Carmel kicks off concours craziness

Consider the Monterey car week begun! The Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours-on-the-Avenue launched with its best-ever crowd and what many were calling the best-ever show for the free-to-the-public event held every Tuesday before the Pebble Beach Concours on Ocean Avenue in Carmel. Eighteen blocks total were shut to traffic and jammed with collector cars, everything from classic 911s celebrating that car's 50th anniversary to Ferraris, Trans Am racers and a whole block of Shelby Cobras.

New Peugeot 308 production increased to meet demand

Peugeot are increasing production of the new 308 to meet demand The new Peugeot 308 arrived in the UK in January – although it’s been on sale in Europe since last year – and it’s a decent effort from Peugeot. In fact, even though we didn’t think it was the best choice, the new 308 took the European Car of the Year Award at the Geneva Motor Show last week, a decision that’s probably been credibility by the apparent popularity of the new 308. Since the 308 went on sale late last year, Peugeot has managed to shift more than 60,000, so with the new 308 SW (Estate) about to go on sale Peugeot is ramping up production to meet current and expected demand by adding a third shift at its Sochaux Plant, creating 600 new jobs in the process.

Abarth 695 Maserati Edition (2012) first pictures

Remember the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, the hyper-expensive hot hatch fettled with some help from Maranello? Well now Fiat has tuned up its baby 500C convertible pocket rocket with assistance from Maserati. The new limited-edition Abarth 695 Maserati Edition will carry a similarly eye-watering price tag - just 499 of the convertible hot hatch will be built and it tops a heady £32,000.