Color & trim focus: Six of Poltrona Frau’s auto collaborations

Collaborations between the car industry and the world of product design are fraught with difficulties, are usually fleeting and all too often end in (marketing department) tears. One of the few possible exceptions is Italian leather and furniture company Poltrona Frau. Its 102-year history includes the 904 ‘Vanity Fair' chair from 1930 and the more-recent 2009 Archibald chair by Jean-Marie Massaud.

Mercedes CLS facelift (2014) first official pics

By Damion Smy First Official Pictures 18 June 2014 12:30 The Mercedes CLS range has been given a facelift as the four-door coupe and ‘shooting brake’ estate are given the goodies fitted to the E-class they’re based on after it was facelifted late last year. The 2014 Mercedes CLS is not a ‘new generation’ as Mercedes may have you believe, but more a nip and tuck. That means the outside has been tweaked with new LED headlamps as standard equipment across the range, as well as a new ‘diamond’ front grille, slightly chunkier front bumper with gaping air intakes, and tail lamps that have been given a darker, smoked look.

Ecclestone in court over 'bribery'

THE TRIAL of Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone on bribery charges has begun in a case that could threaten his grip on the sport. Ecclestone, 83, talked with his lawyers and smiled as he took his place at the Munich state court today. He is accused of bribery and incitement to breach of trust, and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.