November 5, 2009
Earlier today, Ford announced its introduction of the auto industry's first-ever inflatable seat belts for production vehicles. The belts will be used to protect rear-seat occupants, and represent a combination of airbag and seat-belt technology.
November 3, 2009
For several years Chrysler has been the only automaker offering satellite TV as an add-on option for its rear-seat entertainment systems, and now it will be the only automaker offering broadcast TV as well. The service will be provided by FLO TV, which was developed by Qualcomm, and offers around 20 channels, including CBS, NBC, Fox News, MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon.
Audiovox will supply the hardware for the Chrysler system, which will be available for through the company's Mopar parts division as a dealer-installed option. Audiovox introduced the product at the Consumer Electronics Show last January and recently announced that it will soon launch it nationwide through the Audiovox brand Advent's "expeditor" network, which works with car dealerships -- not just Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealers. Possibly at a price that could undercut Chrysler.
October 27, 2009
Autonet Mobile and General Motors last week announced a deal to bring on-the-road Internet to the rest of the domestic automaker's brands: Chevrolet, Buick and GMC. The pair previously made the service available on Cadillac vehicles last spring.
Positioned as a tool for business people on the go who need to stay connected, the service also makes a great backseat babysitter for the connected-tech generation. If rear-seat entertainment system with a built-in DVD player kept kids quiet a decade ago, as teens they probably now prefer texting friends on their iPhones.
October 23, 2009
Technology's a great thing, though I'll admit I'm not exactly an "early adopter" as I prefer to wait until bugs are worked out and prices come down. For example, I finally bought a flat screen (LCD) TV this year, and am happy to say it works great and cost about half of what it would've been two or three years ago.
As far as tech features in cars, there are many that are useful and more than justify their existence (e.g. Bluetooth, navigation, park assist). Some however, seem to be technology for technology's sake. Or just plain gimmicky. Follow the jump for my top 3 (in no special order) of these geekoid embarrassments.
October 20, 2009
In a move that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, Ford has partnered with electronics retail giant Best Buy to help car owners connect their mobile phones with the automaker's Sync system.
Best Buy will be offering the service through its Best Buy Mobile division, which sells mobile phones and wireless plans, as well as through the retailer's Geek Squad, which also offers car electronics installation -- and sells competing aftermarket products.
October 19, 2009
As Volvo's first dedicated crossover, the 2010 XC60 has helped the Swedish automaker move further away from its dowdy and outdated image of building only safe and sturdy but bland and boxy vehicles. With the XC60, Volvo has created a sexy and sporty crossover while bolstering the company's reputation for innovative safety technology and also offering the kind of cool gadgets that appeal to geeks as well as regular folks.
The T6 AWD version that we tested (sticker $44,240) had all the bells and whistles: premium audio, navigation, Bluetooth and safety and convenience features galore. But we found that the vehicle's tech experience can be very hit or miss.
October 13, 2009
Remotely start your car to get it nice and toasty in the winter or chill it in the heat of summer? There's an app for that.
Directed Electronics releases its free Viper SmartStart iPhone app today, which works with stand-alone Viper remote starter systems or can be added to most existing Viper alarm systems with remote start. It works with the iPhone or with an iPod touch via WiFi, allowing owners to crank the engine, lock and unlock the doors, pop the trunk or cause the horn or a siren to sound with the panic button.
Viper claims that unlike keychain remote start systems, the iPhone app has "unlimited range" as long as the SmartStart and iPhone have a signal. The system will be sold exclusively at Best Buy stores.
Hit the jump to check out a video demo.
October 6, 2009
Any car lover who also cares about music knows that luxury automakers have significantly stepped up their audio offerings in the past few years. The result has been an unprecedented number of high-end automaker/audio-brand hook-ups.
Our inquisitive and competitive natures got us wondering which of these systems is best. So we rounded up six luxury cars with marquee-brand systems and listened to them over the course of several days. The feature High-End Stock Stereo Sound-Off highlights each system's strength and weakness and which ones we liked best.
Our reference for judging these systems? Decades of collective experience evaluating audio system and components for esteemed (and now mostly extinct) enthusiast publications such as Audio, Stereo Review, Car Audio and Electronics, Car Stereo Review, Mobile Entertainment and Sound & Vision. We also set up an in-office system composed of high-end home audio gear to use as a reference and give the Edmunds editorial staff a basis by which to evaluate the sound of stock car stereo systems.
October 5, 2009
The Infiniti FX35 isn't for everybody. Compared to more cookie-cutter crossovers, the FX35 -- with its rakish rear pillar and unorthodox exterior styling -- exudes the attitude that it can take you on a ride that other crossovers can't. Why else would Edmunds' staff of normally circumspect scribes have fallen for the FX35's higher-end sibling, the FX50, as evidenced by the many Long-Term Road Test blog posts.
While the FX35 we tech tested doesn't have the full complement of cool tech that our LT FX50 is laden with, it has plenty of bells and whistles to go along with its exterior bling and performance prowess. But all these extras don't come cheap and are packaged so that you can't cherry-pick what you want. Our test vehicle topped out at $46,955 after starting out at $40,950, with the extra $5k consisting of two pricey but extensive options packages.
September 29, 2009
Add to the growing list of car-specific iPhone apps DangerZones, which pinpoints the locations of over 200,000 traffic fatalities across the U.S. The developer of the app claims that it culls five years worth of motor vehicle fatality data to tip drivers off to trouble spots along their routes and commutes and also displays stats and graphics to communicate specific road risks, federal and state laws, the most dangerous days to drive and more.
The app uses Google Map technology and GPS to keep track of your current location and will display up to 1,000 DangerZones. Vehicle fatality data is also automatically updated as it becomes available.
And while it doesn't play the lame song of the same name from the movie Top Gun, DangerZones gives drivers lots to think about while on a certain stretch of road.
