The three-door Alfa...
The three-door Alfa hatchback will share its underpinnings with Fiat"s Grande Punto. And engineers are currently testing a prototype fitted with a 197bhp petrol engine and limited-slip differential, which could form the basis of a hot GTA variant. The newcomer, known internally as the Racer, looks set to revive the brand"s Junior tag from the Sixties and Seventies. However, Alfa bosses re÷main undecided on whether to replace the existing numeric naming system across the rest of the line-up.
The Volkswagen Passat...
The Volkswagen Passat will take part in the Urban Challenge, a 60-mile contest for driverless vehicles which involves them merging with traffic, negotiating roundabouts, avoiding other motorists and abiding by road laws. Computers control the steering, throttle and brakes, and scientists are now adding lasers, GPS sat-nav and video cameras so the car can ‘see’ the road. Two years ago, VW entered a Touareg SUV in a similar contest in the desert, but the Passat will have a tougher job.
The firm hopes the technologies will one day appear on road models. “The features developed for the challenge will ultimately make driving safer in dense traffic,” said Dr Carlo Rummel of VW’s Electronic Research Laboratory.