Going in to the season finale of the 1976 Formula 1 World Championship, the Japanese Grand Prix at Fuji, the title fight between Niki Lauda and James Hunt with just one point in it was the big story. The focus changed to the all-new Kojima KE007 after driver Masahiro Hasemi set the fourth fastest time in his first ever F1 practice session. Unlike the earlier Maki, the Kojima Engineering developed and built KE007 proved instantly and unexpectedly competitive. The team's weekend soon became a lot more difficult after Hasemi crashed heavily in practice 2. Hastily repaired, the Kojima lined up for the race and Hasemi officially recorded the fastest lap of the race, although this was later disputed by the Fuji Speedway officials. It turned out to be only outing for the KE007 and it was eventually left to rot in a used-car lot. Fortunately, the current owner tracked it down and has had it completely restored. Seeing the Kojima KE007 in action at the Goodwood Festival of Speed was of the absolute highlights of the year for us.
Mercedes-Benz have face-lifted the SLK and also changed the model's name to SLC to underline its relation with the C-Class. Topping the range is the Mercedes-AMG SLC 43, which is the only six-cylinder engined model. Its twin-turbo V6 produces for 367 hp and 520 Nm of torque, which gives the SLC 43 the same level of performance as the SLK 55 AMG it replaces.
At the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Swiss specialists Rinspeed will reveal the Etos show car. Based on BMW i8 underpinnings, it features a bespoke exterior and interior. A self-driving car, the Etos features a folding and retracting steering wheel. Following its appearance in Las Vegas this January, it will be shown two months later at the Geneva Motor Show.

Enjoy the links:

1976 Kojima KE007 Cosworth - Images, Specifications and Information

2016 Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 - Images, Specifications and Information

2016 Rinspeed Etos Concept - Images, Specifications and Information