Cuda Bumperette on 2040-parts.com

McLaren MP4-12C Spider (2012) first teaser photo

McLaren today issued this first teaser photograph of the second model in its fledgling road-car line-up: the new McLaren MP4-12C Spider. No prizes for spotting it's a convertible version of the existing MP4-12C coupe. Expect it in showrooms later in 2012, priced to compete with the £198,936 Ferrari 458 Spider.

One Lap of the Web: Relentless auction consumerism and a chat with Pete Brock

-- Bonham's is hosting "Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais," happening right now in Paris. Sounds fancy. And as with almost every Bonham's auction, there is some fancy machinery: our friends at Bring a Trailer point out an almost surreal variety of cars, from a Mazda 323 GTX Group N rally car to a cute lil' Saab 92B De Luxe.

Parking fines hit £30 per month

BRITISH motorists pay more than £30 million each month in parking fines, figures suggest. More tickets are being issued this year by councils than last year and there has been a 13% rise in fines issued on a Sunday, according to data obtained by LV=. The car insurer calculated councils have handed out more than 890,000 parking fines per month in 2013 - a 4% increase on 2012 figures - and, based on an average amount of £42 per ticket and excluding any successful appeals, drivers are now paying in excess of £30 million each month.