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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.

Interior Motives Design Awards 2008

The second press day of the Paris motor show once again coincided with the annual Interior Motives Design Awards, a competition open to student designers around the world and now in its sixth year. A jury made up of high-ranking design professionals, including the likes of VW's Flavio Manzoni and Faurecia's Andreas Wlasak, selected winners in the following 11 categories: Best Use of Ambient Lighting Best Innovation Best Production Interior Best Use of Technology Best Lifestyle Interior Best Safety Innovation Best Personalisation Best Eco Design Best Conceptual Interior Best Conceptual Exterior Best Xperience The title of 2008 Student Designer of the Year - and the grand prize of $5000 - went to the Royal College of Art's Pierre Sabas. His four-seater Free Form coupe concept took an inside-out approach to design, consisting of articulated, interlocking seat elements designed to eliminate the need for bulky, constrictive exterior crumple zones, and a sliding dashboard for adaptable ergonomics.

Kia GT and Provo look to be heading in to production

The recent Kia Provo Concept and the impressive Kia GT look like they’re heading in to production as Kia move upmarket. Equally, the stunning Kia GT concept we saw at 2 years ago at Frankfurt  - a swoopy coupe Kia take on the Mercedes CLS – was equally convincing, although we’d begun to think Kia had gone cold on the idea of putting the Kia GT in to production. But Auto Express are reporting that both the Provo (with a change of name ) and the GT are close to being signed off for production after a conversation with Benny Oeyen, Kia’s marketing boss in Europe.