Ford Oem Ar3z8a224ba Front Bumper & Grille-emblem on 2040-parts.com

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.

Pagani Huayra pretends to be a Koenigsegg to get in to the U.S.

The first road-legal Huayra in the States – or is it a Koenigsegg?! Regular readers may remember we cast doubts on Pagani’s claim that the new Huayra would be US road legal back in 2011, when we revealed that Pagani’s plans to gain an exemption from fitting advanced airbags was denied. That meant Pagani had to go away and get the Huayra to conform with airbag regulations to make it legal to sell in the US, which Pagani promised to do and declared everything would be fine and they’d have the first road-legal Huayras Stateside by 2013.

New Jaguar XJ – Driving in London

The new Jaguar XJ on the road And it’s a ‘grower’. There have been a few negative remarks on the site – although they are very much the minority – but this car does look better the more you see it. We think that many of those who dislike it at first will change their minds when they see it on the roads.