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BMW works hard to avoid gas-guzzler tax

BMW AG hopes to get out from under the gas-guzzler taxes that are tacked on to the sticker prices of some of its high-performance models in the United States. Jim O'Donnell, president of BMW of North America, says the company is studying fuel-efficiency improvements that could eliminate the gas-guzzler taxes on its vehicles as early as the launch of their redesigns in the next few years. The 2010 550i GT incurs a $1,000 gas-guzzler fee, for example.

Mercedes S Class Coupe & GLA SUV Spy photos – from Mercedes

The new Mercedes S-Class Coupe & GLA Compact SUV have been testing in Death Valley With the petrolhead world getting used to seeing spy photos of new cars to come on a daily basis, car makers are getting in on the act with their own photos of suitably camouflaged new models. Mercedes already has a history of releasing spy photos of upcoming models, and we’ve recently had photos from Mercedes of the ‘baby’ SLS – the new Mercedes SLC – as well as previous spy shots of the SLS and SLK before they were launched. Now we have the head of Mercedes-Benz in the US, Steve Cannon, taking to Twitter to show the world what they’re busy hot weather testing in Death Valley.

Los Angeles Motor Show: Porsche reveals new Panamera flagship

THE SCINTILLATING Panamera Turbo S has been launched at twin events at the Tokyo and Los Angeles motor shows. The new flagship at the top of the firm’s grand tourer line-up packs a 562bhp punch from a twin-turbocharged V8 engine mounted at the front, with drive transmitted to all four wheels via a sophisticated drive system that can shift torque to whichever wheels can best use it. Displaying true supercar pace, the Turbo S can catapult to 62mph in just 3.8 seconds on the way to a top speed of 192mph.