Video is rapidly becoming an important component for any new, magazine, or entertainment website. At VehicleVoice, we’ve been using video for nearly two years and we want to make certain you know how useful and entertaining our video stories can be.

Our video stories are typically fairly short, so you can enjoy them during a coffee break, or while waiting for that report to print. Two recent surveys show that more than three quarters of the people who use the Internet watch an hour or more of video every week. And, a huge percentage of that audience takes advantage of the lunch hour to enjoy the various video clips and stories now being posted everywhere from CNN to political campaigns to your own private website -- to, yup, right here at VehicleVoice.

Continue reading "Video Reviews, Test Drives, and Opinion from VehicleVoice" »

Posted by dbarrett at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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It’s a fact of life that we are all “connected” more than ever today. We gab on our cellphones constantly, we check our messages both in front of computers and on the go on our smartphones, and we have more choices than ever over how we are entertained. For the most part, these are all positive changes in our lives and a clear sign of progress.

We live, however, in one of those “in-between” times when society hasn’t yet figured out how to merge progress with basic safety. You know, like back when automotive engineers figured out how to make cars go really fast but hadn’t yet invented the 3-point seatbelt. To what am I referring? I’m talking about being able to use all of these devices that keep us connected safely while driving.

This is a topic that’s been talked about time and time again over the last decade. Initially, people talked about people distracted as they talk on their cellphones, but since then, it’s gotten a lot worse. Now, people scroll through reams of playlists on their iPods (yes, I’m guilty as charged) as they read their email and text messages on their phones (and many try to write messages too). All this, while talking on their handsets while negotiating traffic filled with similarly distracted drivers? Oh dear.

Manufacturers have been trying for years to find ways to reduce this distraction, with mixed results. Among the most ambitious and comprehensive systems that attempt to reach the Holy Grail of connectivity and safety is Ford’s new SYNC, co-developed with Microsoft. It’s available on most Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln products – even the lowly Focus. So, it’s available to everyone, not just those rich guys who can afford all the gadgets.

Continue reading "Exhaust Note #3: Help! I’m so distracted!" »

Posted by Ed Kim at 06:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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According to AutoPacific's annual survey of new car and light truck acquirers, the BMW 3-Series, Acura MDX, Lexus RX, Honda Accord, and Infiniti QX56 attract the most tech savvy buyers. Tech savvy consumers made up approximately 5% of the new car buying population in 2007, up from just 2% in 2006. As Gen Y matures and enters the new vehicle market in greater numbers, AutoPacific expects these numbers to continue their growth. Tech savvy car buyers were defined utilizing a collection of data filters from AutoPacific’s Research Suite® database.

Continue reading "What Are The Top Vehicles Purchased by Tech Savvy Buyers?" »

Posted by Dan Hall at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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In some ways, the 2008 North American Automobile Show was like most other recent major auto shows. Once again, automakers went out of their way to show us how hard they are trying to protect the environment and reduce our dependent for foreign oil.

General Motors and Toyota lead the rhetoric. Each claims to have a broad spectrum of programs that range from alternate fuels for internal combustion engines to full electric vehicles. I have to weigh in on this issue, because I’m seeing two strategies that are very different and tell you a lot about the companies they come from.

General Motors spent a lot of time talking about Ethanol, and is clearly lobbying for greater distribution outlets for the fuel. Has GM chosen to expend their efforts in a political battle to increase the availability of Ethanol as their primary tool to solve this issue? Ethanol-capable vehicle conversion is inexpensive, but the end result may leave consumers unsatisfied. Surprisingly, Rick Wagoner, GM's Chairman, advocated Federal regulations mandating ethanol distribution across the country (won't Iowa be proud?).

Continue reading "The Greenest Detroit Auto Show Ever" »

Posted by Dan Hall at 04:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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New Game; Many Players; Winners Unclear!

There was a lot of action at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this week. Clearly the industry is more interested in Green, and more interested in fuel economy (well, at least in legislated CAFE, Corporate Average Fuel Economy requirements) than ever before.

Virtually all major manufacturers are working on clean diesels, gas hybrids, diesel hybrids, plug-in hybrids, hybrids with nickel-metal hydride batteries, with some form of lithium batteries and with batteries in conjunction with ultra capacitors. Most manufacturers are working on significant improvements to conventional gas engines, some with direct fuel injection, and some with direct injection coupled with one or more turbochargers (what Ford calls EcoBoost). Cylinder deactivation and smaller displacements with fewer cylinders is a popular approach. Ethanol has its advocates (primarily GM), and also its detractors. And in the long term (maybe VERY long term) hydrogen fuel cells show exciting promise.

Technology Up... Prices WAY UP!!!!!!!!!

