Yamaha Banshee Front Wheel Bearing on 2040-parts.com

Suzuki Wagon R and Mazda AZ Wagon

Suzuki and Mazda have released one of the most important Japanese domestic market vehicles in recent years with the fully redesigned Suzuki Wagon R and Mazda AZ Wagon. Although relatively unknown outside the domestic market, with numerous tax breaks and low CO2 emissions, the kei-car (micro mini) is the largest and the most competitive segment in Japan, making up six of the top ten best-selling cars this year. The previous generation Wagon-R was the best-selling domestic passenger car for the last five consecutive years.

CDN-Opel/Vauxhall Interactive Design Competition Enters Exterior Phase

Car Design News is pleased to announce the finalists of the interiors phase of the Car Design News-Opel/Vauxhall Interactive Design Competition. Pierin Giacomo of the Istituto Europeo Di Design in Turin, Italy, Victor Uribe, also of IED Turin, and Chiayuan Lu of Coventry University in the UK have been named as the top three entrants in the first phase of the competition. They topped the entries received from students at 36 design schools across 18 different countries in Europe.

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.