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New details on Mercedes' Porsche 911 fighter

Mercedes-Benz's AMG performance-car division is forging ahead with development of its new twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 powered sports car, nine months before it is scheduled to be revealed at the 2014 German Grand Prix. Known to insiders by its code name, “C190” the two-seat coupe has been conceived to follow in the wheel tracks of the four-year-old SLS at the head of the German carmaker's lineup, aiming to challenge the heady performance and everyday driving appeal of the latest Porsche 911 Turbo at a price that insiders suggest will be in the region of $160,000 when North American sales begin in early 2015. Originally, AMG's new front-engined sports car was tipped to revive the iconic SLC name first used by the SL coupe back in 1971.

(Another) Audi A3 e-tron hybrid at Geneva 2013

The Audi A3 e-tron – a hybrid A3 EV based on the A3 Sportback – will debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show as a concept. This Audi A3 e-tron isn’t a pointless electric supercar – like the R8 e-tron – or another rollout of the A3 e-tron BEV, but a hybrid A3 with a proper ICE engine coupled to an electric motor, just like the A3 e-tron concept we saw in Shanghai in 2011 That still means a lot of complicated and heavy technology to game the silly official economy tests and come up with ‘official’ economy figures of 158mpg and 35g/km, but the A3 e-tron would – if it were made – offer big tax breaks for company car drivers. The A3 e-tron gets a 1.4 litre direct injection petrol engine good for 148bhp working with an electric motor good for an extra 100bhp.

Ex-Morgan Chief Designer forms Matthew Humphries Design

The former chief designer at Morgan, has formed his own design consultancy, Matthew Humphries Design, in a bid to branch out into the worlds of bespoke cars and product design. Humphries will continue his relationship with Morgan in a partnership that will see the newly formed company help to develop future models for the independent British sports car manufacturer. The 28-year-old Coventry University graduate believes he can begin moving into the growing market for integrating automotive design elements into product design – such as furniture – and particularly British-themed products.