Details on Project PUMA

NEW YORK - General Motors Corp. and Segway today demonstrated a new type of vehicle that could change the way we move around in cities.

Dubbed Project P.U.M.A. (Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility), GM and Segway are developing an electrically powered, two-seat prototype vehicle that has only two wheels. It could allow people to travel around cities more quickly, safely, quietly and cleanly - and at a lower total cost. The vehicle also enables design creativity, fashion, fun and social networking.

GM and Segway announced their collaboration, while demonstrating the Project P.U.M.A. prototype in New York City this morning.

“Project P.U.M.A. represents a unique solution to moving about and interacting in cities, where more than half of the world’s people live,” said Larry Burns, GM vice president of research and development, and strategic planning. “Imagine small, nimble electric vehicles that know where other moving objects are and avoid running into them. Now, connect those vehicles in an Internet-like web and you can greatly enhance the ability of people to move through cities, find places to park and connect to their social and business networks.”

Trends indicate that urbanization is growing, and with that comes increased congestion and more competition for parking. Cities around the world are actively looking for solutions to alleviate congestion and pollution. Project P.U.M.A. addresses those concerns. It combines several technologies demonstrated by GM and Segway, including electric drive and batteries; dynamic stabilization (two-wheel balancing); all-electronic acceleration, steering and braking; vehicle-to-vehicle communications; and autonomous driving and parking. Those technologies integrate in Project P.U.M.A. to increase mobility freedom, while also enabling energy efficiency, zero emissions, enhanced safety, seamless connectivity and reduced congestion in cities.

“We are excited to be working together to demonstrate a dramatically different approach to urban mobility,” said Jim Norrod, CEO of Segway Inc. “There’s an emotional connection you get when using Segway products. The Project P.U.M.A. prototype vehicle embodies this through the combination of advanced technologies that Segway and GM bring to the table to complete the connection between the rider, environment, and others.”

Project P.U.M.A. vehicles will also allow designers to create new fashion trends for cars, and to focus on the passion and emotion that people express through their vehicles while creating solutions that anticipate the future needs of urban customers.

The Project P.U.M.A. prototype vehicle integrates a lithium-ion battery, digital smart energy management, two-wheel balancing, dual electric wheel motors, and a dockable user interface that allows off-board connectivity. The result is an advanced and functional concept that demonstrates the capabilities of technology that exists today.

Built to carry two or more passengers, it can travel at speeds up to 35 miles per hour (56 kph), with a range up to 35 miles (56 km) between recharges.

Since the introduction of the Segway Personal Transporter (PT), Segway has established itself as the leader in the small electric vehicle space. Its approach to congestion and environmental challenges is balanced with a strong understanding of the functional needs of its customers, enabling them to do more with less. Segway has delivered more than 60,000 lithium-ion batteries to the market.

GM has been a leader in “connected vehicle” technologies since it introduced OnStar in 1996. Today, this on-board communications package connects six million subscribers in North America to OnStar safety and security services. GM has also pioneered vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications systems and transponder technology. These and additional connected vehicle technologies could ultimately enable vehicles that don’t crash and drive themselves.

“Imagine moving about cities in a vehicle fashioned to your taste, that’s fun to drive and ride in, that safely takes you where you want to go, and “connects” you to friends and family, while using clean, renewable energy, producing zero vehicle tailpipe emissions, and without the stress of traffic jams,” said Burns. “And imagine doing this for one-fourth to one-third the cost of what you pay to own and operate today’s automobile. This is what Project P.U.M.A. is capable of delivering.”

Source: General Motors

TomTom Launches GPS Device With Capacitive Touchscreen

TomTom has announced the Go Live 1000, a next-generation navigation device with a capacitive touchscreen, just days after Garmin unveiled its own capacitive touchscreen-based PNDs.

The connected Go Live 1000 features a 500 MHz ARM11 processor, a redesigned WebKit-based user interface, and the ability to easily integrate third-party apps, plus a full year of free Internet service. TomTom also upgraded its back end server systems to improve delivery of rich content and downloadable apps.

This all means the company is leaving behind its formerly closed, difficult-to-expand OS, and is at least delaying, if not eliminating, the expensive monthly fees surrounding the TomTom XL 340-S LIVE and other current connected devices.

