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No more rear-end shunts?

10/29/2014

If you don't brake, the Mercedes B-Class will

I'm getting quite good at driving at things without braking. The first time I did it was in a car park in Pontiac outside Detroit almost 10 years ago when Continental was showing off the system that would become the Mercedes Pre-safe system. I found it almost impossible.
   Recently we had to do it at the Mazda CX-5 launch to try the Smart City Brake, and it took me three attempts.
   Last week I was in the Mercedes B-Class experiencing the Collision Prevention Assist Plus. It was still scary, but I did it first time. The system stopped me shunting into a wall of cushions and a bizarre inflatable Merc saloon, and I've written about this and the driving the B-Class for Beauty & the Dirt.
   Soon all cars will have systems to stop them driving into the back of another at roundabouts or in traffic and mitigate the crash at higher speeds. This will save injuries and even lives, and will put insurance premiums down. It's yet another step on the way to autonomous cars. My only question is, if someone has a car equipped with one of these systems and comes to a sudden stop, is the person following, who doesn't, more likely to go into the back of them?

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Alfa 4C Spider gets eyes right

10/3/2014

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I'm liking this a lot. The 4C Spider Designer Preview Concept appeared at the Geneva Motor Show, now the production version has been unveiled in Paris.
   The body remains much the same as the coupe, but it has a canvas soft-top and carbon fibre rollover bars. The headlights are are definite improvement over the weird 'bubbly' Coupe lights.
   The extended use of lightweight carbon fibre for the windscreen frame and spoilers means the Spider is only 60kg heavier than its brother.
   It retains the same 1.75-liter turbocharged petrol engine delivering 240hp to the rear wheels via to a dual-clutch 6-speed gearbox. The top speed is 155mph and it will sprint to 62mph in 4.5 seconds.
It arrives next year, at close to £50k.

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No pussy cat

10/3/2014

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The Jaguar XE is taking a bow at the Paris Motor Show. The neat small saloon with take on the hugely successful Germans: the BMW 3-series, Mercedes C-class and Audi A4.
   The company is making much of its high-tech character. It's also hoping to capture the hearts of plenty of female buyers, so does it have the heart and style to do that?
   Orders are being taken now, with deliveries expected from May 2015.

Prices from £26,995 for the entry-level petrol model to £44,870 for the high-performance S model. The best-seller will probably be the 161bhp 2.0-litre diesel from £29,775.

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Cat on a cold iron rocker cover

10/3/2014

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But you said it needed a cat...

The hits on this site went crazy yesterday when my cat was mentioned on Twitter. Only one thing for it - more cats.
The photo says 'Crosley engine' on the back. The British manufacturer Crossley stopped making cars in 1937, then built bus bodies until 1958; so was this kitty helping with someone's restoration project? The engine looks new, and is presented in a professional manner against a white background, so maybe not.
If you have any ideas or information, let me know on the Contact form.

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No more rear-end shunts?

Alfa 4C Spider gets eyes right

No pussy cat

Cat on a cold iron rocker cover

Woman Driver

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