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The reason for this action is related to a steering issue as well, with GM saying it wants to check that the steering shaft was properly installed. The company didn't say whether or not the two recalls are related, but added it will use the latest one action to check on another issue that might affect some 120,000 models with automatic transmission. In this case, GM wants to verify whether the transmission shift linkage was properly installed.

GM stressed in a statement that “very few” of the recalled models should have both problems and that it has already made quality process changes to make sure neither error occurs again. According to a GM spokesman, the steering shaft issue was discovered when a customer lost steering control in a parking lot, without being involved in any type of accident. As for the automatic transmission problem, the carmaker says it was discovered when customers brought in their cars under warranty.

The company added that no accidents or injuries related to the Cruze recall have been reported. Built in Lordstown, Ohio for the U.S. and Canadian markets, the compact sedan was GM's second best selling vehicle in April.

By Dan Mihalascu

The V6 and V8 petrol engines in the E350 and the E500 have been heavily revised, with both featuring Merc’s third-generation direct injection system called BlueDirect. The naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine, which had the V-angle reduced from 90 to 60 degrees for more refinement, receives a new air intake system and the direct injection system, resulting in a more power and greater fuel-efficiency.

The six-cylinder now develops 306HP (up from 292HP) and 370 Nm (272.9 lb-ft) of torque (previously 365 Nm). Fuel consumption has dropped by a whopping 20 percent, from 8.5 liters/100 km (27.7 mpg US) to 6.8 liters/100 km (34.6 mpg US) in the E350 sedan. CO2 emissions were also reduced by 20 percent, from 199 to 159 g/km. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 6.3 seconds, 0.5 seconds faster than before.

The V8 unit in the E500 model is brand new employs a twin turbocharging system to compensate for the reduction in displacement from 5.5 to 4.6 liters. It is rated at 408HP (up from 388HP) and 600 Nm (442.5 lb-ft) of torque (previously 530 Nm). Fuel consumption has been reduced by 17 percent, from 10.8 lt/100 km (21.8 mpg US) to 8.9 lt/100 km (26.4 mpg US), while CO2 emissions dropped from 253 to 209 g/km.

The four-cylinder diesel engines in the E 200 CDI, E 220 CDI and E 250 CDI also consume less fuel thanks to the Eco start/stop function and the 7G-Tronic Plus gearbox. Fuel consumption has been reduced by 2 to 16 percent across the range.

The four-pot gasoline engines in the E 200 and E 250 also post improved fuel-efficiency by up to 15 percent, especially on the versions equipped with the 7G-Tronic Plus automatic gearbox.

Finally, Mercedes has also revised the E 200 NGT BlueEfficiency version that runs on natural gas and petrol. Rated at 163 horsepower, it has the advantage of 50 percent lower fuel costs and 20 percent lower CO2 emissions in natural gas mode (in Europe). In petrol mode, fuel-economy has been improved by 13 percent to 8.1 liters/100 km (29 mpg), while in natural gas operation the car consumes 5.5 kilograms per 100 km, 0.6 kg less than before. CO2 emissions are rated at 149 g/km.

By Dan Mihalascu