Next Volvo XC90 to ditch dashboard buttons

VOLVO is looking to the future of in-car technology in next year's new XC90 by doing away with almost all buttons and replacing them with a new combination of a touch-screen, a head-up display and steering wheel-mounted thumb wheels. The system is designed to make better use of the available interior space while reducing distractions for the driver, but it will mean that users will have to start from scratch to learn how to operate even the car's most basic interior functions. To make it worthwhile Volvo is integrating new features like remote 'Park and Pay' applications and the ability to use and mirror Apple iOS apps in the interface.

New Volkswagon Golf GTI- Virtual Scalextric

Try the virtual VW GTi Scalextric game online [ad#ad-1] The new VW Golf GTI is launching in the UK (22nd May) and in a pretty cool ‘interest gatherer’ VW has created a virtual Scalextric game to keep the interest bubble growing for the new GTI. The game is based on a complex Scalextric setup created for VW by a team of 60 Scalextric modellers. The 30′ x 25′ layout features over 200 scale buildings and a challenging variety of twists and turns.

SoCal Speed shop wins AMBR award as hod-rodding returns to its roots

In a competition that "took hot-rodding back to its SoCal roots," the SoCal Speed Shop--the entity founded by original hot-rod hero Alex Xydias and now helmed by Pete Chapouris--finally won the AMBR. That's AMBR, as in, America's Most Beautiful Roadster, the most sought-after title in all of hot-rodding and the crowning glory of the Grand National Roadster Show. There is that competition at the Detroit Autorama that hands out the Ridler Award, but that is open to all manner of kustom kars.