September 22, 2009
You probably can't find two vehicles that are more alike than the 2010 Toyota Prius and 2010 Honda Insight -- and not based on looks alone. Some of the most cross-shopped competitors, when you look at the tech amenities of the two hybrid hatchbacks-- and how much they cost fully loaded with all the bells and whistles -- they start to stand apart. Way apart.
First there's the huge discrepancy in price; a fully loaded Prius V costs $32,720 compared to the top-of-the-line Insight EX with Navigation that goes for $23,770. So you would think that tech-wise you'd get much more for your money with the Prius. But that's not always the case, as we found in a recent feature story in which we compared the two cars' tech amenities side by side.
September 21, 2009
In bringing the Challenger back in full fire-breathing glory, Chrysler intentionally played on the car's past and the memories of muscle car enthusiasts by giving it a blatantly retro design. But not the in-cabin electronics.
If someone -- say, a car enthusiast we'll call '60s Muscle Car Man -- got stranded on a deserted island for 30 years, he would no doubt instantly recognize the 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 we recently tech-tested. But he would probably have no idea what the screen in the dash is for. (If he guessed a mini TV, he would be partly correct.) Or why all the buttons on the steering wheel are there. Or even what he's supposed to do with the key fob.
But he would be amazed when he found out. And most modern admirers and potential buyer may be too.
September 16, 2009
Recently we published the Top 10 Vehicles for Seniors for 2009, a handy list for those in their golden years searching for a car. The list focussed heavily on features and technologies that aide in driving -- especially those involving visibility and adjustability. Many seniors also suffer from limited motion and stiffness in the hands and wrist, usually triggered by arthritis. These are obvious factors to consider when buying a car (here are other mobility buying factors)
Beyond the list itself, here are some other vehicles and factors to consider.
September 8, 2009
Any parent will tell you how challenging a long road trip can be with kids. Fortunately, there's now all manner of electronic backseat babysitters to keep them entertained on an extended family drive: DVD-based rear-seat entertainment (RSE) systems, portable videogame consoles, iPods and even WiFi-connected computers.
But if you want live TV to help keep the kids from pinching or punching one another, there's still very few choices. Over-the-air reception is still spotty, with better service always on the horizon. And while some Chrysler vehicles with RSE systems also offer Sirius Backseat TV and the service can also be added through the aftermarket, it only provides three channels. Other aftermarket satellite TV systems for the car, such as TracVision A7 from KVH Industries, offer more channels but require a huge antenna that only fits large vehicles like SUVs or minivans.
RaySat's satellite TV service for the car, AT&T CruiseCast, hopes to fill the gap between these options by offering a system with an antenna small enough to fit on any vehicle and at a lower price than other sat TV systems.
On a recent extended-weekend road trip with the family, I found that CruiseCast worked well and kept the kids quiet and content on a 10-hour drive. But that calm in the car comes at a price.
September 1, 2009
Music legend Bob Dylan may join other celebs such as Burt Reynolds, John Cleese, Dennis Hopper and Homer Simpson as the voice for a navigation system. The enigmatic singer-songwriter, who was considered the voice of his generation in the '60s, recently revealed on his XM Siruis "Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour" show that he's "talking to a couple of car companies about being the voice of their GPS systems."
The gravelly voiced singer, who has been on a roll of late with a string of albums that many consider among the best in his nearly 50-year career as well as film and book projects, said he "probably shouldn't do it because whichever way I go I always end up at one place: Lonely Street."
But then no one would have guessed that the Jewish singer would record a Christmas album either.
August 25, 2009
Last week MINI unveiled the future of roadside assistance and what could be the logical future of telematics services: a Roadside Assist app that works with Apple's popular iPhone and select BlackBerry devices.
Developed by Allstate Roadside Services, at the touch of a button the app connects a driver to a roadside assistance operator while pinpointing the vehicle's exact location and also providing all pertinent vehicle information.
So no more describing to a dispatcher where you're stranded or giving the make, model and color of your car. As with most automakers' roadside assistance programs, it's free within the vehicle's warranty period.
And like Ford Sync's 911 Assist feature, MINI's new roadside Assist App signals a further shift towards leveraging a communication/GPS device that most drivers carry anyway -- a mobile phone -- and perhaps away from traditional embedded telematics systems.
August 18, 2009
TomTom was the first to announce a turn-by-turn navigation app for the new iPhone 3GS, with a company representative even appearing onstage at Apple's World Wide Developers Conference in June, where the latest version of the phone was unveiled. But by the time TomTom released its nav app yesterday, which also works with the original iPhone 3G and includes mapping for the U.S. and Canada, several others had already hit the street.
So why would you want to spend $99.99 on the TomTom app -- so far the most expensive -- as opposed to paying a little more for a portable nav? And how does it compare to other nav apps?
August 11, 2009
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
IL News: General Motors Offers Zero-Percent Financing on Top of Cash for Clunkers
The demand for the cash for clunkers
(C4C) program has been outstripping the supply, and now General Motors hopes to stoke the fires even further by offering zero percent financing on eligible C4C models. The special rate runs from now until August 31, 2009. Buyers not interested in the zero percent financing can instead get $1,000 in customer cash.
Auto Observer: California GM Dealers List Cars on eBay
General Motors is beginning a trial run of its "virtual showroom" in conjunction with the online auction house eBay. So far, 90 percent of California Dealers have signed on, and are expected to list about 200,000 vehicles. These will be posted as "buy it now" listings, rather than traditional auctions. Buyers can also choose to submit a lower offer than the listed price.
Green Car Advisor: GM Unveils Volt Charging System
Since a public infrastructure for charging the upcoming Chevrolet Volt is not yet in place, GM is equipping its plug-in hybrid to be charged at the owner's home. The charging system was debuted at a plug-in conference in Long Beach, Calif. GM is still debating between the 100 or 240-volt setup.
As Edmunds Auto Observer reported, GM recently stated that its upcoming Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric car will score an eye-opening EPA city fuel economy estimate of 230 mpg. That figure is based on the assumption that the car will be driven entirely in electric mode in the city, and thus is the energy equivalent of driving 230 miles on a gallon of gasoline. Though both highway and the more telling "combined" figures have yet to be worked out, GM Chief Executive Fritz Henderson claims that the Volt will get in excess of 100 mpg for the combined estimate: "I'm confident that we will be in triple digits."
