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Bosch builds an infotainment system that just might not suck

As far as we've come with in-car infotainment and interfaces over the past decade or so, we still have a long way to go — as most current systems show. Whether it's high-end brands like Mercedes-Benz with its kludgy COMAND system, which we hope will be replaced with the MBUX platform revealed at CES, or more mainstream vehicles like Hondas (with their frustrating, knobless Display Audio interface), getting the kind of content and ease of use in the car that we're used to having on other connected devices is far too complex and sometimes costly. While Apple and Google have tried to ride to the rescue with CarPlay and Android Auto, respectively, they're limited solutions. No automaker or tech supplier has been able to deliver an easy, economical, flexible and non-distracting infotainment solution. But Bosch could be closing in on this elusive goal, given the digital cockpit concept demo I recently received at CES. Displayed in a Cadillac Escalade, the concept featured five interconnected color screens: one in the instrument cluster, two in the center console, and two more in the front-seat headrest for second-row passengers. The digital cockpit concept demo had cool features such as haptic-feedback touch-screen controls that created an edge-like feeling similar to a physical button, facial recognition to confirm driver credentials, and the intelligence to know the location of a phone in the car to lock it out to keep the driver from texting. The most significant aspect of the Bosch digital cockpit concept wasn't visible — but shows the company's vision for a future of seamless, convenient, cost-effective and safe in-car infotainment. It's powered by a single electronic control unit (ECU) that can simultaneously run multiple operating systems and also separates vehicle and infotainment controls for critical safety and cybersecurity reasons. Most modern cars can have as many as 100 separate ECUs, Philip Ventimiglia, product manager for Bosch Car Multimedia North America, explained at CES, and several just for infotainment functions. "The goal is to reduce that to about 10 so that we can save cost throughout the vehicle and enable new technologies," he added. "OEMs want to put more technology into cars, but it costs money," Ventimiglia said.

The 2018 Lexus LC starts under $100k, but stay away from the options list

The scintillating and characterful 2018 Lexus LC coupe now has a price tag. The flagship Lexus two-door starts at $92,975 for the V8 LC 500 model with a 10-speed automatic. The hybrid V6 LC 500h will start a bit higher at $97,485. So for under $100,000, you can have one of the best-looking Lexus coupes of all time. However, that gets dangerously close to, and even exceeds, the six-figure range when adding options. Choosing the Touring Package will add $4,000 to an LC 500 and $2,400 to an LC 500h, keeping both models under a hundred grand. The Sport Package with Glass Roof will push the hybrid over the six-figure mark with a cost of $2,750. Both packages add blind spot monitoring, parking assist, heated and cooled seats, and a glass roof. The Sport Package provides Alcantara seats and a limited slip differential, while the Touring Package includes leather seats and a Mark Levinson sound system. Opt for a Sport Package with a Carbon Fiber Roof, and the price jumps significantly. It adds $7,000 to the V8 model for a price of $99,975, and $5,400 to the hybrid for a total of $102,885. For big spenders, there's the Performance Package. The big draws here are the rear steering, active rear spoiler, and variable steering ratio system. It adds $10,000 to the LC 500, and $8,790 to the LC 500h for totals of $102,975 and $106,275 respectively. Related Video:

Lexus LF-LC Concept goes blue, remains happy

Until the day when we can see a production version of the Lexus LF-LC Concept, we'll just make do with seeing the sleek two-door in different colors for now. After first showing us the car in a Candy Apple Red color at the Detroit Auto Show, Lexus has brought its LF-LC Blue (in a deep ocean blue) from Down Under to LA.
Aside from the new color, there's nothing new for us to see here. That means we were still ogling over its flowing body lines, impressed by its 500-horsepower hybrid drive system and looking forward to possibly seeing the car go into production.