Especially for Europe

Cadillac will build a car to be sold only in Europe. Based on Saab's 9-3, which uses Vectra underpinnings, it's a Vectra-sized vehicle that uses Cadillac design cues such as the sharply defined grille and vertically-aligned headlights. Meanwhile Saab has announced the Sportcombi, a development of the concept wagon first shown at 2003's Frankfurt motor show. Looking close to production, the mid-sized wagon will launch with a choice of six petrol and two diesel engines.

Stranger than fiction

From the sublime, to the ridiculous? Lamborghini has taken an axe to its Gallardo. Its new Concept S looks like two half-Gallardos joined at the spine. The cabin offers two distinct adjacent compartments, each with a single, snug seat. The surface between the two allows an additional air inlet to the mid-mounted V10 engine. If that's not odd enough, Protoscar SA has designed a wagon based on Porsche's superlative 911 sports car. The Swiss company designed the thing to celebrate its 75th anniversary.

Max rating for mini car

Peugeot's tiny 1007 has become the first super-mini car to achieve a five-star NCAP crash-test rating. Its 36-point tally is not only the highest for a super mini, it's also the highest achieved by any car in Europe. The five stars for occupant protection is an incredible feat given small cars are at a disadvantage over large when protecting their occupants. During the same crash test round, the Suzuki Swift, available in New Zealand, achieved four stars for occupant protection, three for child and three for pedestrian protection.

Mercedes people mover

Mercedes B-class offers a mini-MPV based closely on the A-class platform. The compact five-seater is developed from the Compact Sports Tourer shown at last year's Paris show. A packaging miracle like the A-class, it will be pitted against sportier, but less practical cars such as Audi's A3 Sportback and BMW's 1 Series.

Technology flat out

Bridgestone technical manager Ian Paterson will do almost anything to make a sale. Spotted wielding an electric drill around customers' tyres, Paterson claims he was demonstrating the benefits of run-flat tyre technology. Those who have tried it swear by the technology that pairs an in-car warning light with tyres which operate when un-inflated. BMW'S models are best represented by the new tech, but more affordable Mini and Peugeot models also use the system. Not only the tyres, but the rims are different and special machines are needed to remove and fit the rubber. Specially reinforced sidewalls hold the car's weight even when pressure is lost, allowing the driver to continue for up to 120km at up to 90km/h.