The Honda FC Sport concept that debuted at the Los Angeles show is “something to think about and to hope for” in the future, said Dan Bonawitz, Honda Motor Co. vice president of corporate planning and logistics.

The fuel cell-powered sports car was designed at Honda's advanced design studio in Pasadena. But there are no plans for production, said a Honda spokesman.

The three-seater has double-hinged scissor doors for easy access. There's storage space between the seats and above the fuel cell. The hexagonal styling was inspired by the structure of a human cell, Honda designers said.

The goal, said Dave Marek, chief designer for advanced design at Honda R&D Americas Inc., is to show car enthusiasts that even though the industry is moving to greener cars, “there is hope for the future. You have an option.”

Automotive News

Hard top retracts quickly

The 2009 Infiniti G37 convertible features a three-piece hard-top roof that retracts in 30 seconds.

The convertible, based on the G37 coupe, is longer and has unique sheet metal from the end of the doors rearward. Other body changes include rear fenders that flare out to add 1.1 inches in width, a wider rear track and taillights that have what the carmaker calls an inner “circle of light.”

Interior changes from the coupe include optional headrest audio speakers, wind deflectors and climate-controlled front seats. When the top is down, a pop-up bar supports the second-row headrests. The car's optional Bose sound system adjusts as outside noise, vehicle speed and hard-top position change.

The convertible, available in standard and sport versions, goes on sale in the spring.

Automotive News

GLK priced below rival

Mercedes-Benz has priced its 2010 GLK compact SUV well below its chief rival, the BMW X3.

The GLK 350 with two-wheel-drive will start at $34,750, and the all-wheel-drive version, at $36,750. Both go on sale in January. BMW's X3 xDrive30i with AWD starts at $40,225. Prices include shipping.

Automotive News

No delay for new Porsche

Unlike BMW AG, which canceled its range-topping CS coupe sports car because of the economic slump, Porsche will go ahead with the 2009 launch of its Panamera four-door, four-seater. Detlev von Platen, CEO of Porsche's U.S. sales arm, said the Panamera won't be delayed, but he wouldn't say when the car will go on sale in the United States. Production is expected to start in April.

Automotive News

'Less toyish' VW on tap

Volkswagen says it's time for the New Beetle to grow up.

“The future New Beetle should look less toyish and become a much more mature product,” Walter de' Silva, VW group design director, said in an interview.

De' Silva wants the next New Beetle's interior to be more functional. The current version has been criticized because of the large space between its A-pillars and steering wheel and for a lack of roominess despite being built on the same platform as the Golf.

VW insiders say the next New Beetle hatchback will be launched in 2010, followed a year later by the cabriolet.

Automotive News

U.S. Prius faces delay

Nothing's sacred at Toyota in this financial environment. Not even the Prius.

Plans to make the hybrid at the company's new plant in Mississippi are being reviewed by a task force.

U.S. sales of the redesigned Prius had been scheduled to begin in mid-2009, with imports from Japan. U.S. production of the Prius, originally scheduled to begin in 2010, could be pushed back to 2011 or later, Japan's Nikkei newspaper reported. Toyota Motor Corp. confirmed the committee is reviewing all future products.

Automotive News