One Lap of the Web: Gilbern GT1800, Porsche 911 Targa and Corvette flybys

A picture of what might be the next Porsche 911 Targa leaked onto the Web Friday from Automoto.fr. The photos show a retro look on the removable-top cruiser, which sports a bigger B-pillar than the hardtop. Speculation is that the car could debut as early as next year's Geneva motor show.

“Where is the sustainable vehicle design?”

The notion of a 'new paradigm in car design' was a theme running through talks by five panelists at London's Royal College of Art last week, who debated "Seriously now, where is the sustainable vehicle design?" Despite disparate backgrounds, there was broad agreement that a truly sustainable form of personal transportation is unlikely to come from an established automotive firm any time soon. Panelist Rob Holdway of Giraffe Innovation was most vocal in his approach to the subject, saying "Frankly, I think the car is unacceptable - we hear a lot about the sustainable car, but I don't think there is such a thing as a sustainable car". The audience - made up mainly of RCA students - also heard from Nico Sergent of Riversimple about how the company's seven-point business model, and its open source strategy, incentivized the company to build a truly sustainable car and mobility package that the current auto model simply doesn't allow.

Jaguar lines up 4-, 6-cylinder engines

Jaguar hasn't offered a four-cylinder engine since 1948 and no V6 since the small, lackluster X-Type was pulled from the United States four years ago. But in an era of mpg obsession, even this proud British luxury brand is changing. Jaguar will offer four- and six-cylinder engines in two of its three car lines, starting this fall.