03 Polaris Predator 500 Front Right Headlight on 2040-parts.com

LA Auto Show Design Challenge theme: 'Sensing the Future: How Will Cars Interact with Us In 2029?'

The Los Angeles Auto Show has confirmed the theme for its annual Design Challenge. This year marks the eleventh time the contest has been held, and eight global design studios will each produce a concept to showcase a connected vehicle or interface system in response to the theme: 'Sensing the Future: How Will Cars Interact with Us In 2029?' The show's organizers have confirmed that BMW Group DesignworksUSA, Honda USA, Honda Japan, McLaren Automotive, Nissan, Peterbilt Motors, Qoros Auto, and SAIC Motor MG will all take part. "Los Angeles is one of the world's most dynamic cities constantly keeping its eye on the future of technological advancements that largely affect our daily lives," said Lisa Kaz, President of the LA Auto Show.

New Ford S-Max Concept at Frankfurt Motor Show

The New Ford S-Max Concept (pictured) will debut at Frankfurt Ford’s sporty take on the Galaxy – the Ford S-Max – has been with us since 2006, so it’s time for a change. But with Ford in Europe not having the best of times and the new Ford Mondeo not expected to arrive until 2014, the all new S-Max – which will have underpinnings from the new Mondeo – won’t be arriving until 2015. But in the absence of anything new to show at Frankfurt, Ford has put together a Concept version of the new S-Max to try and show Europe it really does have new stuff on the way.

Essay: Variable Degrees of Translucency

Car door panels and fenders are generally made of steel, sometimes of aluminum or plastic composites, and you can't see through them. Car windows, on the other hand, are made of a transparent sandwich of glass and plastic - and you can see through them. But in the future there will be variable degrees of transparency: translucent elements where once there were none, traditional window areas that will have opaque elements and graduated progressions from opaque to see-through.