Mercedes-Benz first hinted in the launch of your S Class with plug-in hybrid capability as far back as 2009 when it unveiled the Vision S500 Plug-In Hybrid concept. The best part was that it was destined for production, despite the fact that here was actually a full-size luxury sedan capable of -60 mph runs in under 6. seconds and gas mileage of 70 mpg or better.

Now we understand when we will finally view the production Mercedes-Benz S Class plug-in hybrid: at September’s 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show.

The news was basically reported by Car Sales, citing information revealed by Mercedes spokesman David McCarthy in Australia.

Visit the Metro Nissan Montclair Service Center for the latest specials on parts and maintenance!

An electric supercar manufacturer is emerging from an unlikely place – Zagreb, Croatia. Ivo Spigel profiles Rimac Automobili as being the automotive startup gears up for an 8 million euro investment.

Should you be a wealthy person deeply in love with very fast cars and you were more than happy to put down a seven figure dollar or euro amount for a supercar, where can you go?

You could possibly head to Modena in Italy to check out a Pagani. An alternative could be the Valhall Park in the Ängelholm airfield in Sweden, headquarters of Koenigsegg where you can land your helicopter on a dedicated customer helipad. Or … you could potentially come to Croatia.

The great thing about there being more gender equality is that there are more choices when it comes to career and parenting. One of those choices remains whether or not one parent decides to stay at home, even though the difference is that now there are more and more fathers who are deciding to stay at home rather than just the typical stay at home mom that may have been seen on TV decades ago. Having one parent stay at home is possible, although there are some things that need to be kept in mind.

When making the decision as to whether or not to have a parent stay home, do a comprehensive analysis of your budget to see if it is possible. It could end up that a significant part of one parent’s income is actually being used towards child care and traveling expenses. If that is the case, it may actually be cost effective for a parent to stay home.

Figuring out what money gets spent on and what expenses can be lowered is also important. One place to start could be with automobile expenses. Brand new cars can come with extra costs besides the higher monthly payments, especially when it comes to things such as insurance. With a used car, such as the ones available from used cars downey, you can find something to help lower your monthly payments and that won’t cost as much to insure. To find a full line of great pre-owned cars, go to McPeek Dodge.

Look into other ways to cut costs as well, without having to feel deprived. The working parent can pack a few special lunches a week instead of going out. Make dinners at a restaurant something for special occasions and instead make certain nights special for cooking something with your kids, such as taco Tuesday. Little things can make a huge difference when it comes to saving money.

Inspired by the winged, unlimited-class rally cars from the famed Pikes Peak Hill Climb, RENNtech set about creating a GLK that could master the pack by leaving the rest chewing gravel. But, this wild GLK carries a few surprises beneath its menacing exterior.

Hybrid powertrains are generally connected with fuel efficiency and lower emissions. RENNtech is taking one more advantage of the hybrid principle to make the GLK into a formidable performer, however. By combining an electric motor in parallel with the 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine, RENNtech has been capable of capture the impressive torque that characterises electric motor drives, adding 54 Nm to boost the GLK’s performance off-the-line and away from corners. Using a hybrid drive within a hill climb setting provides the added good thing about maintaining thrust at higher altitudes, when internal combustion engines – which rely on ambient air – start to wheeze.

The specialist Mercedes tuning company has also worked its magic on the base 3.5 litre V6 unit, using components from the latest Mercedes-Benz high-performance 3.5 litre V6 Sport engine. Included in this are a special intake manifold, cylinder and cams heads, that RENNtech has added its very own long-tube headers, composite air intake and RENNtech ECU software. Engine output is perfectly up to approximately 350 hp, augmented further by the electric motor in the hybrid drive.

The additional 72 volt drive is run by 12 volt plug-in batteries. RENNtech is currently taking care of a nickel-hydride solution with regenerative charging for additional range.

“The GLK Rally Racer Hybrid can be a fully-functioning test bed,” explains Hartmut Feyhl, President and founder of RENNtech. “We will use this vehicle being a proof-of-concept, which we will develop and enhance throughout the coming year.”

