ABT Sportsline introduces 700 hp Audi RS6 Avant

Hot on the heels of their appearance at SEMA and their announcement to open a location in the U.S., the German tuning firm ABT Sportsline has unveiled two new versions of the Audi RS6 Avant, dubbed the ABT Power S and ABT Power. Apparently, ABT Sportsline felt that the 560 hp output of the stock 4.0-liter TFSI-engined Audi RS6 Avant wasn't enough, and tuned the ABT Power S version to produce 700 hp. That's a 25 percent increase in power over the stock version.

Exclusive: Honda to Close European Design Studios

In a surprise announcement, Honda has decided to close design operations in Europe, based in Germany. The decision to shut down both the car design and motorcycle design studios of Honda R&D Europe (HRE-G) in Offenbach, near Frankfurt was taken at the end of September and came as a shock announcement to employees. It represents the latest casualty in cuts for the car design community.

Ford reveals S-Max concept ahead of 2013 Frankfurt motor show

Here's another one that'll probably go straight into the “not bound for United States shores” file: the Ford S-Max concept, which will make its grand debut at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show. Ford says the S-Max previews a “future sport activity vehicle,” which may, in fact, be contemporary PR-speak for “mini-minivan.” Look beyond the carbon-fiber interior detailing (and add some door handles) and you'll see a vehicle that looks more or less production-ready. The S-Max concept isn't too wildly sculpted, sharing styling cues with current Fords (including the Fiesta, Escape/Kuga, C-Max and Fusion/Mondeo) -- from the creases on the hood to the high, hexagonal grille to the stainless steel trim surrounding the greenhouse.