Ferrari 458 Spider driven by Fernando Alonso +video

Fernando Alonso drives the Ferrari 458 Spider As the Ferrari 458 Spider gets closer to its official debut at Frankfurt this week, Ferrari are busy dropping bits of PR stuff to keep up interest. Today’s helping is Ferrari F1 driver Fernando Alonso having a play in Ferrari’s new convertible. This is the first time we’ve seen Ferrari’s new drop-top on the move, and it looks every bit as good as it coupe sibling.

Volkswagen to launch budget brand, priced from £4800

Volkswagen is planning to launch a new budget brand to challenge the likes of Dacia – and the bargain basement minis will be sold in Europe too. Prices for the yet-nameless new cheap VWs will start from just €6000, or £4800, according to paperwork seen by CAR. How can VW build city cars so cheaply?

Porsche Panamera Diesel gets power boost for 2014

An updated Porsche Panamera Diesel was missing from the range when Porsche facelifted its plus-size super-saloon earlier in 2013. But don’t think Porsche had quietly dropped the most anti-purist model in its line-up. Stuttgart has in fact been tickling up a much more powerful, faster version of the oil-burning Panamera.