The Volt can travel up to 40 miles on a charge and unlike conventional pure electric cars has a back-up -- a small gasoline engine that will kick in if the battery pack's charge runs out. The engine powers the Volt's electric motor until the driver can find another outlet to recharge its battery pack.
As nearly 80 percent of Americans commute less than 40 miles a day, GM and the EPA see the gas engine's usage, and hence gasoline consumption, as being extremely rare, hence the high fuel economy estimates. Charging the Volt at home overnight (during off-peak hours) would cost only about 40 cents for a full charge, according to Fritz. For a more in-depth look at the Volt's inner workings, check out this Green Car Advisor article.
The Chevrolet Volt is expected to debut for 2011 with pricing rumored to be around $40,000.
Telematics has been dominated by OnStar since the service first launched over a decade ago. And while other automakers, including BMW and Mercedes, offer their own telematics systems, OnStar has become the Kleenex or Xerox of the field and synonymous with telematics service.
Even if most car buyers have no idea what the term "telematics" means, when they think of features such as automatic crash notification, remote door unlocking and other off-board safety and convenience services, they think of OnStar, thanks to the GM-owned company's massive marketing efforts.
But OnStar is facing increasing competition. Ford launched its 911 Assist service in December 2008 by including it on all new Sync-equipped vehicles, and owners of most '08 and '09 Sync-equipped vehicles can get the service by having a dealer upgrade the system's software for a nominal fee.
Meanwhile, Lexus -- a former customer of OnStar with its Lexus Link telematics service, which will continue in "legacy" mode on models still in service -- recently launched its Enform with Safety Connect system on the new 2010 HS 250h hybrid and, like Ford, plans to eventually include it in all of its cars.
While it isn't feasible for us to test the crash-notification aspects of telematics systems -- at least not with the press cars we drive -- we checked out the latest convenience services offered for Ford's Sync system and Lexus Enform that best compete with OnStar. And we found that while Ford takes a radically different approach, Lexus plays it safe but throws in a few unique features.
August 4, 2009
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Green Car Advisor: Nissan Turns New Leaf with "Affordable" EV
The Nissan "Leaf" is the company's newest entry into the electric vehicle market. This five seat hatchback is expected to have a range of 100 miles per charge, and a top speed of 90 mph. The Leaf will be available for purchase in select U.S cities by the end of 2010, with an estimated price range of $28,000-$35,000.
Inside Line: 2010 Subaru Outback First Drive
The redesigned Subaru Outback is larger and better equipped than the outgoing model. The 2010 Outback's increased size has changed its prospective competitors. It will now face off against the Toyota Venza and the Hyundai Santa Fe, rather than the Audi A4 Avant and the Volkswagen Passat 4Motion.
AutoObserver: Feds: Cash For Clunkers Saving Gas
The success of the Car Allowance Rebate System (aka Cash for Clunkers) has succeeded in getting gas guzzlers off the road and into more fuel efficient vehicles. According to the Obama Administration, 83 percent of the trade-in vehicles have been trucks. Additionally, the program has improved fuel economy by an average of 61 percent per vehicle.
Used to be that if you wanted the best possible sound system for your new car -- and the most for your money -- you took it to a car audio store, yanked out the crappy stock stereo and replaced it with higher quality aftermarket components. Even after automakers began offering premium branded stereo systems, the aftermarket still provided better performance and dollar-for-dollar value.
But times, vehicles, and listening habits have changed and a perfect storm of factors have made aftermarket car stereo start to go the way of the CRT computer monitor. Stock systems are highly integrated into the car's electronic architecture, making them difficult to extract. Preference on the part of consumers has shifted more to quantity over quality thanks to the iPod. And we've found that for the same amount of money you can now get a good -- if not better -- audio system from an automaker compared to what the aftermarket offers.
iPod integration and Bluetooth add-ons have sustained car stereo dealers in recent years, but adding safety technology to cars could be the next boom for the aftermarket. And a boon to consumers.
Products like Mobileye's new C2-170 Advanced Warning System (pictured above) offer safety features found mainly on higher-end cars, and at least one well-known car audio company is poised to move into the territory.
July 28, 2009
The latest and greatest automotive technology should help you do something you may normally do anyway, only more easily and safely. We are talking about having a nav system read directions to you out loud instead of glancing at a paper map or dialing a number by voice instead of punching it into a mobile phone while driving.
And, as we pointed out in a recent feature article, this also includes using a rearview camera to check that there's nothing behind you before backing up, instead of getting out of the car to make sure that the coast is clear or you have enough space.
July 24, 2009
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere
Green Car Advisor: Mitsubish Debuts Electric Car in Tokyo, Aims for World Domination
Mitsubishi delivered 50 of its i-MiEV electric cars to government and utility companies today, signaling the start of its attempt to become the biggest producer of electric vehicles. Mitsu expects to sell 1,400 MiEVs through next March, at which point the company will ramp up production to meet local, then global customer demand. Coincidentally, Subaru also launched their little electric wonder, the Stella EV, today, though on a much smaller scale. Subaru doesn't have big production plans for the Stella.
Auto Observer: New Suit at Toyota Looking to Revive the Once Dominant Brand
Toyota's new boss of North American Operations, Yoshimi Inaba, has his work cut out. Mr. I has been charged with making the company profitable, which will ostensibly be achieved by bringing out some exciting new vehicles (not just for Toyota but especially for the stagnant Scion brand) and molding a stronger identity for Lexus.
Auto Observer: Smaller Engines in Larger and Luxury Brand Vehicles on the Rise
Smaller engines are finding their way into larger and luxury-branded cars, as automakers look to find ways to improve fuel mileage among their offerings. Lexus recently rolled out the HS 250h hybrid, which uses the Camry hybrid's powertrain, Audi recently announced that a four-cylinder (turbocharged, thankfully) version of the A5 luxury coupe is due, and Buick's new 2010 LaCrosse will be available with an inline four under its big hood. Lastly, Mercedes-Benz and BMW are reportedly working on three-cylinder engines.
