Opinion: Automakers, let my wife use the nav

My wife and I have to buy a house in the Bay Area for most of the past month (if you sell in Oakland, hit me up) and as you would imagine that by means of input a set of addresses in a number of different navigation systems. Since I got the ability of a brain-damaged directional buttons opossum, the proliferation of in-car GPS (and mobile applications map) has also moved a favor an absolute necessity.
But there is a problem ..
About half of the vehicles block destination entry while the car is in motion - a serious PITA when you go to a fixer-upper next bounce ..
Now we are aware that voice control the future and the public should not be fiddling with touch screens and all-in-one control while driving through a school zone, but what if you have a perfectly seated in a position passenger in the have is sitting next to you?. Since 1998, the FBI passenger-side air bags are required, and for the better part of a decade is one of the requirements that a weight sensor that detects whether a person is sitting on the seat, "5th percentile female" in the - essentially come in more than 100 pounds (give or take). It is as a security measure designed so that when a child or infant in the front passenger seat if the airbag goes boom, they will not be violated.
? Why, then, that the sensor be assessed for one more thing by co-opting of the sensor, whether an occupant in the passenger seat could automaker assume that a competent person - not the driver - can operate the navigation and infotainment systems, while the vehicle is in motion.
We have the airbag read the law and can not find any verbiage prohibiting car manufacturers that achieved just that, we out to see some of what - if any - reasons why it was not for implementing such a system. The responses were as expected cryptic, but the basic principle was sound: How do you prove there is a person, not a 100-pound bag of sand (or a car Blogger's padded laptop bag) in the passenger seat?
Scott Geisler, General Motors technical expert on driver workload and wireless security, was so kind to us and our humor Hairbrained idea, but as you would expect, it comes to detection. "Could the sensor used to be a little signal? Yes, possibly. But there are some other things that do receive it as easy as you think," said Geisler us. "As the sensor for the presence of a passenger, you know nothing else that's useful when trying to assess the confrontation with the center stack system. You do not know who is involved."
The same feeling has been a spokesman for Nissan, who pointed out that it a long-standing gentlemen's agreement in Japan lock all navigation functions while the vehicle is in motion, but not everybody in this agreement (thank you, Honda echoed signed). In the same unspoken arrangement has filtered on our shores and is not only the most Japanese vehicles is limited, but some national and European brands, such well.One point that was brought in almost every conversation was the lack of federal regulation for navigation and infotainment systems. And the automakers want it to stay. is passed with the hands-free mobile phone requirements in several states and vehicles are increasingly connected, there is a noticeable interest from the automotive manufacturer, that the FBI will step in to enact the distraction of the driver. Rather than wait, that happened to the state or federal level, car manufacturers are trying to proactively address legislative concerns and avoid sweeping legislation.
"We try to make this a moot point." Geisler says. "We have ways to move this lock-out situation," citing OnStar ability to target either a server or the call center by pressing a key or send two.
Unfortunately, not every trip an OnStar-equipped vehicle or packaging the latest voice recognition technology (a la Ford SYNC) is. But the continued development and expansion of systems - both on the OEM and aftermarket sites - ie destination input on-the-go easier on a lot in the near future. And it can not come soon enough.

Pennsylvania dealer loves Vanishing Point, creates Kowalski Edition Dodge Challenger

As if we needed any reminder, in the 1971 film Vanishing Point, a character named Kowalski with so that it commissioned from Colorado to San Francisco in a 1970 Dodge Challenger. Kowalski bets a friend that he take the course in 15 hours, but - spoiler alert - he does not do it ... and not the muscle-bound Coupe. The movie has a cult band for years, and one of his fans, got Bob Frederick of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, a little help from Chrysler on 10 2011 Dodge Challenger Kowalski Edition to create.

Starting life as a traditional 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 have these white coupes had removed their stripes and added a handful of options. Inside sits a pistol grip shift of attention and a numbered badge bar is mounted in the vicinity. On the outside of the quad tailpipes Kowalski Edition Mopar Challenger Sports, Scat Pack Bee decals in the rear window and a tasteful Kowalski Edition decal on the rear spoiler.

All Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 10 2011 Kowalski Edition cars were spoken for, so if any holder of this article and would like your car delivered quickly, we can help set up. We promise to prevent bulldozers and the fuzz.

