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Fisker, Energy Department face tough Congressional hearing on federal loans

Struggling Fisker Automotive took a bludgeoning Wednesday on Capitol Hill from top congressional Republicans who compared Fisker to failed automotive startups of the past and lambasted the Department of Energy for allowing the electric-car producer to draw down nearly $200 million in taxpayer-funded loans. House Oversight Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., told Fisker founder Henrik Fisker that he will be remembered fondly for his design work for BMW and Aston Martin. But he compared Fisker to Malcolm Bricklin, John DeLorean and Preston Tucker -- three entrepreneurs known for their failed startup car companies.

Mercedes-Benz previews S-Class via 'Aesthetics S' sculpture

Mercedes-Benz has previewed the next-generation S-Class by continued its series of sculptures with ‘Aesthetics S', set to be unveiled at the Paris motor show. The new relief-like sculpture is set to display the automaker's view of the design of the future luxury saloon through projected images that give a glimpse of the upcoming sedan. Depictions of the four previous S-Class models from the past – the model series W189, W108, W126 and W221 – it can also convey the impact of the S-Class tradition.

Smart: the best concepts and special editions

By James Clark Motoring Issues 18 July 2014 11:24 As Smart lifts the lid on the new ForTwo and ForFour this week, CAR magazine looks back on wonderful, wacky and downright woeful Smart special editions and concepts that have been created since the diminutive City Coupe first arrived on the scene in 1998. The Crossblade was a 2002 special edition based on the cabrio version of the city car. Its Brabus-tuned motor put out 70bhp and the car weighed just 740kg.