Volkswagen reveals the “Temporary Auto Pilot” system

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Prof. Dr. Jürgen Leohold, Executive Director Volkswagen Group Research, has presented the Temporary Auto Pilot system at the final presentation of the EU research project HAVEit (Highly Automated Vehicles for Intelligent Transport). With this new driver assist system, the Germans from Volkswagen want to make a step ahead in this regard and provide the latest technology available as soon as possible.

VW Temporary Auto Pilot

Not only automotive brands such as Volvo or BMW are developing advanced safety and driver assist systems, Volkswagen joins the game with their latest creation called Temporary Auto Pilot (TAP). As its name suggest, the system is able to self-control the vehicle under driver’s closely monitoring.

This system is currently under developing but there are big chances to see this driver assistance system on production models quite soon. As expected, VW’s Temporary Auto Pilot will be able to semi-automatically drive the car on the highway at speeds up to 130 km/h. The system will work properly on highway as the crowded cities are a little bit too difficult for any system, at least for now.

Even the new system is available to drive the car temporarily, Dr. Jürgen claims that this is nothing but a new step towards the fully automatic and accident-free driving. The new Temporary Auto Pilot system works quite simple by using systems such as the Lane Assist which keeps the car on its path but also Adaptive Cruise Control which helps the model run uniform.

VW Temporary Auto Pilot

As this system is not a fully automatic auto pilot, the driver is allowed to override the system if there is needed in order to correct the situations where the system is failing to react. According to the official details, the new Temporary Auto Pilot system is based on production-like sensor platform which means that integrating the system on series models would not be too difficult. More precise, the system uses a laser scanner, electronic horizon, radar, camera and ultrasonic sensors.

“One conceivable scenario for its initial use might be in monotonous driving situations, e.g. in traffic jams or over sections of a driving route that are exceedingly speed-limited,” comments Leohold.

Rikk 25 Jun, 2011

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Source: http://www.automotorblog.com/volkswagen-reveals-the-temporary-auto-pilot-system/
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Ford to introduce the SYNC AppLink software on a wider range of vehicles

Ford announced its intentions to introduce the so-called SYNC AppLink “award-winning software application” on about 10 additional models starting 2012. Of course, the software program which gives SYNC users hands-free voice control capability is already available as optional but offering this innovative system as standard is an important step forward.

Ford SYNC AppLink

Moreover, the American company claims that the SYNC app develop community is getting bigger and bigger, more than 2,500 developers being currently creating new systems and applications.

"We understand more and more drivers are using their devices and their apps while in the car," said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford Connected Services Solutions. "Ford is a part of the solution, offering voice-activated options such as Ford SYNC with AppLink on a broader range of our products, which gives more customers a smarter way to access their apps while driving that keeps their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road."

More exactly, Ford aimed to develop a system which lets you manage and access your smartphone using the voice control capability, a system similar to the phone’s hands-free which lets you concentrate on driving while using the phone. In the beginning we told you that Ford plans to introduce the new system as standard on up to 10 models. The list includes the 2012 Ford Fusion, Fusion Hybrid, Fiesta, F-150, F-150 SVT Raptor, Super Duty, Expedition, E-Series, Shelby GT500 and 2012 Ford Mustang.

Ford SYNC AppLink

AppLink is currently compatible with any device using Apple iOS, Android and BlackBerry OS platforms, therefore, the system will surely work with your smartphone considering that these 3 operating systems are the most important on the market at this moment. Ford names the SYNC AppLink an award-winning software as it won the 2011 Edison Silver Award in the Transportation In-Car Driving Aid category, a prize which confirms the reliability and practicability of this system. Ford is continuously working with the 2,500+ developers through the SYNC developer site. The American company offers the Ford Software Development Kit to anyone who wants to modify the existing applications or create a new one.

"The flexibility of the SYNC platform and software-based solutions such as AppLink give Ford a powerful blend of in-car connectivity technologies that can easily adapt to our customers' needs and what's happening in the mobile electronics industry, including the exploding world of smartphone apps," said Marchwicki. "To keep more of our customers connected, we will continue to add other SYNC-enabled apps, smartphone integrations and vehicles with factory-installed AppLink to our lineup."

Rikk 25 Jun, 2011

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Source: http://www.automotorblog.com/ford-to-introduce-the-sync-applink-software-on-a-wider-range-of-vehicles/
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Porsche celebrates more than 300,000 Boxsters and Caymans built

Porsche decided to announce through an official press release that the current-generation Boxster and the Coupe variant, Cayman, reached an important milestone in its 15-year automotive lifetime. More exactly, the Germans celebrate over 300,000 Boxsters and Caymans built since the first generation entered the market.

