1360122 Hinson Hs263 Steel Clutch Basket on 2040-parts.com

Could Michelin’s Active Wheel truly transform the car?

Cars today have evolved and been refined to an extraordinary degree, but carmakers – and car designers – are still always looking for ‘the next big thing'. Yet despite a myriad of recent technical innovations, ask the man on the street what is the problem with cars of today, and he'll likely reply along the lines of "they all look the same". Mass production processes, packaging requirements and safety and regulatory constraints are just a few of the reasons why it is hard to make a car that looks truly different.

Renault unveils four electric concepts at 2009 Frankfurt motor show

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 15 September 2009 12:00 Renault has unveiled four incredible electric concept cars at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show, and all four will be in production by the end of 2012. The maddest of all is the tiny Twizy ZE concept, a 1+1 city car that Renault sources have revealed to CAR will go into production in 2011 relatively unchanged. Also on sale in 2011 will be an electric van for commercial buyers, based on the Kangoo ZE concept and mechanically identical to the Be Bop ZE Ben Oliver drove earlier in 2009.

Cadillac CTS Coupe, CTS-V (2008): first official pictures

By Ben Oliver First Official Pictures 16 January 2008 04:07 Cadillac showed three major new models at Detroit, and pulled off one of the show’s few surprises by keeping its new CTS Coupe completely secret until it was officially unveiled. It also revealed the 550bhp CTS-V and the Provoq small SUV concept (see separate story). Although branded as a concept, the striking, angular two-door four-seat CTS Coupe will come to Europe in 2010 and will come here because it is based on the CTS saloon platform which will be offered in right-hand drive in the UK and other overseas markets.