cars

Don't text and drive, but do tech and drive. We got behind the wheel of the new 2014 Lexus IS, which showed us how technology is making cars safer than ever. The biggest takeaway? Blind spots and backing up are no longer a driver's worst enemy.

Radars and intelligent cameras scan the road all around the Lexus IS, giving road warriors an extra set of eyes in hard-to-see areas. The sports sedan, which arrives this Summer, comes with a lot of bells and whistles, including the most comfortable seats we've ever sat in, subscription-free traffic and weather information, and a crazy-looking spindle grill — but it was these advanced safety features that caught our eye:

• Blind Spot Monitor System — Vehicles in adjacent lanes are detected using what's called a "quasi-millimeter wave radar," which sends out electromagnetic wavelengths to see if an approaching car is getting too close for comfort. As we cruised along the highway, an icon in the left and right rearview mirrors lit up every time another vehicle zoomed by. When the turn signal is activated, the mirror indicator will blink to catch the driver's attention.
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert — The same "quasi-millimeter wave radar" technology is used to sense oncoming vehicles when backing out of a parking space. But in addition to seeing the blinking mirror icon, an approaching car will set off an audio alert.
• Lane Departure Alert — Getting behind the wheel when you're tired can be just as dangerous as texting while driving. While the Lexus IS can't wake a driver up if he or she is dozing off, the sedan does have a lane departure alert system, which uses a front-facing camera on the dashboard to recognize where the lane begins and ends. If the vehicle appears to be deviating from the lane, then an icon flashes on the dashboard right in front of the driver and sounds off an alert tone. That same camera can detect oncoming cars at night and dim the high beams if they are already activated.

You know to drive cautiously, but it's nice to know that when our own senses fail, technology will be there to step in. The 2014 Lexus IS, which is considered an "entry-level luxury vehicle," is available in three different models: the IS 250 (starts at $35,950), the IS 350 (starts at around $39,465), and the IS 350 F-Sport RWD (around $50,000). Let us know if you'll be behind the wheel of the new Lexus IS this Summer, and check out the sporty, all-seeing sedan after the break.

I'm all for the idea of more electric cars on the road, and the upcoming Volkswagen EV Golf Blue-E-Motion could be the sporty car city dwellers dream of. The size of the VW Golf is one that allows for easy parking in small spaces, but the interior is roomy enough to comfortably fit four for longer road trips. The new ride is scheduled to hit stateside in "late 2013," and while we can likely look forward to a higher price tag, with the cost savings on gas and diesel, the Blue-E-Motion might be worth the investment. Start pinching your pennies now.

Tesla announced the latest edition to its eco-friendly car lineup, the Model X, earlier this week. Staying true to its roots, the Model X will be sleek, powerful, and of course, easy on the planet, thanks to its all-electric motor. But more than just a pretty face, the Model X comes with some features you may not want to pass up. Check them out below and stay tuned for the Model X to hit the streets in 2014.

1. All electric motor — Of course, the most attractive thing about the Model X is its ability to go 200 to 270 miles on a charge from its electric motor, omit zero emissions, and go from zero to 60 in just 4.4 seconds. It's an eco lover's dream!
2. It's big enough for the family — Seating seven adults, the Model X is perfect for a growing family or car-share commuters. Three rows make for an easy ride!
3. Falcon Wings — You heard me right. Falcon Wings. Instead of sliding open like a minivan or swinging out like an SUV, the back doors on the Model X open up and out of the way to allow for more space to get in and out of the vehicle and to squeeze into narrow parking spaces. Easily one of the coolest things I've seen on a car.
4. The dashboard — The front panel of the Model X comes with a massive touch screen display to provide GPS and battery information, entertainment, and lots more.

Why on earth would you have a reason to hate a car that looks like this? Find out after the break.

Though I'm more of a gas-friendly, small-car kind of gal, I wouldn't mind taking a ride in this Executive Interior Concept Bentley that features sweet, sweet gadgets throughout. Not only is the entertainment and audio system powered by a Mac Mini from the trunk, but the rear seats are probably the best in the house. Coming with seatback video screens, a center 15-inch monitor, two iPads, a mechanical fold-out tray to accommodate a laptop, space for your Apple trackpad, and a center console that houses hookups for your iPhone and iPod, a keyboard, a refrigerated compartment, and controls for your audio and video system, and WiFi, it's pretty much the ultimate mobile workstation.

There's no price on this customized upgrade, but naturally, it's probably too expensive for 99 percent of the population.