Polaris Virage Resonator 00, 01, 02, 03, 04 on 2040-parts.com

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.

New Audi S3 Sportback arrives ahead of Geneva 2013 debut

The new Audi S3 Sportback - the five-door S3 – has been revealed ahead of a debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The new S3 Sportback gets the same 2.0 litre turbocharged engine as the S3, which means 296bhp on tap to be delivered to all four wheels through the standard six-speed gearbox or the optional six-speed dual-clutch S tronic. If you want to unleash the best performance from your S3 Sportback you will need to dig a bit deeper for the S tronic ‘box, with the self-shifter taking just 5 seconds to 62mph it’s a full half second quicker than the manual.

State Farm releases Driver Feedback app

Accelerometers aren't just for the autocross geeks who want to see whether they threw more than 1.0 lateral g's on their last apex. These gadgets have made their way to the iPhone. State Farm is releasing its Driver Feedback app, which uses the iPhone's high-tech guts (accelerometer, gyroscope and digital compass) to measure driving habits such as smoothness or aggressiveness during acceleration, frequency and abruptness of braking and how hard you take corners (ahem, BMW owners).