Cars of the 2016 CES

Aston Martin showed off a Rapide S sedan with infotainment technology provided by LeTV. The Chinese concern replaced the Aston's dated dashboard setup with a Tesla-like 13.3-inch high-definition touchscreen, while the car's conventional instruments have made way for a 12.2-inch drive information display. The companies have agreed to work together to create better connected cars in the future.

Audi's E-Tron Quattro Concept. Photo: Patrick T. Fallon, Bloomberg

Audi built on the virtual dashboards of production cars such as the TT and Q7 by introducing high-resoltion curved OLED screens that form a better fit with vehicle consoles. The brand also discussed its plans to improve its autonomous vehicle research by tapping into traffic light information, ensuring its cars stop and go at the appropriate time. Audi also promised to look after its customers with a fitness tracking feature that could be on the way for new cars. The Audi Fit Driver project blends a wearable bracelet with clever monitoring of driver behaviour to determine whether occupants are fatigued or stressed. Cars could then respond by adjusting the vehicle's climate control, activating in-seat massage functions or suggesting the driver takes a break. Audi will also allow owners to communicate with their car through AppleTV.

BMW i Vision Future Interaction concept. Photo: John Locher

BMW is set to build on existing gesture control technology already available in the new 7-Series. The manufacturer used a restyled and roofless BMW i8 to show how occupants will soon be able to wave, brush, pinch and flick their way through infotainment systems with a series of elegant motions known as "AirTouch". The brand also examined whether high-definition cameras could replace external rear view mirrors on future products. BMW also used the event to showcase new motorcycle technology such as laser headlights and a new helmet with an integrated heads-up display. The helmet features a virtual rear-view mirror, along with video recording and the display of key information such as traffic dangers and vehicle speed onto a lens behind its visor. The marque says the technology will be ready for the public in a few years.

The new Chevrolet Bolt. Photo: Patrick T. Fallon

Chevrolet unveiled the production-ready version of its new Bolt, an affordable electric car created for the US market. The car has a maximum range of more than 300 kilometres and though its styling has close Australian ties, the Bolt is unlikely to go on sale here.

Hyundai is set to make vehicle maintenance easier through an augmented reality app that helps people understand how their car works. The app, which is set to be available this year, gives additional information to smartphone owners as they point their device at the car - serving as a step-by-step guide to vehicle repair or as a vitual manual.

Faraday Future's first concept. Photo: David Paul Morris

Faraday Future made waves before CES, promising to take on Tesla with a new vision for electric cars. Having secured backing to establish a factory in Nevada, the brand says it will build a series of cars using its own scalable structure. FF showed off its first concept car at CES, the radically styled 750kW FFZero1 that is intended to win attention for the brand, rather than pointing to a viable production car.

Fiat Chrysler is set to join the ranks of carmakers offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The US manufacturer says some cars fitted with its latest Uconnect system will have the feature this year. FCA also showed off a pursuit-pack sedan with an oversized information screen, as well as planning augmented reality, vehicle to vehicle communication and personal organiser solutions for the near future.

Ford's self-driving Fusion. Photo: Supplied

Ford announced that it would triple the size of its fleet of self-driving cars, using newer, more compact technology to autonomously steer 30 hybrid sedans. Ford also launched a competition to allow drones to be controlled inside new cars, putting up prize money for a contest that could see unmanned aerial vehicles extend the reach of emergency services in disaster situations.

McLaren's 675 LT. Photo: Brian J. Nelson

McLaren chose Kenwood as the original audio supplier for its iconic F1 supercar more than two decades before the brands reunited to create a one-off supercar. The McLaren 675LT JVCKenwood features clever cameras in place of rear vision mirrors, as well as an F1-like steering wheel sourced from the McLaren P1 GTR track special.

Mercedes-Benz' new E-Class. Photo: Supplied

Mercedes-Benz won the right to become the first car-maker to test self-driving cars in Nevada without modifying the vehicle's hardware. The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class, due o be revealed at next week's Detroit motor show, is smart enough to drive itself on public roads without require additional sensors and cameras used by many self-driving prototypes.

Microsoft Office 365. Photo: Supplied

Microsoft and Harman modified a BMW to show how business software could be integrated into new cars. Microsoft's Office 365 could allow access to email, spreadsheets, teleconferencing and more inside self-driving cars.

Rinspeed at the CES.

Rinspeed unveiled its take on the car of the future in the form of an autonomous concept car that has its own drone. Based on BMW's hybrid i8 supercar, the eye-catching Rinspeed Etos features a helipad of sorts at the rear, allowing drones to take off and land on the car. A retractable steering wheel folds into the dashboard when the car is in self-driving mode, and twin 21.5-inch displays give occupants a birds-eye view provided by the drone. Eight high-definition cameras mounted on the car give a surround-view for parking, while the drone can snap the ultimate "selfie" from altitude while on the road. Rinspeed says the car's flying friend also has useful applications, and that it "can quickly pick up a bouquet of flowers for the significant other ordered on the way home".

Subaru says a partnership with Magellan SmartGPS will allow future customers to use Apple and Android smartphones to communicate with in-car navigation systems. The company'[s cars will also have access to cloud-based navigation data, helping drivers to stay out of traffic jams and other traffic hazards.

Toyota at the CES. Photo: Gregory Bull

Toyota revealed plans to spend $1.4 billion in artificial intelligence and robotics research to make road travel safer. The manufacturer says it is working to make transport more accessible than before, and to reinvent the way people use cars.

Volkswagen's Budd-e. Photo: Supplied

Volkswagen showcased its electric car future with a cute little van named Budd-e. The concept is based on a new scalable electric architecture expected to form the core of a series of electric cars offered by the brand. The marque hinted at borrowing electric technology from Porsche, which will soon put a Tesla-fighting sedan into production. Volkswagen also revealed plans to introduce gesture control in upcoming versions of its Golf hatchback. Previously restricted to luxury models such as the BMW 7-Series, Volkswagen will soon change the way drivers interact with regular cars, using hand movements to control key elements of its infotainment system. The brand is also working to introduce wireless inductive charging for smartphones, as well as improved personalisation and new apps that link owners with their cars.

Volvo will become the first car company to use a new supercomputer provided by graphics company Nvidia. The hardware is capable of processing more data than existing products, making self-driving cars smarter on the road.