Retromobile is the most famous and desirable Collectors’ Motor Car Show of its kind in the world. Three of the most technically interesting and aesthetically beautiful European pre-war cars to feature within Bonhams’ inaugural Rétromobile Paris Sale, will be a 1928 example of the legendary supercharged Type ‘S’ Mercedes, the world’s sole surviving, privately-owned Farman dating from 1921, and a gargantuan 10.6-litre 1905 Panhard-Lavassor. Headlining the sale will be the 1928 Mercedes ‘S’ Type, estimated at Euros 2,250,000-3,250,000 ($3,300,000 - $4,750,000).

The car was commissioned by Mercedes-Benz’s Paris agency to be the highlight of their stand at the annual Paris Salon, exactly 80 years ago. With bodywork by the legendary Parisian coachbuilder J Saoutchik, whose styling designs were intricate, versatile and beautiful, the car has many unique features from a disappearing hood mechanism to individual suitcases stowed behind each seat, as well as an ultra low windscreen. With such aesthetics and functionality, it is perhaps easy to see why this car has had just two owners, both in America, since new.

The other two cars that I have mentioned are estimated at Euros 500,000-600,000 for the Farman and 1905 Panhard-Levassor too.

Land Rover unveiled a vision of its future at the NAIAS 2008, with the world debut of the concept car ‘LRX’. As the company prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary, the three-door LRX features its more compact size and lighter weight.

It has four-wheel drive and Hill Descent Control to optimize traction on difficult surfaces ranging from icy roads to wet grass, gravel and snow. The interior features of the LRX concept car included a touch-screen area and LRX’s iPhone docking facility.

Ferrari 250 California Spyder is a very rare car, considered
the most valuable of all road going Ferraris, only 100 instances of this model were built between 1957 and 1962.The examples on offer – a 1958 LWB covered headlamp version (s/n 0923GT) finished in classic Rosso red, and a 1961 SWB version (s/n 2377GT) with coachwork finished in original Nero black – are estimated to fetch something between $4,000,000 - $6,000,000 USD.

BMW unveiled its four-passenger convertible ‘135i Convertible’ during NAIAS 2008, which is powered by 6-cylinder Twin-Turbo engine with 300 horse power. It can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds.

The BMW 135i convertible was unveiled to North American fans at the Detroit Auto Show on January 13, 2008. BMW also officially announced was the long awaited pricing for the BMW 1 series convertibles:

• 128i convertible list price - $33,875
• 135i convertible list price - $39,875

Kia Motors Corporation announced the world debut of the all-new Borrego midsize SUV (to be known as “Mohave” in some markets) at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, further bolstering its ever growing product line-up.

Inspired by Kia’s “less is more” design philosophy, Borrego was intended to convey a pure and functional look. It joins Kia’s versatile and stylish range of cars and SUVs for those who enjoy active and energetic lifestyles. Set to go on sale this summer in overseas markets (domestic Korean sales commenced in early January), Borrego houses Kia’s first-ever V8 engine, making it the most powerful Kia vehicle to date

As Kia’s most powerful vehicle, Borrego is offered with a 3.8-liter V6 as well as Kia’s first 4.6-liter V8 DOHC engine in some markets including North America, the latter producing more than 300-horsepower. Also unique to Borrego and new to Kia is the six-speed automatic transmission mated to the V8 engine. Offered in two- and four-wheel drive, with class-leading towing of 7,500 pounds when partnered to the V8 and 5,000 pounds with the V6, the midsize SUV offers unmatched capabilities for a weekend of camping and off-roading, just as much as a sophisticated night on the town.

Design Ed Welburn and Buick Design boss Dave Lyons showed off the Buick Riviera concept for the first time in the US. Yes, we know the Riviera is hardly new.

Debuted at the 2007 Shanghai Motor Show and was in fact designed and built by GM’s Shanghai Tech Center. This concept is important, however, for a number of reasons. First, it shows that while Chinese manufacturers may largely have their heart set on creating cheap knock-offs of established designs from the west, Chinese designers are actually capable of creating some great designs. Although GM refuses to say whether Buick will get a new coupe based on the Riviera, they do say that design elements of the car will appear on a new production Buicks to be unveiled later this year as well as other future models.Via Autoblog.com