Kln 94 on 2040-parts.com

Concept Car of the Week: Honda Kiwami (2003)

As part of Honda's exploration into new, clean-performing technologies, the Kiwami concept was created to test public acceptance of the idea of a large, fuel cell-powered luxury sedan.  Unveiled in 2003, the simple yet striking design seemed like a Japanese twist on the Renault Vel Satis concept, which shared a similar wedge profile, wide stance and minimalist approach.  However, the Kiwami found its own interpretation of modern luxury, expressed through elegantly integrated technology rather than with crystal champagne glasses.  Up front, a full-width LED strip headlamp sat flush with the flat bonnet and the rectangular bumper to create a design of primitive beauty.  Further examples of the same simple Japanese aesthetic are found around the car, including the uncluttered body panels and a full-width tail-lamp graphic that matched the front theme.  The dramatic proportions of the interior were closely related to the package of the hydrogen power plant. Unlike other manufacturers at the time, Honda engineers did not create a 'skateboard' fuel cell chassis below the cabin. Instead, a sideways H-shaped layout for the control unit, ultracapacitor, fuel cell stack, hydrogen storage and other components was used, helping to create a lower center of gravity.

Lotus Electric City Car Revealed

Lotus has produced the Lotus Electric City Car Concept But now comes news that Lotus have produced an Electric City Car Concept. Just 8’6″ long and 5’3″ wide, it is a Toyota iQ type vehicle – but smaller – and has the iQ’s 3+1 interior configuration. And it’s designed to be purely an urban car – something for popping to the shops and doing local errands.

Report: Britain averaged over 50mpg in 2013

Land Rover According to the latest figures from industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Britain averaged OVER 50mpg last year. The institution analysed efficiency figures for all new cars sold in the UK in 2013, working out the average CO2 emissions from the 2.26 million cars sold in Britain last year and coming up with a figure of 128.3g/km. On Bing: see pictures of vehicle CO2 emissionsFind out how much an economical used car costs on Auto Trader　 That’s already below the 130g/km CO2 average target manufacturers have set themselves for 2015 and marks a 16th successive year of reductions.