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Rated: self-braking cars that avoid a crash

The most recent advance in vehicle safety has to be the autonomous emergency braking system (AEB) – a sophisticated suite of sensors and electronics that monitors objects in front of your car, automatically applying the brakes for you if it senses you’re heading to hit something. Up until now these auto-brake features have not been rated, but ahead of a new 2014 test that will include AEB systems in its overall safety star scoring, Euro NCAP has put the some of the vehicles already equipped with this technology through their paces. MSN Cars has the results.

Best and worst states for car insurance prices

Drivers in Louisiana and Michigan are hit hardest when it comes to car insurance premiums, while those in Maine and Iowa pay the least, according to here. Ten most expensive states (average annual premium) -- Louisiana: $2,699 -- Michigan: $2,520 -- Georgia: $2,155 -- Oklahoma: $2,074 -- Washington, D.C.: $2,006 -- Montana: $1,914 -- California: $1,819 -- West Virginia: $1,816 -- Rhode Island: $1,735 -- Kentucky: $1,725 Ten least expensive states: -- Maine: $934 -- Iowa: $1,028 -- North Carolina: $1,085 -- Ohio: $1,106 -- New Hampshire: $1,112 -- Idaho: $1,133 -- Vermont: $1,176 -- Indiana: $1,183 -- Washington: $1,226 -- Arizona: $1,227

Mystery new luxury British sportscar planned

The name David Brown is famously associated with Aston Martin, as the company was once owned by a British entrepreneur who is now immortalised in a series of “DB” model lines, including James Bond’s favourite DB5 and the current DB9. We digress. Now another David Brown is hoping to make his mark – or should that be marque – on the British luxury motoring scene by launching an all-new David Brown Automotive brand in April 2014.