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Concept Car of the Week: Pontiac Banshee (1964)

In 1964, the Pontiac Motor Division was headed John DeLorean, who would go on to become one of the automotive industry's most divisive figures. He believed that Pontiac needed a compact, exciting car to compete with the newly launched Mustang and approved funding for the experimental Pontiac two-seat sports-car program, codenamed XP-833. Inspired by another GM show car, the rear-engined Corvair Monza GT from 1963, the lines of the XP-833 were a perfect example of the Coke-bottle bodystyle: long hood, short deck and sweeping fender curves.

Honda Civic saloon, coupe at the 2011 Detroit show

Honda showed off two new Civics at the NAIAS 2011: the Civic Si Concept Coupe and the Civic Concept Saloon. They're sadly US-market only, rather than related to the European spec models, themselves up for replacement at the end of 2011. Although 'concepts', these two effectively show what will roll into US showrooms in spring 2011.  The blurb is pretty strict on the difference between the American and Euro Civics: 'The Civic Si coupe and saloon Concepts are US-only design and will not be sold in the UK.

Mercedes confirms SLK55 AMG’s new 5.5 V8

Mercedes has announced details of the new eight-cylinder engine that will power the upcoming SLK55 AMG. It’s a 5.5-litre lump, and AMG promises that its new naturally aspirated engine delivers not just the performance of a V8, but also the ‘economical fuel consumption of a four-cylinder’. How much power can we expect from the new SLK55 AMG’s engine?