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Honda HR-V images shown at New York auto show

Honda has released images of the upcoming HR-V compact SUV, known globally as the Honda Vezel. The HR-V will be based on the Honda Fit, though the model itself will not be debuting at this year's New York auto show. The HR-V is expected to go on sale at the end of 2014, though Honda has not released extensive details about this new entry into the crossover segment.

‘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.

Volkswagen working on new VR6 engine

Volkswagen is pushing ahead with development of a new narrow-angle V6 direct-injection gas engine, sources from the German carmaker's engineering headquarters based in Braunschweig reveal. Engineering for the new engine is being overseen by Volkswagen's new head of engine development, Fritz Eichler -- who in a previous position led the development of the current generation of Mercedes-Benz AMG powerplants -- continues with a swept volume of 3.0-liters and an unfashionable 15-degree cylinder bank angle. It has been conceived for transverse mounting.