CAR TALK
ORLA KIELY CITROEN COLLECTION
British designer Orla Kiely has created a limited edition version of Citroen’s DS3. Known for her distinctive prints that usually adorn purses and mugs, the Orla Kiely Collection DS3 features her trademark acorn and stem patterns on the cars’ roof, floor carpets, headrests, windows and tailgate. Just 500 of the cars have been produced, so you’ll have to be quick if you want a car to match your favourite handbag. It goes on sale on February 1, for £16,000.
NEW BRITISH SPORTSCAR MODEL
Caterham has developed a prototype race car which hits 60mph in a mind-blowing 2.5 seconds. The Caterham-Lola SP/300.R, revealed at this week’s Autosport International Show in Birmingham, was created in partnership with British racecar-maker Lola for a new one-make series and the trackday community. The cars feature a supercharged Ford Duratec engine which delivers about 300bhp. Just 25 will be produced each year.
MERCEDES-BENZ SLK
Whether you think it’s your dream sports car or a hairdressers’ car par excellence, the Mercedes-Benz SLK is an iconic sports car, and the third generation model has just been revealed. It’s the first to showcase new MB’s “Magic Sky Control” technology on its glass roof; it can go from almost transparent to a dark tint at the flick of a switch. The car is also up to 25 percent more economical than the previous model, thanks to its BlueEFFICIENCY engine and ECO start/stop function.