The Go Live 1000 also includes improved IQ Routes and HD Traffic, a high resolution display, a new magnetic windshield mount, and a Park Assist feature for finding places to park (as opposed to the park assist you'd find in some of today's cars that actually helps you parallel park--this is different).

So far, TomTom has partnered with Vodafone to provide connectivity in Europe, and plans to release the device there sometime in the summer. No word yet on pricing or availability in the U.S.

source by gearlog

Hyundai Rumored to be Considering Full-Size Pickup Truck

Hyundai Rumored to be Considering Full-Size Pickup Truck

 Hyundai is considering jumping into the full-size pickup segment, sources say.

The Korean automaker, which has made major inroads recently into the American car and crossover markets with critically acclaimed new products, recently held research clinics with truck buyers in California and Texas using a Ram 1500 customized with a Hyundai-style grille and interior tweaks. The response from the focus groups was positive enough to keep the project moving forward, according to our sources.

Hyundai Motors Company of Korea, like other foreign auto manufacturers operating in the U.S., manages its operations through an American subsidiary, called Hyundai Motors America.

A spokesperson for HMA told PickupTrucks.com that adding a pickup truck to its portfolio isn't currently on the company's radar.

"We never say never about future products we might add," the spokesman said, "but pickup trucks are not a high priority for us."

Our sources say that it's HMC, not HMA, that's running the research and that they may be doing it without HMA's knowledge.

This isn’t the first time that Hyundai has considered building a truck for the U.S. In 2008, Dr. Kim Dong-Jin, Vice Chairman and CEO of Hyundai, said that Hyundai killed plans to build a midsize pickup for sibling Kia Motors at a factory in Georgia because of softening demand for trucks and rising gas prices.

Using a Ram 1500 in its research clinic isn't necessarily a sign that Hyundai and Chrysler might partner to produce Ram-based Hyundai pickup trucks. Manufacturers considering entering new segments can test early ideas using modified versions of existing products.

But such a manufacturing agreement wouldn't be unprecedented for Chrysler if it did occur. Chrysler was going to manufacture Ram 1500-based pickup trucks for Nissan before that deal died last year. With Ram sales off 20 percent year-to-date, a deal with Hyundai could help Chrysler take advantage of underutilized manufacturing capacity.
Similar deals, though, have had little success with truck buyers, such as the low-selling Mitsubishi Raider, Isuzu i-Series and Suzuki Equator. Sources say that Hyundai's larger dealer network could help overcome the hurdles that smaller manufacturers have faced promoting and selling rebadged trucks.

One other possibility is that Hyundai could build an entirely new truck in South Korea on its own later this decade. The U.S. and South Korea signed a free trade agreement in 2007. Part of that agreement will phase out current tariffs of 25 percent on South Korean-built pickup trucks exported to the U.S by 2017.

source by pickuptrucks

Big Luxury: GMC Sierra Denali HD 3500 Dually Coming for 2011

Big Luxury: GMC Sierra Denali HD 3500 Dually Coming for 2011

Remember  the high-end GMC Sierra Denali HD 3500 dually that our sources said was coming for 2011? Now it's official, according to a press release from General Motors.

The biggest Denali model in GMC's lineup will join the previously announced 2011 Sierra Denali HD 2500 four-wheel-drive crew-cab single rear wheel model that debuted at the 2010 NTEA Work Truck Show.

But that's not all.

Upscale Denali trim will also be available for the two-wheel-drive Sierra 2500 crew cab as well as for the Sierra 3500 single rear wheel configuration, with two-wheel or four-wheel drive. The Sierra Denali 3500 will also be available in standard (6-foot-6-inch) and dually long box (8-foot) versions.

“Our Denali line sets the premium standard for the industry,” said Lisa Hutchinson, GMC product marketing director. “We received such an overwhelming response to the new Sierra Denali 2500HD that we worked quickly and decided to extend the model into the 3500HD series so those GMC buyers can also benefit from blending capability with premium features and styling.”

Unfortunately, pictures of the one-ton Denali dually won't be available for a few more weeks, but we do have video of the three-quarter-ton Sierra Denali from the Work Truck Show (below).  

What does checking the Denali option box buy you? Sierra Denali HDs receive a unique four-bar chrome grille with body-colored bumpers, chrome door handles, chrome accents and 18- or 20-inch polished forged aluminum wheels. Inside, you get Denali-specific brushed aluminum trim, power-adjustable pedals, a Bose premium surround audio system and 12-way power seats. Along with an optional heated steering wheel, heated and cooled leather-appointed seating is available. The exterior will be offered in three colors: black, Stealth Gray and white.

