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CAR Most Wanted of 2014: Mazda MX-5

By the CAR editorial team First Official Pictures 03 January 2014 18:30 It’s still the ultimate sun-loving, value-packed roadster that’s untouchable this side of a Porsche Boxster. The rear-drive, two-seat MX-5 is an icon and, frankly, fans cringe that it’ll be messed up, such is its consistent excellence.  Mazda’s SkyActiv philosophy should keep standards up, by bringing the 2014 roadster’s weight down. Mazda’s ethos is to optimise every component, from chassis architecture to drivetrains, to boost efficiency and driveability.

2014 Mercedes S Class LIVE reveal

The new S Class (W222) gets a bit longer than the current S Class (by 20mm), a bit wider (28mm) and a bit lower (25mm) but the wheelbase of the standard S Class stays the same at 3035mm with the long wheelbase S Class getting an extra 130mm for extra sprawling room. There will be a variety of engines on offer in the new S Class (from parsimonious 4-cylinders to mighty V12s) but we’re expecting at launch that just three will be on offer – the S350 diesel with a 255bhp V6, the S400 with a 300bhp V6 petrol and the S500 with a 4.7 litre turbo petrol with 450bhp. In terms of styling, Mercedes appear to have taken away much of the bulbous look of the current S Class and replaced it with a more flowing shape, but one that’s still very much S Class.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta facelifted for the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Alfa Romeo today only sells two regular cars, the MiTo and Giulietta. The family hatchback Giulietta is its most profitable – and also its best – and so to ensure it still has at least some appeal alongside the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus that outclass it, Alfa has facelifted it for the 2014 model year. It’s a very discreet and low-effort facelift, but the firm still hopes it’s just enough to keep the family five-door ticking over.