2014 Lexus CT 200h: Guangzhou Motor Show

The new 2014 Lexus CT 200h (pictured) has debuted in China It’s three years since Lexus delivered their compact hybrid CT 200h and, as we revealed last week, a new CT 200h for 2014 is on the way. Lexus has now revealed the 2014 CT 200h at the Guangzhou motor show in China, and it gets the new Lexus face of a statement spindle grill, but it also gets changes that should help make the CT 200h more appealing. Top of those changes is improvements in the way the CT 200h rides; our biggest criticism of the CT 200h was that it had the harsh ride of a sporty car but without the power to exploit the setup.

General Motors Europe opens new Design Center

Being a car designer is often percieved as a glamourous occupation, but few people realise that this typically means working in some of the least inspiring places. Wolfsburg, Detroit and Birmingham are just a few of the locations that are home to some of the largest populations of car designers around the world. GM Europe's location in Russelsheim, Germany is also one of the less glamourous locations but the new design center building opened this week aims to redress the otherwise rather industrial feel of the place where tomorrow's Opels and Saabs are created.

Concept Car of the Week: Honda J-VX (1997)

In 1997, in an effort to preserve its sporty image, Honda needed to bring new exciting models in its showrooms, to park alongside its mainstream Civics and the excellent but slow-selling NSX. The 1995 Integra Type-R proved a fun car to drive but lacked in personality compared to older models of the brand such as the bold CR-X. At the Tokyo motor show, Honda unveiled a prototype of what could be the sports car of the 21st century while also capturing the essence of the iconic CR-X.