The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tested large sedans in side crashes and found the Chevrolet Impala and Toyota Avalon fared best. Both cars come standard with side airbags and received ratings of “Good.” Despite the hum-drum naming convention, “Good” is actually the best a car can rank in IIHS tests. Side impacts cause the second highest number of car-crash fatalities. Airbags alone didn’t win the test for the Impala and Avalon. The Chrysler 300, when tested with optional side airbags, only received a “Marginal” rating, failing to notch even an “Average” score. So did the Buick LaCrosse and Pontiac Grand Prix. Those that received the worst, or “Poor,” rating weren’t equipped with optional side airbags. That group included the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Ford Five Hundred, Mercury Montego, Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis. Both the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego, when tested with their optional side airbags, received the top rating of “Good” in 2005. Ford will be making side airbags standard for both cars in the 2007 model year. Even if every car with side airbags didn’t receive the highest rating, they’re still an excellent feature that buyers should look for when considering safety in a purchasing decision.

Second-generation airbags, introduced in 1998, were the focus of a recent study that concluded children are less likely to be injured by the advanced airbags then they were by the previous generation.

Children under the age of 6 are 66% more at risk in a car with first-generation airbags than in one with no airbags at all. That’s why it’s recommended to place young children in the back seat. The same age group is only 10% more at risk with the second-generation airbags, which inflate with less force. At the same time, the newer airbags also marginally improve safety for adults. Prior to this study some believed the less powerful airbag deployment meant more injuries to adults for the benefit of children. Now we know that second-generation airbags are just plain better for everybody.

Mazda Company will present new seven-seated Crossover SUV CX-9 in New York Motor Show. This SUV is the second full-wheel drive car, which was created by Mazda for North America market. Earlier this year, this carmaker has presented five-seated SUV Mazda CX-7 in Detroit Motor Show.

Mazda CX-9

Mazda Company distributed first official pictures this Tuesday of their newest car – a different convertible, which is constructed on the newest generation Mazda MX-5 (in some markets it is also called Mazda Miata) basis. The main difference separating the new version of this world famous Mazda roadster from the old one is a rigid folding roof. We should remind you, that all previous generations with their versions had only convertible soft-top and optional mountable (non-convertible) hard-top roof. Consequentially all of the folding action is automated with the help of special electrical motors.

Mazda MX-5 Convertible Hard-Top in action

Honda Company representatives have officially confirmed info that, new generation Civic Type-R will be equipped the same engine that is being used now in the current generation. It is a 200hp producing naturally aspired hi-tech powerplant, that in the opinion of auto experts is too weak to compete with its main competitors like Ford Focus ST, Opel Astra OPC and VW Golf GTI, because last-mentioned cars have much more powerful engines.

Honda Civic Type-R Concept

The only thing, that could save new generation Civic Type-R from huge embarrassment in front of its rivals would be use of the same technologies, that were used in creation of the highly awarded Honda S2000 engine, which output very similar amount of hp like the earlier mentioned Opel Astra OPC and Ford Focus ST. We can guess that this option would come reality, because this would increase price vastly and would make Civic Type-R less affordable. One of the most obvious and cheapest way to increase price without serious price increase would be to fit this engine with a forced induction device like turbocharger or supercharger. This option also would be in a big question, because Honda has some unofficial (or maybe official) “no no” policy about producing turbocharged petroleum powered cars.

Public presentation of new generation Civic Type-R will take place at the end of July in London Motor Show. This will be dressed in slightly more aggressive bodykit than “rolling slow” versions of the Civic, larger rims and equipped with modernised hard and lowered suspension. Also throttle control and steering adjustment will be improved. We would like to note, that not only usual Civic Type-R version will see the daylight in London Motor Show. It will be accompanied by Type-R GT version. GT will distinguish itself by its longer list of extra installed in this car.

Details about new Civic Type-R will be published after the grand opening to public eyes in London Motor Show. This hot hatchback will hit in the spring of 2007.