Porsche Macan ‘FAILS’ Moose Test – but there’s a reason (+video)

The Porsche Macan locks its front brake in the Moose Test The Moose (or Elk) test is a maneuverability and stability test commonly carried out in cold countries to test the behaviour of cars when subject to extreme avoidance tests – such as when trying to miss a Moose that’s wandered in to the road. The Moose Test is probably best remembered as the potential downfall of the original Mercedes A Class, when Teknikens Värld  Magazine conducted a test on the then very new – and groundbreaking – high-riding A-Class, when it rolled over and cost Mercedes a small fortune in re-engineering to restore safety credibility to the A-Class. Now it’s Porsche’s turn to come under the spotlight after Teknikens Värld ran a test on a Macan S Diesel that exhibited some strange behaviour during the test.

Nissan BladeGlider EV Sports Car Concept for Tokyo Motor Show

The Nissan BladeGlider EV Sports Car Concept (pictured) will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show Nissan are trying to push the envelope for road-going electric cars with the BladeGlider electric car concept that will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show this month and looks – at least in some form – to be heading for production. Inspired by the aero industry – and taking inspiration from Nissan’s DeltWing Project – the BladeGlider gets a very narrow front track and a much wider rear, wrapped in carbon fibre reinforced plastic with an interior that offers a 1+2 seating arrangement. Nissan say the extremely narrow front track reduces drag and enhances manoeuvrability for extreme cornering, and its 30/70 rear-biased weight distribution could give plenty of tail-out fun.

Volvo City Safe means lower insurance preniums for Volvo drivers

Volvo’s City safe has reduced insurance premiums for Volvo owners Volvo are on a mission to ensure that no one dies or is seriously injured in a Volvo by 2020, and that means more and more clever technology to protect Volvo drivers from the dangers of driving. One of those technologies is Volvo’s City Safe, a low speed (up to 31mph) collision avoidance system, that uses a laser at the top of the windscreen to monitor traffic and will automatically brake the car if its senses no reaction from the driver when a collision is imminent. So good is City Safe that Thatcham – the people who set insurance groups for cars – has decided Volvos fitted with City Safe should be rated in a lower group.