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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

Your guide to vehicle subscription services

They might be extremely limited in scope because of location availability, but vehicle subscription services are a growing trend that most luxury manufacturers are jumping on. Plans are expensive, but you're paying for much more than just the car typically. We highlighted four of the larger plans with a few more listed at the end. Care by Volvo Volvo launched its subscription service last year with its brand-new XC40. It was the only vehicle available for a time, but subscribers can now get an S60 sedan as well. Subscriptions are for two years, with the monthly price including insurance, a concierge service, wear-and-tear item replacements and all maintenance. You'll be able to drive 15,000 miles per year with whichever Volvo you choose, and although there are no options to extend that mileage, you can swap cars after a year. Pricing for the XC40 is $650 per month in base trim, while an S60 can be as expensive as $850 for the R-Design. Volvo's plan is to offer more cars soon through the service, but it's relatively limited compared to others right now. Porsche Passport Porsche has two levels in its subscription service: Launch and Accelerate. Launch will cost $2,000 per month and give you access to the Cayman, Boxster, Macan and Cayenne. All of those but the Cayenne can be had in "S" trim as well. Accelerate is where the fun really starts. For $3,000 per month you can choose from a fleet of 911s, including the S, 4S, Cabriolet and Cabriolet S. If those aren't enough, you can also get the Panamera 4S, Macan GTS and Cayenne S. There are no mileage limits and you can change vehicles as often as you'd like. Also included in the price is insurance, repairs, detailing and any maintenance. It might be extremely expensive and limited to Atlanta only, but this subscription service is second-to-none for what you get. Audi Select Audi just launched its subscription car service, and it's offered in one version for a flat fee of $1,395 per month. For that you'll have access to five different cars including the A4, S5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, Q5, and Q7. Not a bad range of vehicles, but it would've been neat to see the recently updated A7 in there too. Maybe in time. Like the others, insurance and maintenance are wrapped up in the price. Audi is allowing for unlimited miles and two car swaps per month here. In addition to that, you'll get two days of free rentals through Audi's Silvercar rental agency should you go on a trip.

Daimler relocating North American headquarters to Michigan

While Mercedes-Benz is moving its American headquarters from New Jersey to Georgia, its parent company Daimler is also relocating from the Garden State. But rather than join its automotive unit down south, Daimler North America is moving to Michigan. The relocation was announced by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder while visiting the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany this week, and has been confirmed by Daimler in correspondence with Autoblog. Daimler's North American headquarters are currently located in Park Ridge, NJ, a mere five-minute drive from Montvale where Mercedes-Benz USA has been based prior to its move to Georgia. The relocation will see Daimler's North American head office move into the facility that currently houses the company's financial services division in Farmington Hills, MI. The move will bring 30 jobs to Michigan, and is slated to commence in 2016 and conclude "sometime in 2017," according to the company. Now if you're wondering why Daimler is going to Michigan while Mercedes is going to Georgia, bear in mind that a number of Daimler's facilities are already located in the Great Lakes State. In addition to the financial services office, Daimler also operates an R&D facility in Ann Arbor. It also owns Redford-based Detroit Diesel, where the photo above was taken during President Obama's visit in December 2012. Along with the Daimler facility, the governor's office also announced the opening of a new Michigan Europe Center that will seek "to promote trade and export development between the state and European markets." The center will also operate satellites in London and Berlin in order to further its mission on behalf of small- and medium-sized businesses based in Michigan, of which we can expect many will come from the automotive sector. Gov. Snyder in Germany: Daimler North America moving headquarters to Michigan State opens Michigan Europe Center to promote trade and investment Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015 FRANKFURT – Daimler North America Corporation, the holding company for all of the company's business units in the United States, will move its headquarters to Michigan from New Jersey, Gov. Rick Snyder announced as he completed an investment mission trip to Japan and Germany. "Michigan is the world's automotive leader, and Daimler's decision to increase its presence in state is another indication that we intend to hold that position for generations to come," Snyder said.