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New Mercedes-Benz S-class spotted in SoCal

The new Mercedes-Benz S-class must be hustling toward the developmental-cycle finish line, because it's been spotted en masse in places such as Toronto (where it must be undergoing cold-weather testing) and Irvine, Calif. (where it must be gauging the interest of Benz-crazy vox populi). Because as devoid as it is of bodywork-breaking pillboxes, camera-obfuscating swirl paint, and surly engineers, the fact that it's seen here in little more than some sticky paper and a pair of cheap sunglasses on the driver means that the elder statesman of the automotive world is readying its next debut.

Belgian Grand Prix (2012) RESULT

With a resurgent Jenson Button on pole for the Belgian Grand Prix, will Spa see McLaren back in charge? Jenson Button and his McLaren were in perfect harmony in qualifying for the 2012 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa with button claiming his first pole for McLaren, and his first in three years. That promise looked good as Button left the line cleanly ahead of the pack, but then behind him there was carnage as Grosjean in the Lotus moved across straight in to the side of Hamilton, also taking out Alonso, Kobayashi and Perez, and forcing a restart to the race.

Alfa again delays U.S. return as European debt crisis deepens

Alfa Romeo has delayed the U.S. introduction of several key models by at least another year and has canceled plans to build a mid-sized SUV at Chrysler Group's factory in Toledo, Ohio. Alfa Romeo CEO Harald Wester, in a presentation to financial analysts in Frankfurt on Wednesday in connection with the Frankfurt auto show, said Alfa Romeo was scaling back its global expansion plans.