Aston Martin DBS, Virage, V8 Vantage Dragon 88 at Beijing

Aston Martin whipped the covers off a trio of Dragon 88 special editions at the 2012 Beijing motor show - with local-market China-aimed versions of the DBS Volante, Virage coupe and V8 Vantage S coupe. And if you're wondering why Aston is focusing so much of its energies on China, remember this: it is opening 11 - eleven! - new dealerships here in 2012, as it taps into the new found wealth and sales opportunities in this growth market.

Ford Focus, Fiesta racers (2011): global motorsport

The new One Ford mantra is spreading to the race track - as the Blue Oval sends its motorsport division global too.  Announced at the 2010 SEMA show, the Fiesta R2 rally car will now be available in North America for the first time. And the all-new Ford Focus touring car (pictured) will race globally - it's anticipated to be in the 2011 British Touring Car Championship. Ford plans to coordinate and support private race teams around the world and is promising to help teams adapt the car to worldwide touring car categories.

Renault Captur

Renault has unveiled its new Captur ahead of its official debut in Geneva. The carmaker's first urban crossover borrows many of the same design cues as the latest Clio - unveiled in Paris last year – such as the tapering headlamps, grille and low air intake. The fog lamps are now surrounded by stainless steel, which helps to frame the lower air intake.