Mercedes recalls 85,000 cars over steering problem Luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz is recalling about 85,000 vehicles from certain 2010 and 2011 models due to potential steering problems.

If the Quattro concept gets the green light, power would likely come from a tuned version of the turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-five found in the TT RS, producing somewhere around 350 horsepower. It’s not the 408 that Audi originally quoted, but if the sub-3,000-pound weight is kept in order, it should still make for an interesting performer.

Autumn is the traditional start of the new model year for the auto industry, and the theme for 2011 is unmistakable: small, fuel-efficient cars.  The 2011 offerings reflect America’s changing priorities after a spike in gas prices in 2008 and tough new emissions rules enacted by the U.S. government. Of course, there are some high-profile debuts, most notably the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, perhaps the most-hyped car in history, and the Nissan Leaf all-electric, both due in November. While the Leaf runs on battery power alone, with a range of up to 100 miles on a single charge, the Volt has a backup engine to recharge the battery for longer trips and to relieve what General Motors calls “range anxiety.” GM recently revised the Volt’s range on battery power to 25 miles (from 40) but it doesn’t really matter if you’ve got the gasoline engine to keep you going.

Tax credits, rebate checks, personalized home visits, government giveaways — even customer service calls from top corporate executives. The first all-electric car from a major auto company, the Nissan Leaf, arrives at dealerships in December, but thousands of Americans are already learning that going electric can come with perks like no other car purchase.