technology Archives

Official: Ford S-Max Concept previews new look, technology for Euro seven-seater

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Technology, Ford

Ford S-Max Concept showcases sharp styling, a thoughtful interior and innovative technologies.

Ford unveiled today the S-Max Concept, which comes with a new, sleek look and loaded with innovative technology, such as a heart-rate monitoring seat. But if your heart is set on a ~~minivan~~ sports activity vehicle (SAV) and you live in the States, don’t wait for this one – it’s a Europe-only product, and we don’t expect that to change when the next-gen S-Max is released.

The styling follows Ford’s global design language, looking a bit like an overgrown Focus hatchback with the company’s signature grille, wraparound headlamps, steeply raked windshield and curved roof line. Ford also implemented details to make the S-Max look longer and faster, such as a feature line on each side of the vehicle and muscular-looking fenders. The engine isn’t Ford’s most powerful, but the new 1.5-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine should be potent enough with turbocharging and other efficiency related technologies.

Ford says the new interior, which seats up to seven people, features high-quality materials and fine detailing, such as an “ultra-soft” leather wrap for the instrument panel and leather and carbon-fiber details on the seats. Ford’s Sync connectivity system with MyFord Touch makes the car a wireless hotspot, and there’s a tablet docking station for second-row occupants.

But it’s the health-related systems that have our attention. The heart-rate sensing seat records the driver’s heart rate and has the potential to respond to medical emergencies via Sync. This can range from alerting medical experts to triggering active safety systems that can take over temporarily for an incapacitated driver. The car even has a glucose monitoring system that Ford claims can detect a sleeping child having a diabetic episode in the back seat.

Take a look at the press release below for a closer look into the sharply styled, tech-forward SAV.

Continue reading Ford S-Max Concept previews new look, technology for Euro seven-seater

Ford S-Max Concept previews new look, technology for Euro seven-seater originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Aug 2013 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: McLaren P13 technology mule seen at the ‘Ring

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Luxury, McLaren

McLaren MP4-13 mule - front three-quarter view, disugised

Seems the McLaren MP4-12C Spider recently seen at the Nürburgring wearing slight camo on its front end wasn’t hiding a facelift for the current car, but rather technology for its coming entry-level model known as P13. You’ll see that our spies have captured a new set of images of the mule, this time with a slightly less disguised nose (not that it matters much). The baby McLaren is being developed to take on Porsche, and it’s expected to get 450 horsepower from its 3.8-liter V8 and bow in 2015 or 2016.

McLaren’s monocell carbon tub will form its backbone, and a report in Autocar says styling will remind people of its ties to the P1. Using this new information, the suspicion is that camouflage could be hiding LED lighting up front.

The MP4-12C isn’t completely left out of the ‘Ring gossip, though – word is that an uprated version of the twin-turbo, 616-hp, 3.8-liter V8 is on its way, perhaps ringing up 641 hp.

McLaren P13 technology mule seen at the ‘Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Jul 2013 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Veteran journalist Gillies takes job as VW product and technology communications manager

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Volkswagen

Former Car and Driver executive editor and veteran automotive journalist Mark Gillies has signed on with the Volkswagen PR machine as product and technology communications manager. Gillies spent 28 years making the rounds among automotive publications, working as an editor at David E. Davis, Jr.’s Automobile Magazine, and churning out copy for England’s CAR and Autocar. Gillies also spent time hunting down stories for AutoWeek and Classic & Sportscar.

In his new role at Volkswagen, the former scoop will report to Scott Vazin, the company’s newly-hired vice president for public relations formerly from Nissan. As a former journo, Gillies will be shouldered with helping to promote new VW products and technologies.

Gillies’ new boss has been working in the automotive PR business for more than 20 years, getting his start at Mitsubishi in 1990. From there, he moved on to a job at Nissan, finishing his time there as general manager of Corporate and Public Communications in Europe.

Vazin starts his new job on April 18, followed by Gillies on May 1.

[Source: Volkswagen | Image: Damon Lavrinc/AOL]

Continue reading Veteran journalist Gillies takes job as VW product and technology communications manager

Veteran journalist Gillies takes job as VW product and technology communications manager originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago 2011: Ford’s Farley talks Apple Genius Bars and the push to “democratize technology”

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Ford

2011 Ford Explorer – Click above for high-res image gallery

Jim Farley, Ford’s Group Vice President, Global Marketing, Sales and Service, gave the keynote speech at the Chicago Auto Show this morning, and the only way it could have been more on-topic is if he had given his speech via Facebook chat.

Before Farley announced the new “What Would You Go Do?” campaign for the 2011 Ford Explorer, he laid out how the Explorer’s Facebook launch set a new tone for how Ford has conversations with its customers, and even set a new tone for the company itself. Follow the jump for more and Ford’s press release on the Explorer competition.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer: First Drive

2011 Ford Explorer

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Chicago 2011: Ford’s Farley talks Apple Genius Bars and the push to “democratize technology”

Chicago 2011: Ford’s Farley talks Apple Genius Bars and the push to “democratize technology” originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Formula One drivers loathe technology creep

Filed under: Motorsports, Technology, Racing

2010 Red Bull Racing RB6

Are Formula One cars getting too sophisticated? A handful of drivers think so… and they’re beginning to speak out about the technology creep invading their vehicles. A modern F1 car utilizes aerodynamics that are adjustable on the fly and a steering wheel fitted with more buttons than Jenson’s last family reunion.

Mark Webber of Red Bull Racing feels that driving his car is akin to jailbreaking a phone. The drivers need 100% of their focus on the race, and pushing a button to adjust the rear spoiler can take away from that. Weber isn’t alone with these feelings as Rubens Barichello and Nico Rosberg have expressed similar sentiments.

