Porsche 918 Spyder hits the Nurburgring (video)

The Porsche 918 Spyder – Porsche’s hybrid replacement for the Carrera GT – has been caught on video at the Nurburgring. Incredibly, it’s more that two years since Porsche took the wraps of the 918 Spyder at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, yet we’re still more than a year away from actually seeing production cars. But Porsche are putting their time to good use. Porsche has made a few cosmetic tweaks already from the original 918 Concept, but they’ve also let it be known that the 918 Spyder will get a 550bhp 4.6 litre V8 to go with its electric motors on the front wheels  (one less motor than originally envisaged – there was going to be one one the back axle too), which will make the 918 Spyder a FWD Porsche when in EV mode.

LA Design Challenge 2011: studios compete to design Hollywood car

This year's LA Design Challenge will see competitors from around the world battle to design Hollywood's next movie car. Participating design studios from General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz Germany (Smart), Mercedes-Benz Japan (Maybach) and Mercedes-Benz US will all be showcasing their creative talents in an effort to secure top honors. Automobiles in Hollywood films produced throughout the years have become some of the most iconic symbols of the films – perhaps as important as the movies themselves.

How to buy a secondhand Ferrari 456

By Chris Chilton Motoring Issues 10 April 2009 10:00 The value of Ferrari’s big 2+2s have always gone down the tubes like used toilet roll, but not all have looked as beautiful as the 456, whose Pininfarina lines so cleverly disguise the car’s practicality. It can’t quite match a 612 for rear space but the back seats aren’t the joke you might expect and the ride quality is great – perfect for that imaginary trip to the south of France. Mike Wheeler of Surrey-based Rardley Motors (www.rardleymotors.co.uk) reckons he shifts more 456s than anyone else in the country and says the big coupés make real sense, but only if you service them at independents.