Early yesterday morning a Top 100 SA Company requested information about pregnancy and safe driving. Content was developed and added to the Arrive Alive website about aspects such as wearing of seatbelts, airbags etc. We would also like to add a few bits of advice on Car Blog with regards to adjustments within the vehicle of the mother-to-be:

• Make sure your seat is positioned comfortable and not too close to the steering wheel (in case of an accident and the air bag deploys).
• Leave some space (at least 10 cm) between your belly and steering wheel, bend back slightly. [Whilst still able to observe]
• If possible -use a vehicle with adjustable steering wheels and seats so that you can customize your seating position to optimize your control over the car.
• Check your view out of your mirrors if you push your seat back or change the height of the steering wheel.
• Make sure that after you adjust your seat you can still comfortably reach the accelerator, brake, and clutch – if you are stretching to reach the pedals, it could affect your reaction time.
• Remove coats or jackets that restrict your ability to move freely behind the wheel and learn to rely on the heating system of the vehicle to keep you warm.
• Always wear your seatbelt and leave air bags operational / turned –on!

Hyundai is going to reveal the second generation of their Tucson and we already managed to get our hands on some pictures and details. Dubbed Hyundai ix-onic the SUV concept will feature an “eco-friendly” 1.6-liter engine that outputs 173hp and 149 grams of CO2 per km. Expected to change name when mass produced – rumors call it Hyundai iX35, among the stylish details you should expect some futuristic lines (resembles with a Ford front?) and an elegant wrapper. We’ll know more when it hits the floor in Geneva next month. We’re game … [via autotelegraaf.nl]

Reigning the Le Mans competition for like 3 years now, Audi release the first images with this year’s contestant the R15 TDI. Expected to debut in a 12-hour race on March 21 in Sebring, Florida, the new Audi R15 TDI is expected to prove its performance in race conditions after passing all those harsh tests the company has undertake on track. Not sure about you, but that thing looks like a winner to me. However, what about a hybrid or an electric version that would compete, too ?

By now I’m pretty certain the the exquisite Brits from Rolls are definitely not seeing the bad economic environment. But that’s good news for our eyes, isn’t it? After seeing the Phantom’s phacelift, rumors have it that Rolls-Royce is preparing to debut in March in Geneva their RR4 – for the moment, known as 200EX. Using the BMW 7-Series platform and a V12 engine that sports 500hp, the new 200EX issmaller and narrower than the Phantom. However, the luxurious ride is expected to offer the same level of comfort and space that we’ve been used with. State of the art robustness, don’t you think? [via WCF]

And here are some images with a spied RR4 …

If you’ve been long craving for a Rolls Royce Phantom, the luxurious brand is preparing a facelift. But since that term is not exquisite enough, they’re calling it a product update. No matter what title it has, the mysterious ride features a new front bumper, a shallower stainless steel grille, some luxurious LED door handle lighting, redesigned wood veneer door panels and 12-inch screens to entertain those in the back. It’s a powerful lordly vehicle that runs on 21-inch wheels cast in aluminum, so expect it to hit the road in a couple of months. via autoblog]

Though it’s just a teaser for now, rumors have it that the new Renault Megane RS will make it to Geneva next month. And the French like to keep us craving. They even launched a dedicated website that will count down the time till it reaches Switzerland. Inspired from the Megane Coupe Trophy, the hot hatch is a beefed up concept that features a contoured hood, bulbous fenders and headlamps. With a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine under the hood (from the Megane R26) that outputs 250 hp and goes naught to 60mph in around 6 seconds, some Brembo brakes, a limited-slip differential and a revised power steering system, we can bet our paychecks it’s going to be a hot seller. [via Renault]

Based on the powerful Audi S5, the wicked German folks from ABT Sporstline – the largest tuner of vehicles from the VW group, came out with their own version. Dubbed ABT AS5-R, they beefed up the eight-cylinder standard 4.2 liter V8 (that used to output 354hp) to deliver nothing less than a whopping 510 horsepower and also added a breathtaking bodywork kit that screams power. We won’t be able to see it running the streets any time soon, but expect to get behind the wheel if you happen to be in Geneva for the Auto Show next month. Looks like an amazing ride, that we’d gladly take on. [via

State of the art technology, elegant lines and an amazing interior, are the definitory rules for the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe. Expected to surprise visitors in Geneva next month, the E-Class Coupe is meant to replace the discontinued CLK and from the first pictures, we think they managed to do a great job. Designed with no B-pillars and completely retractable side windows, Mercedes-Benz promotes it as the “world’s most aerodynamically efficient series-production car”. With two engine options – new E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY diesel that outputs 200 hp and 500 Nm of torque, and the petrol E 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY that outputs the same 200hp but only 310 Nm of torque, the car is expected to start selling in Europe at the begining of May. We definitely want it in SA asap. It’s a dream car, indeed.