By Justin Couture, Sympatico/MSN Autos

Much like the styling of a vehicle, there’s more to interior design than what meets the eyes (and the fingertips). Where exterior stylists must be concerned with aerodynamics and production feasibility, interior designers must take into things like fit and finish, the quality of the materials and of course, good ergonomics. For that to occur, an understanding of how cars and people interact is a must.
 
In its ongoing attempts to make its vehicles more user friendly to people of all walks of life, Nissan’s Interaction Design Team came up with some rather curious solutions to make its interiors more livable.

Nissan’s team has surveyed countless hours of footage, watching people make their way around their vehicles’ interiors. As cars become more complicated – with features like navigation systems, and an increased number of buttons and switches – this information has been invaluable for developing a new interior layout for future Nissans.

By Justin Couture, Sympatico/MSN Autos

Power or fuel economy? It's a question that you might've debated when making a vehicle purchase. Power enables safe passing, the ability to tow and haul more, and of course, it can make driving a lot more fun. But then again, it is hard not to ignore concerns over the use and cost of fuel.

Swiss tuner Rinspeed might have a potential solution, which it is showcasing in its E2 Concept Car, set to debut next week in Geneva.

Based off the cute 'n cuddly Fiat 500 esseesse - the fastest version of the 500 - it boasts a 160-horsepower turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine. Rinspeed added its newly developed engine management system (which controls the fuel injection system, the turbo's boost and more) that allows the driver to select between two different modes - "Commuting" and "Highway".

By Justin Couture, Sympatico/MSN Autos

Over the past few months, most of the new vehicle and concept launches on the auto show circuit were geared towards a greener, cleaner future. However, the debuts at year's Geneva Motor Show will be bucking that trend. Aston Martin’s stunning new DBS Volante is a perfect example of this.
 
Expanding Aston Martin's range to six different models (seven, if you count the Rapide, eight if you count the One-77 supercar, and nine if you count the new V12 Vantage as a separate model) the DBS Volante is the drop top variant on the brand's (current) halo product. As with all other Volantes, the DBS features a cloth roof, though this one boasts a Thinsulate lining and the ability to retract and raise in 14 seconds at speeds of up to 48 km/h.

By Justin Couture, Sympatico/MSN Autos

The second-generation TT marked a turning point for Audi’s sports coupe and roadster. Though it doesn’t have the same groundbreaking visuals as it did when it was launched, it has evolved into a credible sports car. While elements are still shared with the A3 and the VW Golf, the TT features a unique hybrid steel-aluminum chassis for improved weight distribution (and better handling), plus unique optional extras like magnetic dampers that allow for a comfortable ride without sacrificing body control.

Further evidence of Audi’s seriousness over sportiness came with the launch of the turbocharged 265-hp TTS, the most driver-oriented TT to date. While this has made it a more formidable rival to entry and mid-level sports cars and roadsters, it still lacks the firepower to chase down rivals in the 300 horsepower neighborhood. That is, until now.

By Justin Couture, Sympatico/MSN Autos

It isn't every day that Rolls-Royce unveils a concept car; when it does, it means that something new and important is on the way. Having already revealed teaser sketches of a smaller sedan last year code-named “RR4”, the ultra-premium brand will be showing off the near-production 200EX Concept in Geneva.

Since its takeover by BMW, the Rolls-Royce portfolio has consisted of what is essentially one car offered in three different styles, the Phantom sedan, the Phantom Coupe and Phantom Drophead Coupe (convertible). Fitting into the Rolls-Royce range below the Phantom line, the production version of the 200EX Concept will bring new blood into the Rolls family.

By Justin Couture, Sympatico/MSN Autos

Here are the first photos of BMW's latest concept car, the 5 Series Gran Turismo, which debuted this morning for international media via an online webcast. Conceptually, it was designed to blur the boundaries between existing vehicle types – it’s for the consumer that wants a vehicle in between a sport-utility vehicle and a sports sedan; the practicality of the former with the styling and dynamic abilities of the latter.

While its definition might sound like a straight-up crossover, BMW insists it isn't one. The GT Concept is a niche vehicle that’s more car biased. As such, BMW is calling it a Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS).

By Michael Bettencourt, Sympatico/MSN Autos

Nissan designer Randy Rodriguez will always love his first car, a 1980 Datsun 280Z, no matter how much faster, smoother or more reliable his current Nissan 350Z descendant of it is, or any of the other 10 Nissans he bought after that first Z.

Yet the fact the Surrey, B.C., native's sketches were chosen as the basis for development for the all-new 2009 370Z means that this latest one is the fulfillment of a dream come true: his passion for the Z, reflected in the latest Z's own lines.

By Michael Bettencourt, Sympatico/MSN Autos