“With the Rally Racer, we certainly have really increased the car’s performance,” continues Feyhl. “Together with all the more aggressive, sporting look, we have made a powerful and exciting package.”

It is also worth noting that, despite the performance enhancements, RENNtech has succeeded in increasing the fuel economy of the Rally Racer compared with the original version, “proving that high performance and efficiency can coexist,” adds Feyhl.

Bearing in mind that the Rally Racer is built for speed on tough terrain, RENNtech opted to forego creature comforts, cutting the extra weight of the standard GLK by removing many of the sound insulation and replacing the Mercedes-Benz seats with lightweight carbon-fibre buckets. Engineers also fitted a full roll cage and moved several components to the rear in the vehicle to make an almost perfect 50: 50 front/rear weight distribution for improved handling on tight, demanding rally stages.

Another significant handling modification arises from the custom coil-over suspension. Made to RENNtech specifications by suspension supplier KW, the package enables adjustments in height, rake, damping rate, camber and toe-in.

Extra stopping power is provided for the Rally Racer courtesy of an in-house RENNtech brake combo featuring massive 412mm, 2-piece rotors with 8-piston callipers at the front, and 356mm discs grabbed by 4-pot callipers at the rear.

Lightweight 20 inch 3-piece, 5-spoke RENNtech wheels within a “Sniper Gray” anthracite finish, clad in NT05 275/40 20 Nitto rubber at the front and NT05 315/35 20 at the rear, fill the prominent wheel flares that underscore this GLK’s performance potential.

Although extensive exterior revisions were made to accommodate the larger wheels and brakes as well as to widen the track, the main objective of bodyshell modifications was enhanced aerodynamic efficiency. RENNtech used the latest in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software to develop the package. The front side splitter, rear diffuser and minimize side skirts help direct airflow under the GLK Rally Racer to lower drag and provide added downforce, while improving high speed stability at the rear. The rear wing elements also serve an essential aerodynamic purpose and add emphasis to the aggressive edginess of the original GLK design. From a visual perspective, RENNtech engineers successfully melded their aerodynamic modifications with the flared wheel arches to create a powerful side line that highlights the dynamic thrust of your Rally Racer.

“The GLK was a great starting point for this particular project,” says Hartmut Feyhl, “It has excellent underpinnings for performance tuning and I think the general look really suits it.”

“The GLK gave us a great deal of scope for bringing together form and function. For the RENNtech GLK, performance may have been the main goal, additionally it looks the part,” he adds.

To keep the hype going, GM’s plans for the new Corvette Stingray focus on the presentation of new features, models and special editions on a yearly basis. Having confirmed an 8-speed automatic transmission for your base Stingray as well as the new Z06 Coupe and Convertible for the 2015MY, Chevy has recently announced two new Design Packages, the Atlantic luxury convertible and the Pacific performance coupe, both due to go on sale later this year.

You’ve aced your final exams, accepted your diploma with pride, and tossed your mortarboard in the air with the rest of your class. But even as the graduation gifts start rolling in, you can’t ignore the mounting anxiety you’ve started to feel. College is over, and the rest of your life is staring you in the face. Don’t panic just yet! Take some deep breaths, and read through our list of tips designed to help you prepare for life post-college.

Take Time to Reflect

Before you jump headfirst into the real world, take some time to look back on the last four years of your life. You just earned a college degree, and that’s no small accomplishment. Neither is leaving the safety of your childhood home, parting ways with your high school social circle, and moving into a dormitory with a bunch of strangers. You’ve transitioned from adolescence to adulthood. Make a point to enjoy your last “summer vacation,” and take a personal inventory of the lessons learned and memories made during your college career.

