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Transportation Department clinics to test connected-vehicle communication

Usually communication between cars on the road consists of expletive-ridden road rage or “hey, your headlight’s out!” Thanks to new technology, the exchange of information could soon be far more productive. The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced that it will be holding Driver Acceptance Clinics in six cities across the country to assess how well drivers respond to vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology.

New Smart ForTwo and ForFour set for 2014 unveil

Mercedes-Benz's struggling Smart city car division is seeking to add a new dimension to the urban driving experience with its third-generation ForTwo, currently undergoing the final phase of a three-year test and development program ahead of a planned unveiling mid next year. Set for North American launch in 2015, the ultra-compact two-seat hatchback represents a fresh chapter in operations for Smart, which has recently gained greater independence from parent company Mercedes-Benz as its boss, Annette Winkler, attempts to stem years of financial losses after almost a decade of rebuilding following its short-lived joint venture with Mitsubishi. The new ForTwo, known internally as project C453, has been developed in a joint engineering program with the upcoming second-generation ForFour and its sister car, the third-generation Renault Twingo.

Ford opens proving grounds to the public

For the first time ever, Ford is opening its Dearborn, Mich., proving grounds to the public on Oct. 15. Ticketholders to the Get Your Heart Racing event can take hot-lap ride-alongs around the test track with professional drivers Tanner Foust and Parnelli Jones.