In a conversation last night with Inside Line, Mercedes-Benz announced that when the new C-Class AMG Black Series Coupe (we're assuming it'll keep the C63 denotive convention) hits sometime next year, it will carry a version of the company's twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8. In the S63 AMG and with the performance pack, this motor makes 571 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque between 2,250 and 5,500 rpm. 

But consider that this is the $100K + Black Series and that the last one, from 2007, had 500-horsepower. Is a 71-hp jump– equal to a sedan — going to cut it? Our guess is no.  

What we do know is that Mercedes said it would be "an M3 killer."But those of you following our twitter already knew this.

(rendering by Mark Takahashi )

Previously: Mercedes Benz C-Class AMG Black Series Coupe

The finalists for the 2011 North American Car and Truck of the Year were announced today and there was but one shocker: The Honda Odyssey, thought by Editor-at-Large Karl Brauer to be a shoo-in, has been displaced by the 2011 Dodge Durango. The Durango, of course, is the little sister to another Truck of the Year finalist, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The lone non-Chrysler finalist is the new Ford Explorer. 

As for cars, well, that one was easy: 2011 Chevy Volt, 2011 Nissan Leaf and the 2011 Hyundai Sonata.   

So, then, ignore the 49 professionals on the voting list and let us know what you think should win from the winners– and why. (Or why none of them are good and your favorite car should take the nod.)

  With Christmas fast approaching, there's every possibility you've forgotten something for someone. It's bound to happen. So here's our last-minute car-guy-tech shopping guide. Check it out and then (as always) let us know what we missed. What high-tech goodie do you want this year?

Also note, this list will still apply days after the holiday is over in case you forgot someone for quite a while.

IL Technology Gift Guide

When we attended a Lotus event last month, the theme was Lotus' New Era. A New Era of cars and a New Era of profitability. Lotus has approximately $1.2 billion to spend on this turnaround and with cars costing about $240 million to develop from the ground up and with a headquarters, works and F1-approved artefact in Hethel to build, well, you can see that money's a bit tight.

So when Lotus said that they were extending their partnership with Toyota everyone said, "Ok, they've got solid engines. Some good V6s and the sweet 5.0-liter from the IS-F and maybe that 4.8-liter V10 sitting around from the LF-A. Yeah, using those would save them a ton of RnD. This might work."

But then Lotus CEO Danny Bahar spoke with Autocar….

"In the mind of sports-car enthusiasts, Toyota power might not be good enough,"

Lotus has certainly done engines in the past, but on a shoestring (for a carmaker) budget, ditching proven engines from a serious carmaker seems foolish. Sure, your supercar being powered by a Toyota is a little lame but: A) The engines aren't the problem with Toyota's image. The 3.5 in the Rav 4 is shit good AND gets good fuel economy. It's far too good to be wasted in that CUV. As for the V8s, well, again, the engine isn't the problem. And B) If you can manage a turnaround and have more than just-barely-enough money, then you can build your own engine.

( Autocar )

The DiRT franchise already has the WRC and X-Games licenses on lock for the third installment of the raylling game and now we have in-game footage of their newest area d'expertise: Ken Block Style Gymkhana and his Ford Fiesta.

It may not have 64,000 cars with full detailing, but man, this game looks fun. It will be released in 2011.

Honda has announced a recall of 143,083 Honda fits, model years 2007 and 2008. The problem is with the wiring harness connectors for the low-beams. With use, the plating can become worn, overheat and fail. The high-beam headlight circuit is not affected. 

As always, if you've got a vehicle that falls within these dates, contact your local dealer or contact Honda directly at www.recalls.honda.com or call (800) 999-1009, and select option 4.

If you're anything like me, you have this problem a lot. You go out to the club to shake your groove-thang and when the ladies find out you've not only got a sweet silk shirt but also a Smart……well, things get interesting. 19 girls interesting. But then there's a problem: You've got 19 girls and a Smart. (Hey, you win some.) How do you get them all in? This instructional video / Guinness Book of World Records attempt should clear it all up.

BMW has announced several changes to its 1 Series lineup to "accentuate efficiency and premium quality" on the 2012 BMW 1 Series. 

The upgrades include BMW's Air Curtain air-flow management we've seen on the 1 Series M Coupe, new accents to the headlights, horizontal LED accents to the taillights, and new switches and controls on the interior. The greenhouse has been moved back and for the 135, an M Sport body kit is standard.

The 135i will still have the 300 horsepower / 300 torqe u3.0-liter single-turbo N55 while the 128 will stick with a 3.0-liter NA unit making 230 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. Transmissions are a six-speed manual and a seven-speed DCT.

BMW's Vision EfficientDynamics supercar is the new breed of high performance. With a plug-in hybrid powertrain, the carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) intensive VED will "redefine how we look at high-performance sports cars" said Ian Robertson, BMW Sales and Marketing Director.

At the official launch of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, Robertson announced that the car would be less than 150,000 Pounds which translates to about $200,000 when it hits our shores. That is a decent savings over the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS E-Cell which should cost $250,000 when it arrives in 2012.

The Vision EfficientDynamics has a three-cylinder turbodiesel with a hybrid synchronous motor in front and a full-hybrid engine in back. Claimed output: 328 horsepower. Not bad for something that should get 62.5 mpg and an EV range of 31 miles and overall range of 435 miles.

BMW is sponsoring the 2012 London Olympics, expect this car's showing then.

Remember that band who parked their van crossways three lanes of the worst freeway in the world, the 101 through Hollywood, to play a "concert"?  One of the guys hopped into a car and left with the keys to said van and the police had to tow it? Closed the freeway for about an hour? Rings a minor bell, right? Watch the video. You'll remember.

Anyway, those guys, Christopher Roy Wright, 32, David Paul Hale, 30, and Keith R. Yackey, 32, have been charged with one felony count of conspiracy, two misdemeanor counts of resisting, obstructing or delaying Los Angeles police and California Highway Patrol officers and one misdemeanor count of creating a public nuisance and false imprisonment.

The judge also increased the bail on the three from $10,000 to $20,000 saying, ""This is just so over the top that I'm not going to give them a bail reduction."

The trial is set to begin on December 28.

( Daily News )