Commentary: Auto China 2008

China is a country that's been trading its bicycles for a more modern mode of transport: the car. And while modernization as a whole can be viewed as a good thing, the alarming rate of growth can also be a severe drawback. Our recent trip to Beijing for Auto China 2008 is case in point.

Arizona auctions: Plenty of bidders are willing to buy

Friday's auction results from the four major auction houses continue on a strong streak, with sales reports topping even optimistic pre-event estimates. RM Auctions completed its second and final day of sales in Phoenix, posting results totaling an estimated $30.6 million, a record-high amount for this event. The Canadian-based company also garnered the most talked about sale of the day, a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL steel-bodied "Gullwing" that sold for $1.375 million.

BMW 1-series M Coupe (2011) teaser video

BMW is continuing to build up the hype ahead of the launch of its next M car – this is a teaser video giving us our first glimpse of the undisguised BMW 1-series M Coupe What’s new is our first look at this hot 1-series’ butch bodykit, complete with an engorged front bumper and triple air intakes. There are CSL-alike 19-inch wheels too, and sitting between the cross-drilled front discs is a twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six, producing 335bhp and 369lb ft. Drive, thankfully, goes to just the rear wheels, and they’ll be a choice of either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. There’ll be an M diff too, but we hear it might be on the options list as BMW’s money men fight to keep the list price under £40k.