Mercedes-Benz Tops Secret Shopper Study of U.S. Dealers, Lincoln Places Last in Luxury Segment

Mercedes-Benz dealers were number one for customer treatment in the US according to an independent study by survey company Pied Piper. The California-based company hired 3,524 “secret shoppers” and sent them to US dealerships in order to determine how their salesmen were performing in anything from explaining a car’s features to closing a deal.

This is the third year in a row that Mercedes-Benz, which looks set to top the sales charts this year in the luxury segment, has topped Pied Piper’s study.

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VIDEOS: “Monster” Tajima Breaks 10 Min Record at Pikes Peak with 910-hp Suzuki SX4

Nobuhiro “Monster” Tajima has broken his own record at this year’s Pikes Peak Hill Climb, completing the 12.42-mile (19.9 km) “Race to the Clouds” in just 9:51.278, demolishing the 10:1.408 time he set four years ago.

“Monster” Tajima, who has being racing at Pikes Peak every year since 1988, accomplished this extraordinary feat driving an extremely modified Suzuki SX4 with 910-horses. Second fastest was Rhys Millen in the modified Hyundai PM580, with a time of 10:09.242.

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2012 V-Strom 650 leaked

Images of the 2012 Suzuki V-Strom 650 ABS have ‘accidentally’ been leaked ahead of its official unveiling. Or perhaps it was done deliberately, as part of Suzuki’s prolonged teaser campaign for its new bike?

Visually, the changes compared to the current model aren’t startling, although the fairing has been restyled and now gets prominent side grilles.



The engine is still a 645 cc v-twin unit, albeit with a slightly reduced compression ratio of 11.2:1, but no power or torque figures have been released. Drive is via a six-speed transmission.

Interestingly, fuel tank capacity is down from 22 litres (4.8 UK gallons / 5.8 US gallons) to 20 litres (4.4 UK gallons / 5.2 US gallons), which would suggest better economy if range is not to suffer.



Bad news for shorter riders is that the seat height has risen from 820 mm (32.3 inches) to 835 mm (32.9 inches). The V-Strom appears to have been on a diet though, as its kerb weight has been trimmed from 220 kg (485 lbs) to 214 kg (472 lbs).

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Suzuki V-Strom 650A XP

Suzuki SV650S returns

Diesel Suzuki Swift DDiS

Suzuki has added a diesel to its Swift range. The DDiS, which is only available as a five-door with SZ3 trim, features a 1.3 litre engine that produces 73 bhp (55 kW / 75 PS) and 190 Nm (140 lb/ft) of torque.



Although down on power compared to the existing 1.2 litre petrol Swift, the DDiS version has very similar performance. It’ll accelerate from rest to 62 mph (100 km/h) in a fairly respectable 12.7 seconds, before going on to achieve a top speed of 103 mph (165 km/h).

But of course efficiency is where diesel outscores petrol. Combined cycle fuel consumption for the DDiS is 67.3 mpg (4.2 l/100km), and CO2 emissions of 109 g/km mean annual Vehicle Excise Duty of £20 in the UK. Not bad figures at all, and on a par for the class.



The only way to get significantly better economy from a diesel supermini is to go for a special ‘eco’ model, such as the Skoda Fabia 1.2 CR TDI 75PS GreenLine II or the closely related Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TDI 75PS BlueMotion.



Both emit just 89 g/km of CO2 and manage an impressive 83.1 mpg (3.4 l/100km), although buyers have to pay for the privilege.



While the Suzuki Swift SZ3 DDiS has a UK on the road price of £12,890, the Skoda costs £13,685 and the Volkswagen is a whopping £15,480.