Subaru, Mitsubishi small crossovers top new crash test

The Subaru Forester and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have won top honors from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, becoming the only small SUVs to ace the group's new "small overlap" crash test.
The Forester, which Subaru redesigned for the 2014 model year, earned Top Safety Pick+ accolades by scoring a "good" rating on the small overlap test, in which the front corner of the vehicle on the driver's side strikes a five-foot-tall barrier at 40 mph.
"With the redesigned Forester, Subaru's engineers set out to do well in our new test, and they succeeded," Joe Nolan, vice president for vehicle research at IIHS, said in a statement. "This is exactly how we hoped manufacturers would respond to improve protection for people in these kinds of serious frontal crashes."
Twenty vehicles have now received Top Safety Pick+ honors for safety in small overlap crashes, the IIHS said today.
The tests -- which replicate a crash in which the corner of a car collides with an object such as a tree or pole -- are not yet included in the federal government's five-star ratings, even though researchers say they are responsible for an outsized share of driving deaths.
5 others rated 'poor'
Also praised today was the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, which won Top Safety Pick+ honors but lagged the Forester with an "acceptable" score on the small overlap test.
Five small SUVs -- the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Buick Encore, Jeep Patriot and Ford Escape -- received "poor" ratings on the small overlap test.
The small crossover and SUV market is one of the auto industry's fastest-growing segments as U.S. consumers seek function, utility and enhanced fuel economy.

The Outlander Sport from Mitsubishi - another top safety pick.

When the Patriot crashed, for instance, the steering wheel moved 8 inches upward and 6 inches to the right, so the crash test dummy's head was able to slide off the airbag. The side curtain airbag in the Patriot did not deploy, and the safety belt did not restrain the dummy's head and chest, the IIHS said.
RAV4 test postponed
The IIHS continues to award its Top Safety Pick honors, which do not include the small overlap test. The small SUVs to receive Top Safety Pick honors include the BMW X1, Buick Encore, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Volkswagen Tiguan and Toyota RAV4. The 2014 Patriot also qualifies, as does the 2013 Patriot when equipped with optional side torso airbags.
The RAV4, one of the top-selling crossovers in the country and redesigned for the 2013 model year, was not subjected to the new small overlap test. Toyota asked to postpone the test to make changes that will help RAV4 passengers fare better in a small overlap crash, the IIHS said.
The insurance industry-funded group has tested several batches of cars since it introduced the small overlap test last year.
David Strickland, the administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, told Automotive News this year that NHTSA will soon have the research it needs to decide whether to add a similar test to the agency's five-star crash test program.

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Lamborghini Egoista - one of a kind!

This is the Lamborghini Egoista, and it's not for sale. It, quite simply, is what the guys at Lamborghini felt like gifting themselves on their 50th Anniversary - an outrageous supercar that makes everything else look ancient

 

Clearly, the Veneno with its 3-piece production run wasn’t exclusive enough for a company like Lamborghini to be celebrating its 50th Anniversary with. Despite the Veneno’s outrageous design that embodied so many surfaces you’d spend an eternity soaking in all the details and its very track-inspired stance, that masterpiece unveiled in Geneva suddenly seems commonplace compared to what Lamborghini has shown off now.

his is the Egoista, which plain and simple translates to ‘Selfish’ in English and it is one of a kind, never to be sold. This is Lamborghini’s gift to Lamborghini – a creation that in its very existence represents the very essence of the Sant’Agata manufacturer.

The brainchild of none other than volkswagen Group’s top guy as far as vehicle styling is concerned, the Egoista brings together Walter De Silva’s talented team to bring to life every single way that Lamborghini has ever been described.

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2014 Jaguar F-Type Roadster

When: Summer 2013
How Much: $50,000 to $60,000

Jaguar's C-X16 concept from 2011 makes its production debut as the new F-Type with a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 that should make 380 hp. Expect at least one turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder derived from the Range Rover Evoque, but that powerplant probably won't be sold in the U.S. Both engines will be mated to eight-speed automatics with start–stop technology.

An aluminum body will keep weight down but price up. Expect this Jag to compete with the Porsche Boxster as well as with the Audi TT-RS. The platform may also underpin a forthcoming XF sedan replacement.

