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Euro NCAP latest

By Jack Carfrae Motor Industry 28 February 2007 10:12 Euro NCAP releases results on five new models Should Euro NCAP recalibrate its results? We suspect it should, as virtually every new car launched these days scores a high four- or five-star overall rating for occupant protection. The new results announced today are no different: Small family carsFiat Bravo: 5 stars (occupant safety), 3 stars (child safety), 2 stars (pedestrian safety) Toyota Corolla saloon: 5 stars (occupant), 4 stars (children), 3 stars (pedestrian) Small off-roaders Honda CR-V: 4 stars (occupant), 4 stars (children), 2 stars (pedestrian) Mitsubishi Outlander: 4 stars (occupant), 3 stars (children), 2 stars (pedestrian) Executive Honda Legend: 5 stars (occupant), 4 stars (children), 3 stars (pedestrian) Dig below the surface, though, and several disappointments emerge.

Alfa Romeo 4C Spider revealed: Geneva Motor Show

The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider (pictured) revealed in Geneva The Alfa Romeo 4C is the epitome of a modern ‘supercar’, with ultra light weight (for a production car) allowing the 4C to produce very good performance from its modest 17500cc engine. So producing an Spider convertible immediately raises the weight issue in a more dramatic way when the car’s abilities are so dependent on it low weight, but it seems the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider – previewed as a production car with a concept at Geneva today – has managed to keep the wight penalties of the convertible 4C down to a minimum. Thanks to a canvas roof and carbon fibre rollover bars, the weight penalty for the Spider is only about 60kg (around a 7 per cent gain) which shouldn’t hurt performance too much.

Video: Auto Design Night retrospectives

Since its introduction at the Geneva Motor Show in March this year, Auto Design Night has established itself as the event for professional designers to meet up and unwind after a hard day at the auto show. Hosted on the evening of the first press day, this informal gathering has already provided hundreds of designers with a stylish, informal venue in which to eat, drink and relax with their peers, as well as providing top-class entertainment and some surprise concept unveils. Click on the ADN link below for details of upcoming events.