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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.

Cadillac ELR

Cadillac has revealed the ELR: a production version of the highly-acclaimed Converj concept revealed at the 2009 NAIAS in Detroit. The new luxury coupe will be equipped with extended-range electric vehicle technology – essentially a T-shaped lithium ion battery powering an electric drive unit mated to a a four-cylinder engine-generator, which propels the car when the battery's energy is low. "There's no mistaking it for anything but a Cadillac, an aggressive, forward-leaning profile and proportion showcases a uniquely shaped, modern vision of a personal luxury 2+2," said Ed Welburn, GM vice president, Global Design. Welburn also stated that the Converj concept sparked the idea of combining the desirability of a grand touring coupe with electrification.

Honda aims for 30 percent carbon-emissions cut

Honda Motor Co. says it aims to reduce carbon emissions from its products globally by 30 percent from 2000 levels by the end of this decade. The new carbon-reduction goal is outlined in Honda's 2011 annual environmental report.