During May 2007 VehicleVoice R&D Center conducted a survey of panel members concerning preferences for Navigation Systems.

One of the primary questions was whether the ideal navigation system should it have a touch screen or toggle buttons? Among automakers there is a split of opinion concerning whether touch screen or toggle buttons are preferred. Several makers simplistically conclude that a toggle button system is preferred because you don't have to touch the screen and leave unsightly fingerprints on the screen. Most makers, however, have opted for a touch screen system because it is more intuitive and direct to use.

Strong Preference for Touch Screen

What do VehicleVoice panelists prefer? The question about preference was asked of vehicle owners (both navigation system owners and those interested in purchasing a navigation system). Overwhelmingly, the answer is Touch Screen – 83%. Less than a quarter of the respondents wanted a toggle/rotary/push button system – 22%.

How do you prefer to enter data in a Navigation System?

Touch screen = 83%
Toggle/rotary/push buttons = 22%
Other = 4%

Continue reading "Navigation System: To Touch a Screen or Push a Button?"

Posted by Mary Beth Martin at 08:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Volkswagen has developed a little brother for the Touareg SUV, and as a VehicleVoice.com reader, you may have seen our previous Tiguan report and podcast. Set to launch midway through 2008, the Tiguan is a small SUV of the crossover/modern style, based on the latest Golf (known as the Rabbit in U.S. dealerships). But like the Touareg above it, Tiguan has some rock-crawling capability (depending on equipment and market). With inspiration claimed in part from dune buggies, it is fitting that VW ensures the small SUV can get over some rocks and through some sand.

The formal reveal is scheduled for the 2007 Frankfurt auto show, but VW has been comparatively public about its development. The first hint of their intent was found in 2004's outlandish Concept T, an odd cross between sports car, SUV, and dune buggy revealed the North American International Auto Show. Next the inspiration was applied to Concept A, a more rational development of ideas born in the Concept T shown in February 2006 at the Geneva auto show. In November 2006, the near-production Concept Tiguan was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show. VW has released quite much about the European-market Tiguan and invited a group of international journalists to tag along for some development testing in Namibia. The first production photos were released in June 2007 and we've got a pretty clear picture of the car you can buy next summer.

(Click for more Concept T photos here and here, another Concept A photo, and another Concept Tiguan photo.)

Continue reading "2009 Volkswagen Tiguan: A Preview"

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 01:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

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I've been driving the Ford S-Max Crossover for about a week now through England and Wales. The S-Max is a derivative of Ford's European Minivan - the Galaxy - and its European Mid-Size Car - the Mondeo. Very impressive vehicle in many ways. It was selected as the European 2007 Car of the Year as judged by 58 journalists across 22 European countries. Apparently, Alan Mulally, Ford's new CEO is trying to bring the S-Max to the USA in 2009 or so. Will the S-Max work in America?

Is S-Max a Crossover SUV, Minivan, Station Wagon or Something Un-Identifiable?

First, what is it? We at VehicleVoice and AutoPacific have found that if a buyer cannot categorize a vehicle, i.e. figure out if it is a Minivan or SUV or Wagon, they will shy away from it. This is what happened to the Chrysler Pacifica and the Mercedes R-Type. Ford positions the S-Max as a Crossover SUV - a segment that is booming in the USA. At a glance, S-Max has little "SUV" ambiance. It is a very useful MPV - meaning multi-purpose vehicle - but where is the SUV DNA? S-Max has a very fast windshield with "canard" windows between the windshield and the A-Pillar. This gives a very sporty silhouette, but may yield a shape that is too Minivan-like.

The S-Max is a seven-passenger vehicle with a small third-row seat. The third row easily folds flat for loading luggage. If S-Max were introduced in the USA, how would S-Max fit among the other Ford Crossover SUVs - the 5-passenger Ford Escape, 5-passenger Ford Edge, and the 7-Passenger Ford Taurus X (Freestyle)? It is not as SUV-like as Escape and Edge - maybe similar to the SUV DNA of Freestyle/Taurus X.