So what is the winner? Well, the consumer, for sure will have more choice than ever.But in a technology sense, it is entirely unclear what technology will dominate in the near future. Perhaps it is a mix of many approaches for awhile, as it was 100 years ago (between gasoline, electric power and steam) before one technology dominates.

Meanwhile, the cost (and price) of powertrains is likely to up... way up. Probably up by more than the fuel savings offset, at least at anything like today's fuel prices. How high is up? Nobody really knows, but perhaps HD pickups give us a clue: diesels provide a 20-30% fuel economy gain, but are priced about $7,000 higher than (semi) equivalent gas engines.

American Drivers Unwilling to Sacrifice for Better Fuel Economy

It is not clear that Americans are really ready to pay that much for a slightly better environment and some reduction in the dependence on foreign oil. Somehow, it seems to me that for most Americans to truly embrace all this new technology and the associated costs, fuel prices will have to double, or maybe triple, effectively reaching European levels.

Meantime, what en exciting race!

Posted by Jim Hossack at 03:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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LRX Demonstrates Atomization of the SUV Market
Not all that long ago, we (and most other pundits) would have prescribed a pretty failsafe formula for how to create a successful SUV. Make it big, make it really upright, and give it plenty of power, OPEC be damned. Sure, everyone knows now that fuel prices are high, driving demand for more efficient means of transportation, but there are plenty of other factors driving the atomization of the once cookie-cutter SUV market.

Whatever you want to call them – body-on-frame utility vehicles, crossovers, car-based utilities, whatever – SUVs as a genre have matured to the point where there is plenty of space and demand for unique niches within the larger segment. In fact, consistent with the greater overall consumer demand we see nowadays for tailored, unique products that fit every taste (how many ways can you have your Starbucks?), the SUV segment is quickly becoming as diverse as the passenger car market. So is there a market for a sustainable, eco-friendly coupe-like Land Rover? Even five years ago, we probably would have given the notion a big thumbs down.

Seeking New Blood and New Concept Space
Land Rover’s LRX concept previews a niche luxury entry SUV product that we’re expecting to see within the next few years. This product would come in below the car-based Freelander, theoretically casting a wider net and providing a larger gateway to the Land Rover brand. We can see their logic here. Today’s oldest Gen Y buyers are coming of age and are starting to earn real money, and a huge number of them have grown up valuing prestige and premium branding. As a struggling brand (especially in Europe, where the traditional truck-based SUVs that Land Rover specializes in have become more irrelevant than ever), Land Rover has got to find some new blood – and the key hopefully lies in these young and open-minded buyers.

Continue reading "Land Rover LRX Concept: Times are Definitely Changing" »

Posted by Ed Kim at 06:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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BMW Joins the Effort to Spread the Diesel Gospel
If there’s one company out there whose powertrain reputation is beyond reproach, it’s easily BMW. Some underwhelming 4-cylinders from the 80s and 90s aside, it’s hard to point out any BMW motors that weren’t powerful, engaging, soulful, and indestructible. Except for the indestructible part, those descriptors certainly don’t describe diesel, at least in the minds of North American drivers.

In case you hadn’t heard, the Europeans are firing their first volleys in their attempted diesel revolution in the US. They’ve actually tried for years to sell Americans on diesels, touting their economy and longevity as advantages. But thanks to some really notably awful diesels from the 70s and 80s (and consumers’ long memories), the only takers have been automotive eccentrics. Today though, in the days of rising fuel prices and international instability, there is a significant increase in interest in fuel-saving technologies.

You can’t blame the Europeans for using diesel to spearhead their efficiency strategies. After all, Europe has already embraced diesel as a mainstream fuel (67% of BMWs sold in Western Europe are diesels!), and as such they have made tremendous advances in diesel power, refinement, and cleanliness. And, if anyone can help erase that diesel stigma in America, it’s BMW.

Impressive Specs and Power
BMW’s Advanced Diesel strategy in the US starts with their internationally lauded 3.0L inline-6 diesel with twin turbos, pumping out 268 horsepower and a truly stump-pulling 425 lb-ft of torque. This is while delivering 25% better fuel economy than a comparable gasoline engine. The engine is 50-state legal, thanks to an SCR catalyst and AdBlue urea injection.

To start, this fire-breathing yet eco-friendly diesel will be available in the 3-Series and X5. You can expect to see other diesel variants in the coming years.

High Fuel Economy…But Likely High Cost
Despite these impressive specs, diesel’s got a real uphill battle to contend with. Even without considering diesel’s image in the US, there’s the cost – both in terms of hardware and the fuel itself. In Southern California, diesel’s running about 20¢ higher than gasoline, and these new diesel engines themselves are inherently very costly due to their beefy innards and all that expensive exhaust aftertreatment. BMW (and other diesel hopefuls) certainly won’t be able to play the “save money” card with their diesels; they’ll have to find some other unique way to position these powertrains.