Powering Sierra Denali HD pickups will be either a standard 6.0-liter V-8 gas engine or the new 6.6-liter LML Duramax V-8 diesel engine, which is rated a segment-leading 397 horsepower and 765 pounds-feet of torque. All 2011 GMC Sierra HD pickups have redesigned, fully boxed frames and revised suspensions.

The Denali option package has been available in the light-duty GMC Sierra 1500 since 2002.

source by pickuptrucks

Most reliable cars

Most reliable cars

A high price doesn't mean it's reliable

Paying more for a new car doesn't guarantee better reliability. As a group, inexpensive small cars and midsized family sedans are the most reliable. That's one of the findings of our 2009 Annual Auto Survey, based on our subscribers' experiences with 1.4 million vehicles.
Small cars stand out. Twenty of 37 small cars have above-average predicted-reliability scores. Family cars fare nearly as well, with 21 out of 41 scoring above average.
Other interesting findings from the survey include the following:

• A wide gulf separates the best from the worst. The least reliable vehicle, the Volkswagen Touareg, is 27 times more likely to have a problem than the most reliable car, the Honda Insight.
  
• Ford is tops among the domestic automakers. The Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan once again beat the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The upscale Lincoln MKZ beat its rivals, the Acura TL and Lexus ES.
• Even good brands falter. Among the least reliable in their respective classes are the all-wheel-drive Lexus GS, the Nissan Versa sedan, and the Subaru Impreza WRX.

• Five of the eight most reliable family cars are hybrids.

Ford still leads the domestics 

Ford consolidated its position as the only Detroit automaker with world-class reliability. The Fusion and Milan led the charge; four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive V6, and hybrid versions got top marks. 

Of the 51 Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln products that we surveyed, 46, or about 90 percent, were average or better, including the new Ford Flex SUV. But the Lincoln division had mixed results; some models scored below their Ford equivalents. All-wheel-drive versions of the Lincoln MKS, MKX, and MKZ, essentially high-end versions of the Ford Taurus, Edge, and Fusion, were all below average.

Following its bankruptcy filing and shedding the Hummer, Pontiac, and Saturn brands, GM now consists of Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC. Of the 48 models we surveyed from those brands, 20 had average scores, and only one, the Malibu V6 sedan, was better than average.

Some newer GM products were bright spots. Besides the Malibu, the Buick Lucerne also did well in our road tests, and it scored average in reliability. The Chevrolet Traverse SUV also made the cut, as did its cousin, the Buick Enclave, but only in the all-wheel-drive version. The Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups, two good performers, earned our recommendation as well. GM has a number of strong contenders either just released or in the pipeline, but we won't have reliability data on them for a while.

We recommend the Pontiac Vibe and the V8 version of the Pontiac G8, as well as the Saturn Aura, which have average or better reliability. Some of those cars can still be found on dealer lots.

In last year's survey we couldn't recommend any Chrysler products, either because of mediocre performance, poor reliability, or both. Now there is one: the four-wheel-drive version of the Dodge Ram 1500 pickup, which was redesigned for 2009. It did well in our road tests and rated average in reliability. Still, more than one-third of Chrysler products were much worse than average, including its new car-based SUV, the Dodge Journey. 

High: Honda Insight
In its first year, the Honda Insight had the 

best new car reliability in our survey, 

but scored too low in our testing to be 

recommended.

Asian brands still dominate   
In its first year, the Honda Insight had the best new car reliability in our survey, but scored too low in our testing to be recommended. The major Japanese brands and South Korea's Hyundai and Kia make plenty of reliable vehicles. Of the 48 models with top reliability scores, 36 were Asian. Toyota accounted for 18; Honda, eight; Nissan, four; and Hyundai/Kia and Subaru, three each.

On the whole, Japanese vehicles are consistently good. All Hondas and Acuras were average or above. Toyota, with its Lexus and Scion brands providing a broader product range, had just one vehicle that was below average in reliability, the Lexus GS AWD.

