Mercedes-Benz joins the likes of the fuel-cell Honda FCX Clarity with its new model called the B-Class F-CELL. It will go into production late this year, and expect to see it on the road in the U.S. and Europe in primeval 2010.

The hydrogen-powered electric car lays down 134 horsepower and 214 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, and has an estimated fuel economy equivalent to more than 70 mpg. The energy stored in its 1.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack will allow it to have a 250 mile range. Top speed will only be 106 mph.

The B-Class F-CELL comes in a silver livery with 10-spoke alloys, heated leather seats, automatic climate control and Benz's COMMAND communications system.

Mercedes-Benz went back and forth in deciding to bring the compact B-Class to the States, and eventually decided not to. This version will be the first to be marketed in the U.S.

The maker says it is cooperating with government authorities, energy utilities and oil companies to build hydrogen filling stations in Hamburg, Stuttgart and California.

See the full press release after the jump.

We already showed you one picture of BMW's concept. Now we have another teaser shot of what looks like the left-rear quarter of the Vision EfficientDynamics. It supposedly breaks the typical BMW mold and will look nothing like any current model out of the Bavarian automaker's stable. Stay tuned for more details this weekend.

IAABlog

You hear that stomach-lurching "woop" and see the flashing lights in your rear view mirror. What do you do after you sign the ticket? Chances are you will log onto your computer and end up researching how exactly you can fight the ticket.
 
For over eight and a half years Geo. McCalip has run a Web site, HelpIGotATicket.com, to educate people as to how they can fight their tickets. Based on email and other feedback McCalip estimates that people using the information have a 75 to 80 percent success rate. While he states that the information on the site applies only to California, the principles work everywhere in the States.

"Start by knowing exactly what you are charged with. They are using the law to take your money; you need to use the law to keep it," said McCalip.

For example, if an officer pulls you over doing 54 in a 40, you technically may not have broken the law.

Most people picture an oddly-shaped, pretty slow organisation that has a limited traveling range when they think of an electric vehicle. Even if they imagine the Tesla Roadster Sport that makes it to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds, that's weak sauce compared to some of the EVs that show up at the events held by the National Electric Drag Racing Association (NEDRA).

The association was formed in 1997, and has events where it pits a bunch of battery electric vehicles not only against apiece other, but against your classic muscle cars as well. NEDRA vehicles are categorized by class and voltage, with classes ranging from production vehicles in the Street Production (SP) class to the custom racers in the Extreme Street (XS) class. Voltage divisions go from J for cars with 24 volts and below to A3 cars that have 349 volts and above.   

It also has a club called the "Roger Hedlund 100 mph Club" that awards racers who had quarter mile trap speeds of 100 mph plus. Some of the impressive vehicles in the club include the Current Eliminator V that ran the quarter mile in 7.956 seconds at 159.85 mph and the Killacycle cycle that prefabricated the 1320 ft sprint in 9.45 seconds at 152.07 mph. The cycle was loaded with 312 volts, Boulder Technologies 624 thin-film lead-acid cells and twin advanced DC 6.7-inch motors.

The next NEDRA event is the Power of DC (pun-intended) at the Mason Dixon Dragway in Hagerstown, Maryland. It goes from August 29-30 and will have everything from autocross to full-out battery-powered dragging.

Check out Subaru's new Legacy Super GT program in HD. The vehicle races in the 300 horsepower class of the Asian Super GT series, and has a DTM-like aero kit with wider fenders, an extremely low profile, air vents and a monstrous wing. Watch it tear up the Fuji Speedway below.

On the other side of the world, YouTube individual marchettino caught a few Ferrari 458 Italias out for a quick test drive in the Italian automaker's home city of Maranello. Two of them are in camo livery on the streets, while the other two are safely covered and being transported on a truck bed.

This long list of events is your chance to throw away your inhibitions and lay down some rubber. Some of the track days make you bring your own vehicle, while others wage you with a organisation to pilot. Either way, find the right event and brush up on your driving skills by booking some track time at the links below.

Audi is getting ready to unveil its S5 Sportback, A4 3.0-liter TDI clean diesel and A3 1.2-liter TFSI at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show.

