Audi TT Roadster with 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 160HP

Let's face it; a substantial number of buyers in the roadster segment are more concerned about their car's looks (and how they look inside it...) than anything else - performance included. That said, Audi's move to downsize and offer a new 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 160HP on the TT Roadster makes total sense. Priced at £23,910 OTR, and due with its first UK customers in April, the new entry-level TT slots into the range just below the existing 2.0 TFSI model costing £27,355.

The turbocharged and directly injected 1.8-litre TFSI unit is linked to a six-speed manual transmission launching the TT Roadster 1.8 TFSI to 62mph (100km/h) in 7.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 139mph or 224km/h with a combined fuel consumption figure of 40.9mpg UK (6.9 lt/100km or 34.0mpg US), equating to CO3 output of 159g/km.

Mercedes-Benz expected to expand Alabama plant

Daimler is upping its investment in the state of Michigan, coming to terms with the city of Ann Arbor to build a new hybrid and electric R&D facility. Now, Automotive News is reporting that the automaker is expected to actually expand its Vance, Alabama production plant.

If the rumors are true, the Mercedes-Benz plant (which currently builds GL, M, and R class vehicles) will benefit from a $290 million investment that is to begin within 60 days. The news evidently leaked out after company officials contacted the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority about property and sales tax breaks (which it apparently received).

The expansion news comes at an odd time, as not only has the automaker's sales been flagging in the U.S. (down 20 percent in February year-over-year, admittedly much better than the market plunge of 41.4 percent), but sales of Vance-built SUVs in particular have fallen off, with Benz responding by reducing the plant's workforce.

Automotive News says the expansion effort won't be completed until 2011, but word yet on how much capacity this will give the plant (and what it will be used for) is not yet known.

British Tuner Creates Bespoke Lamborghini Murcielagos

Very few people in this world can actually afford buying a Lamborghini Murcielago, and even less will feel the need to drastically alter the looks of the raging bull's appearance. But in the extremely rare case that you belong to one of those finger-pointed Murcielago owners that want a more individual design for their Italian supercar, UK-based tuner Prindiville Prestige specializes in creating one-off, bespoke cars to an individual client's precise specifications.

The company claims that all you have to do is show them a sketch or give them an idea of what you want and they'll do it. Anything is possible, from a handcrafted bodywork to an interior retrimmed in ostrich hide - though we'd advise you to keep such an idea to yourself...

One of Prindiville Prestige's latest Murcielago creations is the one pictured here. From the original Lamborghini, the Brits supports that only the front compartment lid remains the same as even the roof panel has been changed.

The Murcielago gets a new bodywork with all panels made from carbonfire, different alloy wheels, a restyled engine bay cover with transparent cooling louvres plus a bespoke interior with hand-finished aluminum accents and leather trim.

Via: Le Blog Auto

Hummer Launches H2 Limited Dark Chrome Edition

Several months after its introduction in the States, GM has introduced the Hummer H2 Limited Black Chrome Edition in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The new special edition H2 that will be available to 1,300 customers globally features an array of black chrome details including the 20-inch alloys, front grille, hood latches and handles, fuel filler door, door handles, mirror caps, "H2" badges, side air vents and spare tire cover.

The Limited Dark Chrome Edition H2 is available on both SUV and SUT models with buyers offered the choice of three exterior colors including the new-for-2009 Silver Ice Metallic and the existing Sedona Metallic and Carbon Black Metallic.

Inside the special edition model gets new seats and a leather trim along with additional comfort and convenience features. Power is provided from GM's 'small-block' 6.2-litre V8 engine producing 441 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 454 Nm of torque at 4400 rpm.

Officially reveal of 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG 'upskirt' photo of the sport sedan

While Mercedes-Benz has yet to officially reveal the new E63 AMG, German car magazine Sport Auto took the liberty to publish an 'upskirt' photo of the sport sedan as a teaser for its new competition that will see one lucky reader winning the car. As Mercedes has already informed us, the new E63 AMG that could be unveiled as soon as next month's New York International Auto Show will be powered a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 producing a hefty 525-horspower.

The teaser photo gives us a glimpse of the E63 AMG's front end that gets a new fascia with a more aggressively styled bumper as well as of the newly designen five-spoke alloy wheels.