The Nissan and its Infiniti luxury division have been mostly very good despite lapses such as the subpar Nissan Quest minivan. The once problematic Infiniti QX56 and Nissan Armada SUVs are now average, and the same goes for the 4WD Nissan Titan pickup, although its RWD version is still troublesome. Over the last two surveys, the Nissan Versa hatchback has been average while the sedan has been far below average-an oddity.

Subaru has been a very reliable brand, but this year the turbocharged Impreza WRX turned up with a worse-than-average reliability score even though other versions of the Impreza have been average or better, as were all other Subarus.

Hyundai and Kia continue to make reliable cars. The Hyundai Elantra and Tucson, and the Kia Sportage got top marks. The new Genesis sedan was better than average with the V6, average with the V8. The only models that scored below average were the Kia Sedona minivan and Sorento SUV. 

Good news from Europe

Low: Volkswagen Touareg
The Volkswagen Touareg had the worst new car prediction score in the survey. It is 27 times more likely to have problems than the best model, the Honda Insight. 

European brands continue to improve. Mercedes-Benz has made great strides, with most models average, and the GLK did exceptionally well in its first year. Scores from rival BMW were more mixed. The 535i sedan and X3 SUV declined in reliability, and the 135i, debuting in this survey, scored below-average. Some BMW models had average or better reliability, but the 328i versions are the only ones that we've tested and can recommend.

Volkswagen and Audi are staging a nice recovery. The Volkswagen Rabbit (Golf for 2010), and its new CC got top scores. The VW Jetta's recommendation now extends to the diesel version, making it the only diesel we currently recommend. Both the Passat and Audi A3 have improved to average. The new VW Tiguan SUV was average. The Audi Q7 SUV continues to be much worse than average, while the VW Touareg, which had the worst new car prediction score in the survey, is 27 times more likely to have a problem than the best, the Honda Insight.

All of Volvo's sedans were average or better, but Volvo's XC90 SUV was below average. Porsche, which has been doing quite well in our survey of late, had one serious hiccup this year: The Boxster dropped to below average, which strikes it from our recommended list. But the Cayenne SUV improved to average. 

A consumer-driven rating
Our reliability data are based on an annual survey of Consumer Reports and ConsumerReports.org subscribers and are not derived from our vehicle testing.
From the survey, we create a reliability history for each model over the course of 10 model years, 2000 to 2009. We use the data, in part, to help readers determine which used cars to buy or avoid. We also use them to forecast how 2010 models will hold up. This predicted-reliability score is based on a model's overall reliability for the latest three model years, provided that the 2010 version hasn't changed significantly. If a model was new or redesigned in that period, we might use one or two years of data. In rare instances, we make a prediction for a newly redesigned model if previous versions had outstanding reliability.
Detailed Reliability data pinpoints problems
ConsumerReports.org Cars Best Deals Plus subscribers have access to a new feature that gives more details about specific trouble areas on thousands of cars one to 10 years old. Now both owners and prospective purchasers can delve deeper.
Each of the 17 problem areas we survey covers a host of possible faults. For instance, "Power Equipment" includes keyless entry, dashboard warning lights, tire-pressure monitor, and other things. "Body integrity" includes squeaks and rattles, seals and weather stripping, and air or water leaks, among other things. "Major Engine" problems include cylinder head and timing belt besides replacing the engine itself, while "Minor Engine" includes oil leaks, accessory belts and engine mounts.
To access the finer level of detail, choose any car, new or used, and go to its model-overview page. Click on the tab labeled "Reliability" and that will call up the reliability history, a grid of our familiar red and black scoring icons covering 17 trouble areas and however many model years we have data for.
Some of those individual colored "blobs" are flagged with a gold corner triangle with a "+" sign that indicate when more specific details are available. Click on that triangular corner tab to see more information on the problems owners have experienced.
As an example, looking at the Ford F-150 pickup, we can see multiple years of brake problems. However, in some years the problems were mainly attributed to pulsation or vibration, while in other years it was premature wear. Further, we note that the 2008 model had climate system problems. Now subscribers can see that the major gripe was the automatic climate system control rather than, say, a problem with the air conditioner itself.
Not all trouble spots are flagged. That's because either no or very few specific problems were reported, or because nothing stood out enough in the sub-categories to warrant special mention. 

source by consumerreports..

