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

Mercedes Vision S500 plug-in Hybrid Concept at Frankfurt

The Mercedes S500 Hybrid Plug-In will show at Frankfurt Update: Mercedes has now confirmed our S500 Hybrid story and we have images of the S500 hybrid at the bottom of the page The S500 Vision will feature a V6 petrol engine paired with a 10kw lithium-ion battery pack and a 44kw motor. This combination will allow the hybrid Mercedes to travel over 18 miles on battery power alone. When the battery discharges the electric motor will power up the petrol engine.

McLaren MSO 650S going in to production – debuts at Goodwood & costs from £252,500

The McLaren MSO 650S Concept (pictured) becomes a production model In April, we revealed the McLaren MSO 650S Coupe Concept, and such has been the reaction from McLaren buyers that McLaren has decided to put it in to production, with a total of 50 cars being built in both Coupe and Spider guise and debuting this week at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The production MSO 650S carries over many of the elements of the Concept, but McLaren’s Design Director, Frank Stephenson, has had input to make more changes including a number of carbon fibre styling upgrades with a satin finish, a three-piece rear bumper with carbon fibre centre section and a more aggressive rear diffuser. The MSO Concept came in Agrigan Black, but the production version will be available in ‘Papaya Spark (a take on McLaren orange), Sarigan Quartz ( new metallic silver with gold infusion) and the Agrigan Black of the concept.

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.