CES 2011 opens in Las Vegas

The pace of development in the world of consumer electronics – particularly touchscreens, smartphones and tablet devices – is increasingly influential on the world of automotive design. So with the world's biggest electronics trade show, the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), opening today in Las Vegas, we thought it high time for Car Design News to attend.  The 2011 show has a strong automotive flavor, more so than in any previous year. CES was the event at which Ford chose to launch its industry leading in-car connectivity feature, Sync, in 2008 and, for the third year running, Ford CEO Alan Mulally will deliver a keynote address, during which he is expected to unveil Ford's Nissan Leaf-rivaling, electric-powered Focus.

Acura ZDX to be discontinued after 2013 model year

If you're in the market for a new Acura ZDX, consider heading to a dealership soon: Acura has announced that they will discontinue the crossover after the 2013 model year. The all-wheel drive ZDX, which shares a platform with the more conventional Acura MDX, will reportedly sign off with a “single, value-added package.” In other words, the crossover will only be sold in one configuration—which happens to be heavily loaded with luxury features including 10-speaker surround sound, an eight-inch display with integrated rearview camera system and heated, ventilated front seats. Safety-oriented technology like forward-collision warning and lane-departure-warning systems will make their ZDX debut as well.

Infiniti Etherea: Infiniti’s compact concept revealed in Geneva

Infiniti Etherea Concept Despite our gripes that Infiniti seem half-hearted about their entry in to Europe – certainly in terms of their reluctance to get the product under people’s noses –  we can’t argue they’re not developing their range to suit the European market. Good case in point is the introduction of diesel lumps across the range, although we find the new Infiniti M35h Hybrid potentially more appealing than the M30d (we’ve surprised ourselves there). And now we get a proper European-sized concept revealed in Geneva – the Infiniti Etherea Concept – which is a compact, pillarless, suicide door endowed 3-Series competitor with a 2.5 litre S/C lump connected to an electric motor and driven through a CVT ‘box.