Kia Optima Sportswagon

The all-new Kia Optima Sportswagon, Kia's first ever D-segment tourer, will make its global premiere at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show (86th Salon International de l'Automobile) on 1 March. The car is inspired by the 2015 SPORTSPACE concept which was shown for the first time at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. The Optima Sportswagon offers the striking exterior design and high quality interior of the 2016 Optima sedan, with the added practicality and appeal of a tourer bodystyle. According to Michael Cole, Chief Operating Officer, Kia Motors Europe:

"The Optima has come to define Kia globally, and is credited with kick-starting the brand's design-led transformation. The SPORTSPACE concept from 2015 was a clear intention of where we wanted to take the Optima next, and the Sportswagon adds an extra level of style and practicality to the well-received sedan."

It should be noted that in Europe, two thirds of all sales are in the D-segment, and three quarters of all fleet sales in this class, are made up of tourers The car will be available with a choice of efficient and responsive gasoline and diesel powertrains, including a high-powered GT model.

The Optima Sportswagon is due to go on sale across Europe in Q4 2016.

BMW's hands-free driving technology - BMW AirTouch

BMW recently unveiled their i Vision Future Interaction Concept Car at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. They showcased some of the future teach that we hope to see sometime in the near future.

The Vision Car is based on the BMW i8, and it includes a first in hands-free driving technology which they call the BMW AirTouch. It allows you to control the entire in-car display with a range of intuitive commands that use your whole hand, without having to touch the screen itself. Sensors record the hand movements in the area between the central console and the interior mirror, enabling the driver or passengers to change the content displayed on the large panorama display. Simple confirmation selects the relevant menu item or activates an icon.

 AirTouch has another option to confirm actions - a concealed AirTouch button on the rim of the steering wheel. Within easy reach of the driver's left thumb, it lights up when a menu or icon can be activated. One tap is sufficient to activate the desired program or change a setting. A similar button is positioned in the side sill door area for passenger use, enabling them to use one hand to navigate through the menu, and the other hand to confirm inputs.

The intelligent AirTouch menu control system reduces the number of steps needed to make a selection. For example, when activating the phone pad, the system automatically brings up contacts or call lists to the top select level, so that a call can be made with just one further action. AirTouch recognises which selection and control steps are required next and displays them in advance. This allows the driver to concentrate on the road ahead, and offers additional convenient control options when the vehicle is travelling in highly automated mode.