Porsche 918 Spyder races toward production

OK, let's put the usual arguments to rest first: The Porsche 918 Spyder is going to be even faster than the Carrera GT in a straight line. That's based on Porsche's own computer simulations in anticipation of the production version of the gasoline-electric-powered 918 Spyder, which is due to roll off a dedicated line within a decommissioned paint shop at Porsche's Zuffenhausen, Germany, headquarters next year. The claimed 0-to-62-mph time is 2.8 seconds; 0-to-124 mph is 8.9 seconds, and top speed should be about 202 mph, thanks in part to series of active aerodynamic functions, including a multistage rear wing.

Rolls Royce to create 100 new jobs

LUXURY CAR GIANT Rolls-Royce is to create 100 new jobs after reporting the fourth consecutive year of record sales. Over 3,630 cars were delivered to customers in 2013, the highest in the marque's history, with sales growth reported across several regions worldwide. The biggest increases were in the Middle East (up 17%) and China (11%), but strong sales were also achieved in Germany, Japan and Canada.

Driven: Honda CR-Z

The Honda CR-Z has been a long time coming. Although the concept debuted in 2007, as a project it's been kicking around Honda for over 10 years. Since the first Insight was launched in 1999, there have been numerous stop-start projects to produce a hybrid successor to the much-loved CR-X coupe.