Ford is taking a clever approach to virtually revealing the new 2013 Fusion sedan before its official debut at the upcoming 2012 Detroit Auto Show. Using an app, now available on Android and iOS systems for smartphones and tablets, is an augmented reality game app where users can virtually drive the new Fusion through a series of worlds that unlock to reveal the car.

Each track is loaded with video clips featuring insight on technology and design from key Fusion team members. A daily video clip will unlock more content to the app every day with demonstrations of key vehicle features on the new 2013 Fusion.

When the vehicle finally debuts at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, users will be able to unlock access to the full image of the car. At that point, they will also be able to drive any of the four Fusions on the virtual track in addition to creating a custom image of the car to share via Facebook or Twitter.

The all-new Ford Fusion will also be the Official Car of the 2012 CES show.

Check out an app walkthrough video after the break.

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A few weeks ago, we told you about the mystery surrounding the missing license plate on Steve Jobs’ silver Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG. Was it a payoff to the cops? Did he have a permit to drive plateless? It turns out he just wanted to be “different.”

iTWire had the chance to talk with Jon Callas, the CTO of Entrust, who had worked at Apple in various senior security roles. And according to Callas, Jobs had found a loophole in California vehicle laws that allowed him to legally and permanently drive without a licence plate.

Taking the Apple motto of “Think Differently” to the roads, Jobs learned that a new car can drive without a licence plate for a maximum of six months. Jobs made a deal with the leasing company: he would swap his old car for a new one during the sixth month of the lease. Jobs always got identical silver Mercedes SL55 AMGs, so one would have to have a very keen eye to be able to spot the differences. This meant that Jobs never owned a particular SL55 AMG for longer than six months, therefore he never had to put a licence plate on it.

[Source: iTWire]

Fiat is the latest automaker to launch a new Apple application, and the Italian automaker has based the app on the 2012 500. The free app offers an in-depth look at the 500 including a historical design timeline of the iconic Fiat 500.

App users can view galleries of four emerging artists, including a graffiti artist, a 17-year old professional photographer, a painter/ sculptor, and an illustrator. The app also includes a Fiat 500 vehicle catalog, with detailed 360-degree images, videos and product information as well as wallpaper and sketch downloads.

[Source: Car Tech Blog]

Porsche has released a unique application called the Porsche 360° app for the iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. This app allows for an up-close driving experience without actually sitting inside one of the sports cars.

The app allows users to ride shotgun, alongside Porsche driver Jeroen Bleekemolen for a lap around the Zandvoort circuit. While in the simulator, the user can choose any viewing angle by moving the Apple product into the according direction.

This app is currently only available in The Netherlands, but is also in the App store in co-operation with Porsche AG.

Check out the Porsche 360° video after the jump!

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Apple has officially rejected any inclusion of DUI checkpoints in its iOS apps. In this week’s Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple updated its app store to prohibit applications informing users of DUI checkpoints.

This recent update was a result of a group of U.S Senators sending numerous letters of concern to Apple, Google, and RIM, asking the smartphone companies to remove and disable all apps that would inform users of DUI checkpoints.

Section 22.8 states:

Apps which contain DUI checkpoints that are not published by law enforcement agencies, or encourage and enable drunk driving, will be rejected.

Developers may be able to remove the DUI functionality from their apps, however most of the programs that identify law enforcement activity pertaining to checkpoints and speed traps are crowd-sourced, which means users submit the checkpoints themselves without app developers knowing what they’re identifying.

[Source: Autoblog]

We knew it was just a matter of time once Apple introduced its next-generation of products (most noticeably the iPad 2) that Brabus would be updating their iBusiness package on Mercedes-Benz‘s S-Class luxury sedan. Geared towards becoming the world’s fastest mobile office, Brabus stepped up their game some more on their Brabus 800 iBusiness 2.0 demo car, pushing out 800-hp and 1,047 ft-lbs of torque, giving it a top speed of 219-mph.