Indigen Armor Introduces the NSTT Battle Ready Pickup Truck

Indigen Armor Introduces the NSTT Battle Ready Pickup Truck

Looking like a militarized TORC off-road racer, Indigen Armor's Non-Standard Tactical Truck is the crew cab pickup truck you've been looking for if you're a member of a special ops team hunting bad guys halfway around the world or fighting zombies in L.A. after the apocalypse.

According to a press release, the four-door NSTT is "designed to afford soldiers greater mobility in urban, desert, woodland, jungle, mountainous, and arctic terrain. The chassis, suspension, power train and armored occupant safety cell were engineered specifically to carry large payloads across rough landscapes in denied areas."

The NSTT's sheetmetal appears to combine bits from Nissan's Titan and Frontier pickups and an old Toyota Hilux but its skin and windows are tough enough to defeat bullets fired from an AK-47 assault rifle (and, we're assuming, the teeth and nails of the undead). Along with an optional heated steering wheel, heated and cooled leather-appointed seating is available. The exterior will be offered in three colors: black, Stealth Gray and white.

Powering Sierra Denali HD pickups will be either a standard 6.0-liter V-8 gas engine or the new 6.6-liter LML Duramax V-8 diesel engine, which is rated a segment-leading 397 horsepower and 765 pounds-feet of torque. All 2011 GMC Sierra HD pickups have redesigned, fully boxed frames and revised suspensions.

The Denali option package has been available in the light-duty GMC Sierra 1500 since 2002.

A Navistar V-8 diesel engine sits under the NSTT's hood that's rated at 325 horsepower and 570 pounds-feet of torque (specs that are identical to the old 6.0-liter Power Stroke V-8) and paired with a 6-speed Allison automatic transmission. The eight cylinder oil burner will run on No. 2 diesel or military-grade JP-8 fuel.
The NSTT features an independent front and rear suspension, which is in line with the latest military thinking to keep the passengers and driver as comfortable as possible crossing the battlefield. The front running gear uses double-wishbones on both sides while the back uses rear trailing arms, instead of the conventional leaf springs or coil springs and a live axle that you'd find in today's civilian pickups.

The fully independent setup helps the NSTT reach a maximum speed of up to 103 mph on meaty 33X12.5-inch R16.5 BF Goodrich tires and 8-lug wheels. It can crawl over grades up to 60 percent or tackle side slopes up to 40 percent.
There are a wide range of equipment options available for the NSTT, depending on application, including run-flat tires, infrared lighting, signal jammers, sirens, a 2,000 watt inverter, winch, onboard air compressor and blast mitigating seats -- just in case.

 source by pickuptrucks

2009 Smart ForTwo Cabriolet undone by tricky transmission

2009 Smart ForTwo Cabriolet – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Smart ForTwo isn't for shy people. Even though Smart USA has sold about 30,000 of these tiny two-seaters in the U.S., the little rollerskate attracts a lot of attention. On the road or in America's parking lots, the ForTwo is a conversation piece, and people don't hesitate to come up and talk to you. Some will tell you about the Smart they saw in Europe. Others will ask if it has the guts to make it onto the highway. Most will assume it gets great gas mileage (it doesn't). But one thing's for certain, during our week with the ForTwo, there was a 100-percent conversation rate wherever we went. Anthropophobes, be warned.



Follow the jump to see what it's like to spend wheel time with a Smart ForTwo Cabriolet.
Among the myriad of questions we received, the most common area of concern centered around how safe it is. That's a fair question, considering the bigger-is-better message we've heard for years. But when you're in the Smart, you don't question its safety, you just drive. Granted, there's a slight feeling of vulnerability on the road – particularly when caught in the wind wake of semi trucks – but thanks to a deep dashboard and a distant leading edge to the windshield, the ForTwo feels bigger than it is, and about as solid as anything else on the road the majority of the time. It's only when you stop and think about the tiny narrow box you're cruising in that things get worrisome.



Still, the ForTwo has a full compliment of airbags and other active and passive safety features, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the ForTwo a four-star crash rating for the driver (three stars for the passenger), so it's hardly a death trap. Instead, it's a fun but flawed little ride, at home neither in the city nor on the highway.

It's easy (and maybe justifiable) to criticize the ForTwo. "It's only half a car," one friend joked, and the love-it-or-hate-it styling and size is the most obvious hurdle to ownership. But after driving the Smart ForTwo Passion cabrio in a variety of environments, the fog of novelty wears off and the truth is revealed: there's no ideal environment for this ultracompact runabout.



