Lokar Cm350bm 16in Th-350 Shifter W/ Brushed Alu. Mush. Knob Shifter, Automatic, on 2040-parts.com

Mercedes launches Attention Assist

By Ben Whitworth Motor Industry 13 August 2008 13:28 Mercedes-Benz researchers call it the ‘one-second nap’ – that instant when fatigue overcomes you at the wheel on a long trip and you wake up in hospital. To counter dozing off while driving, which Mercedes claims accounts for a quarter of all major motorway accidents, its engineers have developed an innovative driver support system called Attention Assist. As well as registering linear and lateral acceleration, indicator and pedal operation and vehicle speed, the system also monitors steering response - the most important indicator of fatigue according to Mercedes, is tired drivers have difficulty in keeping their vehicle precisely on track.

Paris bans some cars to cut smog

PARIS is taking drastic measures to combat its worst air pollution in years, banning around half of the city's cars and trucks from its streets in an attempt to reduce the toxic smog that has shrouded the French capital for more than a week. Cars with even-numbered licence plates were prohibited from driving in Paris and its suburbs today, following a government decision over the weekend. Around 700 police were patrolling the morning rush-hour, handing out tickets to offenders.

Ariel Atom 500 will come to U.S., packs 500-hp V8

This is the car in which strapping yourself in tight is mandatory. British boutique automaker Ariel Motor Co. is on the verge of rolling out the Atom 500, the latest version of its ultralight, two-seat street and track car, this one fitted with a 500-hp narrow-angle V8.