Austin Healey 6 Cylinder Aluminum Cylinder Head on 2040-parts.com

Caterham AeroSeven Concept previews future production model

Hot on the stripped-down heels of the Caterham Seven 165 and Caterham 620R, the company revealed a next-generation vehicle, the AeroSeven Concept. The company’s newest road car benefitted from the entire portfolio of Caterham companies including Caterham Technology & Innovation, Caterham F1 Team, Caterham Composites and Caterham Cars. The company says the new concept hints at a future styling direction, including the new sports car that is being developed in conjunction with Renault, due in 2016.

Kia KV7 concept

Kia is clearly keen to grab the last of 2010's headlines by releasing this teaser render of its upcoming concept, the KV7, due to be unveiled at the Detroit auto show. The large crossover appears to preview a replacement for the Korean manufacturer's Borrego. While the exterior's clamshell tailgate, muscular wheelarches and Ford Explorer-aping lamp graphics (from this view, at least) may be directly relative to a production model, it's unlikely that the rear gullwing door openings will make the transition.

Show Review: Salon Privé 2011

Salon Privé is billed as Britain's most elite car show and, with its lashings of pink champagne, lobster barbecue and attendees who look to have taken a wrong turn from the UK scripted-reality show, Made in Chelsea, it's certainly the glitziest. This year Salon Privé moved from its traditional home of The Hurlingham Club, just a (precious) stone's throw from the real-life set of the aforementioned show, to the grounds of Syon House in outer West London. Home to the Duke of Northumberland, Syon House's Italian Renaissance architecture and lush grounds provide a fitting background for such an event although those familiar with the locales of Villa d'Este on the shores of Lake Como, the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the heart of Lord March's idyllic West Sussex estate or the dramatic Californian coastline of Pebble Beach may be disappointed.