Volkswagen launches Car-Net in-car assistance system

Volkswagen has launched an in-car assistance system which will offer a number of convenience and diagnostic features. Not too dissimilar from some other systems already on the market -- such as BMW Assist, Mercedes-Benz'sMbrace, and GM's On-Star -- VW's system will offer roadside assistance, service appointment scheduling, and automatic crash notification. The latter triggers a call from the vehicle to a Car-Net customer specialist when the airbags in the car are deployed, which will then connect the occupants with a local public safety answering point, which can send emergency vehicles to the scene if needed.

A New Concours d'Elegance in Detroit

New name, new place, same cars--only more of them. The event formerly known as the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance has moved across metropolitan Detroit and is now called the Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's , reflecting the show's national significance and the spectrum of collectors who flock to the annual summer summit of vintage sheetmetal.

New C-Class Breaks Cover

MERCEDES has released the first details of its hotly anticipated new generation C-Class. The compact executive model is expected to hit showrooms in mid 2014. As with an increasing number of cars, this new C-Class is lighter than the model it replaces, and Mercedes engineers have increased their focus on lowering CO2 emissions and fuel consumption through a series of weight reduction and engine upgrade programmes.