InsideLIne News: Chevrolet Introduces Transformer's Edition Camaro at Comic Book Convention
At the Comic Book Convention in San Diego, Chevrolet announced on Wednesday that a Transformers special edition of the Camaro is now available. For $995, buyers of either the LT V6 or SS V8 models can get the full Bumblebee treatment, complete with yellow paint, black stripes and of course enough Autobot emblems to please your inner 14-year old.
Consumers have long been lukewarm in their acceptance of run-flat tires. While many people like how a run-flat tire eliminates the hassle (and potential danger) of road-side tire changes, they've also found them to be more expensive, harder to replace, less supple in terms of ride quality and lacking in overall tire grip and performance as compared to an otherwise equivalent regular tire.
In the past 12 months, however, a couple of tire manufacturers have introduced next-generation run-flat tires. The companies say that these new tires deliver improvements in both ride quality and tire performance, thereby addressing at least a couple of people's concerns.
Last week we had the opportunity to test out these claims at a Michelin-sponsored event featuring Michelin's latest run-flat summer tire, the Pilot Sport PS2 ZP.
July 21, 2009
OnStar has added another stolen vehicle service to its growing arsenal. Called Remote Engine Block, it allows OnStar to remotely send a a signal to a subscriber's vehicle to prevent it from restarting once the ignition is turned off.
The service will be available on select 2009 and 2010 GM vehicles in the U.S. and Canada, and adds another layer of protection to what OnStar calls its Stolen Vehicle Assistance suite of services, which also includes Stolen Vehicle Slowdown that allows law enforcement to request OnStar to remotely reduce a vehicle's speed to idle to avoid high-speed chases.
And it comes at a time when OnStar is being pursued by new competition.
July 19, 2009
Ford and Lexus both have technology that allows a car to parallel-park itself, Infiniti gives drivers a 360-degree view around them via multiple cameras, and rear-view cameras are widely available from the factory. While we are sometimes impressed by and often grateful for the aid they give drivers, parking technology could be better. This week's Idle Chat Topic is How Would You Improve Parking Technology?
July 14, 2009
Handing the car keys to an inexperienced teen driver is one of the most stressful moments of child-rearing for any parent or guardian. Watching a teenager drive out of sight for the first time is a rite of passage akin to the ancient practice of sending a kid out into the wilderness to face a whole new world of dangers.
But thanks to technology, parents and caregivers can now ride shotgun with teen drivers. And as we reported in a recent feature article, there's a way to track a teen's behind-the-wheel behavior for almost every budget. Or level of parental paranoia.
July 7, 2009
On a 1,000-mile drive from Oregon to LA I took over the July 4th weekend, the highway alert signs flashed the same message the entire way: "Report Drunk Drivers, Call 911." The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hopes to someday make a preemptive strike by developing alcohol-interlock technology that's smarter and unavoidable for even sober drivers.
A recent news story reports that NHTSA and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers will shell out $10 million over the next five years "to develop high-tech 'passive' alcohol-detection devices that would keep a car from starting if a driver is drunk."
And the new technology would make Breathalyzer-type products seem old fashioned by comparison.
June 23, 2009
New Jersey was one of the first states to outlaw handheld mobile phone use while driving, and now a state legislator wants to ban using a navigation system while a vehicle is in motion. According to the Daily Record, Democratic Assemblyman Harvey Smith of Jersey City has introduced a bill that would make it a violation for a driver to enter a destination into a navigation system while a car is in motion, other than via voice activation. The fine would be $100 for each infraction.
Of course, it's never a good idea to punch a destination into a nav system while driving, and many stock systems make you pull over to engage this function, while most portable systems issue some type of warning on a welcome screen. But using a handheld cell phone behind the wheel, especially for text messaging, isn't either. And it's taken passing laws in several states to deter some people.
Which is why Smith, who is also undersheriff in Hudson County, wants to do the same thing with GPS nav systems in the Garden State. And it leads one to wonder where it's going to stop.
June 16, 2009
Live TV in the car has proven as elusive as easy downloading of feature-length films from the Internet. As with movie downloads, satellite TV for the car has been available for several years, but the technology is also cumbersome, expensive and not quite ready for the mainstream. AT&T's CruiseCast mobile satellite TV, which launched June 1 just in time for the summer driving season, is seeking to solve these three thorny issues -- and two out of three ain't bad.
Working with RaySat, CruiseCast has managed to shrink the size of a satellite antenna so that you don't have to own an SUV or minivan to have the surface area required to mount one. And it's gotten the price down some: $1,299 for the equipment and $28 a month for the service, which offers 42 channels of live satellite TV, including Discovery, ESPN Mobile, Disney and Fox News.
But it may prove difficult for CruiseCast to achieve widespread acceptance at a time when most families are scaling back financially -- and less expensive options may be just up the road.
June 9, 2009
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere
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Green Car Advisor: GM's Lutz Defends Muscle Cars and Chevy Volt
Bob Lutz, General Motor's vice chairman, was interviewed recently by the Washington post. Green Car advisor summed up the lengthy interview and highlighted many key points. Among the talking points is an admission that GM underestimated the importance of the Toyota Prius, which ultimately led to the creation of the Chevrolet Volt. Follow the link to see why Lutz believes Americans want "V8 engines and sexy styling."
Auto Observer: GM to End Medium-Duty Truck Production
General Motors announced Monday that it will cease production of the GMC TopKick and the Chevrolet Kodiak medium duty trucks. GM once valued its commercial truck operations at $1 billion, but was unable to find a buyer as market conditions changed.
Straightline: Is "Enform" the Next OnStar?
