00 Lexus Gs300 Speaker on 2040-parts.com

Gesture-controlled Audi wins VDA Design Award

The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) has announced the winner of its 2013 Design Awards, which asked students from across the world to submit their final graduating projects completed between October 2011 and July 2013. Eric Leong from Sweden's Umeå Institute of Design, came in first place with his 'Audi Elite' project, earning himself €4,000. Leong's single-person vehicle can be controlled using the entire body through gestures and movements, and adapts to the needs of the driver, giving them more control.

One Lap of the Web: Gilbern GT1800, Porsche 911 Targa and Corvette flybys

A picture of what might be the next Porsche 911 Targa leaked onto the Web Friday from Automoto.fr. The photos show a retro look on the removable-top cruiser, which sports a bigger B-pillar than the hardtop. Speculation is that the car could debut as early as next year's Geneva motor show.

Mercedes-Benz to cut production time, halve number of vehicle architectures

Mercedes-Benz is restructuring its global production network to cut the average production time for its models to 30 hours by 2015 from 43 in 2008. "We have increased productivity by 2 percent a year over the last few years. We will be accelerating our productivity efforts," Mercedes production boss Wolfgang Bernhard said during an investor conference that was part of the automaker's plant opening in Kecskemet, Hungary, on Thursday.