Toyota Corolla Sport Coupe New Custom Front End Cover on 2040-parts.com

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.

BMW X7 back on?

The BMW X7 - Made for China Yes, yet another BMW X-Something to consider – the BMW X7. This time an enormous SUV that was canned as an idea a couple of years ago when the world went in to financial meltdown, but one that is starting to look like a sensible move once more for BMW. Sensible?

MINI compares Classic Mini to Porsche 911

The Classic Mini & Classic Porsche 911 A comparison between the classic Mini and the Porsche 911 may not be the most obvious, but that hasn’t stopped MINI jumping on the 911′s 50th anniversary year with a comparison between the two iconic cars. MINI assert that the similarities between the classic Mini and the 911 are based on their ‘Forever Young’ ethos (which is, in no small part, down to the fact both are still clearly similar to the original design)  and their performance. The Mini arrived before the 911 – Mini in 1959, 911 in 1963 – but both turned the car world on its head with a delightful turn of design, speed and appeal, with the original Mini ending up selling 5.3 million and the, still continuing, 911 starting to close in on a million sales.