BMW Vision ConnectedDrive (2011) first pictures

This gorgeous two-seat roadster is the BMW Vision ConnectedDrive, set to be unveiled at the 2011 Geneva motor show. Unlike some of BMW’s other Vision-tagged concept cars, this unfortunately isn’t a thinly disguised production car, but a study designed to highlight the company’s driver assistance systems.  However, although BMW has released no details on the engine or layout under the sexy skin, thankfully the Vision ConnectedDrive’s stunning styling (including the shark nose, wrap-around rear lights and layered body) will find its way onto future production BMWs.  For a start sensors in the headlamps and rear lights monitor the traffic situation and the environment around the car, while instead of wing mirrors there are antennas that receive navigation data and transmit other information. Inside the driver has a 3D head-up display, and the system can project information about the chosen sat-nav route so it appears at the exact point of a possible turn-off. The 3D system also displays information in the foreground or background of the display depending on its relevance.

Lexus RX 450h Advance added to RX range

The Lexus RX 450h Advance (pictured) added to the RX range Lexus has added a new version of the hybrid RX 450h to their range of offerings in the UK – the Lexus RX 450h Advance – but they’re not exactly pushing the boat out to promote it. The details we got from Lexus tell us that the Advance is based on the RX Luxury, but with the addition of extra kit and just one photo (above). Those extras amount to a new front bumper that’s half regular R and half RX F-Sport for a slightly more butch look, LED headlights and Lexus’s I-AFS auto-adaptive system that makes the lights move according to steering input.

Toyota eyes turbos, direct injection

Toyota Motor Corp. plans to introduce 11 new or redesigned hybrid vehicles by 2012, but the carmaker is hardly neglecting the humble internal combustion engine. Takeshi Uchiyamada, executive vice president in charge of r&d, also wants to increase the fleet's fuel efficiency by putting turbochargers and direct fuel injection in smaller vehicles.