S-Max, in some ways, comes across as similar to the Mazda CX-7 or a slightly smaller version of the Mazda CX-9. It does not come across as similar to the larger General Motors Lambda Crossover SUVs like the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia or Buick Enclave.

Continue reading "Ford S-Max - European Crossover OK for USA?"

Posted by George Peterson at 01:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

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As thousands and perhaps millions of people prepare to rush their local AT&T or Apple Retail Store to secure their very own iPhone on June 29, there are a few features of this new multimedia device that may help change the way in-car communications take place. In fact, after just a bit of review, it's clear that the iPhone may set a new standard for mobile communications - and I'm not talking about mobile phone use, either. I'm referring to navigation overall.

A Few Talking Points
The iPhone is a completely new kind of mobile device. Apple has studied all of the things we hate about our mobile phones (functionality) and has developed a device that will, hopefully, allow us to trust the device we use - and heaven forbid, actually love it for what it is.

Continue reading "Apple iPhone Sets New In-Car Navigation Standard"

Posted by dbarrett at 02:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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DISCLAIMER: VehicleVoice is totally non-denominational and takes an agnostic, i.e. non-biased, approach to analytical issues. This summary details the position published by the Catholic Church on June 19, 2007.

Pastoral Care of Road Users

The Holy See of the Catholic Church in the Vatican has issued a "DOCUMENT OF THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR THE PASTORAL CARE OF MIGRANTS AND ITINERANT PEOPLE: GUIDELINES FOR THE PASTORAL CARE OF THE ROAD". Part of this document are the Ten Commandments for Road Users included in "The Pastoral Care of Road Users". Other sections include: "Pastoral Ministry for the Liberation of Street Women", "Pastoral Care of Street Children", and "Pastoral Care of the Homeless (Tramps)".

After hearing about the new Ten Commandments for Road Users, we decided to find out exactly what was included and how the Vatican rationalized developing this document. Visiting the Vatican website provides a comprehensive summary of the document and the rationale the Vatican used when developing it. Perhaps the most interesting part of the rationale is that the Church intends to evangelize the issue of the Ten Commandments for Road Users and Road Safety. It'll be interesting to see how much traction this document achieves internationally and what impact it, indeed, has with driving, drivers, and pedestrians.

Drivers’ “Ten Commandments”

The Vatican document states "We have drawn up a special “decalogue” for road users, in analogy with the Lord’s Ten Commandments. These are stated here below, as indications, considering that they may also be formulated differently." The fact that the Vatican saw fit to issue a document like this = the whole thing is very comprehensive - is an indication that the Church believes the roads may be getting a bit out of control. Even though this is an "international" document, it likely has a slight "Italian" spin. Now, how in control is traffic in Italy?

I. You shall not kill.

II. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.

III. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.

IV. Be charitable and help your neighbour in need, especially victims of accidents.

V. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.

VI. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.

VII. Support the families of accident victims.

VIII. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.

IX. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.

X. Feel responsible towards others.

The rationale given for the document by the Vatican is shown below the fold.

Continue reading "Ten Commandments for Road Users - Catholic Church Takes a Stand"

Posted by George Peterson at 12:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Parnelli Jones and Saleen introduce reincarnation of Boss 302 Mustang Jones campaigned in 1970 Trans Am Series

Continue reading "VehicleVoice#67 - Saleen/Parnelli Jones Limited Edition Mustang"

Posted by Cameron at 12:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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OK, the Mazda Tribute has been around for years. Mazda has practically forgotten about it. There is very little advertising for the Tribute especially since Mazda has its more modern and upscale CX-7 and CX-9 Crossover SUVs to pitch. Because Tribute lives in the shadows of its "more important" brethren it is easy to forget about it. That's a shame, because the Tribute is a fine Crossover SUV overall, with only a few warts that could be corrected with very little investment or cost.

