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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.

Senate passes cash-for-clunkers extension

The Senate added $2 billion to "cash for clunkers" on Thursday, ending a week of suspense about whether the popular new program would have to shut down for lack of funds. The bill, identical to the one that passed the House last week, now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature. The administration has pushed hard for the new funding.

Nissan reveals Leaf Autonomous Drive prototype

What a difference a year makes. Last year Nissan exhibited a self-parking car at CEATEC, Japan's largest show for IT and electronics. Back then a Nissan NSC-2015 concept car, a Nissan Leaf with what seemed like a couple hundred pounds worth of computers in the trunk, was able to find a parking spot for itself under controlled conditions and park itself.