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Mazda to Start Road Trials of the ASV-4 Advanced Safety Vehicle
Mazda has started testing the ASV-4 on public roads in the Hiroshima region. The ASV-4 is a vehicle which utilizes vehicle-to-vehicle communications to alert drivers of oncoming vehicles at blind intersections or on twisting roads with limited visibility.
By reducing driver oversight or error, Mazda aims to mitigate two vehicle collisions at blind intersections, rear-end collisions and accidents when a vehicle performs right turns.
As predicted the number refers to the fourth ASV vehicle which is part of a project that began in 1991. Previous projects gave birth to various advanced safety technologies. These include: a rear vehicle monitoring system that detects vehicles approaching from behind at highway speeds; and Mazda’s Precrash Safety System, which uses milliwave radar to monitor for oncoming obstacles, then alerts the driver and automatically applies the brakes if necessary.

These new safety devices have recently been praised by Thatcham.
February 25, 2008
BMW to unveil the ConnectDrive technology at Geneva
BMW has announced that it will launch the new ConnectedDrive technology at the Geneva Motor Show next month. The new technology will enable BMW owners to access the Internet from the iDrive system.
The ConnectedDrive service will be provided by EDGE technology (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution), which is the same service that Apple uses to connect its iPhone to the internet. The connection will be slower than what’s known as a 3G connection and the interface will be controlled via the iDrive button.
In using the internet, the BMW iDrive Controller acts in the same way as a conventional computer mouse. The display presents internet sites in high resolution, an additional function serving to enlarge specific sections on the display by a factor of 1.5 or 2.
The presentation of internet sites on the display is only possible for safety reasons with the car at a standstill. As with the configuration of TV and/or DVD functions available as an option on cars with BMW iDrive, the internet site disappears as soon as the vehicle exceeds a speed of 3mph. But on models equipped with an optional DVD system in the rear, the internet function might also be added, allowing passengers on the rear seats to surf the net also when driving at higher speeds above 3mph.
The ConnectedDrive technology is only available in Europe at first but will likely be launched in other countries in the upcoming years.
February 25, 2008
Maybach to build the Landaulet concept car
Maybach has announced it will build the Landaulet version unveiled at the last Dubai Motor Show since it has found enough customers to cover the cost of the project.
Actually, each model will be built on order although it is reported that the company expect to produce 20 vehicles. Sales price will start at £615,000. The new model is based on the current Maybach 62 but adopts a sliding roof over the rear compartment. Opening and closing the roof takes 16 seconds.
The Maybach Landaulet will likely be powered by the V12 engine from the Maybach 62 S. Thanks to twin turbochargers, the V12 has an output of 612hp from its 6.0-litre of displacement. This is continuously available between 4,800 and 5,100rpm, and the engine also delivers its peak torque of 1,000Nm between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm.
The Maybach Landaulet will help the German marque to increase its global sales in an attempt to catch up with Rolls Royce. Last year, the British carmaker sold 1,000 vehicles while Maybach struggled to sell 400 units.
February 25, 2008
Renault unveils the Laguna III GT with a unique four-wheel drive system
Renault has decided to spice up its tame saloon, the Laguna III, by unveiling a GT version which features a unique four-wheel steering system.
As the GT badge implies, the Laguna III adopts a slightly more aggressive design with a larger front grille, lateral air-intakes, headlamps with black masks and a GT logo on the B-pillar. On the inside, there is the usual package including the aluminium pedals and a sportier gearshift lever knob. The upholstery combines black leather and light grey alcantara on which the GT logo is embossed.
The Laguna III GT will be available with a 205bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine and a 180bhp 2.0-litre dCi diesel unit. The car sits on 225/45 18-inch Bridgestone Potenza tires roomy enough to feature 320mm diameter discs at the front and 300mm discs at the rear.
The GT appears to be rather a cost cutting sporty version of the normal versions, but the French carmaker equipped the car with a unique four-wheel steering system taken from Nissan. Indeed, the Japanese company sold a four-wheel steering models which didn’t convince buyers to pay the extra money as the system was adding to much weight for a limited benefit. Called Active Drive chassis, the system has been enhanced by using a computer which monitors steering inputs, vehicle speed and traction every 10 milliseconds and adjusts the angle of the rear wheels to suit.
February 25, 2008
Honda rolls off the two millionth car from its Swindon factory
Honda has announced that its British factory located in Swindon rolled off the two-millionth car since it started manufacturing cars 16 years ago. The two-millionth car was a silver CR-V.
The Swindon opened for the first time 22 years ago to build car parts before producing car in 1992. Recently, the company has invested £80 million to integrate more and more parts manufacturing. Of this amount, Honda invested £22m in a new plastic injection and painting facility capable of moulding and painting 1,300 sets of bumpers for the Civic and CR-V each day. The engine plant gets £16m for a new casting facility which will enable it to independently cast diesel blocks, a process which, until now, has only been carried out in Japan. £50 million is being invested in welding and paint production technology, increasing efficiency and production flexibility.
The factory which employs 4,200 people, has a production capacity of 250,000 vehicles, 50% of the company’s current sales in Europe. Last year the production reached 237,783 units. The Swindon factory builds the three-door and five-door Civic, included the Type R version, and the CR-V.
February 24, 2008
Honda to launch the future CR-Z in Europe first

