Renault designers on their interpretation of luxury [w/Video]

Renault's design chief Laurens van den Acker and his design team have stressed how the Initiale Paris concept previews how Renault design's tactics will help steer clear of its rivals within the premium segment.  The concept – the sixth to be developed in the design strategy inspired by the cycle of life, now in the Wisdom stage – heralds Renault's return to the high-end market after a number of years. It was, therefore, important that the design be a positive rejection of traditional ideas of luxury, design director of concept cars Axel Breun believes. Designer Choung Sun Oh goes to great pains to stress how the design team worked towards developing a highly original design to set them apart from rivaling brands upon re-entry.

Ferrari 458 Speciale (2013) is it the ultimate V8 supercar?

Is the new 597bhp Ferrari 458 Speciale set to be the ultimate V8 supercar? Ben Pulman headed to Ferrari's Maranello headquarters to see for himself... Ferrari's Formula One team might be struggling to put Alonso on the podium, but its road-car division keeps hitting new highs: the F12 is a masterpiece, its 950bhp LaFerrari is poised to eclipse the legendary Enzo, and now this new hardcore version of the 458 Italia will cause sleepless nights down the road in Sant’Agata where Lamborghini is readying its Gallardo replacement.

Ecclestone faces £4 million bill

MOTORSPORT boss Bernie Ecclestone must pay lawyers' bills adding up to about £4 million despite winning a High Court fight with a German media company, a judge has ruled. In February, Mr Justice Newey had dismissed a claim for around £80 million in damages by Constantin Medien - which had said it lost out after Mr Ecclestone entered into a "corrupt agreement" with a banker to facilitate the sale of the Formula 1 Group to a buyer chosen by him. But, despite ruling against Constantin after a High Court trial in London, the judge had described 83-year-old Mr Ecclestone as not "reliable or truthful".