Standard Motor Products Us74 Ignition Switch on 2040-parts.com

ESP could save 380 lives a year

By Ben Shacham Motor Industry 19 June 2007 12:24 The campaign to make electronic stability control (ESC) standard on all new cars by 2012 is gathering momentum - and it could save 380 lives a year, say ministers. The UK's Department for Transport today claimed that hundreds of lives could be saved every year if all new cars had stability control fitted - totalling 4000 lives across Europe. A campaign to raise awareness of the potential benefits of ESC was launched last month in Rome by European commissioners and FIA president Max Mosley.

Mini showcases three Getaway concept campers

Mini has released three concept camping cars based on Mini models, each offering a huge variety of outdoor gear. The Mini Clubvan Camper has been rebuilt into the world's smallest luxury camper van, while the Mini Cowley has been coupled with a caravan trailer for two people. The biggest Mini of the group is the Countryman ALL4 Camp, which features a folding sleeping tent on the roof.

Volvo cars will be able to tell if you're driving tired

Volvo is currently testing in-car sensors that can monitor driver alertness -- ones that can determine if the driver is becoming tired and inattentive. A number of simple systems that basically generate warnings after a certain period of nonstop driving are now available in cars. They take into account the average speed and time elapsed since the vehicle was started.