Mazda's rotary engine stalled, not forgotten

Development of the next-generation rotary engine from Mazda Motor Corp., first unveiled three years ago, is making slow progress despite missing emissions targets. A top Mazda powertrain executive said today that the 1.6-liter rotary engine, called the 16X, is about 30 percent more fuel-efficient than the current rotary engine used in the RX-8 sporty car. In fact, the 16X so far performs slightly better than Mazda's standard two-liter gasoline engine, said Mitsuo Hitomi, general manager of the Japanese carmaker's powertrain division.

Mercedes-Benz A-class gets the AMG treatment

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed limited details about its most affordable performance model to date, the A45 AMG. Set to go on sale in Europe in early 2013, the rival to the Audi RS3 and the BMW M135i sits at the top of the third-generation A-class lineup. The price, although not yet officially revealed, is expected to start at about 50,000 euros, or $62,400 at current exchange rates).

2013 Range Rover Hybrid confirmed

Jaguar Land Rover Director Hybrids and Electrification, Peter Richings, has confirmed the Range Rover hybrid will launch in 2013. From the new, entry-level 3.0 litre diesel Vogue to the 5.0 litre V8 Supercharged Range Rover Autobiography,  all the new Range Rovers offer more performance, more off-road ability (or certainly easier off-road running thanks to the new automatic Terrain Response) together with lower emissions and improved economy. But although the new 3.0 litre TDV6 Range Rover will offer 196g/km emissions and manage 37.7 mpg there is going to be a new Range Rover Hybrid that cuts emissions to just 169g/km.