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Study links low-speed collision-avoidance system to fewer accidents

A study of the Volvo XC60's low accident rate offers evidence that collision avoidance systems can improve vehicle safety. The XC60, which has a low-speed collision avoidance system dubbed City Safety, was involved in 27 percent fewer property damage accidents than other mid-sized luxury SUVs, according to a report released Tuesday by the Highway Loss Data Institute. The XC60 also was involved in 51 percent fewer bodily injury accidents.

Fancy a bit of Ice Driving with Bentley in Lapland?

Enjoy the thrills of Ice Driving at the Bentley 'Power on Ice 2012' Experience The Bentley ‘Power on Ice 2012′ event offers the chance to drive the Bentley Continental GT W12 and Continental Supersports on ice in Finland. This time last year Bentley revealed that a convertible Continental Supersports had set a world record on ice in Finland of 205.48mph on the frozen Baltic sea in Finland, quickly followed by the announcement of a limited edition Bentley Supersports ‘Ice Speed Record’ to cash in on the achievement. Now, in the spirit of making the most of every success, Bentley are offering places on their ‘Power on Ice 2012′ trip back to Finland to play with the W12 Continental GT and the even more powerful Continental Supersports Coupe.

Smart Forspeed concept signals new design direction

Smart will unveil a new concept at the forthcoming Geneva motor show that signals a new design direction, hints at future product and confirms parent company Daimler's renewed commitment to the brand. Car Design News was granted early access to the concept, baptized Forspeed, at a secret photography studio in Stuttgart last week and heard the head of advanced design, Steffen Kohl, explain how the two-seat, electric-powered vehicle prefaces design themes in both the next Fortwo and the revived Forfour, which will be launched in 2014. "The fullness of this concept's exterior surfaces is important and will be reflected in future production models," said Kohl, "Smart will still be short, spacey, agile, and with wheels at the corners of the car, but with an added sporty and emotional design and without losing all the brand's iconic elements like its ‘plastic fantastic' aspect and the safe and hi-tech modular tridion shell assembled with all these changeable body parts.