Mercedes-Benz to use inflatable rear seatbelts on new car

Mercedes-Benz will begin equipping its cars with inflatable seatbelts for rear passengers, making it the second automaker to use the safety technology. Mercedes said the belt would be introduced on an upcoming luxury car. A likely candidate is the redesigned S-class sedan, which the German automaker is preparing to put into production next year.

Hyundai HCD-14 Concept teased ahead of Detroit. The new Hyundai Genesis saloon?

Hyundai are teasing a new concept – the Hyundai HCD-14 Concept – which looks to be a tease for the next generation Hyundai Genesis. With the Detroit Auto Show looming, we’re going to be seeing more than a few teases and leaks for new models and new cars, and this afternoon Hyundai has come up with their first tease for the Detroit show. On offer is the Hyundai HCD-14 Concept which looks to us as if its the first official look at what will be the next generation Hyundai Genesis.

Design Contest: LA Design Challenge 2008

The entrants for the fifth annual Design Challenge, part of the Design Los Angeles automobile designers' conference, have now been announced. Nine Southern California automotive design studios - including Audi, BMW, GM, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Volkswagen - have been pitted against one another and asked to develop a concept which best answers a brief entitled 'Motorsports in 2025'. "Automotive designers have always been fascinated with motorsports and this year's Design Challenge has provided them with the opportunity to use their creative talent to look at these cars with new eyes, using innovative technologies and approaches," said Chuck Pelly, director of Design Los Angeles and partner in The Design Academy, Inc.