Lexus will debut its new vehicle-based telematics system on the upcoming HS250h. This OnStar-like service will offer many high-tech features such as: stolen vehicle locator, automatic crash notification, and the ability to speak with an operator to input a destination on your navigation system. Will Toyota's backing make it more successful than GM's OnStar? How does it compare to Ford's Sync? Follow the link to get all the details.
Bluetooth is like any other technology: It's very cool when it works and very frustrating when it doesn't. And the wireless hands-free phone technology can be very frustrating in the way compatibility and functionality vary from vehicle to vehicle.
While we here at Edmunds are in the unique position of driving a different vehicle sometimes on a daily basis, Bluetooth compatibility issues also affect people who drive the same car every day for years -- and even those in the Bluetooth business -- as revealed in a recent Edmunds feature story titled Bluetooth Blues.
The executive director of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, the trade association that promotes and oversees the technology, has compatibility issues in his own vehicle, for example. But we also discovered that the Bluetooth SIG is working with automakers to smooth out some of these snags and we point out steps you can take to make sure that your new car and your phone get along.
June 2, 2009
Rear-seat entertainment and video-graphics applications in the car could go hi-res once HD hits the road. And we're starting to see elements of automotive HD come together.
According to a press release issued last week, the latest HDMI spec includes provisions for an Automotive Connection System "designed to be used as the basis for in-vehicle HD content distribution." This follows recent announcements of an HD video controller from Fujitsu and the introduction of Blu-ray disc players for the car by Mitsubishi and Panasonic and of SuperSpeed USB for faster downloads of HD video content.
While the benefit of HD for rear-seat entertainment is crystal clear, hi-res video and graphics can serve other purposes in the car.
May 26, 2009
Older car buyers are a diverse bunch. Still, there are certain themes that reveal themselves when analyzing their needs. These themes tend to be dictated by the physical challenges that many face in their golden years.
The choices listed in our top 10 vehicles for seniors stand out for the skill with which they address these themes.
Our mix of vehicles covers all the bases. There's a minivan for seniors who need extra passenger capacity, and there are compact cars for those who appreciate the parking convenience that smaller vehicles provide. Our list also includes technology-laden luxury cars, a couple of spacious full-size sedans and an innovative SUV.
You know that portable navigation system you recently bought? The one that tells you where you are, where you want to go and finds every Starbucks along the way? Except for the hundreds that are now closed? Chances are the Points of Interest (POI) database in your portable nav system is months old, which is why new connected portable nav systems make even the latest non-connected systems seem as outdated as those clunky old car phones.
Sure, if you're only want to get from Point A to Point B then almost any old nav system will do. But if you want dynamic, up-to-date POI info -- using Google search, for example -- then you'll want to check out our test of four new connected portable navigation systems from Alpine, Insignia/Best Buy, TeleNav and TomTom.
And they do much more than just help you find a caffeine fix.
May 19, 2009
OnStar announced last week that it will use the 3D aerial imagery provided by Microsoft Virtual Earth to better guide first responders to the scene of accidents in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
May 15, 2009
Inside Line: Nissan Hikes Price on 2010 Infiniti QX56
As sales plummet for Nissan's brick-like QX56, there seems to be no price break in sight. Nissan announced that the price of admission has jumped an additional $1,000 -- now a hefty $56,915 for the base model. Savvy shoppers will note however, that haggling for the best price is always recommended.
Green Car Advisor: Future EV Stations Could Make Battery Swaps Faster than Pumping Gas
Silicon Valley-based company Better Place (really, that's their name?), demonstrated a prototype of a filling station worthy of the 21st century. This station will remove a depleted battery from an electric vehicle and replace it with a fully charged unit quicker than it takes to pump 10 gallons of gas -- and it's completely automated. If the company prevails, and EV manufacturers are on board (with Nissan being a prime candidate), gas stations will go the way of your childhood pet -- that is, they'll be in a better place...
Straightline: Edmunds.com Dishes on the Best Values to CNBC
Edmunds New York-based director of strategic marketing, John Giamalvo, announced on CNBC that now is still a great time to buy a car. He also revealed the best values in cars today, after factoring in insurance, maintenance, depreciation and financing.
May 12, 2009
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Auto Observer
GM Loses $6 Billion in the First Quarter
General Motors posted a first quarter loss nearly double the amount of its losses in Q1 2008, but still less than analysts had predicted. GM executives remain confident that ther viability plan will help them become profitable again- something they haven't managed since 2004. With the June 1 restructuring plan deadline on the horizon, GM CEO Fritz Henderson is saying that bankruptcy is becoming a more probable scenario. Even if things do head south for GM, enthusiasts can breathe a collective sigh of relief in the fact that the Corvette is safe in GM's restructuring plans.
Edmunds.com
Automaker vs. Aftermarket Tech: Which Offers Better Value?
Many automakers these days are offering brand name stereo, navigation, and entertainment systems in their vehicles as "premium" upgrades over the factory equipment. But is it any good, and are you better served by buying an aftermarket system? Which is the better deal? Senior Technology Editor Doug Newcomb tests out a number of scenarios to answer all these questions.
Edmunds Daily
Full-Size Truck Comparison: Chevy vs. Ford vs. Dodge vs. Toyota
You may have read Inside Line's comparison test of the four best full size pickups, but we dug a little deeper into the results and looked at it from consumer's perspective. Which truck is best for the daily commute? Which is the best for the rugged outdoorsman? And which is the best for a wide range of activities? Check out our comparison test to see which truck fits your needs.
Automakers have been aggressively muscling in on the aftermarket's dominance in car electronics for about 10 years now. A watershed moment for me was when Lexus linked up with the high-end home-audio brand Mark Levinson in 2000: It was the first time I thought that the sound quality of an OEM system could be seriously compared to what was available from the aftermarket. But you could still get something better from the aftermarket for the same amount of money.
What a difference a decade makes. Not only have auto-audio brand hookups proliferated, but car companies have taken the lead on several tech fronts, such as with the seamless iPod and Bluetooth integration offered by Ford's Sync system -- for which the aftermarket still hasn't come up with a better or less expensive alternative. Talk about a reversal of roles.
