Magna Electronics develops 'Touchskin' concept [w/video]

Electronics firm Magna is working on a new technology it calls 'Touchskin concept' that has the potential to eliminate traditional switches and instruments inside vehicles. As part of its ‘Intelligent Surface Technology', the Touchskin concept is set to be an integral part of a system that allows the user to control the car via intuitive gestures – such as pinching, tapping and swiping – as we've become so familiar with when using smartphones. The potential design implications are easy to see with the large amount of space made available by removing the traditional instrument cluster and its wiring and the removal of wired-in switches and buttons.

Infiniti Q50 revealed ahead of Detroit

Infiniti has released an image of a new Q50 Eau Rouge concept ahead of its debut at the Detroit Motor Show on January 13. The Eau Rouge is based on the Q50 saloon, and the company says it draws inspiration from the collaboration between Infiniti and Red Bull Racing. On Bing: see pictures of the Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge Infiniti Q50 review (2013 onwards) Although the Q50 Eau Rouge is only a concept, it hints strongly that we might see a production M3-rival launched by Infiniti in the near future.

Chrysler readies new-product binge

Chrysler Group dealers, starving for new products, will get a banquet of nameplates in three years--a startling change for a company that narrowly missed going out of business. Up to 25 models will be vying for customers' attention in 2013, when new, Fiat-based models are scheduled to arrive. The automaker now has 17 nameplates.