Mercedes 'Aesthetics S' sculpture (2012) previews S-class

Mercedes is previewing its next 2013 S-class flagship, but not with a concept car or series of shadowy teaser shots. No, Merc has instead opted to create a sculpture showing the profile of the next S-class. It's titled 'Aesthetics S', and together with its 'exciting projection display', it'll be shown at the 2012 Paris motor show later this month.

Car giant starts recruitment phase

CAR GIANT Jaguar Land Rover has started recruiting for the first phase of 1,700 new jobs to support production of new vehicles. The company said 500 production staff will be taken on as part of expansion plans at its factory in Solihull, West Midlands. The carmaker is investing £1.5 billion in the UK and plans to increase its workforce at Solihull to almost 8,000.

Lexus IS

Details and pictures of the new Lexus IS saloon have been revealed ahead of the car's full debut next week in Detroit. Previewed back in September at the Paris motor show with the LF-CC concept, the IS features the carmaker's signature spindle grille and L-shaped Daytime Running Lights (DRL). The IS also retains the prominent character line that rises from the lower body into the rear lamp clusters and also features another that runs underneath the windows.