If you're a commuter in an urban area and only plan to use the ForTwo as a means to get to and from work, you could make a case for the Smart. And yes, the ForTwo could serve as a road trip machine – in a pinch. And yes, its eight cubic feet. of cargo space (12 if you fill it to the roof) is enough for a light grocery run – just don't put your ice cream at the bottom of the bags, because the ForTwo's adequate 70-hp, 1.0-liter three-cylinder sits between the rear wheels and quickly heats up the rear cargo area for insta-milkshakes. But as an everyday vehicle, the Smart ForTwo fails to stack up. And it begins with the transmission.

Although the ForTwo's automated manual gearbox has been "improved" from the 2008 model, it's still an unforgivable mess. There are two shifting options: a full automatic mode and a manual option that allows the driver to use either the steering wheel-mounted paddles or the floor-mounted shifter to change gears sans clutch. In automatic mode, the changes are inexcusably jerky, especially between first and second. Using the paddles allows for a slightly smoother shift when deftly manipulating the throttle, but manual shifting doesn't feel particularly useful, as it only allows you to choose when the hiccups happen and does little to alleviate the (neck) pain.



As you'd expect, this puts a serious chink in the ForTwo's urban armor. While its size is great for parking and the little car zips in and out of traffic with ease, in city driving, where the transmission is most active, the constant shifting makes low- to mid-speed maneuvers a torturous affair. While it might be possible to learn to live with the lurches, our week with the ForTwo wasn't enough – and we doubt any amount of time could dull the discomfort.

After answering the most common queries (What is it? Who makes it? Is it electric?), the next inevitable and justifiable question is about fuel economy. Again, the ForTwo has a surprisingly hard time justifying itself here. We averaged 35.7 mpg during our week with the car, just under the EPA's official 36 mpg combined rating. Initially, we left shifting duties to the ForTwo's computer-controlled tranny, resulting in a 32.7 mpg average. When we decided to stick the Smart Cab into the manual mode and use the paddle shifters, we managed 38.8 mpg. Maybe they're not so useless after all?



From the driver's seat, the ForTwo does its best imitation of a sleek, modern desk in some hipper-than-thou graphic designer's office. The top of the dash is expansive, and the designers completely nailed a chic, Euro-feel with the colors and layout. Virtually unchanged since the 2008 model, the gauges are stylish yet easy to read. The mid-mounted tachometer is a necessity in manual mode, since it's difficult to hear the engine crying for a change if the radio is on. The tachometer works better than the built-in indicator that flashes an "up" or "down" arrow below the speedometer when it's time to shift, as the LCD indicator is the same color and shape as the gear display and blends in. A separate colored icon, similar to what's found in modern VWs, would have been a better choice.



Other usability issues? While the visors provide an acceptable amount of shading through the windshield, they're practically useless when the glare comes in at anything beyond 11 and one o'clock. Rear visibility provided by the inside mirror isn't great, but works – except when the top is down. Two buttons by the shifter allow you to automatically fit or retract the Passion Cabriolet's top at any speed, eliminating any feeling of separation between the occupant and the environment. But when your enjoying the open-air experience, it's best to perform multiple checks when backing up or doing a lane change, as visibility becomes a finite resource. Thankfully, the ForTwo's squat footprint allows you to slide into spaces with a minimum of butt-puckering.

It's also easy to enjoy the Passion's standard audio system, which comes with a six-disc changer and an auxiliary jack in hidden in the glove box. The location of the input jack is great when you're on the road, as the iPod remains safely tucked away, but it's not so hot when stopping and starting. More than once, we left the player running because we forgot it was in the lockable glove box.



The sticker of our tester came in at $16,990, but the line ranges from $11,990 for the Pure Coupe to $20,990 for the BRABUS Cabriolet. Low sales in 2009 have prompted Smart USA to offer its first ever incentive for buyers, but even with a lower sticker, the ForTwo is difficult for us to recommend. Although some of its drawbacks disappear when you're enjoying the "ForTwo Experience", its abysmal transmission, general lack of utility and fuel economy that comes off as unimpressive for its size doesn't make a compelling case for the ForTwo. That is, unless you're a casual city driver who values fashion over function, or someone who really likes to meet new people.
source by autoblog

Family Truckster Reborn: 2011 Honda Odyssey Revealed

Just under an hour ago, the 2011 Honda Odyssey was revealed to journalists via an online video presentation.

