Steve Davies

Watches and cars are the most natural of bedfellows, even more so when those cars are racing or sports cars, so you'd imagine that the most desirable watches would be the ones found in the accessories catalogue of your favourite motoring brand.

We've been waiting an age for the next Bond Film #23, which had been delayed as MGM Studios sorted out their finances following several box office flops and the general market slump in DVD sales. Thankfully MGM and EON Productions were able to confirm the film's go-ahead last month, with a release date in November 2012.

Who can resist peeking at the cover story for the all-new Lotus Magazine as the team seek to recreate the smouldering tension of the movie, “Basic Instinct”, complete with a prototype 2013 edition of the Lotus Elise.

After all the leaks of last weekend, Pagani have understandably decided to unveil the new Huayra ahead of schedule and forego the charade of teasing us in the run up to the Geneva Auto Salon. So, here is the Pagani Huayra, successor to the Zonda and the second model to bear the name of its creator, Horacio Pagani.

In an astute move by Lexus UK's sales and marketing team, buyers of its new CT 200h hybrid luxury hatchback can now specify Kylie Minogue in place of the regular car's wing mirror - drivers had suggested that they'd rather look at Kylie than at the following traffic and rather generously the pocket-sized superstar was only too happy to oblige.

February 2011 will mark the launch of new luxury lifestyle brand, Lotus Originals. Inspired by the Lotus DNA of innovation and design excellence, the debut collection is a range of performance outerwear, refined, luxury knitwear and leather goods that reflect the craftsmanship, heritage and spirit of Lotus. Lotus Originals will be exclusively available from the Lotus website (www.lotusoriginals.com) from February.

This Thursday (13th January 2011) at 2pm, Group Lotus will take-over the NEC in Birmingham as it unveils the Lotus’ motorsport line up including F1, GP2/GP3, IndyCar, GT2/GT4 and much more besides.

Just as we are beginning to come to terms with the un-mini-like 4-door MINI Countryman, along comes another new MINI to challenge our perceptions of the brand.

MINI describe the Paceman Concept as the first Sports Activity Coupé in the small premium segment and that it reinforces the MINI brand’s unconventional creativity.