Tag: car

Audio engineer lists top 10 songs to test a car stereo

Filed under: Etc., Technology, GM

Bang & Olufson speaker in Audi A8

Music and driving, like ranch dressing and fries, are two things that go great together. When a vehicle is equipped with a good audio system, it helps complete a journey that starts when you twist the key and ends when you arrive at your destination whistling the song you just listened to.

In order to achieve top notch listening environments, automakers often employ audio engineers who are quite skilled at being good listeners. We imagine they also enjoy ruining social events by droning on about such things as oxygen-free copper center conductors and ohm impedance. Matt Kirsch however, an audio engineer with General Motors, may be more interesting judging by his preferred playlist used when testing audio setups. Kirsh has made public his own Top 10 list for testing the mettle of our own sound systems.

  1. “Don’t Know Why” by Norah Jones. Listen for Norah’s voice to sound natural, and centered in front of you.
  2. “Diamonds and Rust” by Joan Baez. Listen for strong vocals, and for the instruments to be set across a wide sound stage.
  3. “No One” by Alicia Keys. Listen for clarity in Alicia’s vocals and spacious background sound.
  4. “Hotel California” by the Eagles. Listen for the clarity and dynamic range during the opening guitar solo, and of course the powerful drum beat.
  5. “Boom Boom Pow“by the Black Eyed Peas. Listen for powerful, accurate bass beats, even at full volume.
  6. “Rock that Body“by the Black Eyed Peas. Listen clear, intelligible lyrics over the powerful, persistent bass beat.
  7. “Hide and Seek“by Imogen Heap. Listen for the enveloping ambience of the song, building on the openness and dynamic vocals.
  8. “He Mele No Lilo” by Mark Keali’i Ho’omalu from Lilo and Stitch.Listen for the ambience and staging as the children’s chorus is offset by powerful bass.
  9. “Bird on a Wire” by Johnny Cash. Listen for the clarity in Johnny’s distinctive voice, and his guitar to sound natural and free of any coloration.
  10. “Packt Like Sardines in a Crushd Tin Box” by Radiohead. Listen for the punch from the percussive bass, and the ring of the steel drums.

The list is varied between genres and decades, and it’s jam packed with a plethora of instruments to stretch the legs on your tweeters, mid-range units and on down to the subs. Finding music with high highs and lovely lows is necessary to experience the complete auditory road trip, and Kirsh’s playlist does just that. Don’t believe us? The General posted the playlist on iTunes so you can see for yourself.

[Source: USA Today]

Audio engineer lists top 10 songs to test a car stereo originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Stig’s favorite car is… the Toyota Aygo? [w/video]

Filed under: Europe, Celebrities

Toyota Aygo

Click above to view the videos after the jump

Just when you thought there wasn’t any more news to be drained from Stig-gate, Ben Collins has come out and announced his favorite car from his time beneath the white helmet. Surprisingly enough, it’s not some high-dollar sports machine. Instead, Collins says that the most fun he ever had behind the wheel while employed with the BBC was in a Toyota Aygo. He and a gaggle of other race drivers spent an afternoon playing car soccer with the Aygo, and after a full day of abuse, the little Toyota just kept on chugging along.

But if Collins is choosing a piece of high-end metal to adore, the guy said that the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport helped form some of his best memories of Top Gear. Yeah, we can see that one.

The former tame racing driver’s least favorite car? Well, that’s a surprise, too. That honor goes to a Koenigsegg. Collins infamously binned one of the ultra-rare machines during shooting – the only car to suffer damage while in his care. Videos of both segments are available after the jump.

Publisher HarperCollins plans on releasing Collins’ autobiography, The Man in the White Suit: The Stig, Le Mans, The Fast Lane and Me soon. Thanks for the tip, Kris!

[Source: The Daily Telegraph]

Continue reading The Stig’s favorite car is… the Toyota Aygo? [w/video]

The Stig’s favorite car is… the Toyota Aygo? [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW announces trial markets for ActiveE electric car effort

Filed under: BMW, Electric

BMW ActiveE concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

The evolution of BMW’s electric vehicle program, Project i, goes sort of like this: from Mini E concept to leasing that car to happy customers to the ActiveE concept to field tests of the larger sedan next year and then on to the Megacity EV, which is scheduled for 2013. Those last two steps have yet to happen, but today we learn a bit more about how and where the ActiveE, a modified 1 Series Coupe, will prowl the streets. BMW has announced that the following U.S. cities and areas will get the ActiveE:

  • New York City
  • Los Angeles
  • San Diego
  • San Francisco
  • Sacramento
  • Boston
  • select markets in Connecticut

So that makes California and the East Coast the lucky ones. We’ve heard a few hundred ActiveEs would be tested around the U.S., but BMW hasn’t provided any more details on the number of vehicles coming to each location. The field trial starts next summer, so we don’t have that much longer to wait.

What can drivers expect from the ActiveE? BMW says that “realistic simulations” show the all-electric car can go from 0-60 in approximately 8.5 seconds and the car has a top speed of around 90 miles per hour (electronically limited). Range is estimated at 100 miles. Unlike the Mini E , the ActiveE can seat four and carry about seven cubic-feet of stuff.

