BMW M3 Convertible (2008): first official pictures

By Stephen Dobie First Official Pictures 18 January 2008 15:08 The M3 family has swelled further with BMW’s announcement of the new convertible version - and a twin-clutch gearbox. This is the first M3 with a folding metal hardtop, and the first with BMW's new transmission. It's a new seven-speed gearbox called M DCT gearbox – a double-clutch affair (like VW's seven-speed DSG) allowing near-instant changes, with little drop in power.

Peugeot Onyx concept [w/Gallery]

Peugeot has previewed its Onyx concept, set to debut at this month's Paris motor show, just days after the first teaser images were released. Very much a supercar in terms of its proportions and form, the Onyx is not the first time Peugeot's previewed super and super-sports cars in concept form, but the Onyx looks a lot more promising than previous efforts, from these photos at least. Conforming to the modern, eco-conscious supercar norm, the Onyx features a hybrid drivetrain - following in the footsteps of the BMW i8, Honda NSX and Jaguar CX-75.  Peugeot's stated aim is to push itself upmarket and become a more premium brand, so the Onyx could be read as a sign that the company feels it needs more of a 'halo' car in order to achieve that aim.

Double Oh My! James Bond Aston Martin sells for $4.6 million

Perhaps the single most breathtaking car of the fall auction season, a 1964 Aston Martin DB5--better known as the James Bond car--sold for $4.61 million to Ohio collector Harry Yeaggy on Wednesday at the RM Auctions Automobiles of London sale. The Aston was expected to sell for more than $5 million, and the sale fell a bit short of that, registering a final bid of 2.6 million British pounds, or $4,114,760. Buyer's premiums raise the total sale price to $4.61 million.