New British Spider
McLaren has released its latest convertible, the 570S Spider. The alfresco version of the 570S Coupe has a two-piece retractable hard-top that takes 15 seconds to open or close, which can be done on the move at speeds of up to 40kmh.
The Spider is also equipped with an electrically operated rear window that doubles as a wind deflector when the roof is down. The hard-top system adds just 46kg to the weight of the 570S Spider compared with the 570S Coupe, so the performance from the 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged 570bhp, 600Nm V8 remains unchanged, with 0 to 100kmh acceleration in 3.2 seconds and a maximum speed of 328kmh with the roof up (315kmh with the roof down).
Germany's Mazda museum
Auto Frey, a family-owned 39-year Mazda dealership in Augsburg, has opened the first Mazda museum (above) in Europe, which is also the only one outside Japan.
Housed in a refurbished tram depot, the 45 classic Mazdas are taken from the Freys' private collection and include a 1967 Cosmo Sport, several generations of the RX-7 and an AZ-1 kei-class gull-wing coupe.
Hyundai's small SUV
The Kona (above), named after a coastal region of Hawaii, is a compact crossover that competes against the Honda HR-V/Vezel, Toyota C-HR, Mazda CX-3, Suzuki Vitara and Nissan Juke.
The Kona's exterior is a Korean explosion of designer details, curves and colours, with sleek LED lights and a so-called "cascading grille".
The interior is less dramatic, but it is well-designed and well-equipped, with features that include a head-up display and an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
Komoco will introduce the Kona in January next year, powered by the same 1.6-litre 177bhp, seven-speed dual-clutch drivetrain as the Tucson Turbo.
Limited-edition sneakers for Aston Martin fans
The Aston Martin x Hogan luxury sneakers (above) are said to reflect the silhouette of an Aston Martin sports car. More obvious, however, is the shoe's combination of tan leather and nylon mesh, with Italian craftsmanship evident in the pinched seams, layering of materials and high-quality construction.
Just 3,000 pairs of the designer sneakers will be made and available in four colours.
Fastest SUV in a straight line
Toyota's Land Speed Cruiser (above), a souped-up 2,000bhp Land Cruiser, has cruised rapidly to a GPS-verified top speed of 370.18kmh on the paved runway at Mojave Air and Space Port in California.
Not meant for production, the 5.7-litre V8 monster has been heavily modified with a pair of volleyball-size Garrett turbochargers, much sturdier engine internals and a custom racing transmission.
Clothes for retro petrolheads
Motoring enthusiasts, who feel the need to dress up for a drive, can check out the BMW Motorsport Heritage Collection (above). Its lambskin leather jacket, T-shirt, sunglasses and bag have a vintage style that winds back to the 1970s.