Gallery: BMW Concept ActiveE

[Source: BMW]

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BMW announces trial markets for ActiveE electric car effort originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 17:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rhys Millen piloting Hyundai WRC car in U.S. Rallycross

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Hyundai, Racing

Hyundai WRC car

Hyundai and Rhys Millen are prepared to take on the U.S. Rallycross field thanks to a 500 horsepower Korean monster machine. Millen, a Pikes Peak class record holder, will run the car in rounds two and three of the Rallycross championship. The races will take place at New Jersey Motorsports Park on October 2-3 and November 6-7.

Rhys Millen was part of the original crew that brought rally cars to the X-Games six years ago. “I’m excited to be stepping back into the world of rally,” said Millen “… with rallycross here in the U.S., what better way to prove the performance and power of the Hyundai brand.”

Hyundai’s goal is to run the 2010 events to gain insight for next year when they’ll run a full series with an all-new car. The car is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder paired with a six-speed sequential gearbox. Xtrac four-wheel drive, large Brembo brakes and a Proflex jumbo coilover suspension setup help keep the 2,805 pound car pointed where Rhys tells it to go.

Gallery: RallyCar Rallycross at New Jersey Motorsports Park

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Rhys Millen piloting Hyundai WRC car in U.S. Rallycross

Rhys Millen piloting Hyundai WRC car in U.S. Rallycross originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Videos: World’s Fastest Street Car drives 1,200 miles, whips off 6.95 ET @ 209 mph

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Videos, Chevrolet, Racing

Larry Larson and his six-second street-driven Nova – Click above to watch videos after the jump

Technically, there’s nothing wrong with putting your race car on a trailer and towing it to the track. In fact, as anyone who has tried to use a track rat as a daily driver can tell you, a car can be either a racer or a commuter. Rarely can it do both effectively. But there’s a certain subset of drivers out there for whom “trailer queen” is as dirty a phrase as any four-letter word you could think of. Hot Rod Magazine has worked up an event just for these folk. It’s called Drag Week, and the rules are pretty simple. Cars must run five tracks in five states over five days, lowest ET wins and everyone has to drive their bruiser from track to track. No trailers allowed.

This year’s king of the heap is Larry Larson and his 1966 Chevrolet Nova, a racer that is staking its claim for the title of world’s fastest street car. A twin-turbocharged 565 cubic-inch big-block Bowtie V8 supplies the grunt, and though it’s never been on a dyno, estimates put it at more than 2,300 horsepower. As a result, Larson can launch the car down the quarter mile in 6.95 seconds at 209.1 mph, even after driving the car on public roads for five days straight – some of it in pouring rain, no less. Hit the jump to see a few videos of the machine.

[Sources: 1320 Video via YouTube, Bang Shift]

Continue reading Videos: World’s Fastest Street Car drives 1,200 miles, whips off 6.95 ET @ 209 mph

Videos: World’s Fastest Street Car drives 1,200 miles, whips off 6.95 ET @ 209 mph originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston-Martin One-77 world’s most powerful normally-aspirated road car? [w/video]

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Aston Martin, UK, Luxury

Aston Martin One-77

2011 Aston Martin One-77 – Click above to watch video after the jump

Aston Martin continues to march forward with its One-77. The soon-to-be-ultra-rare hypercar is closer than ever to production, and according to the minds behind its creation, when it hits the street, it will boast the world’s most powerful naturally-aspirated production car engine. With 750 horsepower and 750 lb-ft of torque, the 7.3-liter V12 is a marvel of automotive and acoustic engineering.

Despite the company’s plans to produce just 77 examples of its halo model, Aston Martin says that it’s bent on making sure that each and every one of the vehicles can stand up to the same level of abuse as the rest of its production fleet. That means that somewhere out there, a One-77 prototype is being flogged in the world’s most brutal climates.

Aston Martin has released the fourth installment of its video series on the One-77, complete with all of the long, slow-motion shots your little heart could possibly desire and a glorious soundtrack. If you’re lucky enough to have secured a One-77 for yourself, the company says that deliveries should begin during the first half of 2011. Hit the jump to take a look and for a quick read over the press release.

Gallery: Aston Martin One-77 at Galpin Motors

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2009 AOL

[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Aston-Martin One-77 world’s most powerful normally-aspirated road car? [w/video]

Aston-Martin One-77 world’s most powerful normally-aspirated road car? [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Study: Car buyers not impressed by celeb endorsements. How about you? [w/poll]

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Celebrities

Kate Walsh Cadillac ad

As Americans, there’s no denying we have a healthy obsession with the lives of celebrities. From movie stars like Will Smith down to reality television “stars” like The Situation, people are curious as to what’s going on in their world. What clothes do they wear, where do they get their groceries and what kind of car(s) do they buy? Sometimes a celebrity won’t have much say in the vehicle they drive because they sign a sizable endorsement deal to tell us which vehicle we should be driving. As sales numbers for thousands of celeb-endorsed products will tell you, their stamp of approval can make a difference in a bust or boom period for a product. Well, as long as that product isn’t a car.

