Car production up again in June

THE NUMBER OF CARS produced in the UK rose last month. A total of 136,419 vehicles were manufactured in June 2014 - a 3.7% rise on the figure for the same month last year, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said. The latest figures took the year-so-far total to 791,314 - a 3.5% increase on the January-June 2013 figure.

Super-rare Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II Shooting Break up for auction

The growing trend for shooting break estates is nothing new. Sleek estate versions of high-end, luxury limousines have been produced at the behest of their ultra-wealthy owners for years – just like this bespoke Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II Shooting Break. And this example could be yours for a snip – it’s going up for auction with Bonhams at the Beaulieu Sale on 7 September 2013 with an estimated price of £12,000 to £16,000.

918 a match for Ferrari and McLaren in corners, says Porsche

Had you forgotten about the third contender in the hybrid supercar wars, given the furious competition betwen Ferrari and McLaren? Porsche’s hybrid 918 Spyder is that third competitor, which mates a 4.6-litre normally aspirated V8 to an 84bhp front-drive electric motor and a 127bhp EV motor helping drive the rear tyres. It costs £768,026, and though Porsche won’t quite admit as much, you can still buy one of the 918 being produced - unlike the sold-out LaFerrari.