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.

Bentley Continental Supersports clocks 204 mph on road to Geneva motor show

Bling may not be the obvious place to be for a luxury sports car maker today, but here's Bentley showing what the ultimate development of the Continental GT will be. The Continental Supersports will be shown next week at the Geneva motor show as a production model. Its 630-hp turbocharged W12 will make it the fastest and most-powerful Bentley ever.

Jaguar SUV / Crossover – new photo ahead of reveal

The second photo of the new Jaguar Crossover Jaguar started teasing their new Crossover - codenamed C-X17 – just last week, but we’ve already had the first leaked photo of the new SUV from Jaguar. That photo was just a full on front shot which told us not much more than that the new crossover stands taller than any other Jaguar and comes with a familiar – if slightly more butch – take on Jaguar’s family nose. But now we get a second photo of the new SUV ahead of its debut at Frankfurt next week (which turned up on ImageShack), and this time it’s a front three quarters profile showing us much more clearly what the new Jaguar has to offer.