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Forget high beams -- lasers are coming

Audi has kicked off 2014 with the unveiling of an updated version of its Sport quattro concept car -- as first revealed at last year's Frankfurt motor show. Set to underpin the German carmaker's stand at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the latest incarnation of the bullish-looking two-door coupe showcases distinctively styled matrix LED headlamps with new laser light technology that, Audi officials suggest, will soon begin appearing on regular production models as a high-cost option. Already confirmed for the Audi R18 that will compete at the Le Mans 24-hour race later this year, the new headlamps use matrix LEDs and an aperture mask for low-beam mode.

56% of drivers 'underestimated car expense'

MORE THAN half of people who have bought a second-hand car in the last two years have found it more expensive to run than they expected, according to a Government-backed body. Some 56% of motorists said that total cost, including maintenance, repairs, insurance and fuel had turned out to be higher than anticipated and one in five drivers (20%) have resorted to going into debt just to keep their vehicle on the road, the Money Advice Service (MAS) found. One in four (26%) of the 3,000 people surveyed who have bought a second-hand car since 2012 now has regrets about their purchase, with many of them saying they had not worked out whether it was really affordable or that the purchase price was too much in the first place.

Porsche 918 Spyder to get 4.6 litre V8

Porsche 918 Spyder to get 4.6 litre V8 The Porsche 918 Spyder is to get a 4.6 litre V8 and lose one of its electric motors when it launches after a Frankfurt 2013 debut. It’s almost two years since the Porsche 918 Spyder debuted at the Geneva Motor show as a potential 21st century eco-replacement for the Carrera GT. The amount of interest shown – and offers of deposits – persuaded Porsche to confirm the 918 Spyder for production last March, but it’s still more than eighteen months away from arriving on the road.