It’s official: Volvo has built the world’s safest car. And it doesn’t just protect drivers.
In a safety breakthrough, the brand’s new V40 – which has scored the highest safety rating ever – features a revolutionary pedestrian airbag.
The technology ejects an airbag from in front of the windscreen to act as a cushion between pedestrians and the hard parts of the car’s engine and body.
It comes as standard on the new V40 hatch which also boasts Volvo’s Collision Warning and auto brake systems, which use sensors to avoid crashes at speeds under 35km/h, if the driver fails to react.
The car also has blind spot and pedestrian protection, which calculates whether a pedestrian will step in front of the vehicle.
Inside the car you’ll find hordes of airbags (including new ones for your knees), with the V40 also featuring Adaptive Cruise Control, Park Assist Pilot and Active High Beam.
It even has sensors that reads road signs to let you know if you’re speeding and a unique Cross Traffic Alert system that warns drivers of coming traffic while reversing, say out of a driveway.
When he’s not busy spreading the good word of the global game, what sort of vehicle does football superstar David Beckham choose to cruise around in? Click through our gallery to find out.
Spaniards like to live life on the edge.
After all, it is a nation that jogs in front of steamrolling, hyped-up bulls for fun.
So it should come as no surprise that Spain’s latest supercar, the Spano R, is a little…insane.
Set to be revealed as a concept at the Geneva Motor Show, the R is rumoured to produce 895kW from a massive 8.3-litre supercharged V10.
That’s enough power to rocket it from 0-100km/h in just 2.9 seconds.
Top speed is predicted at a modest 350km/h, with buyers expected to pay well over $850,000.
Made by Spanish firm Spania GTA, the R marks the latest chapter in the manufacturer’s love affair with the Geneva Motor Show.
In 2011 the firm used Geneva to show its first supercar concept, before revealing a production-ready version on the Spano in 2012.
Styling details of the R remain sketchy, with Spania only releasing a shadowy teaser image at this stage.
Enviro types rejoice!
Nissan has given its electric, earth-hugging, LEAF a makeover – with more than 100 significant changes.
Headlining the improvements are a boost in range, a much-needed drop in price and better charging performance.
Nissan also says the new car will be more comfortable, better to drive and charge in half the time of the current model.
Range of the zero emissions car – which can be charged at home through a ‘home charging station’ – has been boosted from 175km to 200km.
Three versions are also now available – meaning a greater choice for customers – with the new LEAF also featuring ‘greater recyclability’ and a roomier interior.
The makeover is a great example of Nissan listening to its customers, with nearly all the changes coming at the request of current LEAF owners.
Nissan has sold some 50,000 LEAFs worldwide since its launch in 2011.
The new model will be shown at next week’s Geneva Motor Show and also be built outside Japan for the first time, with new production plants in Europe and North America.
No word yet when Australia will receive the new models.
Looks awesome doesn’t it.
Sadly though, this Bugatti concept may never get off the design screen. In fact, it’s not even an official concept from Bugatti itself.
Called the Bugatti Gangloff concept, this draw-dropping car is actually the dream child of Polish designer Pawel Czyzewski who has made an educated guess at what the next Bugatti coupe could look like.
It’s heavily based on Bugatti’s 1938 Type 57 SC Atalante Coupe which was built and designed by French coach-builder Gangloff – hence the name.
Still, while it’s unlikely to be made, it’s awesome to look at.
Just don’t drool on your keyboard.
Behold, the all-important VF Commodore.
Holden has just revealed the Calais V version of its crucial new model that is expected in local showrooms this June.
It says the new Commodore has grown-up, is sleek and sophisticated on the outside and has premium feel on the inside.
The Adelaide-made car has lost the blunt and brutal design of the VE Commodore, taking on a shape with more lines and curves that designers refer to as ‘organic’.
Holden has also completely overhauled the cheap and dated interior, which was a source of criticism for VE, replacing it with a cabin that is the clear highlight of the new model.
Wheels was given a special preview of the car this week and can report that these pictures don’t lie, the new Calais is the most luxurious Australian vehicle ever produced.
Mercedes-Benz has released official images of its much anticipated A45 AMG. Soon to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, the A45 signals Mercedes’ first foray into the hugely popular hot hatch market.
Pitched to tackle BMW’s hugely successful M135i and Audi’s RS3 Sportback, the A45 will hit Australian roads in September at a price of around $80,000.
It will be powered by a highly-tuned 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine capable of 265kW and a 0-100km/h time of just 4.6 seconds.
Four-wheel-drive will ensure maximum grip, with the little Benz limited to a top speed of 250km/h.
Official shots of the production-ready McLaren P1 have been leaked ahead of its Geneva Motor Show debut.
The images show the all-new car, which will be McLaren’s new Ferrari-fighting flagship, is almost identical to the concept first shown at the 2012 Paris Motor show.
Minor changes include new carbonfibre air-vents, mesh changes to the rear and regular road tyres.
The shots comes just days after McLaren confirmed the P1’s power specifications, with its reworked 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 to produce a colossal 543kW.
A 131kW electric motor boosts total output to 674kW and 900Nm.
The all-new MK VII Volkswagen Golf GTI has been revealed ahead of its Geneva Motor Show debut.
A significant boost in a power, and the addition of a new GTI Performance model, headlines the reveal, with the new car said to be faster and more fuel efficient.
Like the old model, a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine lies under the bonnet, but it now boasts 162kW and 350Nm – 7kW and 70Nm more than the existing GTI.
The GTI Performance gains an extra 7kW, for a maximum output of 169kW. Torque remains the same.
Manual variants make the 0-100km/h dash in 6.5 seconds (6.4 for the Performance pack), with VW yet to release figures for its DSG transmission.
A new stop-start system enables an 18 percent increase in fuel efficiency.
Aesthetically the new car sticks to VW’s evolutionary approach, with new 17-inch ‘Brooklyn’ wheels the biggest difference.
Other standard equipment includes red-painted brake calipers, twin chrome exhaust pipes and GTI-tuned suspension.
So it’s official. A Formula 1 car is faster than a V8 Supercar and a superbike. A lot faster.
In the ultimate race of the fastest machines on four and two wheels, the Formula 1 car, driven by Aussie ace Mark Webber, destroyed the V8 and bike in a head-to-head battle at Sydney Motorsport Park today.
Webber lapped both the bike and V8 Supercar after just three laps of Sydney Motorsport Park’s short circuit.
The V8, driven by four-time champ Jamie Whincup and the bike, ridden by MotoGP world champ Casey Stoner, enjoyed a race long battle before the V8 Supercar took a narrow second place.
