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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.

Mulally says fixes coming for MyFord Touch

Ford Motor Co. CEO Alan Mulally vows that revised versions of the Sync and MyFord Touch infotainment systems will be simpler and more reliable and says more improvements are coming. He also says Ford has tightened its quality-control process for developing those systems' software.

The cure for forgetful parkers

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 12 November 2007 05:24 London's new Terminal 5 at the world's busiest airport, Heathrow, will feature some novel facilities for forgetful travellers - including a car finder system to remind you where you parked. Opening in 2008, the fifth terminal will boast 7000 new spaces in three car parks. But it's the technology within that impresses more than the number of spaces.