Though it is not official, it is likely that the Hennessey Venom GT will take over as the new record holder, following its recent 265.7mph (427.6km/h) run that has yet to be verified by Guinness.
Picture this
Using an art exhibition in conjunction with a new model launch is nothing unusual, but Mercedes-Benz has thrown a new twist on an old idea with the CLA.
The mini A-Class-based four-door coupe was promoted in Paris via a pop-up store that featured a photographic exhibition from photo-sharing/social network Instagram, submitted by users around the world. Mercedes says the photos show "just how unique every human being is and how much one person's individual style and perspective on the world can differ from those of others", and that the photos "reflect the philosophy behind the CLA: unconventional, unusual and untamed".
Called #Untamed (yes, that hashtag is part of the name) the exhibition can be accessed through the website www.untamed-installation.com, with Instagram users signing in via their account to submit photographs.
The photographs were on display at the four-floor pop-up installation in Paris until last weekend, where - rather unsurprisingly - visitors could also learn more about the CLA.
Fast coffee
While it probably isn't going to produce the best cup of coffee you'll ever taste, the Espresso Veloce V12 is almost certainly the coolest way to make it.
The limited-edition (only 500 will be made) V12 is simply going to be the best way to dispose of a lot of money if you have a taste for cars and coffee, or just want the most over-the-top way to take up lots of kitchen space.
Given it will be made from titanium, magnesium and aluminium, it won't be cheap, but
just look at it!
With oil filter-shaped coffee filters, exhaust pipes that dispense coffee and piston-shaped aluminium mugs, whatever it costs, it will be worth it.
Honda sucks - literally
You just know it's getting harder to come up with new features to distinguish new models from the crowd when a manufacturer jams a common household appliance into a
car, but that's what Honda has done with the new Odyssey.
The Odyssey, unveiled at the New York motor show, features all the usual trimmings expected in a modern people-mover, but also boasts a built-in vacuum cleaner.
Developed in conjunction with Shop-Vac, the HondaVAC runs off the Odyssey's electrical system and consists of a powerful vacuum motor and a replaceable filter and canister bag.
These are all tucked into the side bulkhead of the cargo compartment with an integrated hose and nozzle attachments.
Can't wait to see if the next Toyota Previa comes with an on-board washing machine ...
It's a steal
At least four burglars took part in the nighttime theft of 33 historic trophies from the Goodwood estate, where the legendary Festival of Speed and Revival are held.
According to the Telegraph, the thieves drove up to the Earl Of March's country estate in a Range Rover, whereupon they broke a window at the Kennels Clubhouse and smashed four cabinets to gain access to the trophy collection.
The trophies are valued at 15,000 ($27,000) but are pretty much priceless because they have significant historic and sentimental value. One of the stolen pieces includes the Mobil Oil Trophy, awarded in 1931 to the Earl's grandfather for a race at Brooklands.
An estate spokesperson fears the trophies may be sold for scrap, due to the difficulty the offenders would have selling them. A reward has been set up for the return of the trophies and local police are asking for help from anyone who may know anything about the burglary.
We are the world
A UK company is employing young drivers to sit in double-parked work vans in an effort to avoid parking fines. The driver spends the day sitting in the van and simply starts up and drives away if a parking warden approaches. Apparently the hourly rate for the young driver is cheaper than the fines for double parking in London.
Border police in Italy literally struck gold when they searched a car trying to travel into Switzerland. The nervous behaviour of a family of five, claiming to be on holiday, prompted police to search the car, where they eventually found gold bars worth $7 million hidden in a storage compartment. Police say the 53-year-old driver of the car
was a legal representative at a Swiss company and couldn't provide an explanation for where the gold originated from or why it was in his car. He faces charges of money laundering.
Number Crunching
969 KILOWATTS The highest power output of a production car, the SSC Ultimate Aero XT.
2.3 SECONDS The quickest 0-100km/h time of a production car, the Ariel Atom 500.
4800 KILOGRAMS The weight of the heaviest production car, the Mercedes-Benz 770.
59 KILOGRAMS The weight of the lightest production car, the Peel P50.