There is a real and growing trend among leading edge affluent consumers to equate green with chic. BMW will need to work hard to market diesel’s benefits to these leading edge consumers – and convince them to pay more for the privilege of being green. If they can pull this off with these opinion-leading consumers, diesel just might have long-term hope in North America.

Posted by Ed Kim at 01:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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In past discussions with Derrick Kuzak, Ford's product development czar, he has stressed that Ford would be making their cars and trucks much more efficient by reducing their weight and using higher technology engines. One of the first examples of that strategy was when Ford dropped the V8 engine from the powertrain plan for the upcoming Lincoln MKS sedan and will use a twin turbo V6 as its high performance powerplant.

While we can't fathom a Lincoln flagship without a V8, the proof is in how it drives and what the durability and reliability of a turbo powertrain turns out to be. In AutoPacific and VehicleVoice Internet research car buyers generally opt for displacement (larger) and less engine technology (non-turbo, for instance). The old adage that "there is no replacement for displacement" generally holds true. But we can't ignore the issues of Global Warming (if it exists) or higher gas prices or impending CAFE rules that force new technology.

Ford has laid out its powertrain philosophy in an early January press release shown below the fold...

Continue reading "Ford Announces EcoBoost Powertrains" »

Posted by George Peterson at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Giving us all a little break from the green car parade at the LA Auto show, Porsche gave North America it's first look at the 2008 911 GT2. Based on the current 911 Turbo, the 911 GT2 is a beast, not designed for your average LA attorney. We had a few minutes with David Pryor Vice President of Marketing of Porsche Cars North America. David, a 911 driver, summed it up like this, "The GT2 is the perfect blend between the Porsche Turbo and the GT3." The GT3, At 415 horsepower, is the most powerful naturally aspirated six cylinder engine in any production car.

Continue reading "Green, Schmeen: Porsche Gives North America a look at the New 2008 911 GT2 at Los Angeles Auto Show" »

Posted by Dan Hall at 09:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Imagine you arrive for work, spend the morning at your desk, and when you head outside to drive yourself to lunch, your new Mercedes is gone. Stolen! Now, imagine you're a guy who would like to drive a Mercedes and you don't want to use the traditional baseball bat to smash the window in while attempting to snatch it from its rightful owner. What's a poor thief to do?

Eli Biham, a professor of computer science at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, says his team has come up with a new method of hacking those electronic keys appearing in nearly every car these days. And, he blames it on outdated technology being sold "as new" today.

Continue reading "The Key to Driving Nearly Any Car You Want" »

Posted by dbarrett at 09:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Disclaimer: VehicleVoice and AutoPacific exclusively use Macintosh computers. Beginning in 1986 and continuing through all the rough years, Mac has powered AutoPacific. Never a PC.

FACT: Steve Jobs, Chairman of Apple, Inc. and Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of Volkswagen AG met last week apparently to finalize an Apple/Volkswagen initiative to bring Apple technology to Volkswagen vehicles in the future. The announcement came from Volkswagen with very-secretive Apple refusing to comment. So, we'll have a Volkswagen "iCar" soon?

RUMOR: Several Apple-related announcements concerning Apple interfaces with cars will be made at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January.

iPod, iPhone, SYNC Force Apple to React

We have heard vibrations about Apple beginning to move into the automotive space for years.

First, consumers have been screaming for better solutions to integrate their iPod with their car for years now. Some solutions have been successful. Some have been very crude. But this has forced Apple and the carmakers into a dialog about how to best integrate iPod with their vehicles.

Second, with the recent introduction of the iPhone, Apple has another device that makes the second step towards the holy grail of car-dom. More on that later.

Third, with Microsoft's SYNC (see the VehicleVoice video podcast of the SYNC system from the 2007 CES) system being launched on Fiats and Fords it is only logical to believe Apple will move into the same space, but probably do it better with more elegance and intuition.

Fourth, Apple's sense of design would blend perfectly with the design language of several premium brands. Apple could become an icon in automotive entertainment like Bose, Nakamichi, Levinson, Infinity, Rockford Fosgate, but with even more style and elegance.

Fifth, using Apple TV-type interfaces, the car, home computer, iPhone, iPod could be inter-connected wirelessly every time the car pulls into the garage. Steve will own the world.

The Holy Grail - Full Automotive Integration with One Portable Device

Since AutoPacific began working in "Telematics" in the late 1990s, it was apparent that the holy grail for integrating with the automobile would be some sort of portable device that would wirelessly sync with the car. Imagine the car as a receptor and the monitor in the center stack as the display monitoring the interface. A person's iPhone holding GPS data could immediately sync with the navigation system. The data would be continuously updated through the iPhone and to the car. A person's address book, music files, etc would be on the iPhone and synced with the car continuously. Since these devices would be on the "human" and not hardwired into the car they could more easily and cheaply upgraded. And, it would all look great!

