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Plans for Smart’s three-seat sports car uncovered in patent drawings

Mercedes-Benz is developing a three-seat sports car for Smart. Depicted here in a series of European patent-application sketches obtained by AutoWeek, the radical new sports car forms part of an extended range of new Smart models planned for introduction by the middle of the next decade, including a more conventional four-seater to be produced in cooperation with Renault. Mercedes-Benz is reacting to increased competition from Toyota in the form of the iQ and the impending arrival of similar urban-based offerings from premium-brand rivals Audi and BMW.

Mercedes-Benz plans to add a fifth compact model in 2014

Mercedes-Benz will build a fifth variant off its future A- and B-class compact-car platform. The model will be a so-called "shooting brake," company sources said, adding that the low-slung sporty station wagon will start arriving at European dealerships in 2014. The car will most likely be called the CLC Shooting Brake, the sources said.

Chrome, Horsepower and Hemis: Cadillac Escalade tops most ripped-off list

Just when it seems as if all we are hearing about are Chevrolet Volts and Nissan Leafs (Leaves?), turns out thieves still love their performance cars and monstrous SUVs and trucks. The Cadillac Escalade remains the most stolen car in the United States, according to the Highway Loss Data Institute. The 'Sclade was followed by the Ford F250 pickup, the Infiniti G37, the Hemi Dodge Charger (not the V6 though!) and the Chevrolet Corvette Z06.