Category: Auto Industry

Official: Mercedes ready to offer Car-to-X communications by end of year

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Mercedes-Benz

Although Mercedes-Benz isn’t the first automaker to develop a Car-to-X system, it sounds like it will be the first to get this automated safety technology into a production vehicle. Car-to-X allows a car to transmit and receive data in order to warn the driver of impending danger or traffic problems.

Using a mobile communication platform, the car would be sent alerts for approaching concerns including a broken down car, dangerous weather conditions or a car being driven the wrong way. In addition to automatic alerts, this system will have the ability to allow users to warn other motorists of road dangers, such as animals or debris on the road.

Mercedes says that it will not only have this technology as a standard feature in its vehicles by year’s end, but will also offer a kit that can be retrofitted to older models. It sounds like this technology will likely be limited to Germany or Europe for now, and the automaker it is also working with other automakers to get such a system implemented quicker. Scroll down for a press release.

Continue reading Mercedes ready to offer Car-to-X communications by end of year

Mercedes ready to offer Car-to-X communications by end of year originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Official: Mercedes ready to offer Car-to-X communications by end of year”

Report: José Froilán González, Ferrari’s first F1 race-winning driver, passes at age 90

Filed under: Etc.

José Froilán GonzálezJosé Froilán González, the first driver to win a grand prix race for Ferrari, passed away at the age of 90 on June 15, 2013.

The Argentinian, who was born on October 5, 1922, recorded his historic victory in 1951. The race was at the Silverstone circuit in the UK, and González defeated the legendary Alfa Romeo driver Juan Manuel Fangio, a five-time world champion. González competed in a total of 115 races, winning 46 times, including once at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and was also a successful driver of the Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrow cars when they took part in Formula Libre events in Argentina.

González, who had been nicknamed El Cabezón (Fat Head) by his fellow racers, is survived by this wife, Elena. A full obituary can be found here.

José Froilán González, Ferrari’s first F1 race-winning driver, passes at age 90 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Report: José Froilán González, Ferrari’s first F1 race-winning driver, passes at age 90”

Video: Watch this story of a father, a son and a classic Plymouth on Father’s Day

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Videos, Specialty

Father's Day Plymouth

They met in high school. Bev was a cheerleader, Joe played sports. The pair got married, and the first car they shared, driving off into their mutual futures together on their wedding day, was a 1948 Plymouth convertible. As is often the case with first cars – and especially cars as classically stylish and memorable as the Plymouth – they were left with nothing but fond memories after being forced to sell the car after Joe was drafted into the military.

Fast forward 60 years and their son has pulled off a brilliant surprise. The result of which is summed up rather nicely by Bev herself: “Uh oh. Grandpa’s got tears.” And you may, too. Scroll down below to see the video, produced and shared by Hagerty, for yourself.

Happy Father’s Day from the crew here at Autoblog.

Continue reading Watch this story of a father, a son and a classic Plymouth on Father’s Day

Watch this story of a father, a son and a classic Plymouth on Father’s Day originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Jun 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Video: Watch this story of a father, a son and a classic Plymouth on Father’s Day”

SpotSquad app will let you snitch on illegal parkers [w/video]

Filed under: Government/Legal, Technology

If we were cynical marketers, we might suggest this as a tag line for the upcoming smartphone app called SpotSquad: “Rat out your friends and neighbors for a few lousy bucks!”

That’s right, belying the stereotype of the unfailingly polite Canadian, Winnipeg-based SpotSquad is creating an app that will allow you to report parking violations to authorities, and get paid for it. The application asks that you take a photo of the violation in question, which is then forwarded to local parking enforcement authorities.

Though not a going concern yet, SpotSquad plans to demo the app in some private Winnipeg parking lots this summer, before loosing the hellish software on the innocent Canadian public. According to a report by CTV News, members of the public surveyed are split on whether or not SpotSquad is a clever idea, or a grim tattle-teller. Scroll down below to have a brief look at a how the app might work, and remember to do unto others as you’d have… never mind.

