We’ve always been impressed with what tuners from Carlsson come up with, but the latest W212 E-Class Tuning Program definitely proves as a disappointment for us. Maybe it’s the 20-inch wheels or the side lines that got our negative vote, but bottom line we’re not going to buy it (as if we’d afford it – haha).

Expected to be showed off at the 2009 Bodensee Tuning World Auto Show in Germany, the “upgraded” W212 is going to feature a vertically-running LED daytime lights, a stainless steel mesh grille, a redesigned front apron, while the rear got an integrated diffuser, a spoiler and some interesting steel tailpipes. However, there is something we like about it. The interior. It features a set of brushed aluminum pedals, Alcantara leather, a white illuminated Carlsson logo and aluminum door locking pins that charm you at a first glance. [WCF has more details]

The wicked chaps from MEC Design got their hands on a Mercedes-Benz S-Class and created an amazing bodykit that adds style and makes it look much more aggressive. A 2face system allows you to choose between a front bumper with driving lights and fog lights or with just mesh, features a sporty (or elegant) diffuser, side skirts for flowing lines, LED lighting and a sport exhaust system made from mandrel-bent stainless steel tubing. With a charming interior that features some ergonomically designed handles and some precious wood inlays and leather, we’re definitely sold on this new S-Class bodykit. [Thanks Daren for sending this in]

Manufactured through the joint collaboration of Volkswagen and the Chinese from FAW, the new Passat Lingyu has been unveiled at Shanghai’s Auto 2009, together with new VW Golf. While some could say it’s just a simple Passat revision, the new Lingyu has an extended wheel base of 9.12 centimeters, offers more rear legroom and reduces fuel usage by at least 10%. With 2.8 liter and 2.0 liter V6 engines unchanged but with an upgraded 1.8-liter that sports 163 hp (up from 150hp), the new Passat Lingyu gives you a choice between a five-speed manual and automatic transmission. Not my favorite, what about you? [via auto-motor-und-sport.de]

The new 2010 Audi Q7 facelift has been officially released in Shanghai. Viewing it from the outside, the car is a complete model with redesigned chrome accents, bumpers, a distinctive underbody protection, side sills, aggressive fender flares, xenon headlights and new LED tailights. As for the interior, the new Audi Q7 features large displays, chrome accents and door mounted ambient lighting. Both petrol and diesel powered, with four units running on diesel and two on petrol, there’s a special exhaust system with a DENOX catalytic converter. You’ll definitely have to agree with us, that it looks really stunning. Don’t you think?

The new Bertone Mantide has been unveiled at this year’s Shanghai Auto Motor Show. Featuring a 638-hp Corvette ZR1 engine and an amazing body that will bring comfort and guarantee a joyful ride, the new Mantide is work of Italian design house of Stile Bertone. A plane shaped vehicle with a strong hood, a Kamm-tailed rear, a passenger cabin that looks like a canopy and with body panels made of carbon fiber, the new Bertone Mantide impresses with its amazing performances. It goes naught to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds and reaches a max speed of 351 km/h. It looks amazing, isn’t it? [via jalopnik]

It is reported that police will patrol school zones in Melbourne’s northern suburbs this week as part of a blitz on child restraints in cars. Operation Cacoethes will see motorists slapped with fines and the loss of three demerit points for every child not correctly restrained. This Campaign is in response to the deaths of eight children aged 12 or under killed in collisions on Victorian roads last year.

“If children are not in a booster or child seat suitable for their size, then the seat belt will not work correctly and their likelihood of injury in a collision is increased. Acting Sgt Bowen said.

Not only has the non-wearing been identified as a problem – but also restraints not used and fitted correctly:

“The most common offences police are seeing are drivers travelling with children in an adult seat belt who are too small for the belt to fit correctly or the child restraint has not been correctly fitted within the vehicle. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure all passengers under 16 are correctly restrained so if parents aren’t sure about what restraint they should be using, they can visit the VicRoads website or speak with their local police.”

This should be something that traffic authorities in South Africa need to address as well! A recent study by medical students from the Free State University in 8 suburbs in Bloemfontein has revealed shockingly low levels of compliance pertaining to seatbelt wearing rates. The Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the Free State will provide more details on these results in a release of study findings to be submitted to a medical journal.

The Arrive Alive website would like to urge all parents to visit the section “Child Restraints and Road Safety”

Are you aware that many of the elderly road users around you might be suffering from Alzheimer’s?
It is estimated that people with Alzheimer’s disease drive, on average, 2.5 years following diagnosis. People with early stage, very mild Alzheimer’s disease, can and do drive safely, however when the disease progresses to the moderate or severe stages, then driving must stop.

Driving is a complex activity that requires good judgment, quick thinking and fast reactions, as well as good perceptual abilities. For a person with Alzheimer’s, driving inevitably becomes difficult, and he or she may become unsafe on the roads. With dementia, an individual’s capacity to assess his or her driving abilities may also diminish. People with Alzheimer’s are especially likely to minimize the complexity of driving and overestimate their abilities.

On the Arrive Alive website we have made available information on Alzheimer’s and Road Safety. Visit the section for advice on how to approach the dangers of people with Alzheimer’s and the need to convince them to stop driving.

Spotted on the streets in California under a thick camouflage armor, the new 2011 Toyota 4Runner comes with a revised hood-line and headlights. With off-road capabilities and a very aggressive body work, the new 4Runner is actually refresh upgrade rather than just a re-work. Aren’t we all happy that Toyota is still building trucks (real trucks) that will go heavy at the gas pump? I thought we were after hybrids and efficient engines and not Jurrasic SUVs. No?