Porsche Boxster

It is true that we are not talking about millions of units but considering the price of the model which is not quite affordable for everyone, this achievement for the mid-engine model is noteworthy.

As you probably now, the current Boxster range includes the Boxster S, Boxster S Black Edition and Boxster Spyder while the Coupe version comes in three additional variants, Cayman S, Cayman S Black Edition and Cayman R Coupés, to be more precise.

Porsche Boxster

At the beginning, Porsche introduced only the open-topped Boxster but due to the high demand they decided to reveal the Coupe version, Cayman, at the 2005 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show. The same high demand forced the Germans to open a new assembly line at Valmet Automotive in Finland in order to keep up with the orders as the Zuffenhausen plant was not able to handle the situation. In terms of power, the current-generation Boxster/Cayman comes with various engine developing from 255 hp to 330 hp. The Germans from Porsche state that the fuel consumption is another strong point of the Boxster/Cayman range with figures ranging from 9,4 liters/100km to 9,8 liters/100 km.

The summer of 1996 marked the beginning of Boxster’s production after three years earlier, at the 1993 Detroit Motor Show, Porsche revealed the Boxster concept, a model which received an overwhelming response from the public which determined the Stuttgart-based manufacturer to seriously think about a possible mass model. The 300,000th unit was a Porsche Boxster Spyder with the Platinum Silver metallic paint job and Carrera red leather interior. The model has been produced at the Zuffenhausen plant this month and went to a German client.

Porsche Boxster

“A nice round number to celebrate the birthday: Almost exactly 15 years to the month after production began, the Porsche Boxster together with its sister model, the Cayman, exceeded the 300,000 mark for the number of vehicles built. Together with its timeless attractiveness, this two-seater, mid-engine car from the Dr. Ing. h.c. H. Porsche AG, Stuttgart has what it takes to make yet another sports car icon,” claimed the Germans.

Rikk 24 Jun, 2011

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Source: http://www.automotorblog.com/porsche-celebrates-more-than-300000-boxsters-and-caymans-built/
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MINI Coupé: First Exclusive Video - Another Day. Another Adventure.

A N D O N I S 24 Jun, 2011

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Source: http://andoniscars.blogspot.com/2011/06/mini-coupe-first-exclusive-video.html
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New Hybrid Mitsubishi Evo

When news broke of Mitsubishi killing the all-wheel-drive turbocharged goodness that is the Lancer Evolution, the tuner crowd was in an uproar. Not since the death of the Supra, NSX or Tupac Shakur did the exhaust-burble and flush-rim-loving crowd see such an outpouring of sorrow. But just as the proverbial liquor was being poured, a glimmer of hope appeared.

BestCar, our Japanese print friends with sources deep within Mitsubishi, informs us that Osamu Masuko, president of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, is so against participating in motorsports that no one dares mention the word around him. However, despite news regarding the discontinuation of the Evo (a statement that originated from a different Mitsubishi official), Masuko was heard stating that Mitsubishi is fully intent on producing a high-performance car in the future, albeit green. Based on that fact and other internal rumblings, BestCar asserts that in all likelihood Mitsubishi will produce a new Evo.

While we initially reported the next-generation Evo might be either a diesel or hybrid, the latest information has Mitsubishi leaning toward the latter, borrowing technology from the PX-MiEV concept shown at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. The PX-MiEV touts a plug-in hybrid system that relies on electric motors at low to middle speeds. Operating as a series hybrid, when the lithium-ion batteries run low, the 1.6- liter gasoline engine turns on and powers a generator that in turn provides charge to the electric motors. For higher vehicle speeds, the PX-MiEV's hybrid system switches to a parallel hybrid system with the 1.6-liter engine providing additional combustion power to the wheels.
For the drivetrain, the PX-MiEV utilizes Mitsubishi's S-AWC all-wheel-drive system and active yaw control, technologies both employed on the current Evo. Short of a turbocharger, the PX-MiEV's powertrain is a striking vision of what a hybrid Evo could be. One can always hope. Otherwise, let the proverbial liquor flow.

roadandtrack

A N D O N I S 24 Jun, 2011

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Source: http://andoniscars.blogspot.com/2011/06/new-hybrid-mitsubishi-evo.html
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