According to WhatCar, celebrity endorsements only affect one percent of car buyers. They polled over 1,000 folks and just 11 said they could be encouraged by someone famous telling them what to buy. Obviously, a car buyer should purchase the vehicle that makes the most sense to them, not the one that Kate Walsh (above) likens to trying on a good dress. Exceptions can be made, however, for anyone who purchased a Chrysler Cordoba because of its soft Corinthian leather, of which the virtues were extolled beautifully by Ricardo “KHAN” Montalban.

What say you? Can Justin Timberlake convince you to buy an Audi or does Mike Rowe explaining how great the Ford F-150 is make you picture a Chevrolet Silverado in your driveway?

View Poll

[Source: WhatCar]

Study: Car buyers not impressed by celeb endorsements. How about you? [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Start-stop tech might be in your next new car… are you ready? [w/poll]

Filed under: Technology

Start Stop

At a stop light. In the drive-thru. In your driveway. Stop-start technology turns off the engine whenever the vehicle is on and the driver’s foot is on the brake. The merits of the technology are hard to ignore; fuel economy savings as high as 15 percent. But while stop-start has been widely adopted in Europe, here in the U.S. the only non-hybrid vehicle to feature the tech is the Porsche Panamera.

Part of the reason stop-start hasn’t taken off in the States is that many Environmental Protection Agency tests don’t take stops into account during testing. And without gaining precious miles per gallon in EPA fuel economy testing, many customers will have a problem footing the bill for the the technology’s otherwise reasonable $500 price tag. But as testing methods change and fuel economy standards become more stringent, stop-start is coming closer to making its way into your next vehicle. General Motors, Ford and Chrysler are among the automakers looking to incorporate the technology in U.S.-market vehicles by or before 2014.

Stop-start is relatively seamless in operation and imperceptible to most users. When you begin deceleration or come to a stop, the engine cuts off. When you lift your foot off the pedal, the engine fires back up. The upside is considerably improved fuel economy in city driving. There isn’t much downside other than the change we Americans tend not to embrace. We’re pretty sure we’re ready for start-stop. Are you? Take the poll below to let us know where you stand.

View Poll

[Source: The Detroit News]

Start-stop tech might be in your next new car… are you ready? [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Sep 2010 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Start-stop tech might be in your next new car… are you ready? [w/poll]

Filed under: Technology

Start Stop

At a stop light. In the drive-thru. In your driveway. Stop-start technology turns off the engine whenever the vehicle is on and the driver’s foot is on the brake. The merits of the technology are hard to ignore; fuel economy savings as high as 15 percent. But while stop-start has been widely adopted in Europe, here in the U.S. the only non-hybrid vehicle to feature the tech is the Porsche Panamera.

Part of the reason stop-start hasn’t taken off in the States is that many Environmental Protection Agency tests don’t take stops into account during testing. And without gaining precious miles per gallon in EPA fuel economy testing, many customers will have a problem footing the bill for the the technology’s otherwise reasonable $500 price tag. But as testing methods change and fuel economy standards become more stringent, stop-start is coming closer to making its way into your next vehicle. General Motors, Ford and Chrysler are among the automakers looking to incorporate the technology in U.S.-market vehicles by or before 2014.

Stop-start is relatively seamless in operation and imperceptible to most users. When you begin deceleration or come to a stop, the engine cuts off. When you lift your foot off the pedal, the engine fires back up. The upside is considerably improved fuel economy in city driving. There isn’t much downside other than the change we Americans tend not to embrace. We’re pretty sure we’re ready for start-stop. Are you? Take the poll below to let us know where you stand.

View Poll

[Source: The Detroit News]

Start-stop tech might be in your next new car… are you ready? [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Sep 2010 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The woman who tracks down real customers for car commercials [w/ video]

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Ford, Toyota

Danya Solomon

Danya Solomon helps manufacturers find customer testimonials – Click above to watch video after the jump

The testimonial is one of advertising’s oldest weapons. It’s a simple formula: If someone spent his or her hard-earned money on a product and lived to tell about it, chances are it will be good enough for you. But where do advertising companies come up with the jokers that we see splashed all over our television screens? It turns out that they look to one individual with a knack for finding people who are especially loyal to a specific brand or product. Her name is Danya Solomon.

Solomon is responsible for rounding up the everyday Joes and Janes we’ve seen on ads from Ford and Toyota lately. She spends her days scouring the internet, standing in parking lots and busting down pool-hall doors to find consumers who are passionate about the products they buy. The next time you see an average atomic family stand up and profess their love for a sedan, chances are Solomon had something to do with bringing them to the small screen. Hit the jump to see a few of the commercials she helped cast.

[Source: AOL Autos]

Continue reading The woman who tracks down real customers for car commercials [w/ video]

The woman who tracks down real customers for car commercials [w/ video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Sep 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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