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Formula 1 seeking independent engine supplier

Formula 1 could get a new engine supplier in the near future, if Bernie Ecclestone and the independent teams gets their way. According to Autosport, the FIA is soon to open the contract up for bids, and there are already several manufacturers that have expressed interest. Currently Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault, and Honda supply engines – both to their own premier teams (Red Bull and McLaren for the latter two) but also to other teams like Williams, Sauber, and Toro Rosso. Because the new turbocharged V6 hybrid power units cost those four suppliers so much to develop, they're charging their customer teams big bucks – around $20-30 million per season – to provide the engines. These costs are much higher than the $10 million or so it used to cost to purchase a V8 engine under the previous regulations. Ecclestone figures it's time to bring in another supplier who will not run their own team and not play favorites, but will supply engines to private teams at a lower cost. There are already a number of potential suppliers under consideration. One of them is said to be Cosworth, which has a long history in the series stretching back to 1963. The British firm stepped back between 2007 and 2009, returned in 2010, and dropped out again after 2013. The development could be of particular benefit to Red Bull, which has been unable to find an engine supplier and could be forced out of the series as a result. The team has long been powered by Renault, but that relationship has grown sour. And the other three engine manufacturers have not been forthcoming in offering an alternative arrangement for the team. Related Video: News Source: AutosportImage Credit: Cosworth Motorsports Ferrari Honda Infiniti McLaren Mercedes-Benz Renault F1 engine contract

Mercedes-AMG teases 2016 C63 Coupe [w/video]

Mercedes-AMG says it has "something fast" on the way. We now know it's the C63 Coupe, which will be unveiled to the world at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September. The carmaker teased its hot new two-door on Facebook, with a series of elusive photos showing a camouflaged C63 at the track. Something fast, indeed. We just drove the 2015 Mercedes-AMG C63 S sedan and found it to be absolutely wonderful. It's no slouch, either – the four-door will run 0-60 in under four seconds. We expect the same from the upcoming coupe, thanks to the incredibly powerful, 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8 under the hood. The C63 sedan produces 503 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque in S guise. The coupe should do the same. The AMG C63 will debut with the rest of the C-Class Coupe range at the Frankfurt show, or possibly even a bit earlier. We can't wait. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris hits US in October, priced from $28,950*

A Mercedes is hardly what we'd call a budget proposition for most, but everything being relative, what's the cheapest Mercedes you can buy in America? That used to be the C-Class, but not at the $40k it's pushing these days. The CLA or GLA start at over $31k, so one of those must be it... right? Keep trying. And the Smart Fortwo doesn't count. No, the most cost-effective Mercedes you can get in America is the one you're looking at here. It's the new Metris van, and it starts at just $28,950 (*plus a $995 destination fee). Joining the Sprinter (which starts at upwards of $35k), the Metris is Benz's new midsize van – filling a niche in between small vans like the Nissan NV200 or Ford Transit Connect and fullsize ones like the aforementioned Sprinter. It's about as long as the Dodge Caravan-based Ram C/V, but narrower, taller and with significantly more payload and cargo space. Mercedes calls it "right-sized," and evidently hopes commercial drivers and fleet operators will agree. Now if you've never heard the name Metris, you were probably distracted by all the glitz and glamor when Mercedes presented four of them at the SEMA show late last year. But that's alright, because it's a new nameplate: it's essentially the same as the Vito sold overseas, where it will continue carrying that same name, while being sold in North America as the Metris. Both cargo and passenger versions will be offered, the latter starting at $32,500 (plus that $995 destination fee). Power comes from a four-cylinder gasoline engine driving 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission. It's also got all the electronic bells and whistles you'd expect from a Mercedes, including fuel-efficiency and safety equipment – but stopping short, of course, of the luxury features. This is not that kind of Mercedes, and the luxed-up V-Class version offered overseas won't be making it Stateside. The Metris is being showcased this week at the NTEA work truck show in Indianapolis, with deliveries set to commence this coming October through a network of over 200 Mercedes van dealers across America, who will offer it alongside the larger Sprinter. MERCEDES-BENZ METRIS MIDSIZE COMMERCIAL VAN MAKES ITS DEBUT AT NTEA WORK TRUCK SHOW - "Mercedes-Benz Metris": The next big thing is mid-sized. - Introduction of the "Mercedes-Benz Metris" nameplate for the U.S.