A1 Cardone Reman Rack-and-pinion Unit 26-1681 on 2040-parts.com

Lotus CEO Dany Bahar on the crisis at Lotus Cars

Lotus chief executive Dany Bahar has laid bare the business position at Lotus Cars since the takeover of parent company Proton by Malaysia's DRB-Hicom. Norfolk's sports car maker has been buffeted by rumours of financial crisis and looming collapse since development was frozen by the new owners (click here for our coverage of the crisis at Lotus. CAR scored an interview with Bahar at the Hethel headquarters yesterday afternoon. He was abroad at the time of last week's media maelstrom, when rumours and slurs flew around about the state of Lotus's finances.

Under the hammer, overseas: Russo and Steele explores classic-car auction in China

It's ambitious, it's unprecedented and it's loaded with pitfalls. But if it can be pulled off, it could serve as a template for international growth for American auction houses. Russo and Steele is expanding into China and has announced plans this fall to form a joint venture with a Chinese company as a foothold.

Peugeot 407 Coupe – new diesels

Peugeot has introduced two new diesel engines for its stylish 407 Coupe But it’s a decent car, and Peugeot has now made it more appealing with some updates for 2009 / 2010. The style changes are very minor – a bit of chrome trim and bigger door mirrors – and the 407 Coupe now gets  Bluetooth and hands-free as standard equipment on its Connect Navigation (RNEG). But the big news is the new diesel engines.