CAR Most Wanted of 2014: Ferrari 458 Speciale

By the CAR road-test team First Official Pictures 23 December 2013 10:50 The first time we checked out the Ferrari 458 Speciale, it was parked tantalisingly in the bowels of the Ferrari’s Maranello factory. Tech boss Roberto Fedeli told us how Ferrari had calculated the Speciale would be an even higher performer: 10% lighter, 11% faster response, 40% quicker through the gearbox, and squeezing out an extra 34bhp from its 4.5-litre V8. Since then, we’ve driven the 202mph 458 Speciale, which Ferrari claims is different (not better than) a 458 Italia, and designed to appeal to a different kind of customer.

Fisker has potential buyers in line

VL Automotive and Chinese Investment Group Wanxiang are looking to buy troubled automotive manufacturer Fisker. Maker of the curvaceous Karma, Fisker has been cash-strapped for some time now due to what company insiders called an overly optimistic business plan that anticipated rapid sales growth. Tesla's success in the luxury/upscale electric vehicle industry hasn't helped Fisker's cause either.

Mercedes E Class Estate leaked

The first picture of the new Mercedes E Class Estate has leaked out The new Mercedes E Class leaked and then launched earlier this year, and the E Class Coupe turned out to be a C Class Coupe in disguise. We also reported in May that Mercedes was considering delaying the launch of the E Class Estate and E Class Cabriolet for a year or so until the economy recovered. But it’s now clear that the next instalment of the E Class story – the Mercedes E Class Estate – will launch at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and the first picture has leaked our way!