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Pros: The 2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK is a great seller that you can almost spot around town on any given day. Sharp lines, two excellent engines, a superb gearbox, fourth-generation 4MATIC all-wheel drive, and all the luxury and confort you'd expect from a Mercedes are part of the package.

Cons: The GLK can get quite expensive when you start adding options and accessories. The trunk's capacity is below average; in fact, you can enjoy more cargo room in most mid-to-large sedans. Elsewhere, operating the paddle shifters takes some getting used to.

2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK Price: There are two trim levels on the GLK menu for 2014, and they start at $43,500 and $45,500, respectively.

Photo: Mercedes

2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK Fuel Economy: On one hand, you have the very efficient, diesel-powered GLK 250 BlueTEC, which achieves 8.3L/100km in the city and 5.9L/100km on the highway. On the other hand, the more powerful GLK 350 4MATIC burns 11.1L and 8.1L/100km (premium gas required).

Improvements and Changes: The biggest news is obviously the introduction of a 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine. The COMAND system adds a surround-view camera. New colour options have been added to the mix.

2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK Powertrain: The German automaker offers two different engines with the GLK, namely a 2.1L 4-cylinder turbodiesel (200 hp, 369 lb-ft) and a 3.5L V6 (302 hp, 273 lb-ft). All models benefit from 4MATIC all-wheel drive and a 7-speed automatic transmission with manual mode.

Photo: Mercedes

Cargo Capacity: There are 450 litres of trunk space in the 2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK, although you can fold the rear seats and triple that number to 1,550 litres.

Safety: Seven airbags, anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake force distribution along with stability and traction control are standard. You can get a rearview camera, lane keeping assist system, blind-spot monitors, and an emergency calling system.

Comparing the 2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK: Competition includes the Acura RDX, Audi Q5, BMW X3, Infiniti QX50, Lexus RX 350, Lincoln MKX, Porsche Macan, and Volvo XC60.

From GMM

Toto Wolff has played down reports Mercedes is the clear 2014 favourite after the first winter test at Jerez last week.

"It is too early to know," the German marque's commercial director told the Spanish-language Motorpasion.

"It is just testing and so you can't say much. But it was good that we were able to do so many miles, Nico (Rosberg) even did a race simulation, which is something the others were not able to do.

"Only in Australia will we see something representative," added Toto Wolff. "The cars are going to change a lot until then, (as) there is a lot more testing to do."

Toto Wolff, Mercedes AMG. (Photo: WRi2)

German Rosberg agrees that, while Mercedes had a successful test in southern Spain with good reliability, "a lot of work" still lies ahead before Melbourne.

"Performance-wise we don't know where we are because you can't really compare to the other cars, but that's not the focus right now," he insisted.

Teammate Lewis Hamilton added: "It's a bit early to say this definitely, but right now the car feels pretty good. So far so good; now we just have to continue working hard and see what happens in Bahrain."

Pros: If you want to own what's arguably the fastest station wagon on the planet, you've come to the right place. The Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon packs the model's acclaimed flexibility, space and luxury features with a potent dose of supercharged performance, American style. Look for numerous luxury and convenience features, plenty of cargo room, and a full suite of safety systems, alongside a massive performance punch from under the hood. A full selection of track-validated chassis upgrades are included, too.

Cons: Given the CTS-V Sport Wagon's performance intentions, it's not a model for every shopper. Expect higher-than-average fuel consumption and speeding-ticket likeliness in exchange for this rocket-wagon's capabilities.

2014 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Pricing: Look for pricing form $48,065 before incentives to open the bidding on a 2014 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon in Luxury trim grade, with $51,995 and $60,185 starting the Performance and Premium grades, respectively. Numerous options and packages can be added to each for further customization.

Photo: Cadillac

2014 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon Fuel Economy: Opt for the 6-speed manual transmission, and you'll average a combined 13.1L/100km in fuel consumption. With the automatic gearbox, that figure climbs to 14.8L/100km. Premium fuel is required.

Improvements and Changes: As a carry-over model, not much is new with the 2014 CTS-V Sport Wagon other than its colour palette, which has been updated to offer Phantom Grey Metallic, Mocha Steel Metallic, Red Obsession Tintcoat, and Majestic Plum Metallic.

Don't Miss: The suite of technical and performance elements installed to complement the powertrain on all CTS-V Sport Wagon models. Included are a Magnetic Ride Control suspension system, Brembo brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 performance tires wrapped around 19” forged aluminum wheels. All models also get a unique grille that doubles front-end airflow to meet the demands of high-performance breathing.

