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Photo of the week (2008): Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 01 December 2008 14:32 Didn't make it to the 2009 LA Auto Show? Then you missed the ugliest Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe ever made (see our pictures, right). Faced with the prospect of arch-rival Bentley showing off its new Azure T – a 500bhp version of the ultra-expensive convertible – in the same hall, Rolls was clearly wondering how to compete.

Mercedes sacks U.S. boss Ernst Lieb

Mercedes boss Ernst Lieb let go In a surprising move, Mercedes has upset its apple cart in America by sacking its CEO, Ernst Lieb. It’s hard to work out why Leib has been given the heave-ho, especially considering Mercedes USA is riding high at the moment on the back of strong sales and well-received models in the U.S. Under Lieb’s leadership Mercedes has enjoyed sales up 10.4 per cent for this year, a performance that is outstripping the market as a whole.

Alfa Romeo to drop MiTo & Giulietta & go RWD

The Alfa 4C (pictured) is the first part of Alfa’s plans to make proper drivers cars The argument has always been made that you’re not a real petrolhead unless you’ve owned an Alfa. But really, it’s quite some time since Alfa made proper petrolhead cars. In recent years Alfa’s focus has been on competing in the mainstream hatch market, with cars like the MiTo and Giulietta, and credible though those cars are, they’re more Fiat than Alfa.