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Maybach coupe set for limited production

German-based engineering specialist Xenatec has announced plans for an exclusive new Maybach coupe to rival the Bentley Brooklands and the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe. The new two-door, which will ride on the same underpinnings and draw power from the same engine as the Maybach 57S, is planned to be built in a limited run of 100 cars at the company’s workshop in Weinsberg, Germany, all with the blessing of Maybach parent company, Daimler. Daimler has carefully followed the car’s development and will supply built-up 57S chassis from its nearby Sindelfingen-based manufacturing headquarters.

Toyota proposing $1.1 billion unintended acceleration settlement in US

Toyota are setting aside an additional $1.1 billion to settle claims in the US of unintended acceleration in their cars. In the ongoing saga of unintended acceleration in the US caused by floor mats, Toyota has revealed it is to set aside an additional $1.1 billion to settle claims and fit new equipment to cars affected by the floor mat problem. Toyota are going to install a brake override system in 3.25 million vehicles, set aside $250 million to compensate owners who have already sold their cars, another $250 million for affected owners whose cars can’t get the brake override system, throw in a care plan  for parts related to unintended acceleration and throw $30 million at research in to car safety.

MINI Cooper S under investigation in U.S. over fires

MINI Cooper S investigation in US over Fires The MINI has been a big success in the US, and an even bigger success when you consider the American penchant for cars the size of a small aircraft carrier. And one of the favourite MINIs in the US is the hottest version of the MINI – the Cooper S. But following a spate of reports about the MINI Cooper S catching fire, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has set up an investigation to try and see if there’s a common problem.