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2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet Facelift Revealed

Mercedes-Benz that recently revised the Saloon and Estate models of its flagship sedan E-Class, has now completely revamped the Coupe and Cabriolet members of the E-Class Family. New additions include powerful and efficient BlueDIRECT four-cylinder engines featuring pioneering injection technology and trend-setting assistance systems, which come under the heading "Intelligent drive".


These are systems which can help to prevent accidents with crossing vehicles or pedestrians, Active Lane Keeping Assist or anti-glare, permanent high-beam headlamps, for example. Visually, both the Coupe and Cabriolet draw on the new Mercedes-Benz design idiom. Exclusive, luxurious equipment for sublime refinement underlines the close affinity with the E-Class family. The classic Coupe and the four-seater Cabriolet of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class are amongst the most desirable vehicles at the higher end of the mid-class segment. By combining intelligent, efficient technology with luxurious equipment that offers superb comfort, neither model compromises when it comes to indulging a passion for superlative driving enjoyment.

The design of the exterior and interior alike is fresh and sharp, as befits many of the stand-out new technical aspects. According to Dr Joachim Schmidt, member of the Management Board of Mercedes-Benz Cars and responsible for Sales and Marketing: "Three words sum up both the E-Class Coupé and the four-seater Cabriolet model: captivating, athletic, passionate. It is especially pleasing that the two vehicles also incorporate the most intelligent technology ever.

This makes them true dream cars." Major change that the new Look E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet have received on the exterior is the revised front with new headlamps composing a single headlamp lens over all function elements. The headlamps are fitted with anti-dazzle LED lights as standard, with full LED technology now available for the first time in this class as an option. Flowing light elements within the headlamps reinforce the "twin-headlamp" look which is typical of the E-Class.

Moreover the car gets new front bumpers with a more pronounced V-Shape and large air intakes, new tail lamps and a wide-effect rear bumper with "wing design" and chrome-look trim serve to make it look even sportier and aggressive.

Mercedes-Benz has additionally updated the interiors of the new-generation E Class Coupe and Cabriolet, carefully coordinating them with the expressive exteriors. Inside the vehicles, stylish materials dominate alongside clean-cut surfaces and the two-part trim which stretches across the entire dashboard. It can be selected in a wood or aluminium look, thereby rounding off the high-quality overall impression made by each interior.

Also new are the three-tube instrument cluster with dials backed in white and the trapezoid-shaped, high-gloss framed display in the head unit with flat-frame look. The interior is characterised by the redesigned centre console without selector lever, as well as a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel with DIRECT SELECT lever and shift paddles in conjunction with automatic transmission. One special benefit of the new E-Class Cabriolet is that, thanks to the acoustic soft top with its particularly high-grade insulation, the vehicle has the lowest noise level in its class.

The unique acoustic soft top ensures that even at high speeds, only very little wind noise is heard in the interior. The E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet offer virtually unlimited scope for individualisation. Examples include new interior colours and colour combinations such as deep-sea blue to contrast with silk beige in the interior. This brings a breath of fresh air to the exclusive ambiance of the two sportier E-Class models. As for the Saloon and Estate models, new assistance systems that combine comfort with safety have found their way into the E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet. Mercedes-Benz refers to this development as "Intelligent drive".

Professor Dr Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development: "The new E-Class represents a major step forward in every respect. The design elicits plenty of emotion, causing a stir in its segment. Its technical highlights are unique. For example, new assistance systems from the upcoming S-Class take the burden off the driver by automatically keeping the vehicle in its lane and also tracking traffic in tailbacks. For the first time, there are also systems that can help to prevent accidents involving crossing traffic or pedestrians.
What is more, with its new engines the E-Class achieves optimum values in terms of efficiency, offers an internet-enabled infotainment system, and boosts safety when driving at night thanks to advanced LED headlamps and permanent high-beam with no dazzling. The E-Class is absolutely packed with high-tech features and altogether makes a very attractive package." As standard, the Coupe and Cabriolet are fitted with the AGILITY CONTROL suspension with selective damping system. The shock absorbers adapt to road surface conditions, thereby ensuring a high level of ride comfort. Sporty handling is enabled while still delivering the comfort on long journeys that is typical of the brand.

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