Infotainment

Taking a number of cues from the LF-LC Hybrid Sports Coupe Concept unveiled in Detroit in January – which isn’t a bad place to take some cues from in our opinion – the Lexus LF-CC Concept Car is a mid-sized coupe concept featuring a new 2.5-liter full hybrid powertrain that will soon be introduced on the Lexus model range. The vehicle will be unveiled at the 2012 Paris Motor Show that kicks off at the end of the month. Like the LF-LC Concept Car, the LF-CC is a front-engine, rear-wheel drive vehicle but is a little more compact. Designed around the same L-finesse design language that will be used in future Lexus D-segment vehicles, the LF-LC and LF-CC are obviously stablemates. There’s the same mesh patterned spindle grille flanked by functional air intakes and LED headlights that lack the conventional, one-piece cover. The LF-CC's headlights also feature a new three LED-projector design, while independent Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) are integrated into the

This week, GM rolled out the IntelliLink system. The system connects wirelessy to your smartphone and provides voice-activated access to phone and audio functions. It's the latest example of the growing number of in-vehicle smartphone connectivity systems. The IntelliLink system turns the vehicle infotainment display into a smartphone-like interface with a configurable series of icons. The system integrates a voice control function that allows drivers to place a phone call and request a specific artist or song without pulling their hands or eyes from their respective driving duties. In terms of music, IntelliLink offers several options. Drivers don't need a proper MP3 player to enjoy digital music and can simply plug a music-loaded flash drive into the USB port in the center console. The system also allows for wireless Bluetooth streaming from services like Stitcher and Pandora when paired with a smartphone. It displays album and artis

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Mercedes-Benz SL and to celebrate the occasion, Mercedes has completely restored the oldest surviving example to its original condition. The restored car's unveiling coincides with the introduction of latest versions of the SL for 2013: The SL 500 and the SL 350.       The original SL By 1951, Mercedes-Benz had resumed post-war production for five years and was keen to get back into the racing circuit that had done so much for the company's public image before the war. On 12 March 1952, on the autobahn between Stuttgart and Heilbronn, Mercedes-Benz introduced its sports car prototype to the press: The 300 SL. With a 94.5-inch (240 cm) wheelbase and an overall length of 166-inches (423 cm), the 300 SL was designed to weigh as little as possible. "SL" stands for "Super Lightweight" and to achieve this, Mercedes built the car around a tubular steel frame that looked less like a car chassis t