Kia just announced a similar system called Uvo

Every carmaker has seen Ford's success in promoting its Sync technology, and they want a piece of that pie - as do many suppliers. Sync is built on top of a Microsoft-developed software platform and after a couple of years of Ford exclusivity, Kia just announced a similar system called Uvo. At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, Continental announced its own competing platform for in-car connectivity called Autolinq.

While Microsoft's in-car operating system is completely proprietary, Continental's system is based on the Google's open-source Android OS. Android's popularity is on the rise thanks to cell phones like the new Nexus One and the Motorola Droid. Continental hopes to leverage that community of software developers to create applications that can be downloaded directly to the car. This roughly mirrors Ford's recent announcement that developers will be able to create apps for Sync.

Continental plans to release a software development kit for Autolinq by the end of March, and have applications to demonstrate in the second half of this year. So far, there's no word on any automakers adopting Autolinq for their vehicles.

Hands on with MyFord Touch and SYNC App Ecosystem

Hands on with MyFord Touch and SYNC App Ecosystem – Click above for high-res image gallery

You've read the PR, seen the press shots and probably snickered a little at the quote from Ford's Derrick Kuzak indicating that his company's latest tech "will cause people to fall in love with their vehicles again." After getting a chance to play with a few entrants into the company's so-called SYNC App Ecosystem, and getting behind the wheel of a MyFord Touch-equipped mockup vehicle, we're not laughing – but we are smiling. It's impressive tech, so follow the jump to see some videos and check our impressions.

Ford Sync App Ecosystem and MyFord

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the 'Juke' is designed to offer customers a funky alternative to the traditional small hatchback

Nissan has named the latest addition to its line up of quirky crossovers, as well as releasing the gloomy teaser shot you see here. Inspired by the Qazana concept shown in Geneva last year, and following in the footsteps of the hugely successful Qashqai, the 'Juke' is designed to offer customers a funky alternative to the traditional small hatchback.

From this dimly-lit photo it's clear that the concept car's swollen wheels arches have been carried over, along with the narrow, elongated headlights and oversize fog lights underneath. It appears the 370Z-inspired rear boomerang lights will also make production, while the windscreen and roofline have taken on a more angular profile.

Slotting in between the Note and Qashqai, the Juke will expand Nissan's broad range even further. And when it goes on sale in October, it should provide a welcome boost for the UK car industry too - it will be built alongside the Qashqai and Qashqai+2 at Nissan's Sunderland plant.

Full details on the newcomer will be realeaed at the global media unveiling on February 10th, but it's public debut won't be until the Geneva Motor Show in March.

the V10 is bespoke to the LF-A and won’t be used in any other car

In these very last days of 2009, some Japanese magazines are spreading the rumor that Lexus is working on a very hot version of the GS luxury saloon, allegedly called GS-F, which will get the firm’s V10 engine used in the LF-A supercar, to rival BMW M5. Now apparently Lexus has responded to this by tweeting! They say that the V10 is bespoke to the LF-A and won’t be used in any other car. They didn’t comment on the existence of GS-F though.

So as it’s usually the case, there must be a GS-F in the works but it certainly won’t be getting the V10. This makes more sense actually, because as we’ve reported earlier, BMW will replace theV10 engine of the M5 with a twin-turbo V8 in the upcoming model. Mercedes too has plans to drop the big and thirsty V8s in favor of more efficient turbo engines, so even if Lexus is to rival the M5 or E63, they would come up with something in the same league.

And as a side note, the GS’s face is too dull for a weapons-grade V10 such as LF-A’s 4.8 liter! It looks good as a hybrid, but as a performance saloon?! The M5 will eat it for breakfast!

Lexus of Europe says LFA V10 is bespoke, not headed for GS F

Another country heard from – this time, a mole in Lexus of Europe has announced via the corporate Twitter account that the LFA's V10 will definitely not be going into the GS F. The supercar's 10-pot wonder is "bespoke to LFA," which is ur-English for something custom made, but in this case we'll take to mean "None of you can have this engine if you don't drive an LFA."

You'll note that the 106-character tweet deftly avoids confirming the existence of any sort of GS F in the first place – a car that has existed solely as a fairytale for nigh on three years – with the deflection, "not going to comment on those." But at least now if the GS F does come, we know what it won't have. But hey, they didn't rule out a derivative, right? Hat tip to Stan!

What Racing Dynamics is going to do is quite amazing

Racing Dynamics is one of the coolest BMW tuners, not only because of their huge obsession with horsepower, but also because of the amazing bodykits which are like their signature. They are currently working on some packages for the all-new BMW 5-series, and based on the emerged details, they are good! as always.

What Racing Dynamics is going to do is quite amazing! They are going to release a powerful version of the 550i so you don’t have to wait for the actual M5 to arrive. The 407hp turbocharged V8 of the 550i will undergo a surgery to give 620 hp! That’s more than the 2011 M5, for sure! Other modifications to this car include a new rear-locking differential, sport suspension and high performance braking system.

They also have a package for the 535i six-cylinder model in which the power is upped from the standard 306hp to 410hp. This car too will get new exhausts, suspension and brakes and will be a serous performer. It’s all very good, but we can’t wait to see what they have in mind for the body! We just hope that the 5er get RD’s superb front bumper!

the Subaru WRX STI is a common target for zealous mods

Digimods Subaru Impreza - Click above to enlarge

In the real world of asphalt and hydrocarbons (yes, that's possibly redundant), the Subaru WRX STI is a common target for zealous mods. While much tuning can go on under the stock skin, which isn't exactly subtle on a Rex, it's de rigeur to go at the exterior with pieces of thermoplastic and visions of reshaping dancing in your head.

If you're not deft enough to translate inspiration to metal, or you don't have a WRX, or you just want to avoid getting gunk under your fingernails and cutting your hands all up while trimming out big pieces of sheetmetal, you can do it with bits and bytes instead. Of course, a digital mockup is a good way to test out ideas before taking the nipper to the roof, too.

Pete from Digimods has decided that the WRX could really use a rear-mounted engine, plenty more scoops, and a giant roof duct to supply air to the engine, and drown it if it gets taken out in the rainy season. It's a very nicely done rendering. Some will love, some will hate, all will likely have something to say. Have at it, kids!