Ecus Mazda 3 on 2040-parts.com

2013 Mercedes CLS63 AMG & Shooting Brake get new E63 AMG power hike

The 2013 Mercedes CLS 63 AMG and Shooting Brake are getting the same power upgrades as the new E63 AMG and the E 63 AMG S. But hidden in the press info that come in from Mercedes on the new E63 AMG was the news that the power upgrades it gets will also be offered on the CLS 63 AMG (and its Estate version – the CLS Shooting Brake) and that there will be a CLS 63 AMG S version too. That means that the regular CLS 63 AMg will now get 549bhp and be able to scoot to 62mph in 4.2 seconds, with the CLS 63 AMG S – with 577bhp –  probably getting to 62mph just a tenth quicker at 4.1 seconds.

AutoWeek Fantasy Camp: Follow along with the fun this weekend

The 2011 AW/ZF Fantasy Camp starts this Friday, May 13, then hits the track Saturday. Be sure to check autoweek.com and our special Fantasy Camp page to see what our participants think of this year's crop of performance vehicles. They'll get on-track experience plus breakout sessions that cover ride, handling and performance.

BMW's quirky new i3

The side view of the new BMW i3 electric vehicle takes some getting used to, with no two windows the same size or shape. The i3 is high-waisted through the front door and then there's a notch for a taller rear-passenger window and the rear-hinged rear door and a narrow, tapering window at the rear quarter. Yet when you look at the underlying structure -- made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic -- an innovative choice for a mass-produced car -- there's a giant side opening from front to rear.