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‘Crash avoidance’ systems rated for safety

The European car safety body Euro NCAP has confirmed it is currently testing a number of cars fitted with crash avoidance technology in an effort to judge the systems’ effectiveness. This news coincides with an announcement from the American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which has published the first results of its own version of the scheme. Euro NCAP and IIHS are cooperating to establish a standardised test formula.

Toyota recalls 6.58 million cars – 35,000 in the UK

The Toyota Yaris (pictured) – one of the Toyotas recalled It seems Toyota has decided its dealer service centres aren’t busy enough, so it’s revealed a massive series of recalls for 6.58 million Toyota’s around the world – and 35,124 in the UK – to fix a raft of problems. The cars affected are the RAV4, Hilux, Yaris and Urban Cruiser models, and although no accidents or injuries have occurred as a result of the problems, Toyota are taking no chances. The Rav4 and Hilux models are being recalled to fix a spiral cable assembly in the airbag module where the shape and location of a retainer for the flexible flat cable could damage circuitry when the steering wheel is turned.

Nissan 2020 Vision Gran Turismo concept

Nissan is the latest manufacturer to unveil a virtual concept car for Polyphony's Gran Turismo game, appropriately based on its GTR flagship.Designed by the team at Nissan Design Europe in London, the 2020 Vision Gran Turismo takes the broad themes of the GTR and transposes them into a far more extreme expression of its character. The vertical front and circular rear lamps are familiar, while the tapered DLO and bodyside graphic are also recognizable, but its proportions are new – wildly low and wide. Wilder still is its surfacing, with extreme offsets through its body section, layered aero elements and wheel arches that incorporate exhaust outlets behind the front wheels and a Gandini-like hexagonal rear graphic.The rear of the Visions Gran Turismo is dominated by the vast lower venturi to suck it to the (virtual) circuit and an equally dominant wing pressing it down, bracketed by the iconic four round lamps.