Continue reading SpotSquad app will let you snitch on illegal parkers [w/video]

SpotSquad app will let you snitch on illegal parkers [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Jun 2013 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “SpotSquad app will let you snitch on illegal parkers [w/video]”

Official: Ford using robot drivers to test durability [w/video]

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Safety, Technology, Work, Ford

In testing the durability of its upcoming fullsize Transit vans, Ford has begun using autonomous robotic technology to pilot vehicles through the punishing courses of its Michigan Proving Grounds test facility. The autonomous tech allows Ford to run more durability tests in a single day than it could with human drivers, as well as create even more challenging tests that wouldn’t be safe to run with a human behind the wheel.

The technology being used was developed by Utah-based Autonomous Solutions, and isn’t quite like the totally autonomous vehicles being developed by companies like Google and Audi for use out in the real world. Rather, Ford’s autonomous test vehicles follow a pre-programmed course and their position is tracked via GPS and cameras that are being monitored from a central control room. Though the route is predetermined, the robotic control module operates the steering, acceleration and braking to keep the vehicle on course as it drives over broken concrete, cobblestones, metal grates, rough gravel, mud pits and oversize speed bumps.

Scroll down to watch the robotic drivers in action, though be warned that you’re headed for disappointment if you expect to see a Centurion behind the wheel (nerd alert!). The setup looks more like a Mythbusters experiment than a scene from Battlestar Galactica.

Continue reading Ford using robot drivers to test durability [w/video]

Ford using robot drivers to test durability [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Jun 2013 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Official: Ford using robot drivers to test durability [w/video]”

Read This: Meet TVR’s new owner and learn his plans for the future

Filed under: Performance, UK, Luxury, MISC

TVR Sagaris

It’s hard not to be worried about the reborn TVR. The company’s new owner, entrepreneur Les Edgar, recently sat down with PistonHeads to discuss his plans for the fabled brand. Unfortunately, Edgar was no less dodgy about the future of TVR in his latest interview than he has been in the past. Evasive on everything from what the TVR brand means to him to which of the company’s cars he’s owned in the past, the former video game developer is either the most cautious individual to ever get into the automotive manufacturing game or is woefully unprepared for his new undertaking.

When asked what’s at the heart of TVR, Edgar responded, “I think it’s the people that buy them. We’re looking [for] a demographic that is probably different from what it was 15-20 years [ago]. We build cars that hopefully people want to buy, and they may not be the same type of people that bought them 10 years ago. At the base of it – the DNA – has got to be the same thing running through.”

Right.

Edgar then went on to dance around the question of what that DNA is, exactly. You can check out the full interview by heading over to PistonHeads. We sincerely hope we’re wrong about Edgar and his intentions for the brand, but the executive’s early comments haven’t quite passed our sniff test.

Meet TVR’s new owner and learn his plans for the future originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Jun 2013 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Read This: Meet TVR’s new owner and learn his plans for the future”

GM recalls over 230,000 more Trailblazer-family SUVs over door electronics

Filed under: SUV, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Buick, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Saab

Back in August, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced a recall on the General Motors GMT360 SUVs (Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Isuzu Ascender and Saab 9-7X) ranging from the 2005 to 2007 model years and the 2006 GMT370 SUVs (Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL) due to potential fires associated with the driver’s door module. Initially limited to 250,000 units sold or registered in 20 Snow Belt states (and the District of Columbia), the recall has now been expanded to include an additional 193,000 of these SUVs in the US and, according to The Detroit News, 40,000 more sold outside the US, including Canada and Mexico.

Like the original recall, the issue is still a faulty driver’s door module that can short out, which could lead to a fire. The Detroit News is reporting that, out of the 443,000 units being recalled, GM says that there were 58 fires that caused 11 minor injuries, and the expanded recall accounted for six fires and one injury. Despite the lower number of fires, the recall notice recommends that owners park their vehicles until the recall repairs has been performed.

On recalled units with functional modules, the repair consists of a protective coating being applied to the module, while vehicles with modules that are not working properly will have the driver’s door module replaced. The official recall notice is posted below, and it includes contact information for customers of all five brands.

