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Unique pre-war Lagonda saloon headed for auction

AN ULTRA-RARE V12-engined Lagonda Hooper two-door saloon from 1939 is set to headline an auction of amazing old cars. The Lagonda V12 Hooper is technically unique in history, having been built specifically for the wife of the owner of Hooper Bodies Ltd., the most noted coachbuilder of the pre-war era. Now, 75 years after it was built, it needs a complete restoration but still looks set to receive bids topping at least £75,000.

Honda FCEV hydrogen Concept teased for Los Angeles Auto Show

Honda FCEV hydrogen Concept teased for Los Angeles Auto Show Car makers are all starting to vie for a piece of the hydrogen-powered market for road cars that is starting to develop, and Honda is now joining the fray with the Honda FCEV Concept. The Toyota FCV has already been revealed as debuting at the Tokyo Motor Show and now Honda are in on the act with their own FCEV heading for a debut at Los Angeles later this month. Honda say the FCEV Concept previews a 2015 production model for the US and Japan – and other markets later – and comes more than a decade after Honda first started leasing hydrogen fuel cell cars to a handful of fleet users.

Tesla system will swap a Model S battery in 90 seconds

"This is the title fight," said Elon Musk, in typical brashness. "This is battery-powered versus gasoline." The Tesla CEO preached this to a crowd of Tesla owners and supporters while formally confirming the company's worst-kept secret: the fact that the Model S sedan's batteries were designed from the beginning to be swapped out. The system Tesla envisioned has plenty of ambitious, techno-wizardry automation, with a focus on as much convenience as possible: The Model S will drive over a pit containing machinery which automatically changes the battery from underneath in approximately 90 seconds -- and the driver doesn't even have to get out of the car.