Tomorrow's world: the touchscreen steering wheel

You might think the steering wheel has done a pretty good job of directing cars for the past century. But now a team of researchers from the University of Stuttgart is attempting to reinvent the wheel. The scientists have come up with a touchscreen steering wheel, which they reckon could replace the humble wheel with stereo and cruise controls.

BMW to show production hybrid X6, 7-series at Frankfurt motor show

A pair of fire-breathing hybrids from BMW based on the X6 and the 7-series will be revealed in production guise at the Frankfurt motor show in September. The ActiveHybrid X6 arrives in the United States late this year, followed by the ActiveHybrid 7 in the spring of 2010. Both hybrids combine electric motors with powerful twin-turbo V8 engines to boost output, performance and fuel economy, while retaining the looks of the popular conventional versions.

New Saab 9-5. Old Saab 9-5. China bound!

BAIC are planning to produce the old Saab 9-5 in China It would seem that there is a use for it – not just scrap value. BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation), which recently acquired a small stake in Saab and where there are high hopes of some good Saab sales in China, wants to buy up the old 9-5 tooling. And move it lock, stock and barrel to Beijing.