Ford Focus RS in action

Ford released a new promotional video of the Focus RS to help give the Europeans a little more detail on the car, but it also taunts us in the U.S. with a hot hatch we can’t have. Because the Focus RS is powered by a 2.5-liter 20-valve DOHC engine that delivers 300 hp at 6500 and a peak torque of 440 NM (325 lb-ft.), we were hoping that Ford was at least going to show us a little front wheel burnout.

Mercedes-Benz considering natural gas vehicle for the U.S.

Mercedes-Benz is considering entering the automotive CNG market with a version of its B-Class compact vehicle and it's currently showing just the machine at the Washington (D.C.) Auto Show. Regardless of the German automaker's intent, the decision on whether or not to actually offer the vehicle in America may have a lot to do with hybrid- and electric-specific legislation that, for better or for worse, rewards consumers for choosing specific vehicles based on the size of their battery pack.

Natural gas burns much cleaner than gasoline or diesel fuel and could therefore be a viable way to lower emissions. While it's generally true that natural gas is a fossil fuel, it can also be collected from landfills or created synthetically. For those looking to avoid the importation of fuel, the United States and Canada are major producers of natural gas. Still, if there's no financially sound reason for consumers to purchase a CNG vehicle, it seems highly unlikely that M-B will choose to import one.

[Source: Automotive News ]

Aston's seven-figure, 700hp One-77 still available for order

Selling million-dollar supercars isn't as easy as it used to be. While Lamborghini quickly offloaded its small run of seven-figure Reventons and Bugatti has gone through the bulk of its Veyron production, Aston Martin may be finding it a bit more difficult to separate the obscenely wealthy from their millions.

The One-77 is the big-ticket supercar in question, to be built in a limited run of 77 examples, with only six headed to the US, five staying in the UK and the remaining 66 ending up in the Emirates dispersing around the world. Previous reports circulating the interwebs suggested that the entire production run sold out almost immediately – before the car was even fully unveiled – but those reports may have been misleading. Although 100 potential customers reportedly expressed interest in acquiring the uber-supercar, the order books have apparently yet to be filled with buyers who've plunked down the £200k desposit. But even in this economy, they're bound to sell out soon, so if you've got the cash to spare, you'd better act fast. Like, 700-horsepower supercar fast.

[Source: CarAdvice.com.au via World Car Fans]

Topless Hummer H2

Hummer may have suspended the H2 production just so this would never happen again. From the ‘more money than taste’ file comes this chop-top H2.

Spotted in Abu Dhabi, it’s hard to even call this a convertible. There doesn’t appear to be any sort of roof that can be put up in case of rain (or dust) storms. It just looks like someone took circular saw and went to town on the H2’s roof and rear pillars. It also doesn’t help that the "hood scoop" looks like it is the product an oven pan and a few colored lights from Home Depot.

Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Trailer

We’ve already seen toys and spy video of the next Transformers movie. Now it all comes together with the first trailer for Transformers 2: Revenge Of The Fallen. This is probably not all we’re going to get to see before the movie hits theatres starting June 26

Coming to America? Audi yet to confirm new R8 5.2 FSI for U.S. market

Audi may have chosen the Detroit Auto Show to launch its new R8 5.2 FSI quattro, but that doesn't mean that the highly anticipated V10 version of the supercar is speeding towards Audi dealerships in the U.S. just yet.

The 518hp supercar is slated to go on sale in Germany in the second quarter of this year – still a couple of months away – with a sticker price of 142,400 Euros (approximately $180k), but it may be a while before it arrives Stateside. According to the guys over at Inside Line, Audi hasn't decided when – or for that matter, if – the V10 R8 will reach the United States, but suggest its arrival won't come within the next year. So if you were already mailing your check off to Audi of America, you may have to make do with the existing V8-powered R8 or pony up for its big brother, the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. As we've discovered, there are worse fates.

[Source: Inside Line]

2010 Audi S4 commercial

Audi may have gone for a few laughs with its Super Bowl ad for the U.S., but its going artistic to promote the new S4 at home in Europe.

When the S4 arrives in Germany’s showrooms this fall it will be powered by a 3.0 TFSI that delivers 333 hp and a peak torque of 325 lb-ft. It makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 5.1 seconds while top speed is limited to German gentlemen’s agreement of 155 mph.