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.

Michael Schumacher vs the Nurburgring rollercoaster

Michael Schumacher vs the Nurburgring rollercoaster By Ben Barry First Official Pictures 17 July 2009 13:03 Michael Schumacher still holds the Nürburgring GP circuit’s lap record (1:29.468 back in 2004), but he’s never left the startline faster than he did last weekend – when he was strapped into the world’s fastest rollercoaster, subjected to 4.5g at launch and accelerated up to 135mph along 1212m of track. The rollercoaster – originally planned to open in Easter 2009 as part of a €215 million expansion plan – finally got the champers treatment at the German GP, and runs right next to the race track’s start/finish straight before spearing off into a number of tortuous twists and turns. How did the ’Ring people manage to get the former F1 world champ on board?

New Peugeot 208 (2012) to be revealed next week

The new Peugeot 208 (2012) set to be revealed next week The Peugeot 207 has been around for a long time, and has never quite hit the highs in sales Peugeot hoped. But the replacement for the 207 – the new Peugeot 208 – is just round the corner, and Peugeot has high hopes the new 208 will be a big hit. We’re expecting the Peugeot 208 to make its production ready public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in the Spring of 2012, but La Tribune are reporting this morning that Peugeot are planning to reveal the 208 on 2nd November.