German tuning specialist Carlsson Autotechnik GmbH will take the wraps off its C25 supercar next month at the Geneva auto show. Only 25 of the vehicles will be produced,

Carlsson C25 coupe

all of which have been pre-ordered. To further emphasize exclusivity, Carlsson plans to sell only one vehicle per country.

Power will come from a twin-turbo Mercedes 6.0-liter V-12 that makes 743 hp and 848 lb-ft of torque. The car can zoom from zero to 60 mph in less than 3.7 seconds and achieve a top speed of 219 mph.

The car will get Carlsson’s C-Tronic suspension system, which automatically raises ride height if it detects a rough road surface. Other features include oversize brakes, 20-inch alloy wheels and

stainless steel quad exhaust.

Honda Motor Co. is recalling 646,000 of its Fit/Jazz/City small cars worldwide to fix a defective master switch that could allow water to enter the power window switch. This could cause the system to short circuit and cause a fire.

There were two reported fires linked to the problem in the U.S. and one in South Africa. In the latter case, a child was killed in the incident.

In the U.S., the recall covers 140,000 Fit hatchbacks built during the 2007 and 2008 model years. Another 172,000 units were recalled in Britain, where the car is marketed as the Jazz. Other affected markets include elsewhere in Africa, Europe, South America and parts of Asia outside Japan.

Honda plans to inspect and modify the driver door power-window switches in recalled vehicles as necessary. A waterproof skirt will be fitted to the window to prevent damage.

Toyota Motor Corp. plans to launch a separate performance unit later this year. The new “G” series was previewed with several concept vehicles shown at last month’s Tokyo Auto Salon.

Toyota FT-86 G

Toyota will work with existing partners Modelista and TRD on the venture with the former supplying body kits and styling tweaks. TRD will provide performance parts. Toyota’s Gazoo Racing unit will help in the testing department.

Buyers will be able to choose varying levels of performance levels. Most notably will be the suspension upgrades.

Toyota hasn’t said which vehicles will get the G treatment first. At the recent Toyota tuner show it displayed performance variants of its Prius hybrid sedan and upcoming FT-86 sports coupe, which also got special G Sports badging.

Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz unit has begun producing its new SLS SMG coupe. It will publicly unveil the new supercar next month at the Geneva auto show, and deliveries to European dealerships will begin soon thereafter.

The vehicle, which was developed with Mercedes’ AMG performance unit, replaces the racecar-like SLR. Mercedes partnered with McLaren on that vehicle.

The aluminum chassis for the SLS is built by Magna International Inc.’s Magna Steyr unit in Graz, Austria. The 6.2-liter V-8 engines are hand-built by AMG in Affalterbach, Germany. Final assembly is handled at Mercedes’ Sindelfingen plant.

The SLS, which is built on an aluminum spaceframe body with a 105.5-inch wheelbase, features a long hood, short rear deck and gullwing doors. Mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transaxle, the V-8 generates 563 hp and 479 lb-ft. The combination is expected to rocket the car from zero to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds.

Volvo Cars says several of its upcoming models will be available with a new turbocharged gasoline-direct-injection 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with twin variable camshafts. Volvo says the engine is as powerful as a 2.5-liter five-cylinder mill but is much more energy efficient.

Volvo's 2.-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine

The powerplant, which makes 203 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, will be mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission and have an estimated combined fuel economy rating of nearly 30 mpg in the U.S., according to Volvo. In addition to the S80 sedan, the new engine is expected to be fitted in the V70 wagon and XC60 crossover vehicle.

The side-mounted injectors have seven holes for precise delivery into each cylinder. The opening times for both the inlet and exhaust valves can be varied to optimize overlap and fill rate into the combustion chamber, regardless of engine speed.

Volvo says the engine includes the world’s first exhaust manifold and integrated turbine system made of lightweight sheet steel rather than casting. The system generates less heat owing to its extra insulating layer, which Volvo says allows high gas flow temperature and thus more efficient combustion.

The turbocharger was designed in partnership with BorgWarner Inc. and Benteler Automotive Corp. Described as the world’s smallest in relation to maximum engine output, the turbo features a turbine housing that is integrated into the manifold.

Volvo says the patented system has made it possible to shape the exhaust ducts to allow an optimal gas flow and generate the maximum pulse effect to improve turbine efficiency. The result is higher power output and quicker response across a wider range of engine speeds.

The Volvo system is likely based on current parent Ford Motor Co.’s 2.0-liter EcoBoost GDI. Ford is in the process of selling Volvo to China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co.