Mazda Tribute Derived From Ford Escape - Sweet Spot Among Crossover SUVs

Over the years, AutoPacific has had Ford Escape Crossover SUVs in product clinic research. Since introduction the Escape and its derivatives - the Mercury Mariner and Mazda Tribute - have represented the sweet spot among small to mid-size Crossover SUVs. Easy to live with, easy to get into and out of, good interior package. Wow. Very well thought-out and executed. Ford knew the solution to the SUV equation when they developed the Escape and Mazda benefits.

One of the advantages of the new 2008 Mazda Tribute and the 2008 versions of the Escape and Mariner are that they have more differentiation than they have ever had before. You can actually tell which is a Mazda, Ford or Mercury at a glance.

Not big, not small, the Tribute is a handy size. Easy to maneuver. Easy to see out of. Reasonably large rear seat and usable cargo area. All product attributes that measure up to a pleasant and affordable package. For a bit over $23,000 this Mazda Tribute is an excellent value.

Nitpicks - NVH and V6 Finesse

What are the problems? Well, there needs to be some work done on engine noise and road noise. Not insurmountable problems. The venerable 3.0L V6 engine pleasant around town but thrashy when pushed. I'd love to drive a Tribute with Ford's new 3.5L V6, but that's not in the cards.

No Passion? But Would Make a Great Car for a Young Driver

What did the office say? Of course, folks around the AutoPacific and VehicleVoice offices have strong opinions about vehicles like the Tribute. One gray hair contended that when describing all the virtues of the Tribute the one word that was not mentioned was "passion" or and other word "enthusiasm". True enough, but the Tribute, overall can be a very persuasive package without being headturning or making your blood run hot.

Others in the office observed that the Tribute would make a great vehicle for a teenager just out of high school and going off to college. The Tribute has enough room for the driver and a few friends plus the cargo room to carry their stuff. In fact, my high school buddy Bill Spiers in Metarie, Louisiana just bought one for his youngest daughter as a graduation present. She was pleased to say the least.

Also, as Bill learned, the Tribute can be found with tremendous discounts that make buying a Mazda a much better deal than a Honda CR-V or a Toyota RAV4.

Posted by George Peterson at 12:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

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VehicleVoice's George Peterson was floored when he found this pristine DeLorean parked next to the "kerb" leading into Covent Garden in London on June 16, 2007 shortly following a rainstorm. Clearly, the DeLorean - a car practically unknown today - attracted a crowd. Most couldn't pronounce the name, but knew it was something special.

Posted by George Peterson at 12:42 PM | Permalink

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One feature we were looking forward to experiencing on our own home turf is the Chrysler Group's voice- or touch-screen-operated MyGig infotainment system. MyGig uses a 20GB hard-drive to manage music, navigation (including real-time traffic capability), space for storing photos, and operating UConnect and Sirius satellite radio. Chrysler Group offers MyGig with the latest Dodge Avenger and Nitro, Chrysler Sebring sedan and convertible, the upcoming minivans, and Jeep Wrangler and new Liberty. Though we first covered MyGig after seeing it in the Chrysler Sebring, we recently spent a few days with a MyGig-equipped 2008 Dodge Avenger SXT.

Continue reading "2008 Dodge Avenger SXT: MyGig in Action"

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 12:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Ah, the wonderful world of Minivans. Where parents are relegated to a tin box on wheels. Where you share the same workload as a prison bus driver, only you’re not getting paid and there are no steel bars to protect you from the scoundrels in the back. Can’t imagine owning one? Well, neither could we. But after a weekend with a 2007 Hyundai Entourage the AutoPacific staff is starting to rethink the possibility that these minivan owners may have the last laugh…

Walking up to the Entourage, for me, is like walking up to any minivan: depressing. It’s like I’m walking towards the ‘injection room’ on my last day at San Quentin. Part of the issue is package provisions. It would be very difficult to pack in everything that makes a minivan so great into something with a different image. Most manufacturers have identified the exact ingredients needed to build and successfully sell a minivan. They all take relatively the same shape or form and follow the magic instructions: front-wheel-drive, V6, and two sliding doors.

Continue reading "Hyundai Entourage – Troop Transport"

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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