Well, it’s invisible if you happen to look at it from the right angle. Mercedes engineers have exhibited a primitive form of cloaking, whereby a car can be made to appear all but invisible using optical camouflage technology.

The car in question was a zero emissions F-Cell Mercedes and photographs and video footage show how it can look like it isn’t even there. Scientists made use of LEDs and digital cameras so that the car was able to project an image of what was behind it to those looking from the other direction. This gives the illusion of invisibility.

In truth, the effect is not flawless, but it’s still very impressive. The wheels are particularly conspicuous, because they do not feature LEDs. Even so, the promotional video shows people moving around behind the car with the image immediately being projected on the other side.

The Mercedes-Benz F-Cell is a hydrogen powered vehicle – hence the zero emissions tag. It is capable of doing 250 miles via its electric engine, which generates 134 horsepower. At present, this technology is too expensive for commercial use. Needless to say, that used to generate the invisibility effect is also prohibitively dear.

It has been announced that several luxury car companies are to take advantage of government grants from a regional growth fund. The firms will include both Bentley and Lotus.

Bentley, which is now based in Crewe in Cheshire, already employs around 900 people in its engineering department, but the grant will mean more jobs as the firm has plans to work on a new engine. This is particularly good news for university leavers as Bentley’s graduate scheme will see an increased intake next year, as will its apprentice scheme.

The chairman and chief executive of Bentley, Wolfgang Durheimer, said:

“This is a real boost for Bentley. This grant will help safeguard our (engineering) operations as we look to develop new powertrains which appeal to new markets and new customers.”

This is a reference to the growing Chinese market and the new engine will certainly be designed with this in mind. The firm has sold well over a thousand cars in China already this year – four doors proving particularly popular – and wishes to exploit this further.

News of the grant was warmly received by Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson, who said the developments would be to the benefit of thousands of his constituents who were employed by Bentley or by related businesses.

Having recently gauged the public appetite for a high-end Range Rover via the Autobiography Ultimate Edition, Land Rover have decided that they would indeed be able to compete in the super-luxury SUV market.

The new car – the Mk4 Range Rover – would likely have a £125,000 price tag, much like the Autobiography Ultimate Edition. The firm’s brand director, John Edwards, explained the reasoning:

“The Ultimate Edition shows there’s an opportunity to go up a notch in price. We tested the market for a reason. We always learn for future models.”

Previously, the most expensive Range Rover had clocked in at £90,000, but sales went well and the market in China, Russia and the Middle East justified the offering, not to mention the fact that UK sales outstripped expectations. Edwards said his initial nervousness quickly fell away.

The super-luxury SUV market is increasingly competitive, however. Bentley recently displayed their new offering at the Geneva Motor Show and Lamborghini are due to show their vehicle in Beijing very soon. Aston Martin are also due to enter the market but Edwards feels that Range Rover will still find success.

Bentley have said that a plug-in hybrid engine could make an appearance in one of their vehicles by 2015. According to Bentley chief executive, Wolfgang Durheimer, a petrol-electric hybrid would have to deliver the performance for which the marque is known and also offer greatly improved fuel efficiency.

Durheimer said:

“Mid-term we are also going to integrate plug-in hybrid technology. This is what we are working on at present. I can see an opportunity – probably 2015 – to introduce this technology in Bentley.”

As with many hybrids, the car would have the ability to run on electric power only for short distances and petrol for longer trips. The latter running mode would see batteries recharging to extend the car’s range. The Bentley SUV that is on the cards could also benefit from a plug-in hybrid system.

In related news, Bentley recently displayed its latest V8 engine; one that will be used in two-door GT and GTC cars. It is said that the twin-turbocharged engine could offer efficiency that is 40 per cent better than the 12-cyclinder engine. Although not hugely powerful, the engine should mean a two-door can clock a 0-62mph time of less than five seconds.

Rodney and Joan Doel from Salisbury recently celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Married at the Minister Church of St Denys on December 16th, 1961, they marked the occasion by taking a limousine tour around Wilton.

The trip was arranged by their son, Shaun, who joined them, along with his family.

Joan said:

“We had a brilliant day out. It was really unexpected and none of us had ever been in a limo before.”

Wedding anniversaries are the perfect reason for hiring a chauffeur driven car. You can do as the Doels did and take a tour of a local area, perhaps revisiting memorable locations from your past, or you can simply enjoy the ride on the way to dinner or a show. It very much depends on the couple in question and what they would like to do.

The Doels also took a holiday as part of their celebrations. Although they didn’t hire a limo to take them to the airport, this is another option. Travelling can seem like a hassle, but in this way, you can make it part of the experience and start your celebrations earlier as a consequence.

A five-year-old girl visiting 10 Downing Street for a party was rushed to hospital in David Cameron’s limo after collapsing and suffering shortness of breath.

Savannah Nicholls was there for a children’s charity event when she suddenly felt ill. Born on Christmas Day in 2005, she was found to have a rare form of leukaemia and only survived after her mother campaigned for a bone marrow donor. Since then, she has suffered related conditions, including meningitis, pneumonia and epilepsy before being diagnosed with cerebral palsy this year.

Her mother, Lisa, called for a taxi to take them to hospital, but prime ministerial aides offered the use of one of Cameron’s limos. Savannah ended up spending three days in hospital being treated for a severe chest infection.

Lisa said:

“David Cameron was great and has passed on his number to call him and let him know Savannah was OK. We’ve been told we can go back next year. We were desperate to get home so we can send a thank you card for all his help and his staff.

“They kept ringing to check up on Savannah, which was really touching. It was just a case of unfortunate timing. Savannah did get to briefly meet the Prime Minister, but I think she was more interested in her hero Mr Tumble.”