Start Planning for Bigger Expenses

We know you’ve barely just begun your job search. But developing smart spending and saving habits now will pay off (literally!) down the line. Start putting a little money aside every week, even if it’s only the loose change at the bottom of your wallet. Once you’ve settled into a job, you’ll start planning for bigger and better things. Sure, public transportation is working out for now, but eventually you’re going to want a car to haul groceries, drive clients to business meetings, or to head out of town on a quick weekend getaway with your friends. If you’ve started a savings account, you’ll find your ready to start shopping for the car of your dreams in no time! fiat dealership Los Angeles has tons of fun, affordable cars that are perfect for post-grads. Be sure to check out the models listed at OC Fiat once you start your search.

Make a schedule

You only pulled yourself out of bed every morning throughout college by knowing that you had to be halfway across campus at a certain time. It’s tough to find the motivation to meet deadlines, but having a schedule can help out big time. From paying your utility bills before their due date, to factoring in some much needed socializing to help you blow off steam during your job search, put together a schedule and stick to it! Getting organized for your new routine will help you settle into life outside of the dorm room. You might roll your eyes at the thought of an itinerary now, but you’ll thank us later.

Live in the Moment

Remember that although you’re trying to lay a solid foundation for your future now that you’re a college graduate, you’re only young once. Embrace this exciting new chapter in your life. Wherever the road ahead may lead you, go forward with the knowledge that every day is a new adventure!

Bend it like Obama. The Commander-In-Chief was only in Japan for a state visit, with his fantastic trip took him to some science expo, where he played a little bit of soccer with Honda’s latest ASIMO robot. The entire scene was captured on video, and showed the innovative robot mainly because it kicked, hopped and ran a soccer ball to some bemused President Obama.

ASIMO had a number of upgrades ahead of its meeting with all the president, that have been originally shown off to the crowds with the 2014 New York Auto Show. These tweaks to the 110-pound robot included a number of alterations in both its lower and upper body to enhance speed, stability and balance. Although not shown in this video, Honda claims the lower-body upgrades allow ASIMO to climb faster and much more smoothly than previously. Its hands are more dexterous and expressive, as well, while new sensors give it a much better sense of touch.

Before ASIMO smoothly and effortlessly jogged all over the stage, the robot along with the President experienced a brief chat. According to The Wall Street Journal, Obama later told students at the Miraikan Science Expo in Tokyo that ASIMO and the other robots in the fair were a little scary. They were too lifelike.

Our article with a prospective Toyota Motor Sales move to Texas now has some support from the Wall Street Journal.

The WSJ doesn’t know much more than we do but they have this:

The company confirmed which it was restructuring its marketing organization. It said employees “whose positions are significantly different within the new organization have been supplied with several options, including applying for opportunities within the new marketing organization or in other departments at TMS or Toyota Financial Services.”

Toyota said it was also offering redundancy packages to employees. The reorganization is set to take effect Thursday, the company said.

A car comes with a hefty price tag. Even the least expensive car is a big purchase for most people and most people, at the same time, are usually most interested in the most expensive cars. So when it comes time to find a new vehicle, it can often be a time of compromise.

One way to compromise, if you’re looking to find a great value on a car, is to consider buying a used vehicle. In some social circles, preowned cars might be considered a major faux paus but for the savvy shopper, they are a way to get a fantastic car at an absolute steal. The term ‘used cars’ might conjure up images of cigar puffing, rent-a-suit wearing, greasy haired salesmen. But today, you can buy used vehicles at even the most upscale of car dealerships. What most people don’t know about used vehicles is that you can often find very gently used ones on big lots for a fraction of the price of new cars. These might only be a year or two old, but when someone who wants to have the newest car all the time trades it in toward their new vehicle, the dealership has to sell it at a fraction of the price it cost a year ago when it was new. This is because a car loses value the minute it is driven off the lot. Additionally, these large dealerships require used cars to be thoroughly tested for any problems before being resold, so you can rest easy, knowing that a used car from this type of lot is in the best condition possible. You can find lots that sell upscale used vehicles all over the country, but if you’re in the market for costa mesa dodge, be sure to try OC Auto.