The heart of the iBusiness 2.0 is essentially in the excess use of Apple technology throughout the cabin. A Mac Mini is installed in a leather-lined tray in the trunk, connected to a 15.2-inch TFT display that is revealed from the alcantara headliner. The display is also hooked up to be an auxiliary display to the two iPad 2s that can be found on the adjustable custom tables found behind each front seat. Along with each tablet is an Apple bluetooth keyboard, giving its passengers full control to work on the road.

An Internet connection is always ready on the go also thanks to Brabus outfitting the S-Class with UMTS and HDSPA networking. Brabus has even developed their own app, allowing the iPad 2s in the backseat to control Mercedes’ COMAND system that’s normally taken care of by the front driver and passenger. Oh yeah, a 64GB iPod Touch can be found in the rear center console to adjust what tunes are being blasted through the S-Class or Sennheiser’s Noise Gard headphones.

The iBusiness 2.0 conversion is available for any S-Class model, from the S 350 to the S 65. Obviously the gaudy 800-hp is only available for the twin-turbo V12, but hey, some people might rather get to their destination a little slower with all the gadgets available to them. Angry Birds anyone?

Official press release available after the break.

GALLERY: Brabus iBusiness 2.0 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

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iSupercar Sounds has developed an app for various Apple iOS products featuring sound clips and high resolution wallpapers for various luxury and exotic cars out there. From Ferrari to Lexus, iSupercar Sounds has you covered if listening to supercars is your source of pleasure. Hey, we’re not judging.

Currently there’s a free version of the app up on the store, featuring 30 minutes of ad-supported sound clips. Those that have $0.99 to spend can grab the full version which comes with 30 additional sounds. iSupercar Sounds is also promising weekly updates with additional cars. Not too shabby for under a buck, save yourself a trip to McDonald’s and you can stop using that juvenile fart app. OK who are we kidding, fart sounds are still hilarious.

[Source: DUB Daily]

GALLERY: iSupercar Sounds App

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In luxury mad China, the most coveted brand by consumers is not Rolex or Apple, but BMW. A survey conducted by Clear Asia, a consulting firm based in Hong Kong, polled 2,500 Chinese consumers about their favorite brands, and the Bavarian auto maker came out on top, ahead of the luxury watch giant and the consumer electronics firm.

BMW’s traditional rivals, Mercedes-Benz and Audi, ranked 8th and 12th respectively, with BMW’s strong brand identity credited for helping trump its German counterparts. In worldwide rankings, BMW placed 3rd, behind both Google and Apple. A Clear Asia spokesman told Automotive News that the brand is “…as sexy and confident, exciting and sophisticated”.

[Source: Automotive News]

Not to be outdone by fellow luxury sedan manufacturer BMW, or aftermarket manufacturer, Brabus and their iBusiness, Mercedes-Benz has decided to outfit their line of luxury sedans with an iPad integration conveniently located on the headrests for passenger use.

The headrest-mounted iPad dock is similar to BMW’s offering and will allow rear seat passengers to comfortably use and charge their iPads. We’re guessing this is perfect for those busy businessmen traveling on the run, being driven around by their chauffeur to their next meeting. But we have to question, again, how comfortable using an iPad from the headrest of a vehicle really is.

And with the incoming surge of tablets from Apple competitors (powered by Android), are we going to be seeing a new generation of tablet integration in vehicles of the future?

[Source: Engadget]

AC Schnitzer has become the first aftermarket tuning company to utilize the power of phone applications. And while Android is gaining on the iPhone’s popularity, there’s no denying that going with Apple’s brainchild first is the smart thing to do.

AC Schnitzer’s iPhone app is completely free to download and allows you to stay up to date with all of the company’s happenings. You’ll also be able to hear and check out videos of their exhaust systems and view various AC Schnitzer vehicles that are for sale.

And just to have a little more utility than just a giant AC Schnitzer ad, they offer a “Park Service” option which is basically just a GPS-locator to store where you park your car and how to get back to it later.

And with AC Schnitzer now acting as a pioneer, we have to think it won’t be long before other tuners start releasing their own Apps.

[Source: GT Spirit]