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The cars of notorious dictators

It's good to be the king, at least until your people have had enough of you. Last week, we brought you famous presidential cars. This week, we're going to the opposite end of the political spectrum, looking at what history's mad men drove throughout their repressive and violent regimes. These dictators were absolutely powerful, and absolutely corrupt. More nightmares for their people than rulers, their iron-fisted control gave them the ability to satisfy any wild desire with nearly limitless funds. While they all splurged on luxury goods, cars were a particular passion of many dictators. Cars make a powerful statement to the public about wealth, status and control. It's how you are presented at ground level to your adoring masses or mortal enemies. A custom luxury car with plenty of armor plating reinforced the specialness and "otherness" of the ruler to friend and foe alike. Muammar Gaddafi, Libya, 1969 - 2011 Lybia's President for Life Muammar Gaddafi fancied himself not just a car enthusiast, but a car designer for the masses as well. He supposedly designed a car called the "Saroukh el-Jamahiriya" or Libyan Rocket. It had a 230-horsepower V6 and the nose and tail of a rocket. He was trying to produce a safer car. What makes it safe car? Tough to say. Not a lot was ever released it. Apparently the el-Jamahiriya did come with airbags and collapsible fenders in case of a collision. A spokesperson said "The invention of the safest car in the world is proof that the Libyan revolution is built on the happiness of man." We'll just have to take his word for it. When he wasn't designing his own cars, Gaddafi was ordering up custom rides, large and small. Besides a heavily armored BMW 7 Series and a Mercedes S-Class stretch limo, Gaddafi had this custom Fiat built at a cost of $260,000. The gold in the trim is real gold (of course) and comes with some touches that are pure Gaddafi. For instance, the Fiat badge was replaced with an outline of the continent of Africa, with Libya cut out in green. Rebels seized the Fiat and Gaddafi's other trappings of power after putting an end to Gaddafi's 42 years in control. Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, Haiti, 1971 - 1986 Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier was the second-generation dictator of Hati from 1971 to 1986. He made life hell for his people for 15 long years, starting when his father died when he was just 19 years old. Imagine if Justin Beiber was given a tiny island nation to run.

Mercedes to market Tesla-powered 2014 B-Class EV in U.S.

Looks like another Tesla Motors investor will be looking to cash in on their connection. Autoweek reports Mercedes-Benz will offer their B-Class in the U.S. with Tesla propulsion.
The magazine says their source at the German automaker confirms plans for a B-Class electric-only vehicle. While Tesla already provides battery packs for the battery-powered Smart ForTwo, the B-Class EV will reportedly have Tesla batteries, motor and other components. U.S. residents should be able to procure one sometime in 2014.
The same Mercedes source says plans for a hybrid B-Class have been postponed for now. Adding a range-extending, gasoline-powered engine to an electric vehicle would put the car into a different class for which rebates and incentives aren't as favorable in the States.

Next Mercedes-AMG E63 to produce around 600 hp

"Sources" have told Autocar that the coming Mercedes-AMG E63 will get "something in the range of" 600 horsepower from a "next step" development of the 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8 currently in the C63 sedan. Since the standard E-Class isn't due for introduction until the 2016 Detroit Motor show, we're probably a year away from finding out if "something in the range of" actually means a square 600 hp when the car the AMG E63 is revealed. Right now the E63 S is powered by a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 it shares that engine with the CLS63, S63, SL63, and G63, and all but the G63 get 577 hp from that engine. The 4.0-liter V8 in the C63 S is rated at 503 hp in the S model, the same as the dry-sump version of that engine that gets 503 hp in the AMG GT. Point being the jump to 600 hp isn't outrageous, and would keep up with the numbers rumored for the next BMW M5. New turbos will likely be responsible for much of that power, with AMG's powertrain chief having told Road & Track that the present turbos are doing all the work they were designed for. Depending on where the much lighter AMG GT3 road car comes in, the next AMG E63 should be the most powerful V8 model in the range. There'll be plenty of other doodads besides, like a new nine-speed automatic, 84-LED adaptive headlights, remote controlled parking, smartphone-activated NFC-based unlock and vehicle start, Vehicle-to-X communication, adaptive cruise control that recognizes speed limit signs, and a massive advance in the suite of Mercedes Intelligent Driving features. Related Video: News Source: Autocar Mercedes-Benz Luxury Performance Sedan mercedes-amg e63