NCAP awards 5 Stars for new BMW 5-Series & Alfa Romeo Giuletta

he Alfa Romeo Giulietta and theBMW 5-Series have been awarded a five-star rating in Euro NCAP testing.

The BMW features highly resilient bearer structures, precisely defined deformation zones, numerous airbags (front, pelvis-thorax, and side curtain), active front headrests, and an active bonnet (which uses pyrotechnic charges to raise the hood to reduce injury to pedestrians and cyclists). More importantly, the 5-Series is equipped with an advanced passenger cell which causes forces from a front-end collision to be "dissipated via a number of different load paths in the floor assembly, side frame, front wall and roof."

Likewise, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta was "designed and built to obtain maximum passive and active safety performance." It boasts a Vehicle Dynamic Control system, assisted panic braking, six standard airbags, and Self Aligning Head Restraints (SAHR).

source : www.worldcarfans.com

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Daihatsu Materia Icecube by Inden Design

German tuners Inden-Design is better known for their work on high-priced models from Ferrari and Mercedes. The company is now branching out a bit, and turning their sites on the sub-€15,000 Daihatsu Materia.

Dubbed the "Icecube," the bright white box has been outfitted with a host of new items. On the exterior, the new body kit contains four different extensions that can be attached over the current panels, as well as a daytime lights, and a new rear bumper with diffuser. Triangle-shaped side mirrors and carbon fiber door handles and boot cover are also installed.

Light three-piece alloy wheels have been custom designed for the project, and measure 8.5x18" in the front, and 9.5x18" in the rear. A new exhaust and catalytic converter were also fitted, as is a new differential.

Inside, designers added silver-look carbon fiber pieces throughout the cabin, along with Alcantara trim. A new audio system and Phillips sat-nav were also added.

Although each part mentioned may be purchased individually, the total price of the options costs more than double the price of the car itself. Inden-Design's Icecube package runs more than €20,200. You can read about individual part pricing in the press release below.

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BMW Megacity EV sports car on the table

Strong corporations always look to the future, and BMW is no different. Under the presumption that the company's entry into electric vehicles will be successful, BMW designers are already brainstorming ideas for new EVs.

BMW is planning a 2013 market release for the BMW Megacity EV, and company executive Ian Robertson says this is just the beginning. A full line of EV cars could be grouped together under one umbrella, including a sports car inspired by the Vision EDconcept seen last year in Frankfurt.

"We’re in the final stages of picking a name, but we want it to become a strong sub-brand like we have with M," he told Autocar.

Still, first thing's first: get the Megacity finished and out the door. To keep the vehicle's weight down, it will feature a significant amount of carbon fiber. This should increase the vehicle's range, while improving certain performance figures.

The latter could be most important to BMW fans, and the company does not want to sabotage this important aspect of their brand. "[The Megacity] would still be a BMW to drive."

source : www.worldcarfans.com

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