Driving a Forumla One car is one of the most demanding jobs on the planet. It takes levels of concentration far above what the average person expands on another round of Angry Birds. Adding greater levels of sophistication and complexity sounds like it makes the already difficult task of keeping the machine on the road that much harder.

[Source: Crunch Gear]

Formula One drivers loathe technology creep originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Feb 2011 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford expanding stop-start technology to non-hybrid models

Filed under: Technology, Ford

2011 Ford Explorer Blue Oval grllle badge

Given the multifaceted approach to making more efficient vehicles favored by Ford, an automaker that employs everything from EcoBoost to hybrids, pure electrics to less thirsty gas models – it’s not that surprising to learn that the company is announcing that it is expanding use of stop-start technology to more U.S. vehicles in 2012. Stop-start, you’ll recall, is a technology that allows an engine to shut off automatically at stop lights to avoid wasting fuel while idling. As far as the green race goes, stop-start is a no-brainer: it’s not all that expensive to implement – especially compared to technologies like hybrid powertrains – and according to Ford, it can result in a jump in fuel economy of up to 10 percent.

Ford is following BMW, Fiat and other automakers in bringing stop-start to its vehicles, but along with Porsche, it is taking a leadership role with the technology here in the U.S. for non-hybrid vehicles. Ford notes that it has sold over 170,000 hybrids with stop-start in North America in the last six years, and 2012 will mark the first time it will be found on Ford’s “conventional cars, crossovers and SUVs in North America.” European Ford drivers are familiar with the technology, and Ford says stop-start “eventually will be offered in all of Ford’s global markets.” Thus far, however, the Blue Oval isn’t saying which non-hybrid models will be the first to receive the technology.

Stop-start technology has become an easy and effective way for automakers to register substantial economy gains in European models, but don’t expect official mile per gallon figures to budge much on America’s EPA-mandated test cycle. As of yet, the U.S. government’s testing methodology simply doesn’t reflect the benefits of stop-start, so while the effects of the technology may be self-evident in real world driving, they won’t necessarily be reflected on a vehicle’s window sticker in dealer showrooms. In other words, Ford is likely to have some consumer educating to do.

To school yourself a bit further on the Blue Oval’s stop-start initiative, check out their official press release after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford expanding stop-start technology to non-hybrid models

Ford expanding stop-start technology to non-hybrid models originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Lamborghini to show off technology concept in Paris, not Jota

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Lamborghini, Rumormill, Luxury

Lamborghini Paris Teaser

Lamborghini Paris Motor Show teaser – Click above for high-res image gallery

Well, color us surprised. According to the crew at Auto Guide, Lamborghini won’t be pulling the sheets off the Jota at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Instead, the company plans to show off a single new technology concept. How’s that for a buzz kill?

Questions have been kicking around for a few weeks about exactly what Sant’Agata had planned for the Parisian event. Most sources pointed to either a Murcielago or Gallardo successor as likely candidates – views fueled by the constant stream of teasers the company has released recently.

As you may recall, 0-60 put its hands on a dealer document that indicated that Lamborghini would be showing off two models at the Paris Motor Show. Auto Guide cites an unnamed source as saying that’s simply not the case. Instead, the Raging Bull will show off a single concept with plenty of carbon fiber, a V10 mounted amidships and plenty of other tech the company will likely make use of on future models.

We’ll find out exactly who’s right soon. The Paris Motor Show kicks off next week.

Gallery: Lamborghini Jota teasers

Gallery: Spy Shots: Lamborghini Jota

[Source: Auto Guide]

Report: Lamborghini to show off technology concept in Paris, not Jota originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota to provide Daimler with hybrid components, technology?

Filed under: Hybrid, Technology, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Electric

mercedes-Benz S-Class

2010 Mercedes S400 Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

Mercedes-Benz is getting hot and heavy into hybrids, and parent company Daimler AG might be looking to a familiar name for help. Reports out of Tokyo indicate that Daimler is in talks with Toyota about getting “motors and batteries in addition to technology” to supply its hybrid needs.

The discussions have gone on for a year now, and have come to the point of detailing exactly which components Toyota will supply. Apparently, the pact could also include fuel cell technology sharing. Assuming a deal gets made, Daimler will join Ford, Nissan and Mazda on the Toyota bandwagon. And if that isn’t what you call “hybrid synergy drive,” we don’t know what is.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid

[Source: AFP]

Toyota to provide Daimler with hybrid components, technology? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Sep 2010 15:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog gets seat and simulation time with Toyota’s newest safety technology [w/video]

Filed under: Hybrid, Japan, Safety, Technology, Videos, Lexus, Toyota

Inside Toyota’s Higashi-Fuji tech center – Click above for high-res image gallery

Sitting in the shadow of Mount Fuji, Toyota’s Higashi-Fuji technical center is part proving grounds and part engineering center. But unlike most facilities, Higashi-Fuji includes an array of engineering and research offices employing over 3,000 employees, and an assortment of non-track test facilities.

The Higashi-Fuji campus opened back in 1966 and has grown to encompass nearly 2.7 millionsquare feet of facility floor space. We were given the rare opportunity to visit the facility where we witnessed one unique crash test, tried out one of the world’s most advanced driving simulators and sampled an assortment of new safety features, including a brake override system, enhanced pre-collision braking, pedestrian detection and updated ABS calibrations for the Prius. Make the jump for the full report.

Gallery: Inside Toyota’s Higashi-Fuji tech center

Continue reading Autoblog gets seat and simulation time with Toyota’s newest safety technology [w/video]

Autoblog gets seat and simulation time with Toyota’s newest safety technology [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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