And although the aftermarket will always be the place to go if you want the utmost quality, maximum flexibility and the latest features, we wondered whether automakers or the aftermarket now offer the best value for the average consumer. So we considered four categories in which the two camps compete -- audio, rear-seat entertainment, navigation and Bluetooth -- to determine whether you get more for your money from automakers or the aftermarket.
While not an apples-to-apples comparison, our analysis gives a good indication of what it will cost on average to go each route. And the results we found in a recent feature story are surprising.
May 8, 2009
One of the most popular questions we get is, "What is the definition of a hybrid?" Recently, Edmunds' Director of Testing, Dan Edmunds, broke it all down and demystified the technical jargon in a new article.
Briefly, the most basic definition of a hybrid is a vehicle that uses more than one form of onboard energy to achieve propulsion. In practice, that means a hybrid will have a traditional internal combustion engine and a fuel tank, as well as one or more electric motors and a battery pack. Some of the terms associated with hybrids are motor-generator, start-stop, regenerative braking, and electric drive.
Those terms are defined in his article, along with the three "hybrid layouts":
April 28, 2009
On Earth Day last week we offered to check and fill tire pressure for free at a local Shell Station. We recorded the air pressure levels people were riding around on and, well, it's pretty amazing. And a little scary.
I thought everyone was going to be super low. Instead, they were super all-over-the-place.
We checked 83 cars at the Shell Station and recorded the levels people were driving on. (Meanwhile, at other locations around Santa Monica, another 400 cars were checked -- but no data was collected.)
Here's what we learned.
Infiniti already offers an alphabet soup of innovative accident-prevention technologies: Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) and Distance Control Assist (DCA). The luxury car company recently gave Edmunds the opportunity to try out the next two layers of its "Safety Shield" concept -- Side Collision Prevention (SCP) and Back-up Collision Prevention (BCP) -- at the Nissan Technical Center North America in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Better known as NTCNA, of course.
Infiniti unveiled the two new technologies on its Essence concept at this year's Geneva Auto Show, but we got a chance to experience them firsthand in what the company calls its All-Around Collision-Free Prototype, a specially equipped FX50. While not yet scheduled to appear on production vehicles, SCP and BCP will eventually fill in a couple of gaps in Infiniti's Safety Shield and further help drivers avoid hitting other vehicles --- and pedestrians.
April 24, 2009
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
AutoObserver
Is the Excitement Over?
For anyone even moderately interested in automobiles or the global financial meltdown, it should come as no surprise that GM is likely going to kill-off the Pontiac brand. In an era when most of the models from Pontiac are rebadged vehicles from GM's stable -- save for a few exciting foreign adaptations like the G8 and GTO -- it appears that this satellite brand is simply unsustainable. This "first domino" is rumored to fall on Monday -- as if Monday's weren't hard enough.
Green Car Advisor
2010 Lexus RX 450h Pricing Revealed: A Greener Car Without Spending More Green
Though we don't expect the revamped hybrid crossover in showrooms until this summer, Lexus has revealed pricing for the 2010 RX 450h. Buyers will save about $400 compared to the 2008 base model and about $200 for the AWD model. On top of a couple extra Benjies in their wallets, owners will get more power, better fuel economy, lower emissions and additional features. Who says it isn't easy being green?
Green Car Advisor
Bill Ford Steers the Blue Oval Toward Greener Pastures
Speaking at a Fortune Magazine conference in California, Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr. made it clear that the company is embracing emerging technology to power the next generation of Ford vehicles. Rather than declaring one particular technology the victor, Junior hinted that Ford may pursue several different propulsion options. Also notable is the possibility that FoMoCo may purchase advanced batteries from Asia for use in the domestic market, though Mr. Ford cautioned that the U.S. should not allow foreign countries to dominate this field.
Straightline
Audi Changes Its Engine Lineup in a Confusing, Alphabet Soup Mash-Up
Audi has made some significant changes to its U.S. engine and model lineup for 2010. If notated via its alphanumeric script, the changes would look something like: [(2009 TT + A3) - VW VR6, 2.0T] + (A4 - 265hp 3.2 V6 = 2.0T); [(S4 + A6 + (A5 + 2.0T)] = 3.0 SC V6; [S8 = (2010 - V10)] + [5.2 V10 = (S6 + R8)]; 2008 A8 (W12) = 0. For translation, head over to the Straightline blog.
April 21, 2009
The latest Highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Karl on Cars
Could the Ford Mustang Ever Happen Again?
The Ford Mustang turns 45 this year. Edmunds.com Editor-in-Chief Karl Brauer examines the circumstances that led to the success of one of the longest-running vehicles in production and questions whether that success can be ever duplicated. Also be sure to check out the Mustang retrospective on Straightline, where they tried to find the best Mustang of each generation. Follow the links to see of you agree with their choices.
Green Car Advisor
The 'SmartWay' To Purchase a Green Vehicle Can Save You Some Green
Many people buy fuel-efficient vehicles to save money on gas and help reduce emissions. A new program by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency can also get you a better interest rate on your car loan if it has been certified as a "SmartWay" vehicle. A number of banks and credit unions are participating in this program designed to reward consumers who choose to purchase a green vehicle.
Straightline
New Tire Tech: Continental Extreme Contact DW & DWS
Continental has released two new high-performance tires for varied weather conditions. The Extreme Contact DW and DWS feature some of the latest advances in tire technology. One of the more notable features is a series of letters molded into the tire treads. If any letter is worn out, the tire is no longer considered optimal for the corresponding weather condition. Straightline editors were given the opportunity to try these tires and offer their impressions.
Automakers, suppliers, industry analysts and government officials from around the world converged on Detroit's Cobo Hall last week for the First International Summit on the State of the Connected Vehicle. The "ubiquitous connectivity" for cars envisioned by those in attendance is ambitious, complex, expensive and a bit creepy. But it's coming and will change the way we drive.
