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Plans for Smart’s three-seat sports car uncovered in patent drawings

Mercedes-Benz is developing a three-seat sports car for Smart. Depicted here in a series of European patent-application sketches obtained by AutoWeek, the radical new sports car forms part of an extended range of new Smart models planned for introduction by the middle of the next decade, including a more conventional four-seater to be produced in cooperation with Renault. Mercedes-Benz is reacting to increased competition from Toyota in the form of the iQ and the impending arrival of similar urban-based offerings from premium-brand rivals Audi and BMW.

Decision time at the dawn of the automated car

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers sent out a press release earlier this month in which they claim that by 2040 75% of the vehicles on the road will be autonomous. As much as I love driving, I have to admit that I won't bemoan the death of the traffic jam. I'll happily give up the crowded freeways and city streets if it means cheaper gas and abandoned back roads.

Hennessey reveals Venom GT supercar

Texas tuner Hennessey Performance is taking a page out of the playbook of Carroll Shelby--drop a huge American V8 into a lightweight British chassis. The result is the Hennessey Venom GT, which melds high-performance Chevrolet Corvette and Lotus technology into a furious supercar. Borrowing from the Cobra's now-iconic template, the Venom GT broke cover on Monday and will come with the ZR1's supercharged 6.2-liter V8 modified to push out 725 hp.