2005-2006 Kia Sorento W/3.5 New A/c Compressor on 2040-parts.com

Ford overhauls plans for the U.S. C-Max to go with fewer seats, all hybrids

Ford has shifted gears on its plans for the C-Max wagon in the United States and will now sell only the five-seat version with hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, beginning in 2012. Ford has canceled plans to sell the seven-seat version of the C-Max with a conventional gasoline engine in the States. Ford will call the car the C-Max hybrid, and C-Max Energi will be the name of the plug-in version.

Audi Urban Concept

Audi has released additional photos and information on the Urban Concept, which is set to make its debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September. As we previously reported, the new car – touted by Audi as a 'new kind of concept car' that combines aspects of a racing car as well as a fun-to-drive urban vehicle – is a diminutive two-passenger vehicle powered by two e-tron electric motors. Measuring in at 3200mm long, 1700mm wide and 1200mm tall, the Urban Concept is expected to weigh less than 500kg, thanks largely to a cockpit made from CFRP.

Multi-touch UI reduces touchscreen interaction to simple swipes [w/video]

Touchscreens have become widespread standard features in many cars over the last few years, consolidating the modern car's many functions into one interface. But despite their advantages there's the big downside of driver distraction, something user interface designer Matthaeus Krenn believes he has solved with his UI. Unlike most other touchscreens, Krenn's interface isn't organized into menus and small, hard-to-hit buttons, but instead makes use of multi-touch gestures, reducing the accuracy and attention needed to operate key functions.