With all the buzz surrounding electric cars, it goes without saying there are a few concerns from customers. The biggest of concerns — range anxiety — could be lessened if people could easily find a place to plug in. → Read More
Today, Mini announced that a new streaming audio app from MOG has been approved to make its way to their Mini Connected system. Mini Connected is an in-car entertainment system that is fully integrated with the iPhone. A Mini Connected app is run on iOS outputting metadata to the center screen where the data is rebuilt on Mini’s interface. → Read More
To those awaiting the most promising electric vehicles to ever enter the market (Tesla Model S), the company has given some more insight as to the Model S rollout. Today, on Tesla’s blog, George Blankenship, Vice President, Worldwide Sales & Ownership Experience, gave an update to the progress of the EV startup company. → Read More
This week at the Geneva Auto Show, Harman and Mercedes finally released their long-awaited upgradeable in-dash setup. The Becker Map Pilot connects to Mercedes Benz’s existing IP stack providing a way for users to update the system. Currently, only Ford allows users to update to their IP as new software comes out. → Read More
Looks like Saab is coming back; and now they are joining the rest of the automakers in bringing in-car infotainment to the driver’s cockpit. Saab’s infotainment system, dubbed IQon, will run on Google’s Android — one of the first carmakers to do so. → Read More
The recently delayed Formula One season now begins at the end of the month, but the sport’s big boss-man, Bernie Ecclestone, the subject of a controversial new biography, has just the idea to take everything to the next level: artificial rain. Bernie Ecclestone: now officially a comic book super-villain. Good for him. → Read More
First impression? The 2011 Infiniti QX56 is a monster. Like really big. I grew up in a world of Tahoes and Suburbans, but this Infiniti QX56 feels the size of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle — with a fancy plush interior of course. I’m not entirely sure why the civilized world needs such a large vehicle just to move snotty kids around town but I like it. In fact, out of all the vehicles we’ve drove lately — including the $101k Range Rover Supercharged and Audi A8 — this one is the most comfortable. The QX56 is all about techy creature comforts. The driver’s seat is like a leather-wrapped command center. With the sheer amount of buttons around, it’s hard not to get overwhelmed. But once you start driving. Oh man, the optional hydraulically-controlled suspension takes over and it’s as if you’re piloting a 6,000lb pound fluffy brown cloud. → Read More
If a car company ever wanted to make an efficient plug-in hybrid, they would combine a diesel engine with an electric powertrain. No one has done this yet — possibly for noise and vibration issues — but Volvo thinks it won’t be a problem when they release a plug-in diesel hybrid of their V60 wagon. → Read More
Looks like we were right about production beginning in March. The long awaited Fisker Karma was put to the test this week by a few automotive publications and they had a few good things to say about it. → Read More
http://player.ooyala.com/player.swf?embedCode=FjdnMxMjqEA1SwiCHgTzNALNRTCL-iFI&version=2 #cgear { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; } #cgear td, #cgear th { font-size:1.0em; border-bottom:1px solid #cdcdcd; padding:3px 2px 2px 3px; } #cgear th { font-size:1.1em; text-align:left; padding-top:5px; padding-bottom:4px; background: #95bad6 url(‘http://tctechcrunch2011.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/cg-auto-table.jpg’) repeat-x; color:#fff; } #cgear tr.alt td { color:#000; background-color: #e9e9e9; } Last week, we got a Scion xB to drive. Our initial impression was that it looked “tastefully tuner” and was very spacious inside. A quick glance over its tech and we quickly realized that Scion probably added the gear as an afterthought. A lot of the gear doesn’t work together; instead they’re all separate, like what you would get from installing different aftermarket parts. Scion says that’s the whole image it brings the younger generation, but we think it could be done better. There’s a lot to like about the xB. Slamming the door barks a thud indicative of a solid build. As much as you’d want to think it’s a cheap piece-of-junk, it really isn’t. At no point did the quality feel super-budget. Which is a good thing, because this car isn’t super-budget. → Read More