Can't wait for CES. I wanna to see this stuff. Hope it's true.

Just to show the iCar idea is not new, check out this link from 1999. And, check out the 1998 story below the fold.

Continue reading "Apple - Coming to a Center Stack Near You" »

Posted by George Peterson at 01:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The newly announced MINI Clubman is more than an extension (literally) of the popular MINI Cooper REV 2. First presented to the public at Frankfurt nearly two years ago (as the Shooting Brake Concept), the Clubman incorporates a number of unique and interesting capabilities that may set it apart from the average vehicle in its class.

Overall, the vehicle is the same up front as the basic MINI hatch and remains so to the B-pillar. The large, bug-like headlights, hexagonal radiator grill, and hood design clue you in to the vehicle. From the B-pillar back, things change...

The Clubman's body is now 9.45 inches longer than the standard MINI Cooper. The wheelbase is 3.15 inches longer. Color choices of the C-Pillar include silver, or black. The rest of the key data are very similar to that found on the standard MINI, except for some really neat new features, including:

Continue reading "MINI Clubman adds Doors, Tech, Green" »

Posted by dbarrett at 11:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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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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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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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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As concern regarding fossil fuels and dependence on specific suppliers mounts worldwide, answers to alternative fuel solutions remain largely elusive for the mainstream. Ethanol, hydrogen, and other fuels are not as easily accepted as one might expect.

Even diesel power has not been widely accepted in the United States. And, while there are numerous reasons why diesel power has historically been viewed differently in the U.S., today, there are several reasons why many Americans are taking a second look at diesel power.

Audi Commits Racing Fortunes to Diesel

There are several key reasons to consider diesel power, including advantages of fuel consumption, emissions, and the overall performance of modern diesel engines. To underscore these benefits, Audi embarked on a challenging mission at the turn of the (21st) century. The German car maker decided to create a LeMans racer powered by a fuel-efficient diesel engine. The goal, to win over Ferrari, Porsche, Ford, and scores of other manufacturers. The result: win after win.

Continue reading "Will Racing Success Bring Diesel Technology Forward?" »

Posted by dbarrett at 10:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Based on the results of a priceline.com Internet survey, about 47% of people renting a car through priceline.com would consider renting a hybrid vehicle if it were offered by the rental agency. They would be willing to pay varying prices - from zero to $9 per day extra. Interestingly, 53% were not interested at all.

New Priceline.com Survey Finds Almost Three-Quarters Of Travelers Want To See Hybrid Vehicles Added To Rental Car Fleets

48% would be willing to pay more for a "green" rental car

In recognition of Earth Day (Sunday, April 22), priceline.com® conducted a new survey of its rental car customers. The company found that an overwhelming majority (72%) of travelers want rental car companies to offer economical, environmentally friendly hybrid vehicles powered by both gasoline and electricity. A similar majority (71%) of the 764 priceline.com customers who answered the survey said they would rent a hybrid and almost half (48%) said they would be willing to pay a premium for their "green" rental.

While hybrid vehicles are generally not available through most rental car companies or through priceline.com, most of the priceline.com customers surveyed (39%) said they would be willing to pay up to $1 to $3 more a day to rent a hybrid. That would represent an increase of up to 11% over the average weekend published-price for a mid-size car on priceline.com ($26 a day) and up to 17% over the average successful offer price for a Name Your Own Price® mid-size car on priceline.com ($17 a day).*

Eight percent of the priceline.com customers said they would be willing to pay up to $4 to $6 more a day for a hybrid. That would represent an increase of up to 23% over the average weekend published-price for a mid-size car on priceline.com and up to 35% over the average successful offer price for a Name Your Own Price mid-size car on priceline.com.*

One percent of customers said they would be willing to pay up to $7 to $10 a day more. No one was willing to pay more than $10 a day extra, while 53% of customers said they were not willing to pay any premium to rent a hybrid.

The already high and rising price of gasoline was another theme that turned up frequently in the new priceline.com survey:

-- If gasoline reaches $3 a gallon, almost half (47%) of the priceline.com customers said they would change their rental car preferences and opt for smaller, more fuel-efficient car types.

-- 55% of customers prefer to rent more fuel-efficient cars such as mid-size (example: Pontiac Grand Am), compact (example: Ford Focus) or economy (example: Chevrolet Aveo).

-- 96% of customers say they fill up their rental cars themselves before turning them in, rather than pay refill fees. 52% said they spend time looking for the cheapest gas in an area before filling up prior to return.

Posted by George Peterson at 04:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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