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Elegant 1933 one-offs take top honors at the Concours d'Elegance of America

Two elegant cars from 1933 were named Best in Show at the 2012 Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's on Sunday. Jim Patterson's 1933 Delage D8S was crowned best European car, while Joseph Cassini's 1933 Chrysler Imperial Phaeton with body by LeBaron took the top honors for American-made cars.

Euro NCAP crash tests: hybrids score full marks

By Tim Swietochowski Motor Industry 26 August 2009 14:49 The Toyota Prius 3 and Honda Insight are among seven new cars to achieve five-star safety ratings in the latest Euro NCAP crash tests out today. Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP’s secretary general said: ‘The technology andknow-how is out there for car makers to deliver vehicles with better pedestrianprotection. Honda and Toyota are giving us a glimpse of the cars of the future thatconsider the natural and social environment in its entirety.’ A Toyota official said hybrids posed new problems for its engineers.

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.