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Italdesign Tex concept

The second concept from Volkswagen's recently acquired Italdesign was the Tex. A research study into the potential future design language of the German brand, the Tex also draws on existing technologies from Wolfsburg.  Utilizing the 'twin drive' plug-in hybrid system, the Tex is capable of a range of 35 kilometers in electric mode, a range Giugiaro claims is ample enough for day-to-day commuting. Adopting a sporting pretense, the Tex is low slung, sitting atop large 19-inch diameter wheels and sports an aggressive DRG.

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.

Historic Roper steam-powered motorcycle at Las Vegas auction - Autoweek

In September we told you about one of the world's oldest four-wheeled machines going up for auction at an RM event. In January 2012, the perfect companion piece to that $4.6 million horseless carriage is being sold--a 1894 Roper Steam-Powered Runabout motorbike. The Roper bike is the second of two built by Sylvester Roper of Roxbury, Mass., and is regarded as one of the world's oldest, predating the earliest Orient, Indian and Harley-Davidsons.