Aston Martin V8 Vantage N430 and DB9 Carbon for 2014 Geneva Motor Show

Aston Martin will show off special new versions of the V8 Vantage and the DB9 at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show in March. The updates to the two model ranges are very different in character, however. The V8 Vantage N430 is a race-inspired special with more power and less weight – not to mention a somewhat shouty paint job – while the DB9 Carbon Black and Carbon White models are intended to bring a little extra luxury and style to the British marque’s Grand Touring model.

Chevrolet Mi-ray Concept Seoul Debut

The Chevy Mi-ray - a two-seater hybrid roadster GM are big in Korea, make no mistake. Well, South Korea, certainly. So big are Chevrolet in Korea that they rank only behind indigenous makers Kia and Hyundai, and Seoul is GM’s world centre for small cars – think of stuff like the Chevrolet Cruze and Chevrolet Aveo.

Catalytic converter thefts double in three years

Associated Press Thefts of catalytic converters from cars have more than doubled in less than three years, according to an investigation by the BBC. Data compiled from 40 police regions across the UK reveal that in 2012 a total of 8,947 catalytic converters thefts were reported, compared to 3,957 similar cases recorded in 2010. On Bing: see pictures of catalytic convertersStreet sweepers to mine UK roads for precious metals A car’s catalytic converter reduces its harmful exhaust gas emissions by initiating a chemical process to neutralise many toxic substances emitted from the engine.