July Debut For Citroen’s New C1 City Car

THE BATTLE for hearts and minds in the city has just got hotter with the launch of Citroen’s second generation C1 urban runabout. Although the diminutive French hatch shares much with its Peugeot 108 and Toyota Aygo stablemates, the C1’s bold new exterior look shares more with recent arrivals such as the firm’s new Picasso people carrier. On sale in July, UK buyers will be able to choose from three trim levels with prices ranging from £8,245 for the entry-level Touch to £11,935 for the range-topping Flair.

Video: BMW instructor attempts to break world drifting record

The Guinness Book of World Records has the longest drift set at an amazing 19,035 feet, or about 3.5 miles. It was set in China in 2011. On May 11 Johan Schwartz, BMW Performance Driving instructor working in Greer, S.C., aims to bring the record back to the United States.

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.