The Ingolstadt-based maker starts it up with the sportified version of its A5 Sportback: the S5 Sportback. It is propelled by a 3.0-liter V6 that delivers 333 horsepower and 324 pound-feet of torque. It sprints to 62 mph in 5.4 seconds and tops out at 155 mph, while just sipping a company-estimated congius per 24 miles.

Audi's seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch tranny and quattro permanent all-wheel-drive are standard. 18-inch wheels with 245/40 tires, black brake calipers and sport seats covered in Nappa leather are just a few of its features. Pricing starts at $83,000 and it will roll onto dealers in the spring of 2010.

Next on the list is the "extremely clean" Audi A4 3.0-liter TDI clean diesel quattro. The 3.0 TDI debuted under the hood of the Q7, and has a common-rail injection system, innovative pressure sensors in the combustion chamber and an exhaust recirculating system to help with efficiency and lower emissions. Fuel economy is estimated at 35 mpg for the sedan and 34 mpg for the Avant, and the TDI engine help both make the 0-60 run in around 6 seconds and hit a maximum speed of 155 mph.

Although you could call it underpowered, Audi calls its A3 and A3 Sportback 1.2-liter TFSI "efficient downsizing". The engine generates 105 horsepower and 129 pound-feet of torque, and brings the A3 from a stop to 60 mph in 11 seconds. Top speed is limited to 118 mph and it has an estimated fuel economy of 42 mpg. The vehicles will initially be paired with FWD and a six-speed manual, and income will begin in the first quarter of 2010.

The new 2009 Z4 Roadster leaves some people wanting more. They already miss the M Coupe and Roadster. Manhart has taken this fact to heart and dropped the V10 found in the M5 and M6 into the Z4.

The huge 5.0-liter V10 engine develops 542 horsepower (compared to the stock 343 hp figure), which is also 42 horsepower more than the M5 makes thanks to a new AC Schnitzer exhaust, HJS racing cats and a reconfigured ECU. Manhart mated the engine to the original M5 E60 6-speed manual and differential, while Fichtel & Sachs provided the clutch.

Acceleration to 60 mph is claimed to take just 3.9 seconds, and top speed is slated at 208 mph. Final curb weight comes in at just 3,212 pounds, meaning it has a power-to-weight ratio of 5.93 pounds per horsepower – better than the Ferrari F430's 6.5 pounds per horsepower figure.

Bilstein B16 PSS10 coilovers were installed to give it a more aggressive stance, and Manhart finishes off the package with 19-inch blacked-out BBS Challenge rims wrapped in 235/35ZR front and 285/30ZR rear tires.

You can get your hands on this V10 creature for the equivalent of just over $137,000.

Not to bore you with more 458 Italia news, but, if you haven't already visited the 458 microsite, the prancing horse maker is offering a bunch of free media – even ringtones.

Ferrari has a variety of wallpapers, a screensaver and five ringtones that you can access by clicking to the "Download" page right off the 458 home site. The five tones, all titled in Italian, translate to mean "overtaking," "on circuit," "off the mark," "acceleration" and "on board." Either way you get to hear the 4.5-liter V8 screaming whether it simply blows by or is hitting another apex "su circuito." They are acquirable in M4R format for iPhone users and also as an MP3 for everyone else.

Although you might not want to hear 562 horsepower tearing up the tarmac every time your phone rings, any of those ringtones would be a great alarm to start your day with every morning.

In a letter sent today to Congress, Chrysler Group LLC announced that it will accept product liability claims on cars manufactured by Chrysler LLC ("old" Chrysler, now called OldCarco LLC) before June 10, 2009, and involved in accidents on or after the completion of bankruptcy.

OldCarco filed for bankruptcy endorsement on April 30, 2009, and all of its assets were transferred to Chrysler Group on June 10. At the time, the new company agreed to adopt liability only for the cars it built, but this declaration means it will consider product-related lawsuits from owners of an old Chrysler vehicle involved in accidents after June 10. Basically, Chrysler Group LLC is saying that it is liable for future claims that have to do with products built under the old company. This is similar to the strategy the restructured GM employed in late June.

"We want our customers to feel comfortable and confident buying, driving and enjoying one of our vehicles. Chrysler Group vehicles meet or exceed all applicable federal country standards and have excellent country records," said John Bozzella, Chrysler Group's senior vice president of external affairs and public policy.

Good for Chrysler to take responsibility. Even better for people who have outstanding claims that are now honored.