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2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK revealed

Following its premature unveiling in a French-language marketing video late last year, Mercedes-Benz has now issued official photographs of the new SLK. Set to make its debut at the German carmaker's 125th birthday celebrations in Stuttgart at the end of January--prior to North American sales beginning this summer--the popular two-seat roadster was thoroughly re-engineered with a new rear-wheel-drive platform and more contemporary engine and gearbox combinations. The car will make its auto-show debut in Geneva.

GM to double size of battery lab

General Motors says it will spend $8 million to double the size of its Global Battery Systems Lab, which the company claims is the largest and most technologically advanced automotive battery lab in the United States. GM says the expansion will speed up the development of hybrid and electric vehicles, such as the upcoming Chevrolet Volt, by improving on-site testing of battery cells and systems. When finished, the lab will be 30,000 square feet bigger than it is now, for a 63,000-square-foot total.

Watch: XCar tests the Pagani Huarya

Huayra means “god of the winds” in the Quechua language, hence the word's attachment to the 230 mph Pagani hypercar that debuted in 2012 with a price of $1.3 million. British outfit XCar took the company's latest to the streets for the full shakedown. XCar starts with a little history on the company before going into the trick aero bits that stay hidden when you want to go fast, and appear when you want to take a corner.