seat is a bit flat, but the thigh support — an area automakers skimp on to pump up legroom measurements — is quite good for a vehicle in this category. Back seat overhead grab handles are always appreciated, so it is nice to see them here.

The upgraded 2013 Mercedes GLK350 marries nimble German driving dynamics with the premium interior ambiance shoppers expect when they open the door on a Mercedes-Benz. Keep the option list short so the price is in the low $40,000s rather than the low $50,000s, and the GLK350 is a great compact luxury value.

2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350

Base price: $39,965 (including $875 delivery charge)

As tested: $54,025

EPA Fuel Economy: Estimated 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway

Pros: Gorgeous new interior, standard safety equipment, new engine

Cons: Still-awkward proportions, oddball shifter, price gets very high with options

Verdict: This hugely improved premium crossover SUV should pull in those customers who were escaping to other brands.

Standard equipment: 302-hp, 3.5-liter V6, seven-speed automatic transmission, 8-way power front seats, express up and down power windows, 6-speaker AM/FM/CD sound system

Major options: Leather seating, ambient lighting, GPS navigation, panoramic sunroof, satellite radio, bi-xenon headlights, AMG styling package, parking assist, keyless start

Safety equipment: electronic stability control, traction control, brake assist, trailer stability assist, tire pressure monitoring, dual-stage front airbags, front-seat side airbags, side air curtains, driver knee airbag, drowsy driver alert system

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Mercedes-Benz M class reminiscent of vehicles of the U.S.

DETROIT-Daimler AG Mercedes-Benz AMG vehicles in the United States is 136,750 M class and M class made from 1999 to 2004 for questions relating to control cruise, which can lead to a crash U.S. federal safety regulators said in mind. ?Is the bad economy good birth control? Life Inc.: The recession has its mark on Americans live, and questions to some 4 per cent decline in the birth rate, how deep the influence that it will have on the next generation. Life Inc.: A colorful way to avoid foreclosure Buick (Yes, that Buick!) is doing great (serious!) Fore! Some famous and updated for sale golf real estate 10 minutes before 4/8/2011 8: 03: 29 AM + 00: 00 ConsumerMan: Farewell, reward debit cards

A filing with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows to perform the repairs to the Mercedes dealer from September.

The brakes to disengage cruise control may fail, said the chances of a crash, the submission. There are other ways, including working "cruise control stalk" or pumps the brakes, which measures the system still fails the brake application, the filing said.

The recall was prompted by several complaints from consumers NHTSA said.

The recall includes model year 2000 - 2002 M-class and 2000 - 2004 M-class AMG vehicles.

Copyright 2011 Thomson Reuters.

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