April 16, 2009
(Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is proposing both a GPS driving tax and a gas tax.)
There are all manner of schemes being proposed to fill the dwindling state and federal coffers, many of which often focus on hitting the wallets of the driving public.
But rare is the state that has two driving-taxation plans which are as simultaneously enlightened and enraging as those proposed in the state of Massachusetts. Both have been promoted by the state's Governor, Deval Patrick.
The first of Patrick's initiatives definitely falls on the troubling side: the Governor is pushing a plan - "controversial" would be putting it mildly - to install Global Positioning System (GPS) chips in vehicle inspection stickers that would be used to tax the vehicle owner for the number of miles they drive.
April 14, 2009
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Green Car Advisor
American Honda Motor Says It Still Hopes To Close FuelMaker Deal
FuelMaker Corp., the company that manufactures the Phill home refueling station for the Honda Civic GX, is facing a potential bankruptcy. This technology is important to the future of the GX, the only natural gas vehicle being sold in the U.S., and as such Honda is trying to facilitate the sale of FuelMaker to a company that has similar interests. Despite this potential setback, Honda remains committed to the GX, and will continue to promote the vehicle.
Edmunds Daily
GM Recalls Mid-Size Cars Made Between '97 and '03
Chrysler Recalls 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Commander, Wrangler
The last thing these companies need is more bad publicity, but with these recent recalls, General Motors and Chrysler hope to get ahead of a few critical safety issues. GM is recalling over 1.4 million vehicles equipped with its 3.8 liter V6. Chrysler is recalling 4,336 of its 2009 Jeep Cherokee, Wrangler, and Commander models. Follow the links to get all the details and the list of models affected.
Inside Line
2010 Cadillac SRX First Drive
The redesigned 2010 Cadillac SRX is facing an uphill battle as it tries to compete with the class leader Lexus RX. Cadillac engineers say that the SRX has a different balance than the RX, and that it is more fun to drive. Inside Line's Daniel Pund drove the SRX at a press event and gave us his early impressions. Pricing for the Cadillac SRX has not been announced, but is estimated be in line with the RX's price- around $36,000 to start. The car is expected to hit showrooms sometime this summer.
This new weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio. April is National Car Care Month!
Dear Tom,
Please help my sister and I settle a disagreement. Which of the following is the proper procedure for using the emergency brake?
(A) Stop the vehicle. With a foot on the car brake, put the emergency brake on, and then put the car in park. (B) Stop the vehicle, put the car in park, and then put the emergency brake on. Many thanks.
--Tammy and Cher from LA
Tammy and Cher,
(A) Stop the car, apply the e-brake first, and then put the car in park. By following this procedure, when the car is put into park there will be no excessive stress placed on the parking pawl (a spring-loaded pin that locks into a slotted plate inside the transmission). On a side note, use the emergency brake frequently, even when parking on a flat surface, to keep it working properly. Best to you both.
much more Q&A...
In a recent feature story, we detailed the latest advances in safety tech -- when they would be available and on which vehicles. But you don't always have to buy a new car to get the cutting-edge safety features found on the latest models, since some of the same suppliers also offer similar technology through the mobile-electronics aftermarket.
Southern California's iconic car audio chain Al & Ed's, for example, announced yesterday that it will offer Mobileye's AWS-4000 and AWS-2000 accident-avoidance systems. Mobileye supplies similar systems to automakers such as BMW, General Motors and Volvo, and the company's technology is behind Volvo's City Safety system in the new XC60.
Like City Safety, the Mobileye AWS-4000 and AWS-2000 are camera-based systems that detect and measure the distance between its host vehicle and vehicles in front as well as lane markers. If the system calculates that you're too close to either, it will issue a warning.
The AWS-4000 (which Al & Ed's sells for $1,299 and is pictured above) comes with a camera and integrated processor, a pair of speakers that provide audible/directional warnings and a display-control unit for visual/directional warnings. The AWS-2000 ($999) includes the camera/processor and a single speaker with a volume control.
As with the night-vision system from FLIR, a company that also supplies technology to both automakers and the aftermarket, the Mobileye systems aren't cheap. But they may be less expensive than an auto accident.
April 9, 2009
This new weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio. April is National Car Care Month!
Dear Tom,
I have heard both pros and cons concerning the need for Motorvac service. Please set the record straight. I have a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer with 35,000 miles. It runs fine. Do I really need this expensive service?
-- Joe from Anchorage, Alaska
Joe,
Carbon buildup (varnish and carbon are byproducts of gasoline combustion) in the upper regions of the engine is a fact of life. This carbon must be cleaned out because it affects burn efficiency, and the varnish inhibits fuel flow through the injectors. When buildups occur, the performance system senses a problem and tries to adjust various parameters to correct the conditions it "sees." The attempt to correct the conditions results in drivability problems. Regular Motorvac service (every 35-40,000 miles) will prevent this from happening. The engine will start crisply on cold mornings, acceleration will be snappy, and performance and fuel economy will be optimum. Yes Joe, I highly recommend this service.
much more Q&A...
April 7, 2009
Who says GM's thinking is behind the times? The struggling auto giant has teamed up with Segway Inc. to create a little transportation pod just big enough for two people to zip around in at speeds up to 35 mph.
It has been dubbed the PUMA - the Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility vehicle and a prototype will be shown in New York today. It runs on two lithium-ion batteries and has a 35 mile range.
Now here's the part you hate to hear: no sales price or production schedule has been announced. And it's too early to determine what might happen to the PUMA concept should GM be forced into bankruptcy.
The rest of the world will hear about PUMA during a joint press conference on Tuesday morning in New York.
To learn more about the PUMA, you can check out a GM-produced video, and read our coverage in Green Car Advisor or Straightline.
We live in an age in which car gadgets allow us to do more than ever behind the wheel: make hands-free phone calls, receive and send text messages, search for the best gas prices and restaurants, listen to our entire music library and more. But of all the cool car technology available, the most significant advances are the ones that could save your life. Or at least a trip to the hospital or the body shop.