Earlier this afternoon, Honda engineers explained the key features of the latest Odyssey, using the word "intuitive" to describe the changes that differentiate this model from its forebear. Few details were revealed about the Odyssey's driving dynamics in the presentation, but we know the Odyssey will retain a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, and achieve similar EPA fuel economy numbers to the current model.




The engineers' presentation instead focused most on interior features, presumably for potential buyers with young children. Innovative features to the 2011 Odyssey will include a center dash-mounted "cool box," 15 (!) cupholders, and a bevy of interior electronic gadgetry and places to store accessories like iPods and cell phones. The Odyssey has grown in nearly all dimensions to make all three rows of seating more accommodating.

The 2011 Odyssey seems a careful evolution of the last two generations of sliding-door Odysseys -- don't forget the first Odyssey of 1994 with traditional doors. What do you think? Does the latest design strike a chord with your inner minivan fan?

Source: Honda

Cannonball: Wall Street Bankers Partake in Road Rally as Performance Bonus

If you're an investment banker, how do you unwind from the stresses of derivative swaps, ethics investigations, and a weakened economy? The answer, it seems, is to blitz your way through Vermont in an expensive supercar along with 13 of your buddies -- and inevitably, get busted by the fuzz.

Reports are still somewhat sketchy, but it appears several top-performing investment bankers from an offshore investment company were rewarded with a special road trip inspired by the Cannonball Run. A road trip from New York City to Montreal was arranged, allowing participants to view the recent Canadian Grand Prix. Over 14 high-performance vehicles, including several Lamborghinis and a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren -- were rented from a New York company for the trip, which quickly became a high-speed road rally.



On the evening of June 11, the Vermont State Police received a call reporting a group of supercars was traveling at excessive speeds. The SLR was pulled over, but its driver somehow managed to avoid getting a citation.

Another banker wasn't so lucky. Spencer Lodge was clocked by an officer doing nearly 104 mph in a Lamborghini LP560 Spyder, and was arrested on the spot. A plea arrangement forced Lodge to pay $881 in fines and was released from police custody.

Police aren't finished, though -- authorities in Vermont say additional charges may be in the works for the other drivers. In an interview with WCAX, Lt. Bob Stebbins noted these may not be simple speeding tickets -- a number of participants may be charged criminally based upon the dangerous driving involved.

Sources: NBC Today, WCAX.com

Le Futur: Audi R8 E-tron Makes an Appearance at Le Mans EV Demonstration

Before the roaring race cars took to the Circuit de la Sarthe for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, only the squeal of protesting tires could be heard as Audi’s E-tron, clothed in an R8 skin, took to the track.

Audi gave fans a demonstration of its electric sports car before the endurance race began as part of “Le Mans vers le futur.” Vers le futur was a demonstration run specifically for electric vehicles to showcase the future of sports cars. Five-time Le Mans winner Frank Biela was behind the wheel to put the R8 E-tron through its paces.



Audi has shown no less than two E-tron sports car concepts, a larger one at the Frankfurt auto show last year, and a second, smaller one in Detroit this year. Both concept models were based on the R8 platform. The E-tron that took to the track was based on Frankfurt’s larger, more powerful E-tron, sans fancy concept exterior.

R8 E-tron used the same powertrain setup as the E-tron shown at Frankfurt, with electric motors driving each wheel to give it Audi’s signature Quattro all-wheel-drive. In total, the motors put out 313 horsepower and 3319 pound-feet of torque, according to Audi, but we’ve shown that to be more like 252 pound-feet of torque at the crankshaft. However you look at the torque, it’s enough to propel the car to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds.

The car continues with the R8’s handling balance as the batteries are placed behind the driver where the gasoline engine would sit in a conventional R8. This gives the car a 42:58 front/rear weight balance, but the car exhibits extremely neutral handling coupled with Audi’s centrally controlled electric Quattro all-wheel-drive. Also featured was active torque vectoring, seen on the new S4’s optional rear differential, but because of the nature of the centrally controlled electric motors, it can be implemented only by using electronics on the E-tron.

We know Audi is planning a production E-tron to compete with Mercedes-Benz’s upcoming electric SLS AMG. Audi has also made no secret about turning E-tron into a corporate sub-brand similar to TDI or Quattro. The first of the E-trons is slated to go into production alongside the R8 and Lamborghini Gallardo next year.

