Fiat Ritmo / Strada Rear Wiper Switch Black - Nos New on 2040-parts.com

‘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.

Brit-Based Supercar Maker Unveils Third New Model

THIRD time’s going to be the charm for McLaren, as the Woking-based firm has unveiled its third supercar ahead of a public debut at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show. Hot on the heels of the P1 hypercar, the new 650S slots between the firm’s flagship motor and already established 12C. With bold claims of race car-like performance while retaining the luxury and refinement of its premium supercar rivals, McLaren has revealed that the 650S can sprint to 124mph from rest – the industry standard 200kph – in a blistering 8.4 seconds.

Ferrari F450 – due at Frankfurt in September ’09

Rendering of the Ferrari F450 - due to show at Frankfurt in September and go on sale in 2010 But the new Ferrari F450 is getting closer, and spy shots of the F450 have enabled Auto Express to come up with a rendering that is, we reckon, near as dammit to the finished article due to be shown at Frankfurt in September. Sporting a pair of big side vents that have been enlarged to help the engine breathe and the brakes cool, the F450 is different enough to the F430 to set it apart as a new car – not just an evolution. The F450 is going to have to go upmarket to compete with the likes of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, and in an effort to compete Ferrari has upped the capacity of the F430, increased the rev limit and produced an engine that, in the F450, should deliver something around 500bhp.