Honda AC-X Concept

The Honda AC-X plug-in hybrid sedan will form part of the company's seven concept vehicle strategy at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. From the images released by Honda, the AC-X appears similar in both size and proportion to the hydrogen fuel cell-powered FCX Clarity, with its a-pillars and windscreen base pulled far forwards, a smooth transition over its nose, screen, roof and rear deck and an elongated, sharply cut-off tail. Aerodynamic efficiency is clearly paramount.

Wiedeking to be offered $140 million to quit Porsche, report says

Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking could be offered a $141 million (100 million euros) payoff to quit the sports car maker to make way for a merger with Volkswagen, Germany's Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper reported Friday. The newspaper said Wiedeking has been visited by Porsche Chairman Wolfgang Porsche in the past few days, who “made it clear” that the embattled CEO should step down. Wiedeking has come under fire for allowing Porsche's holding company to amass debts of more than $12.7 billion (9 billion euros) during a failed attempt to take over VW.

Mercedes-Benz buys naming rights to the Louisiana Superdome

New Orleans' Louisiana Superdome, home at one time or another to Super Bowl champions and Hurricane Katrina refugees, is now home to a luxury-car brand. The arena was renamed the Mercedes-Benz Superdome this week after the carmaker acquired naming rights for 10 years. "The investment being made by a premier international brand who believes in 'the best or nothing,' is a tremendous compliment to all of those who worked so hard to make the stadium what it is today," said Tom Benson, owner of the NFL's New Orleans Saints.