In a recent Edmunds feature, we highlight the latest safety technology from BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Infiniti, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo that you'll see in showrooms soon. From cameras and sensors that help a driver see what's around a vehicle to Volvo's City Safety (shown above) that provides automatic braking in stop-and-go traffic, these innovative features represent the cutting-edge of available auto safety technology.
And could someday become as common as seatbelts and airbags.
April 3, 2009
Many people write into Edmunds with questions about problems with their vehicles. We'd love to answer all of these questions individually, but if we did, we'd have no time for anything else. (Not to mention that it's risky to diagnose a problem without physically examining the car.) But there are plenty of sources for help on Edmunds, and you'd be surprised how many good ideas you can find if you take the time.
First, look at our Long-Term Road Test blog to see if the editors have tested the make/model of car you've got. We chronicle everything we find wrong (or right) with these vehicles while they're in our fleet.
Next, check out your vehicle's Technical Service Bulletins. They can be a little dense to read, but you'll often have an "aha!" moment if you look down the list of all the little problems that the manufacturer has acknowledged -- at least to their service departments.
Also try Edmunds Answers. Ask a question, get some answers! There are specific categories, such as Car Maintenance/Repair, to choose from. Other consumers -- some of whom are really savvy -- will weigh in on your specific question. (You might even get a staff answer or two in there.)
We also have tremendous resources in CarSpace. In the Forums, you can browse the discussions by vehicle, the forums by make (and model), or by theme (such as Auto Repair). You can then search the discussions by keyword ("transmission"). Whatever path you take, you'll be able to check a specific model for known issues and to see if other owners have had similar experiences. You can also ask a question of the group.
More tips...
April 1, 2009
This new weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
Dear Tom,
I own a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse 4 cylinder with 60,000 miles. I have the oil changed every 3,000 miles and I have followed the maintenance schedule as recommended by my dealership. For the 60,000-maintenance service I was told that the timing belt should be replaced and all fluids flushed. The estimate was between $800-$1000. Is this necessary for a car with only 60,000 miles?
-- Julie from Sarasota, FL
Julie,
Yes, I would do this maintenance. The engine (2.4 Liter SOHC) on your car is an "interference engine." It is designed in a way that, if the timing belt breaks, the valves will collide with the pistons, resulting in catastrophic engine failure. There are two timing belts to replace on this engine, one for the camshaft and one for the balance shaft (which quiets engine vibration). Have both replaced. The transmission, cooling system, and whatever other fluids should be serviced along with replacement of proper filters that go along with the service. You might want to get an estimate from an independent shop to see if you can save some money, but I would definitely follow this scheduled service. It's a good idea to check your maintenance records first to be sure that you don't have work done now that was already done at a previous time.
-- Tom
March 31, 2009
A writer at the tech blog Gear Live received a survey that indicates that OnStar could add Twitter feeds as a feature of the company's telematics service. The survey included the following:
"While in your vehicle, you can use OnStar to submit and retrieve tweets (messages) via your Twitter account. Using OnStar's Voice-Activated Hands-Free Calling system, and having your voice converted into text, you can provide updates which would appear in the "What are you doing?" section of your Twitter homepage. It is also possible to listen to a tweet that was sent to you by someone else after it has been converted into voice. You can send and receive tweets without having to type or read anything."
Does this mean that Twitter will soon come to the dashboard of GM cars? And is that a good thing? As Gear Live points out, maybe it would be if you're trying to find a pizza joint.
Or if you want to follow Edmunds EIC Karl Brauer's Tweets on Cars while behind the wheel.
March 24, 2009
A navigation system is only as good as its mapping software
, and digitized maps are out of date as soon as they are completed since roads constantly change.
Most navigation system suppliers provide map updates for a fee, of course. Now portable nav powerhouse TomTom is offering a Map Update Service for the U.S. market so that owners of the company's devices can affordably access one year of quarterly map updates for as low as $39.80 per year or $9.95 per map release, depending on the TomTom model and the age of the map the device is currently using.
The map updates can be downloaded via TomTom's HOME desktop software, and subscribers are automatically alerted when updates are available. TomTom claims that the service will make new maps available every quarter for the length of a subscription, and that each update will incorporate all changes validated by Tele Atlas, TomTom's mapping-software arm.
Map Update Service adds to TomTom's strong suite of software refreshes, including Map Share Technology that lets users make updates to the maps on their own device as well as obtain corrections made by other users, and the company's 30 Day Latest Map Guarantee that gives users free access to a new map if it becomes available within 30 days of first use of the device.
March 17, 2009
The USB interface has been quickly adopted by automakers as a way to connect devices such as iPods via systems like Ford's Sync or for directly accessing digital music and even pictures, as with Chrysler's uconnect tunes. Now a high-speed version is on the horizon that will transfer data at much faster rates.
But it also brings to fore the familiar auto-industry conundrum of keeping pace with the fast-moving consumer-electronics industry. And, of course, the costs involved with doing so.
The USB Implementers Forum has introduced SuperSpeed USB, which transfers data at 5 gigabits per second, as opposed to 480 megabits/second for High Speed USBs now widely in use -- or about 10 times faster. The new USB 3.0 standard should be available by the first quarter of 2010.
This comes as automakers have widely implemented USB 2.0 interfaces into cars, which market research firm iSuppli predicts will be available in a third of all 2009 U.S. vehicles, up 16 percent from 2008. According to SAE International Automotive Engineering Online, with the introduction of SuperSpeed USB, automakers will have to decide whether to begin designing the new standard into vehicles now, which is more costly, or stick with version 2.0 and add USB 3.0 as consumers start to create demand for it.
And risk being caught behind the technology curve.
March 6, 2009
Ford claims it's "learning to think like an electronics company" by keeping up with the fast pace of consumer electronics -- and meeting or exceeding car buyers' tech expectations. The announcement today that the 2010 Ford Escape and Escape Hybrid will feature five new safety and convenience technologies shows that this is more than just lip service.
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