Was the R8 E-tron taken around the Circuit de la Sarthe our first look at the production car?

Source: Audi

Audi Sound Engineers Place 62 Speakers into a Q7

After orchestrating the design and installation of some pretty far-out Bang & Olufsen sound systems into vehicles like the R8, A8, and Q7, you'd think Audi's sound engineers would be perfectly content. Not so. In fact, in pursuit of the perfect sound, some engineers within the company have created their dream sound system, which involves stuffing 62 speakers into a Q7.




The venture, dubbed the Audi Sound Project, is the pet project of infotainment development engineer Peter Gleim. His goal -- to focus on wave field synthesis -- sounds like a scientist's fantasy, but is actually quite impressive. The object is to recreate a sound wave with several sources (i.e. speakers) placed closely together. Each speaker is controlled separately, so the signal can be delayed and staggered, allowing the listener to hear an exact reproduction of the original sound. Better yet, the sound is produced in an identical fashion for each seating position.

"We can simulate any wave front," Gleim said in a release. "With stereo, we can generate a sound as if the two speakers were located far outside the car. We can also add any desired spatial impression computationally -- not as a sound effect, but as a mathematically precise simulation."

Gleim's team managed to cram all 62 speakers, baffles, and amplifiers into the Q7, but its interior looks anything but normal. The ASP system includes five tweeters, five subwoofers, and 52 midrange speakers, all connected to a large power amplifier. Speakers are integrated into the dashboard, pillars, door panels -- virtually anywhere engineers could find space. Three separate PCs are needed to control both the amplifier and the entire speaker array.

"Our goal was to show what is technically feasible; to explore the limits," said Denis Credé, head of Audi's sound development. "What we are learning will be integrated into the sound systems of tomorrow. It's like with racing: A lot of what is first tried out on the race tracks of this world later shows up in modified in production vehicles. The Audi Sound Concept project is like racing for sound systems."

We imagine both packaging and cost are two major hurdles in pushing the ASC into production. On that later note, adding the 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen system in an A8 or Q7 adds roughly $6300. We suspect that figure would grow exponentially for a 62-speaker system.
We're fans of excellent sound systems, but aren't always convinced they're worth the investment. What say you -- when shopping for a car, is the sound system an important component, or do you skip that option box?

Source: Audi

FEATURES: Eight Great Volkswagen-Italdesign Collaborations

The ink on the marriage license is still drying, but Volkswagen and Italdesign-Giugiaro -- which officially merged earlier this week -- are hardly strangers. In fact, the two firms have been courting one another for nearly four decades.



Any Volkswagen nut will be happy to tell you that Italdesign founder and chief designer Giorgetto Giugiaro helped style the original Passat, Golf/Rabbit, and Scirocco, but we've delved a little further into the Italdesign archives to see how deep this relationship truly runs. We've rounded up eight great VW-Italdesign collaborations for you here -- while some are simply rolling sculpture, others have had a profound influence on Volkswagen history.
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FEATURES: Eight Great Volkswagen-Italdesign Collaborations(1999)

1999 Bugatti 18/3 Chiron
This wasn't Italdesign's first stab at a Bugatti coupe -- but it was the first true step in creating today's incredible 16.4 Veyron.

Although Italdesign had styled a number of Bugatti concepts (including the 112, 118, and 218 sedans) while Romano Artioli owned the firm, none really impressed Volkswagen, which purchased the company in 1998. Instead of developing another large luxury sedan, VW commissioned Italdesign to craft a Bugatti supercar to succeed the EB110.



Built upon the chassis of a Lamborghini Diablo VT, the 18/3 Chiron -- unveiled at the 1999 Frankfurt Motor Show -- was an aggressive, angular beast of a supercar. Power -- all 555 horsepower -- was derived from a 6.3-liter W-18 engine, displayed to the world thanks to an exposed engine cover. The interior was remarkably basic, although it was trimmed in saddle-colored leather with blue accents.

At the time, Volkswagen officials suggested a version of the Chiron would be launched at the 1999 Tokyo Motor Show, and could potentially reach production by 2002. This time around, VW honored its word: the 16/4 Veyron concept shown in Japan was visually (if not mechanically) similar to the Veyron EB 16.4 that went into production in 2004.

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source by automobi