Silverstar Ultra H11 Su/2 on 2040-parts.com

Toyota Verso gets updated for 2014

Toyota Verso gets updated for 2014 We already knew the Toyota Verso MPV would be getting the option of a BMW diesel engine for 2014, but Toyota have a number of upgrades for the Verso to go along with the new engine. There’s a new trim level on offer – the Verso Trend – that slots in-between the Icon and Excel Versos – which gets a black C-Pillar decal to give the illusion of a floating roof, a bit like the Verso. Other additions for the Trend include a set of five-spoke alloys, front fogs and privacy glass with Toyota Touch 2 with Go adding in SatNav, connected services, Google Street View and TomTom Traffic info, front parking sensors and a rear view camera (part of the Touch 2 Package) to make parking easier.

Vauxhall launches speed limit detectors on Insignia (2008)

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 19 June 2008 07:53 Vauxhall's new Insignia will be the first of a wave of cars to have a forward-facing camera that can read road signs. The optional kit will detect speed limit and no overtaking signs – and flash up a reminder to the driver on the dashboard.GM calls the tech, which will be launched in early 2009, Traffic Sign Recognition and it uses a small, wide-angled camera system supplied by Hella. It sits at the top of the windscreen near the rain sensors and rear-view mirror, scanning the road ahead taking 30 photos per second.It's 1984 all over again...With a range of 100 metres, the camera focuses on circular patterns and then interprets the numbers inside by contour comparison; if a match is found on the software's database, that road sign will be flashed up in the driver's binnacle.The front-facing camera is also used as a lane departure warning system, alerting the driver if they unintentionally swerve out of their lane on a motorway.Cars with cameras: a growing trendMore and more manufacturers are fitting cameras to their cars nowadays and you can expect a flood of systems like the Insignia's to be launched in 2009, including the new BMW 5-series.CAR tried out these new systems on Bosch prototypes in 2007.

Aston Martin V12 Zagato – 49 bite the dust

The Aston Martin V12 Zagato was going to have up to a 150 production run, but Aston Martin now say they will build just 101 cars. The Aston Martin V12 Zagato is a great creation with OTT styling courtesy of Zagato. But, when all’s said and done, it’s just a V12 Vantage in pretty clothes with a few tweaks, yet it costs three times as much – a slightly eye-watering £330k.