Toyota ME.WE Concept: It’s an egalitarian EV

Based on the electric running gear of the Toyota i-Road we saw at Geneva (but with a full set of wheels) Toyota and Massaud have created an urban vehicle that takes transport back to the basics; a 2CV for the 21st century, perhaps, or a grown up home-made kart seems to be where the ME.WE is at. The construction of the ME.WE comprises a tubular aluminium chassis and a pile of interchangeable polypropylene panels that can change the function of the ME.We from city car to convertible to pickup to 4×4 (thanks to electric motors on both axles) and is, by any definition, transport and not a car you’d have to make a statement. Inside is just as basic with a single dial for the instruments, flat surfaces made from bamboo (designers love a bit of bamboo), batteries for the electric motors under the floor and you have to store any luggage on the roof under a weatherproof cover.

1932 Ford 'Deucenberg V8' wins Ridler award

A head-turning burgundy 1932 Ford B400 took home top honors at Detroit's Autorama on Sunday, winning the coveted Ridler award over seven other finalists. Dubbed the "Deucenberg V8," the car is designed to be an elegant hot rod, drawing on cues from the luxurious Duesenbergs of that era. It has an aluminum lift-off roof with cloth top, suicide doors, a stretched hood and leather interior.

'Monster' Tajima breaks his own record at Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima used the extra pavement to his advantage and smashed his old Pikes Peak International Hill Climb record by more than 10 seconds on June 26, with a finishing time of 9 minutes, 51.278 seconds. Tajima's old record of 10 minutes, 1.408 seconds was set in 2007. Hyundai driver Rhys Millen came in second in the Unlimited class with a time of 10 minutes, 9.24 seconds.