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BMW illuminates the future with new lighting tech

New features will improve safety

BMW is illuminating the future as the company has announced two new lighting technologies.

First up, the Dynamic Light Spot system uses an infrared sensor to detect any animals or pedestrians that are 100 meters (328 feet) in front of the vehicle. When something is found, a beam of light is focused on the object to alert the driver.

BMW has also developed glare-free high beam assistant. Details are limited, but the company says the system uses a camera to detect oncoming traffic and then "masks" the headlights to prevent glare.

BMW didn't say when to expect GFHBA, but indicated the DLS system will be offered as part of the Night Vision package.

BMW Glare-free high beam assistant - 31.5.2011

Lotus up for sale?

Looking for a new partner

Lotus CEO Dany Bahar has floated the idea of breaking away from Proton.

Speaking at a recent press event, Bahar said that Lotus cannot continue to develop models on their own. Instead, the company needs to form alliance or be sold to a larger automaker like Toyota.

No time frame was given but, in the meantime, Lotus will continue to develop the six models they announced at the Paris Motor Show.

Pininfarina Coupe Concept design study

British designer Peter Norris imagines what a new creation by the famed Italian coachbuilder would look like

This is British designer Peter Norris' vision of a Pininfarina Coupe Concept - an independent design study.

Norris was first inspired to create an updated Fiat Coupe model but then decided to make a more luxurious sports car in the tradition of a Pininfarina design without any budget-sports car constraints.

"After roughing out the body in 3D I changed my mind and decided that I wanted to build something that was more of a luxury rather than a budget sports car and wondered what a car designed by Pininfarina under its own badge might look like, and so it evolved from there," explains Norris.

The car is a front-engined, rear-wheel drive sports coupe who's aim is to update the Pininfarina coupe designs in a new model. It has the typical sloping rooflines and low-profile of a Pininfarina design.

The features that stand out are the C-shaped LED taillights and the corresponding LED strips that frame the headlights and air intakes on the front spoiler.

The project is a personal one for Norris, who hails from Rochester, Kent, U.K. and works in the video game and entertainment industry. Norris once owned a Fiat Coupe 16v Turbo whose looks he adored. Norris studied transport design at Coventry University.

Pininfarina Coupe Concept by Peter Norris 31.05.2011

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 2011 in action

2012 Nissan GT-R gets more power and a new SpecR version

2012 R35 GT-R will come with a total output figure of 560 bhp (418 kW / 568 PS)

Production is set to end soon on the Nissan GT-R as the 2012 JDM (Japanese domestic market) model will be the last. But Nissan will still be trotting out some new iterations of the car.

The 2012 R35 GT-R will get getting more power vis-a-vis the previous edition by around 30 PS ( 22 kW / 30 bhp) with a total output figure of 560 bhp (418 kW / 568 PS) over the earlier 530 bhp (395 kW / 537 PS) and 488 lb-ft (661 Nm) of torque.

And a SpecR version is coming too, meaning the update won't just be those additional horses. Included for a SpecR variant will be a weight loss of between 30 and 40 kg (66 to 88 lbs) and a gold engine cover to replace the current red one of the SpecV.

Testing on the new model has been delayed by the Tsunami disaster that struck Japan back in March, but 7tune.com reports that testing on the Nurburgring for the new GT-R will take place in the fall.