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Volkswagen launches Car-Net in-car assistance system

Volkswagen has launched an in-car assistance system which will offer a number of convenience and diagnostic features. Not too dissimilar from some other systems already on the market -- such as BMW Assist, Mercedes-Benz'sMbrace, and GM's On-Star -- VW's system will offer roadside assistance, service appointment scheduling, and automatic crash notification. The latter triggers a call from the vehicle to a Car-Net customer specialist when the airbags in the car are deployed, which will then connect the occupants with a local public safety answering point, which can send emergency vehicles to the scene if needed.

This could be your first autonomous vehicle

While Google's autonomous fleet of robot cars prowls Silicon Valley and gets all the press, the first, or one of the first, truly autonomous vehicles you may ride in could be something like this: The humble, people-moving Navia. Developed by a French company called Induct, the Navia is ringed with laser beams (not frickin' laser beams. Ed.) that help it navigate through city streets or college campuses without the aid of a track in the ground, a rail or even GPS (GPS is not accurate enough, Induct says).

Orange alert for Seat's fastest car ever

IF YOU’D like your brand new Seat Leon Cupra 280 a little more orange than the basic colour palette allows, check out this new development from Seat UK. The firm’s British arm has responded immediately to complaints that the fastest Leon ever simply didn’t look crazy enough, thanks largely to its muted choice of colours. Seat UK has reacted with a shockingly orange bodyshell wrap, covering the original finish and protecting it from damage, as well as giving the Leon Cupra’s stunning lines a bit more to shout about.