Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

Rated: self-braking cars that avoid a crash

The most recent advance in vehicle safety has to be the autonomous emergency braking system (AEB) – a sophisticated suite of sensors and electronics that monitors objects in front of your car, automatically applying the brakes for you if it senses you’re heading to hit something. Up until now these auto-brake features have not been rated, but ahead of a new 2014 test that will include AEB systems in its overall safety star scoring, Euro NCAP has put the some of the vehicles already equipped with this technology through their paces. MSN Cars has the results.

AUCTION GOES BANANAS FOR CLASSIC VW

A VINTAGE 1950s Volkswagen Beetle owned by a pensioner will go under the hammer at an auction later this month. The classic car, which has picked up a number of awards, is expected to fetch around £9,000 when it appears alongside a selection of rare art and antiques in the McTear's Collectables sale in Glasgow on September 29. The 1953 Beetle, which is a 1200 Deluxe model, has been in the hands of 72-year-old Willie Black since 1966, the same year that VW gave it the Best Beetle in Britain accolade.

2011 Mazda2 gets Activematic & Mazda2 Tamura

Mazda2 Activematic It took Mazda an awfully long time to introduce the 2011 Mazda2 Facelift. In fact the very same Mazda2 nose was already running off the production lines in Thailand in October 2009, so it seems most peculiar that the facelifted cars are only just starting to arrive in UK showrooms. Still, it’s not the end of the world and the 2011 Mazda2 does offer a decent-looking car with a practical choice of engines and trim.