Honda has certainly lost the first battle in the hybrid war, but it isn’t over. The Prius eliminated the Insight and The Civic IMA, but Honda might have the eagerly-awaited answer to knock down the ubiquitous Toyota.
One of the direction taken by Honda will be to launch a sporty vehicle with a strong personality, something Toyota has never been able to do in eighty years, under the form of an affordable coupé. Honda hopes to conquer the heart of European customers in an attempt to boost the global sales of hybrid cars.
The upcoming coupé derived from the CR-Z will be lunched first in Europe and to this end Honda is currently developing the coupé at Offenbach in Germany. The future CR-Z would be sold at a competitive price between £19,000 and £22,000. However, if the demand for the hybrid powered CR-Z is not string enough, the Japanese carmaker is ready to build a normal version powered by a petrol engine.
February 22, 2008
Italian Fioravanti to unveil the Hidra coupé at Geneva

The Italian designer Fioravanti, famous for its roof featured on the Ferrari 575M Super America, will unveil a new concept car at the Geneva Motor Show. The concept car will be a five-door coupé called Hidra.
After the MPV, Fioravanti opens a new potential segment, the MPC, short for Multi Purposes Coupe. The car will be roomy enough for for passenger and will be equipped with a “revolutionary patented solution for the glass surfaces.” The car will also come with a next-generation alternative energy powertrain like the Pininfarina Sintesi.
With this concept car, Fioravanti also celebrates its twentieth anniversary. The design house was set up twenty years ago by Leonardo Fioravanti, a former Pininfarina designer. At the Italian coachbuilder, he had collaborated on the Ferrari Daytona, Ferrari Dino, Ferrari 512 Berlinetta Boxer, the Ferrari 308 GTB, and the Ferrari 288 GTO.
February 22, 2008
Third Tesla model to be built by a Big Three?

While the Whitestar is begine developed and a new American factory being planned, Tesl is seriously considering expanding its lineup with a third vehicle cheaper than the Whitestar.
The car would be a sports car with the size of a compact and would be sold at the competitive price tag of £18,000. Such a low price would oblige the company to go mainstream. Aware of the situation and its limited resources, Tesla might consider licensing the production to a carmaker used build 10,000s cars per day.
The company then turned its eyes toward Detroit and is very keen on getting help to build the future sports car. However, Tesla plans don’t imply the company to be bought one day by another giant carmaker in order to get access to the company’s technology. When asked about it, Tesla president Darryl Siry said “[being purchased] is not our desired outcome.”
February 22, 2008
Nissan to recall 130,00 Navarra

Nissan has announced it will recall 130,000 Navarra pick-up to modify the software that controls the deployment of the airbags during a frontal impact.
The new modification made to the airbag control unit aims at improving its efficiency during collision. The concerned vehicles have been built between January 2005 and May 2007.
The reprogramming work should take no more than 20 minutes for which there will be no charge and Nissan will contact owners and will ask them to return their vehicle to their nearest Nissan Dealer.
February 22, 2008
Spyshots: next-generation Hyundai Coupé

Here is a spyshot of the future Hyundai Coupé which which is expected to be launched later this year. The car has been previewed as a concept car at the last Los Angeles Auto Show.
The eagerly-awaited coupé will be powered by a turbocharged four cylinder petrol engine whose power is said to be near 215bhp. That engine will be featured on the entry-level while the topping versions is rumoured to be powered by the 3.8 litre V6 engine issued from the Hyundai Azera but boosted at 300 bhp. On the other hand, Hyundai’s U.S. product development chief, John Krafcik, has ruled out the rumour of a V8 engine in an interview with Automotive News.
On the inside, previous spyshots had revealed an interior similar the Japanese competitors’. However until now, only the manual gear stick had been shot and the new pictures bring more information about the automatic gearbox. It will offer a manual shifting capability although it appears that it won’t come with Shift paddles. The new pictures also reveal the rear passengers bench which is separated in the middle by a central console featuring a pair of cup holders and some storage.

Click he to see all the pictures
Source: Autoblog
February 22, 2008