Continue reading GM recalls over 230,000 more Trailblazer-family SUVs over door electronics

GM recalls over 230,000 more Trailblazer-family SUVs over door electronics originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Jun 2013 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “GM recalls over 230,000 more Trailblazer-family SUVs over door electronics”

Official: Volvo makes the XC60 disappear into art

Filed under: Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Volvo, Design/Style

For the last few years, Volvo has set up an art display in the Zurich, Switzerland central train station called the Volvo Art Session, allowing select artists – both established and up-and-coming – to create temporary exhibits with one of Volvo’s products acting as the centerpiece. This year, six artists from across Europe converged in Zurich to turn a 2014 Volvo XC60 into a work of art.

Each started with a blank white canvas, creating a massive display in what Volvo says is one of the busiest covered public places in Europe, and after each was done, it was all erased for the next artists to come in and do his or her thing. While some made the XC60 a focal point in the art, others made the crossover seemingly disappear. We have a gallery of all six finished pieces, but if you want to see background of the artists or time-lapse videos of their works, head over to VolvoArtSessions.com. This site also shows the exhibits from the prior two years, and a press release can be found below.

Continue reading Volvo makes the XC60 disappear into art

Volvo makes the XC60 disappear into art originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Jun 2013 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Official: Volvo makes the XC60 disappear into art”

Motorsports: SRT Viper ready for Le Mans after 10-year absence [w/video]

Filed under: Motorsports, Racing, SRT

The Viper will once again roar down the storied Mulsanne straight, as SRT is returning to the famed French race with two identically prepared GTS-R race cars set to compete at Le Mans later this month. Enthusiasts have been waiting a long time for a repeat appearance of the ten-cylinder coupes, which haven’t raced since winning the GTS class three times from 1998 to 2000. Ralph Gilles, president and chief executive officer of the SRT brand and motorsports, told Autoweek, “Le Mans is a world stage. The GTS-R has enjoyed great success at Le Mans in the past, and we’re excited to start a new chapter of Viper racing at that historic venue.”

Understandably, the rules at Le Mans have changed over the past decade and the automaker will be racing a new vehicle. Gary Johnson, SRT racing manager, told the publication, “Our plan is to be as competitive as we can and see what happens at the end.”

The new GTS-R shouldn’t have trouble running against its competitors in the LM GTE Pro Class, as its chassis has proven itself several times since its American Le Mans Series (ALMS) debut last August. This year alone, the No. 91 Viper has finished in the top five in all three races it has entered. “We’re going with the same commitment to do our best,” said Johnson.

To learn more about SRT’s race efforts, check out its new web series called Beyond the Checkered Flag. We’ve linked to the first video below.

Continue reading SRT Viper ready for Le Mans after 10-year absence [w/video]

SRT Viper ready for Le Mans after 10-year absence [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 Jun 2013 19:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Motorsports: SRT Viper ready for Le Mans after 10-year absence [w/video]”

Report: NHTSA boss Strickland weighs in on Jeep recall fracas

Filed under: SUV, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Jeep

David Strickland

Adding yet another chapter to the ongoing Jeep recall story, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) head David Strickland has gone on record to defend the government’s request that Chrysler recall 2.7 million out-of-production Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Liberty vehicles after the agency investigated fiery rear-end collisions that have reportedly killed at least 51 people over the years. In statements made to The Detroit News, Strickland said, “We felt very strongly that the process that we undertook and the findings that we made and … we made the decision to issue a recall request. We do not take that very lightly.” The top US auto safety regulator stopped short of telling owners to park their cars until the automaker takes action. “They can make their own risk assessment and their own choices,” he said.

Chrysler does not intend to recall the models, insisting the “vehicles met and exceeded all applicable requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, including FMVSS 301, pertaining to fuel-system integrity” when they were manufactured and sold. “The company does not agree with NHTSA’s conclusions and does not intend to recall the vehicles cited in the investigation. The subject vehicles are safe and are not defective,” Chrysler announced last week in a statement. “We believe NHTSA’s initial conclusions are based on an incomplete analysis of the underlying data, and we are committed to continue working with the agency to resolve this disagreement.”

Legally, Chrysler has until June 18 to formally respond to NHTSA’s request. If the automaker does not take action, NHTSA is expected to issue a formal finding and seek a recall.

NHTSA boss Strickland weighs in on Jeep recall fracas originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 Jun 2013 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Report: NHTSA boss Strickland weighs in on Jeep recall fracas”