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We are totally smitten by this car on a whole range of fronts, not just performance and handling at which it excels. The Mercedes-Benz A45AMG promises much and delivers more at a price that makes it the best value hyper-performance car on the road right now let alone the hottest hot hatch. Price The $74,900 ask might

Through systems that can recognise and distinguish whether a driver is tired or inattentive, the car of the future can become even safer. Examples of this include technology that can detect closed eyes or what the driver is looking at."This will enable the driver to be able to rely a bit more on their car, and know that it will help them when needed," explains Per Landfors, engineer at Volvo Cars and project leader for driver support functions.By placing a sensor on the dashboard to monitor aspects such as which direction the driver is looking, how open their eyes are, as well as their head position and angle, it is possible to develop precise safety systems that detect the driver's state and adjust the car accordingly.This also means that the car will ensure that it does not stray out of the lane or get too close to the car in front when the driver is not paying attention, as well as being able to wake a driver who is falling asleep."Since the car is able to detect if a driver is not paying attention, safety systems can be adapted more effectively. For example, the car's support systems can be activated later on if the driver is focused, and earlier if the driver's attention is directed elsewhere," Per Landfors explains.Some of the current systems that can be included are Lane Keeping Aid, Collision warning with full auto brake and Adaptive Cruise Control with Queue Assist. The technology is based on a sensor mounted on the dashboard in front of the driver. Small LEDs illuminate the driver with infrared light, which is then monitored by the sensor. Infrared light is just outside the wavelengths that the human eye can see, which means that the person behind the wheel doesn't notice it at all.Driver sensors are also opening up other possibilities. By monitoring eye movements, the car would be able to adjust both interior and exterior lighting to follow the direction in which the driver is looking. The car would also be able to adjust seat settings, for instance, simply by recognising the person sitting behind the wheel."This could be done by the sensor measuring between different points on the face to identify the driver, for example. At the same time, however, it is essential to remember that the car doesn't save any pictures and nor does it have a driver surveillance function," Per Landfors clarifies. The technology is already installed in test vehicles. Volvo Cars is also conducting research together with partners including Chalmers University of Technology and Volvo AB to identify effective methods for detecting tiredness and inattention.The analysis of the driver's state known as Driver State Estimation, in which driver sensors play an important role is a field that may be key to self-driving cars in the future. The car will need to be able to determine for itself whether the driver is capable of taking control when the conditions for driving autonomously are no longer present. A driver sensor could be of assistance in this.This technology is one of the many initiatives bringing Volvo Cars closer to its goal for 2020 that no one shall be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo. 

Sporty looks are a feature of all the current Mercedes models, no more so than in the new E-Class cabriolet.

BMW has launched its electric 'i' sub-brand in Australia with an event in Sydney to introduce the first cars. On hand was both the all-electric i3 family hatchback and the M1-inspired hybrid supercar.BMW managing director Phil Horton introduced the cars and the pricing for the two model, three variant i3. The i3 will start from $63,900 plus on-roads for the battery-only version and $69,900 for the range-extender version. The i3 will have its local launch in September.The i8 hybrid supercar will launch later, with deliveries expected to begin in December. Prices of around $300,000 are being bandied about by other publications, but nothing has been confirmed.BMW says the electric i3 is capable of 170km on a single charge, with the Range Extender version capable of 300km between charges. Both figures assume extremely careful driving and possibly a force 4 tailwind.The i8 relies a lot more on its turbocharged, three cylinder 1.5 litre engine. The internal combustion unit produces 170kW that, with the front-mounted electric motor slings the i8 to 100km/h in 4.4 seconds and on to a limited 250km/h. You can also pootle for 35km on electric only power and charge it from a powerplug at home.Both cars can be fast-charged with a BMW-supplied wallbox that increases the current and roughly halves the charge time. Before launch the company will also announce its public battery charging partner, expected to be Chargepoint as it's the only one left after Better Place went under.Both cars are built on an aluminium chassis with a carbon fibre bodyshell. Open the doors on either and you can see the carbon fibre weave, giving the cars a lovely handmade feel (in a good way).After you step over the slightly wide sill of the i8 and drop down into the driver's seat, the car is surprisingly spacious. There's plenty of headroom for even those over six feet tall or with extra tall hair.Back seat passengers would have to cross their legs, however. While the seat is incredibly low, the view forward is expansve as the bonnet drops away. Vision to the rear isn't so great, but the reversing camera which is displayed on the standard 10.6-inch screen should sort that out.The doors open like the McLaren F1's in dihedral fashion and are very light to use, with just a little effort to pull them down. Again, if you're of average height, you won't have to hoist yourself out of the seat to reach the handle. Both cars feature what BMW calls "next premium" materials to clothe the interior.The i8's simpler material mix shares a recycled material for doorcappings made from recycled plastics and rubber. It doesn't sound great but actually looks and feels good, with an unusual (for now) texture. The i3 adds to this with woollen and leather upholstery and a wave of open-pore eucalyptus across the dashboard.BMW isn't expecting big sales numbers for either car, with twenty pre-orders for the i3 and 15 for the i8. 

The new Volkswagen Golf R promises to be a significant step up from the already excellent Golf GTI hot hatch.

Volkswagen has offered a two-tier performance Golf lineup for the past three generations of its small hatch

If you're not up on BMW's recent naming strategy, this is a replacement for the old 1 Series Coupe.

What would be the best way to improve vehicle sales?

The Mercedes GLA might be referred to as a small SUV, but really it looks more like a larger, more comfortable version of the A-Class. It's taller than the hatchback it's based on, but is actually much smaller than the Audi Q3.Think of the Mercedes-Benz as a more comfortable and practival alternative to a family hatch and then it starts to make more sense. 

The DS3 goes for $29,740 and that includes plenty of standard kit like climate control air, full Bluetooth connectivity, satnav, power ancillaries and gorgeous alloy wheels.