Spied: 2012 Porsche Boxster S

The new Porshce Boxster was recently spied while being taken for a test drive, undisguised and in broad daylight. The picture provides a clear view of the model’s lines and detail with its sharp side strakes, side air inlets and prominent wheel arches. The rear of the vehicle sees a new integrated lip spoiler that spans right across the car’s rump, bisecting the taillamps.

Provided by some forced induction and a few tweaks, the 2.5-litre flat-4-cylinder engine could generate as much as 360hp under the hood.

The model is expected to make its official debut around the beginning of 2012.

Tesla Confirms Model S Details

Tesla has reassured all of its potential buyers that it will not be following the lead of its competition by increasing its initial price ahead of its release. Tesla has since confirmed that a base Model S, with an estimated 160 miles of range, will retail for about $57,400 with a tax credit of $7,500. The 230 mile range version will carry a $10,000 premium with an additional $10, 000 if you want a chance at making 300 miles on a charge. $77,400 will get you the top of the line Model S 300, a limited edition of 1000 vehicles, which will initially be named the “Model S Signature Series”.

Deliveries are expected to begin around the summer of 2012 in the US, with the 230 and 160 versions coming later in the year. Tesla hopes to produce a total of 5,000 cars in 2012 followed by 20,000 in 2013. There is a two year delivery wait ahead for markets that require a right-hand drive model.

2014 Volkswagen Phaeton

WHAT IT IS: The follow-up to the spectacularly slow-selling Phaeton. It will continue to be assembled at a lavish factory in Dresden, Germany, and once again will share powertrains and technology with high-end Audis and the Bentley Continental range.

WHY IT MATTERS: The Phaeton represents the VW brand’s highest aspirations. As before, the Phaeton will attempt to move VW upmarket into the BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes sphere. 

PLATFORM: Architecture usually reserved for Audis (dubbed MLB) will undergird the Phaeton.  A longitudinally mounted engine and all-wheel drive are its hallmarks, as is the extensive use of aluminum. 

POWERTRAIN: A new, twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 with 345 horses will power base versions. A few will come with the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 that is shared with the Continental range and the Audi S8. Even fewer will come with a W-12. 

COMPETITION: Audi A8, BMW 7-series, Jaguar XJ, Lexus LS, Mercedes-Benz S-class. 

WHAT MIGHT GO WRONG: Perched way above the rest of the VW lineup, the new Phaeton may continue to confuse shoppers. 

ESTIMATED ARRIVAL AND PRICE: Anticipated in late 2013, starting at about $65,000. 

Talented Alex has designs on your next new car

A MERSEYSIDE dad has spoken of his pride this week after his son landed a dream job designing a Chinese car company's latest models.

Jeff O'Brien, from Thornton, told Life On Cars that after impressing car industry executives with his design flair his son Alex has now jetted off to Shanghai to help design vehicles for Qoros, a joint Israeli-Chinese firm which will be launching its first cars in the UK next year.

Mr O'Brien said yesterday: "Alex's designing and sketching skills are out of this world, and after completing the car design course at the University of Coventry he impressed a lot of design executives for different companies, who all saw what he'd come up with and wanted to take a look. One of them was a manager at Qoros, who spoke to Alex and was absolutely delighted with him.

"Alex wanted to work with Qoros because it's a new company, and they're really keen to use some of his design skills in their models."

The model which former Manor High School pupil Alex created to conclude his design course, a sports car design aimed at supercar builders Bugatti (pictured above), attracted attention from car industry executives at an exhibition, used to showcase the UK's latest car design talent, held in Coventry last year. Father and son worked together on the car, with Jeff, a retired Craft, Design and Technology tutor, helping to fashion the wheels for the model of Alex's sports car design.

Although work commitments in Shanghai meant Alex was unavailable to speak to Life On Cars, a Qoros spokesperson said of its new range of cars: "Qoros is a fresh, new brand without legacy. It is driven by a passionate international team of expert designers, engineers and marketers who are united in their desire to develop sophisticated and highly individual products.

"The company is dedicated to meeting an ever-increasing demand for cars that are highly differentiated from other products within a crowded automotive marketplace. In addition to design that is both elegant and functional, Qoros products will be distinguished by a strong focus on state-of-the-art technology, with high levels of user-friendly in-car connectivity and vehicle safety standards which compare to the best in Europe."

The first Qoros car to be sold in the UK, an as-yet-unnamed four door saloon, will make its European debut at the Geneva Motorshow next March.