Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

Japan's concept cars - the craziest of the noughties

By Alex Michaelides Motor Shows 19 August 2009 10:00 Here we are, celebrating the best cars that Japan has produced, but what about the ones it hasn’t? At many motor shows – and particularly ones in its back yard – the Japanese industry serves up some wild concept cars which boggle the brain and tickle the ribs. It’s hardly surprising that few of them hit the mainstream.

Aston Martin Cygnet – what’s going on?

The Aston Martin Cygnet - fresh from Aston's website Aston Martin first rolled the Aston Martin Cygnet in to view back in June last year. It seemed as if they were trying to judge just what flack they would get for considering producing an Aston-ised Toyota Aygo. Would the world throw its hands up in horror, or would they understand the rationale behind the move?

Changan Raeton

Changan is predominantly active in the small car market, but the mid-sizes Raeton is aimed at entering the official and private vehicle markets, measuring in at a length of 4,920mm, a width of 1,825mm, while the car stands at 1,500mm tall riding on a wheelbase of 2,800mm. The development was based on the automaker's CD1-platform and was completed in its Turin-based European Design Centre, under the direction of Luciano D'Ambrosio and Chen Zheng. As early as the 2009 Shanghai auto show, Changan unveiled its CD101 concept car in attempt to explore the future design of the mid-size sedan.