2007 Frankfurt auto show: Day two roundup

Mercedes' F700 is being used to demonstrate prototype cabin technology at Frankfurt
(Credit: CNET Networks)

The new models and concept cars just keep on coming at the 2007 Frankfurt auto show. One notable trend at this year's event is the willingness of luxury German automakers to finally embrace hybrid technology, with Audi, BMW, Porsche, and Mercedes all either announcing production hybrids or showing off advanced hybrid concepts. Meanwhile, the 2009 Jaguar XF shows that concept technology can make it off the auto show floor, as the latest Big Cat retains its futuristic shifter for production. On the subject of cabin gadgetry, automotive equipment manufacturer Siemens VDO showed off its next-generation in-car touch screen technology, among other things, while Mercedes used its F700 research vehicle to demonstrate a prototype of a new version of its COMAND interface. All this plus a badass million-dollar Lamborghini, a look at the clean diesel-hybrid vehicles of the future, and tons more from the show can be found over on our new Car Tech blog, right here. [...]

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Kevin Massy. CRAVE

Audi A4 photos show bling LEDs

• Audi has released photos and some spec info on its new A4, which will officially debut at the 2008 Frankfurt auto show in September.
• Most notable to tech enthusiasts may be the optional xenon headlights that include 14 LED lights. These are "daytime driving lights," aka LED bling, for your car. Audi refers to them as "wings." I think they look more like eyelashes. You can see what they look liked turned on below.
• As for the goodies for the driver who's into automation, the new A4 will include lane departure warning, blind spot detection and adaptive cruise control.
• The A4 also has a an electro-mechanical parking/emergency brake button in lieu of a parking brake lever. With more room in that area, Audi offers an armrest with two 12-Volt power sockets beneath it as an extra. A new radio-operated key can store car settings, lock and unlock the car, and start the ignition with a button push.

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