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Volt, Leaf win top safety rating in crash test

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf electric cars won the highest safety ratings in crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, putting them in the top 57 percent of models tested so far this year. About 80 of 140 vehicles tested among 2011-2012 models have received the Institute's "top safety pick," the group's award for state-of-the-art crash protection that exceeds federal safety rules, Institute spokesman Russ Rader said. The Volt and Leaf received a "good" rating -- the highest of four rankings -- on each of four crash tests, said the Institute, which is funded by auto insurers including State Farm, All-State and Geico.

Audi A3 is the 2014 World Car of the Year

The Audi A3 (pictured) is the 2014 World Car of the Year The New York Auto Show is the place where the World Car of the Year winner is announced, so with the show now underway comes the news that it’s the Audi A3 that’s grabbed the gong for the best car in the world in 2014. It’s the second time Audi has won the award – the Audi A6 won in 2005 – and probably holds up a mirror to the changing face of the world’s car landscape; more compact, ‘Premium’ cars are now the most favoured buy. But really, the Audi A3 isn’t just a single car.

One Lap of the Web: The fabulous Lockheed Buick Electra, and how to change a tire

-- Did you know Zagato once designed some concept cars for Volvo? Ah, there's nothing more romantic than that blend of Italian passion and Swedish melancholic efficiency. The first car came about in 1969 and was named the GTZ, and its obscurity might owe to being hidden in favor of more popular Zagato GTZs.