2014 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon Powertrain: All CTS-V models get the most potent engine ever created in Cadillac's 106-year history. A supercharged 6.2L V8, known internally as the LSA, is based on GM's legendary small-block V8 architecture and features an intercooled supercharger, aluminum-alloy cylinder heads and numerous modifications to make power as quietly and smoothly as possible. The engine has a distinctive sound thanks in part to the supercharger, though it's ultimately engineered for a refined driving experience. A 6-speed transmission is available in the driver's choice of manual or automatic, and all units are rear-wheel drive.

Photo: Cadillac

Safety: Advanced airbags, stability control, and an advanced, high-tech braking system support drivers in maintaining optimal control at all times. The Performance Traction Management System helps keep engine output in check against current traction conditions, too. The award-winning OnStar system, xenon lights, and distraction-busting Bluetooth technology further enhance safety.

Comparables: Compare the CTS-V Sport Wagon to machinery like the Audi S7 and RS7, and the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG Wagon.

From GMM

At least a week after doctors began trying to wake Michael Schumacher from his coma, there have been no official updates about the great German's condition.

But that, according to a German publication that has been following the story in detail, is not necessarily a bad sign.

"It is neither a good nor a bad sign that there has been no communication on the progress of the recovery process," said the newsmagazine Focus.

"The waking-up can take days, weeks and even months, depending on how quickly the body breaks down the anaesthetic."

Some well-known F1 figures, however, interpreted the news about the beginning of the waking-up process as a positive sign.

"No one from a distance can assess the situation," Mercedes chairman Niki Lauda told the Swiss newspaper Blick, "but I am happy that at last there is a positive message."

Red Bull team owner Dietrich Mateschitz agreed: "I can only hope that this is good news."

From GMM

Fernando Alonso has confirmed reports Ferrari has now ended its wind tunnel crisis.

For some time, including throughout last season, the famous Italian marque has been working at Toyota's Cologne facilities, while the troublesome Maranello wind tunnel was closed for a complete overhaul.

Ferrari had struggled with the correlation of data between the tunnel and the actual track, but last week at Jerez proved that the Maranello facility is now back at full steam.

Ferrari's wind tunnel at Maranello. (Photo: Ferrari)

Team boss Stefano Domenicali confirmed that the "aerodynamic validation" at Jerez last week "matched our expectations" with regards to the brand new F14 T car.

Spaniard Alonso agrees that Jerez showed Ferrari, having not won a drivers' crown since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007, is now back on track.

"The car has some good signs and, let's say, the philosophy that the car has been designed is just what we are seeing now on the data," he told CNN in an interview.

"So there is nothing wrong, nothing to be pessimistic about, but a lot of work to do," Fernando Alonso added.

The arctic temperatures that hit key Honda markets in the Midwest and East Coast kept some car buyers out of Honda showrooms last month, leading American Honda to a 2 percent decline in United States sales.

Automotive shopping Web site CarGurus has launched a formula to sniff out potential bait-and-switch listings that lure consumers into dealerships.

Automakers issued more recalls in 2013 than the year before, with Toyota again recalling the most cars and trucks, a new government report shows.

A potential defect that is preventing Toyota dealers from selling some vehicles on their lots had little effect on January sales and is expected to have a 'minimal' impact in February, company executives said today.

There are ambitious project cars, and then there is this: a 1971 Mercedes-Benz600 Six-Door Pullman Landaulet that'll be offered at

Mercedes-Benz, the top-selling luxury-auto brand in the United States in 2013, started out this year in the lead with record January sales as carmakers broaden their lineups to bring in younger buyers.

Toyota President Akio Toyoda, whose company has accumulated a cash pile of almost $40 billion, is facing calls to put that money to better use.

Looking for a way to keep your ride sparkling clean? Look no further.

Volkswagen and the United Auto Workers union said workers at VW's U.S. plant will hold an election next week to determine if the union could represent workers there.

The UAW and Volkswagen Group of America said hourly workers at the VW assembly plant in Tennessee will hold an election Feb. 12-14 to determine if the union could represent workers there.

Few things are as all-American as a big Jeep. And yet, as Glenn Brooks has been reflecting, the Grand Cherokee he's been testing has a Daimler platform, a VM Motori engine and will soon be the basis of Maserati's first SUV.

Canadian auto sales nudged just 0.3 percent higher in January, as imports outsold Detroit 3 vehicles, but bad winter weather and a big December sales push likely skewed the results, an independent auto industry expert said on Monday.

Not that long ago, BMW Individual was a little-known client program that offered unique materials and equipment to customer specification.

-- Bring A Trailer has gone full Swedish with not one,

News 3 Feb, 2014

All the latest details on UK version of new Jeep Chreokee for 2014, which gets new 2.0 diesel