Tag: tech

Study: Auto industry second most-trusted behind Tech

Filed under: Etc.

Edelman 2011 Trust Barometer

According to The Car Connection, a new study has found that the automotive industry is the second most trusted business in the world just behind technology. The research was conducted as part of the Edelman 2011 Trust Barometer and included results from 5,075 people in 23 countries. Each of the respondents were between 25 and 64 years old, held a college degree and were also in the top 25 percent of household income for their age group. Each participant was asked a series of questions concerning businesses, government and the media, especially concerning whether or not individuals trusted those entities to “do what’s right.”

Around 81 percent of those surveyed said that they trusted the technology sector to do the right thing (whatever that may be), compared to the automotive industry’s 69 percent. In fact, carmakers beat out 14 other industries including food and beverage, energy, pharmaceuticals, media and biotech. Why? The Car Connection seems to think the findings are coupled to the automotive industry’s underdog presence thanks to bankruptcies and massive recalls around the globe, while the greater push for green technologies and a rampant social media presence likely play a part as well.

[Source: The Car Connection]

Study: Auto industry second most-trusted behind Tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Muscles in Brussels: Land Rover launches Defender X-Tech edition in Belgium

Land Rover Defender X-Tech Limited Edition

Land Rover Defender X-Tech Limited Edition – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Belgians may not be known as much for military prowess as, say, for beer or waffles – at least not since conquering the Congo, anyway – but Brussels is also the seat of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. NATO was established as a united front against the Communist bloc, and still stands as one of the most formidable alliances of nations this side of the Star Wars empire. A perfect place, then, to unveil a paramilitary-type vehicle like the X-Tech Limited Edition.

Easily as tough as any Hummer or Jeep, the X-Tech is based on the Land Rover Defender – one of the most rock-solid rock-crawlers ever devised. It’s available in either silver, three-door Defender 90 form or in five-door Defender 110 long wheelbase in olive green, both offset by black roof, wheel arches, interior and new “saw-tooth” alloys. Not a major upgrade on the standard model, but just enough to give it the attitude it deserves.

Unveiled at the Brussels Motorshow, the Defender X-Tech is unfortunately unavailable in the North American market, but you can dream by checking out the gallery below.

Gallery: Land Rover Defender X-Tech Limited Edition

[Source: Land Rover]

Continue reading Muscles in Brussels: Land Rover launches Defender X-Tech edition in Belgium

Muscles in Brussels: Land Rover launches Defender X-Tech edition in Belgium originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GM CEO Akerson says Chevy Volt tech coming to minivan

Filed under: Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt charging port2011 Chevrolet Volt charging port – Click above for high-res image gallery

The more vehicles General Motors is able to build using the battery technology pioneered in its 2011 Chevrolet Volt, the better chance the automaker has of earning a return on its significant investment into the electrically driven automobile. It’s the classic economies of scale issue… but what is the next logical vehicle application?

While many of the early prognostications pointed to a Voltec-powered Cadillac, a report from AutoWeek says GM CEO Dan Akerson is suggesting a minivan may come first. There’s also some talk that an unknown hatchback is in the works (yes, the Volt is indeed a hatchback that’s shaped to look more like a sedan, but whatever).

Also notable are Akerson’s expectations that at least 10-percent of all GM production will be hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric vehicles within 10 to 15 years. Akerson wants each of the automaker’s four core divisions – Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet (check) and GMC – to have a vehicle using Volt technology, though no timeframe for that expansion has been given.

In other Volt news, Akerson told reporters at the 2011 Automotive News World Congress that the General is on track to sell 25,000 Chevrolet Volts for the 2011 model year, which is a sizeable increase from the 10,000-20,000 units expected as production began.

