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Mercedes-Benz CLA180 cheats the wind

Mercedes-Benz claims its new CLA180 BlueEfficiency Edition will be the world's most aerodynamically efficient production road car when the European deliveries begin in June. The swoopy four-door sedan forms part of an initial five-car lineup of CLA models set for a public debut at the Geneva motor show in March. With an official drag co-efficient of 0.22, the CLA180 Blue Efficiency Edition undercuts the existing aerodynamic champion, the Mercedes B180 BlueEfficiency with the optional eco technology package, which claims a 0.24 Cd.

Call for reform over road repair funding

FUNDING patterns mean most road maintenance is being carried out in "less-efficient, cold and wet" times, a report from a Government spending watchdog has said. The current pattern of funding, combined with the need to spend money within the financial year, means that most maintenance work goes on between September and March, said the report from the National Audit Office (NAO). It went on: "Although this is less disruptive for road users, it is less efficient than carrying out the work at other times of year because materials can be more difficult to handle in cold and wet conditions, and daylight hours are shorter." The report went on: "As a result of the additional funding for emergency repairs, which is made available at the end of the financial year, almost all highways authorities need extra capacity from the market at the same time, which makes it less likely that they will get value for money." The NAO report said there was a "lack of predictability" over road spending adding that historically, local highway authorities spent more revenue on maintenance, but were now carrying out fewer routine activities such as clearing gullies which are essential to preventing water seeping into roads' sub-structure.

BMW to make Super Bowl comeback

BMW North America is returning to the Super Bowl after a 10-year hiatus, as the car maker enters one of the busiest periods of new model and product launches in its history. According to the auto manufacturer--which globally operates out of Germany but has U.S. headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, N.J.--between 2010 and 2011, over 60 percent of its total inventory will be new vehicles.