Mercedes-Benz ups the power with the SLS AMG GT: Autoweek TV

Also in this episode: We wrap up a year living with the Honda Odyssey minivan, Ford touts the power and fuel economy of its three-cylinder engine, and Infiniti hires Audi's Johan de Nysschen.

TRANSCRIPT

-- Mercedes wrings more power out of the SLS AMG.

-- Ford brags about its three-banger EcoBoost engine.

-- Infiniti gets a new boss.

-- And we wrap up a year living with the Honda Odyssey minivan.

I'm Andy, with a Tuesday edition of Autoweek TV. Let's get to the news:

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Mercedes-Benz is giving the SLS AMG supercar a slight makeover for the 2013 model year.

For starters, the nameplate gains a GT--the car will be the SLS AMG GT.

But the real good news is that Mercedes engineers have coaxed an extra 20 hp out of the V8, pushing output to 583 hp.

The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is recalibrated for faster and firmer gear changes. And the adaptive suspension is reprogrammed for more compliance on bumpy roads and super-tight handling in sport-plus mode.

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Ford is already selling its three-cylinder EcoBoost engine in Europe and is preparing to bring it to the States.

So, to dispel any notion that this turbo three-banger is a wimp, Ford took a trio of Focus hatchbacks to a French test track and set a handful of speed records. Records for small cars with small engines, that is.

Ford says the Focus with the 1.0-liter EcoBoost can run from 0 to 62 mph in 11.3 seconds. And it tops out at 120 mph.

But here's the key number: Ford says the car gets 56.5 mpg on the European test cycle, which posts higher numbers than the U.S. fuel-economy test.

Nonetheless, look for this three-cylinder engine to show up in the U.S. Fiesta in about a year or so.

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Yesterday we told you that Johan de Nysschen abruptly quit as Audi's U.S. boss after 20 years with the carmaker.

Now we know why. On Monday, he was named the new global boss for Infiniti, Nissan's luxury brand.

De Nysschen will go to work at Infiniti's new world headquarters in Hong Kong.

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That's the news for today. But stick around as we tell you about spending a year living with the Honda Odyssey minivan.

We'll see you back here tomorrow. Enjoy the drive.

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Mazda brings diesel engine to Grand-Am racing in 2013: Autoweek TV

Also in this episode: Audi's U.S. boss leaves for another job, the American Le Mans Series books a date with the racetrack in Austin, Texas, and we check out the New York garage of Ralph Wilson.

TRANSCRIPT

-- Mazda goes racing with its diesel engine.

-- Audi loses its U.S. chief.

-- The Austin, Texas, track gets another event.

-- And we'll take a look inside the classic garage of New York's Ralph Wilson.

I'm Jake, getting your week off to a fast start with a Monday edition of Autoweek TV. Here comes the news:

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Over the weekend, Mazda announced that it will make its Skyactiv-D diesel engine available for racing in the Grand-Am series, beginning next year.

The race engine will use the stock block for the 2.2-liter diesel, along with dual turbochargers.

As Audi and Peugeot have demonstrated in Le Mans racing, diesel engines can dominate the field with excellent power and greater range between pit stops.

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Late on Friday, Audi announced that its U.S. boss, Johan de Nysschen, was leaving the company.

The announcement said that de Nysschen's exit was immediate and that he was leaving to take a new job.

De Nysschen had been running Audi of America for the past seven years, as the luxury brand of Volkswagen racked up big sales gains and added several new vehicles to its lineup. He had been with Audi for nearly 20 years.

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The Circuit of the Americas track outside of Austin, Texas, is racing to be ready in time for its first Formula One race this November.

But the track has added an American Le Mans series race to its schedule of events, beginning next year.

The first ALMS race will be run in Austin in spring 2013. The series joins Formula One, MotoGP and V8 Supercars as major series to visit the track.

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That's the news for today.

Before you go, take a couple of minutes to check out the garage of Autoweek reader Ralph Wilson of New York. Your guide is correspondent Phil Berg.

We'll see you back here tomorrow. Enjoy the drive.

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2012 Kia Rio SX 5-door: Long-termer video introduction

Natalie Neff and Jon Wong introduce a new addition to Autoweek's long-term test fleet, a 2012 Kia Rio SX 5-door.

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