Moving past the ever-present greenery, Akerson and GM North American President Mark Reuss both stated that the company is putting some of its next-generation truck programs on the fast-track. We’d imagine that means we’ll see new fullsize pickups from Chevy and GMC sooner rather than later.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt: First Drive

2011 Chevrolet Volt2011 Chevrolet Volt2011 Chevrolet Volt

Photos copyright (C)2011 Chris Paukert / AOL
[Source: AutoWeek]

Report: GM CEO Akerson says Chevy Volt tech coming to minivan originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Georgia Tech pairs autonomous Porsche Cayenne with two R/C airplanes

Filed under: SUV, Technology, Porsche, Luxury

GTRI CUSTD project

GTRI CUSTD Project – Click above for high-res image gallery

By now, cars that drive themselves have become old news. Every time we turn around there’s another organization out to wander half the globe with a driverless van or tackle one of the world’s most demanding hill climb events with an automated Audi TT. It just never ends. But the guys and gals at Georgia Tech Research Institute have taken things one step further with its Collaborative Unmanned Systems Technology Demonstrator. During a demonstration for the US Army, the school effectively demonstrated how vastly different robotic vehicles could work together. You know, to get us coffee, take over the world or whatever.

As a part of the 2010 Robotic Rodeo, GTRI used two unmanned aerial vehicles to work in coordination with a roboticized Porsche Cayenne. Once airborne, the two RC planes take over everything from navigation and target location.

So what can all this tech do? GTRI says that in one instance, one of the UAVs can locate a target and radio the location back to the UGV, or unmanned ground vehicle, which then navigates around buildings and obstacles to the location. Meanwhile, the second UAV can continue to use its sensors to evaluate the surroundings. Welcome to the new world.

Head over to the GTRI site to learn more about the program.

Gallery: GTRI CUSTD project

[Source: GTRI]

Georgia Tech pairs autonomous Porsche Cayenne with two R/C airplanes originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peugeot HR1 concept is latest to use through-the-road hybrid tech

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Crossover, Peugeot

Peugeot HR1 concept

Peugeot HR1 concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Peugeot has found a new home for its HYbrid4 technology that independently powers the front and rear wheels with two types of powertrains. It’s called through-the-road hybrid technology and it makes its latest appearance in the just-unveiled HR1 concept. According to Peugeot, The HR1 is part small city car, part SUV-ish beast and and part coupé – and it’s an aggressive little thing. To match the crowded city where it’s intended to be used, the HR1 uses scissor doors that open vertically – and the it’s is taller than you might expect, with the driver up high in a “dominant driving position.”

All this steroid-like aggression doesn’t extend to the powertrains, though, since the HR1 concept boasts numbers that are quite kind to the environment: 81 miles per gallon (64 mpg U.S.) and CO2 emissions of just 80 grams per kilometer. The frugality comes from a new, three-cylinder 1.2-liter THP 110 gas engine that is used to power the front wheels. In the back, the HYbrid4’s through-the-road hybrid powertrain uses a 37-bhp electric motor.

What is it about auto show halls that brings out this sort of magic? Yes, we know Peugeot is bringing a HYbrid4 3008 to market, but that car “only” gets 61.9 miles per gallon (U.S.) and spews a comparatively monstrous 99 grams of CO2 per kilometer. Full specs and a flowery press release after the jump, and we’ve got lots of high-res pictures in the gallery below.

Gallery: Peugeot HR1 concept

[Source: Peugeot]

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Peugeot HR1 concept is latest to use through-the-road hybrid tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 16:19:00 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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Videos: 2011 Ford Explorer shows off its tech

Filed under: SUV, Technology, Videos, Crossover, Ford

2011 Ford Explorer Terrain Management System – Click above to watch this video after the jump

Unless you’ve been in seclusion for the past 24 hours, you know Ford officially unveiled the 2011 Explorer yesterday. (Be sure to read Part One and Part Two of our deep dive for the full details.) The new Explorer is a pretty drastic departure from the generations preceding it – Ford has opted to use a unibody construction and a car-based platform rather than a traditional body-on-frame SUV, and naturally aspirated V8 power has been ditched in favor of more fuel-efficient four- and six-cylinder powerplants.

So while the Explorer seems to fit better in the crossover classification, Ford is confident that traditional SUV shoppers will still be pleased with what the new Expy has to offer. There are a host of new technology features on the 2011 model, including things like blind spot monitoring, trailer sway control and a terrain management system (similar to what you might find on a Land Rover). These features will be attractive selling points to SUV-oriented customers, and they get detailed in the videos after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer

[Source: Ford]

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Videos: 2011 Ford Explorer shows off its tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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