International Engine of the Year Awards to focus on fuel efficiency

Like the Oscars of the Otto cycle, the Grammys of gasoline, the International Engine of the Year Awards are a big deal in the industry. For 2013, the awards will continue to focus on green technology, pitting gasoline, compressed natural gas (CNG), hybrid and all-electric powerplants against each other for the title of "international engine of the year." Ford's 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine took top honors last year. Besides the top award, other categories include best green engine, best new engine and best performance engine, each voted on by journalists from around the world.

Toyota makes service plans standard

Toyota Motor Corp., aiming to restore customer trust after a recall crisis, is launching two new U.S. service plans that will come standard with Toyota and Scion brand vehicles. Called Toyota Care and Scion Service Boost, the plans will offer free factory scheduled maintenance and 24-hour roadside assistance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first, the company said Wednesday.

New Mercedes A Class leaks out early

New Mercedes A Class leak The new Mercedes A Class has hit the web before Mercedes has had time to take the wraps off in Geneva The new Mercedes A Class has been coming for some time, and we’ve had the Concept A to give us a clue and plenty of spy shots and video of the new A Class to keep us pointed in the right direction. Now have the first official photo leaked to us in our inbox just hours before Mercedes take the wraps of the new A Class officially. At first glance when the photo of the new A Class dropped in we thought it looked like a BMW 1 Series with a Mercedes star on the front.