Concept Car of the Week: Renault Argos (1994)

The 1994 Renault Argos concept is the little sports car based on the humble Twingo that continues to resonate in design terms. Designed by current PSA Director of Design, Jean-Pierre Ploué, the minimalist three-seater ushered in a new design movement dubbed ‘Esprit Nouveau' (New Spirit) that re-instated The Car as an industrial machine after a period of organic, Bio-design influence. Pared-back, broken down into its component parts and proudly bare, the Argos mixed the post-industrial functionality of a contemporary fighter aircraft with a twist of Steampunk fantasy.

BMW: Carbon fiber goes high volume in 2013

BMW AG plans to begin high-volume production of carbon fiber parts in two years, making it a strong contender to be the first automaker to move beyond limited-edition use of the exotic material. But Daimler AG, which has taken steps aimed at making carbon fiber parts in 2012, is among the automakers racing toward the same goal. In 2013, BMW will start building the i3 electric car, a vehicle that features a passenger cell--the protective shell around the passenger compartment that ensures the integrity of the vehicle in a crash--made of plastic reinforced with carbon fiber.

Land Rover Freelander 2: the official 2011 facelift

Efficiency, it seems, is the name of the game these days and Land Rover is no exception to playing the green card. With a new range of diesel engines and some sleeker style, the 2011 Freelander 2 is said to be more powerful and efficient than the outgoing model. First there was the FWD Evoque.