The Scion xB is a car for young people, so it better have the tech to match. Electronics in a car can be a beautiful thing – when done right. We got a fully equipped Scion xB for the week and checked the gear. The xB is one of those boxy-looking cars that can be customized with a slew of accessories from the factory. From a $449 XM radio receiver to a $290 illuminated doorsill, the xB’s À la carte menu can add what ever your young-at-heart heart desires. → Read More
A new technology called AcoustiVision hopes to put some Boom Boom Pow into your rear window. All car subwoofers rattle the entire car — rear window included — but Magna says their technology can use the rear window to make sound. AcoustiVision uses two exciters at the base of the window with power fed from amps in the trunk, which are said to boost a stereo signal from 12 to 200 volts. After the system is connected, the two exciters use the glass as a membrane to vibrate the window, moving air to create sound. → Read More
A Scion xB just found our driveway. I know what you’re thinking: it’s a boy-racer box-car. Well, you’d be right, but from first impression it’s actually pretty fun to drive. There isn’t much digitalism going on in the cabin — other than some LCD gauges, Bluetooth calling, touchscreen Alpine radio with XM, and selectable ambient lighting. But everything it offers seems to work well together, making things less inconvenient. → Read More
The Nissan Leaf is a pretty neat car. It has no gas tank or combustion engine. Instead, it’s powered by lithium-ion batteries and an 80kW electric motor. It lasts up to 100 miles on one charge. Unfortunately, the the Leaf isn’t sporty or fun to drive. The only thrill you get is from driving one of the first EVs on the road. Nissan, however, is capable of making some pretty good sports cars: the GT-R and 370Z. Nissan has recently previewed their new ESFLOW concept electric sports car planned for the Geneva Auto Show. Nissan wants to prove to the world — and Tesla — they can make EVs not only eco-conscious, but also fun. → Read More
Some of the most complex things man has ever built are pieces of software. With little capital — only a laptop, some coffee and a few hours — programmers can build some pretty amazing tools. Now translate that over to manufacturing. By using limited resources wisely and lean processes, many underground companies have sprung up in the automotive world, hoping to become the next big thing — like Tesla, only much smaller. → Read More
We first heard about the Bloodhound rocket-powered “car” back in 2008 — I never really thought it’d see the light of day, but it turns out this thing may actually get built after all. Not that I’m going to get excited about what amounts to a low-altitude jet (cool as it is). As Matt said back in ’08, wake me up when the wheels are moving the car, not vice versa. Lots more info over at the beeb. → Read More
There isn’t anything quite like Super Bowl commercials. For many of you, it’s the best part of the game. So we thought we’d show you ahead of time some of our favorites that have already come out.
Just so you know, this year is being considered The Year of the Autos, with many of the companies getting back into profits and all. The big automakers have purchased about one-third of all air time. Maybe it’s because all these commercials are longer than 30 sec. → Read More
Bad news for people who think they’re great drivers because they play games like Gran Turismo 5: you’re not. New research suggests that while playing games may improve reaction time, it also seems to help churn out aggressive drivers. It’s easy to be an aggressive driver in Gran Turismo where damage is minimal (if existent at all), but not when you’re driving down I-95. → Read More
There’s a lot of buzz out there surrounding EVs; why shouldn’t there be? So far, the mass marketed EVs: the Volt and the Leaf, with the Focus Electric and Tesla Model S on the way, are pretty exciting. The offerings seem to be pretty solid, but as of right now, the cars aren’t selling in huge numbers. Adding to the gloomy forecast, a panel of experts thinks EVs are over-hyped and Obama’s plan to sell 1 million EVs by 2015 might be impossible. → Read More
There’s another electric van on the market, though a much bigger one. It’s called the eStar EV and it’s made by Navistar, the same company that makes those huge International trucks. The van hits that industry standard 100 mile range, but it can do it while carrying 4,000 lbs. → Read More