Audi highlights the V6 TDI in the new R18

Take a look at the animal, the Audi R18 TDI is the new, and you would to believe it has a big, rip-Roarin 'V10 will be awarded at least two turbochargers. Right? Wrong. Although the recent R15 TDI packed in ten oil-burning cylinder, new regulations - implemented to reduce the advantage of the latest generation of diesel Le Mans prototype of its gasoline-burning rivals - Audi forced with a single-turbo V6 go for the new R18. This is not to make it stop Audi from the search for some unique ways to make the best of the new engine regs.
For starters, the engine block of aluminum - still a rarity for high-compression diesel engines, according to Mercedes-Benz introduced their design about six years. Audi opens up the angle between the cylinder banks to 120 degrees, it approaches a lower center of gravity, that a boxer engine, and shifts the exhaust manifold on the port side and starboard to a unit embedded within the wide V.
The result is a 3.7-liter turbo diesel V6, producing over 540 hp. The smaller size also allows Audi Sport to optimize the aerodynamics, while its lighter weight allows the engineers to beef other components. As for a regenerative braking system as its rival Peugeot runs (and used as in Formula 1), Audi says it is holding the door open to the idea goes further than the development, but has yet to implement such a system. Follow the jump to read more about the engine designed specifically for current prototype of Audi drivers in the full press release.

Ford's EcoBoost V6 accounts for 36% of all F-150 sales

When gas prices hit $ 4 a gallon suffered in the past pickup in sales as a result. We have to wait until April sales will be released to know how much truck sales were hurt by the latest spike at the pump, but it is clear that the Ford F-150 gets a big boost from its turbocharged V6.
Automotive News reports that 36 percent of all F-150s with the optional EcoBoost V6, which costs between $ 750 and $ 1,750 depending on the model are fitted. What's more, the model suggests that EcoBoost accounts for 40 percent of all F-150 contracts, and there is currently a scarce 13-day supply of trucks increased.
Traditionally, the full-size truck buyers are more inclined to opt for a larger V8 engines, but the 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost seems to have changed some minds. The mill is V8, 365 hp as 420 pounds-feet of torque means that skills are not impaired, while fuel consumption increases by up to 20 percent. The Environmental Protection Agency was reinforced F-150 is a 16 mile per gallon city rating and a 22-mpg rating in highway driving.
At the same time Ford claimed a maximum tow rating of £ 11,300 equipped with an EcoBoost F-150, depending on model configuration. For comparison's sake, F-150s that come with the 411-hp, 6.2-liter V8 can tow 11,300 pounds, but fuel consumption tops out at just 18 mpg in highway driving.
The EcoBoost F-150, to a rousing start, the next big question is whether the V6 has increased stamina if gas prices fall back to a normal level. We have to wait and see, but with strength and ability, the other vehicles in the F-150 lineup, and a significant savings in fuel consumption corresponds to, we can not see why not.

Video: Forces at play in Formula One enough to destroy wheels

It is no secret that the Formula One a high degree of force to both drivers and cars. Case in point: As seen in the video after the break, Red Bull driver Sebastien Buemi experienced catastrophic failure of his front wheels under hard braking. Buemi was the establishment of a corner and a slowdown of around 185 miles per hour, when its two front wheels are pulled from his car.

We shared this news over the last year, but this version of the clip has a few more angles from which to take in the carnage. Click past the jump for a great show of force F1.

Report: Cadillac developing soft-top convertible to fit between ATS and CTS

Cadillac is back with thoughts jump into the convertible game. Recent history has not nice to her head with a wreath and crest in the grille was drop, but said rumors swirl to find that the automaker is planning a new bond of the company to introduce Alpha platform.

Car and Driver reports that the vehicle slotted between the ATS and the upcoming next-generation CTS and that it borrow very little plate of either of his siblings. Buyers can expect to find a soft top instead of the heavier retractable hardtop favored by some competitors.

What's under the hood? Nothing is set in stone at the moment, although we would any number of six or eight cylinder options could accept pop-up behind the wheel. Since the model is not set to debut in 2014, General Motors can get really wild and move a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the bay.

Regardless of engine options, the above probably without squaring off against Cadillac found the Audi A5 convertible and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class convertible when it touches down. Stay tuned for more information if and when it comes.

Report: Subaru predicts 50% sales hike for 2012 Impreza

According to Ward's Auto Subaru Impreza brass are expected in 2012 to around 60,000 units per year, or half again as many as the car sell the current 40,000-unit total. Subaru executive vice president for North America Tom Doll says the car fills gaps in the history of the company's lineup, it can be on as competitive as it could have been prevented.

Subaru Impreza demands of the new, 36 miles per gallon back on the highway, a number that would put the car on the top of the stack for all-wheel drive fuel economy. The fuel consumption figures come courtesy of a new 2012 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder ruling in 148 horsepower. The forthcoming Impreza is also lighter than its predecessor, so that fuel sipping a little easier.

With all the new tweaks, is Subaru Impreza hope sales, the total mark of 264 000 vehicles last year pushed closer to 300,000. This is to be an exhilarating destination safely, but the company is confident enough to do in the new car appeal to a bold prediction. Only time will tell if this hope is well founded.

Video: Tanner returns in Driver: San Francisco

Get excited, kids. The Driver franchise is back with a new chapter, and this time the story takes the loss to San Francisco. Our good friends at Joystiq have to spend a little time behind the controls of the game before the start. The action takes after the Driv3r, which means we finished playing around in the late 70s. Ubisoft Reflections has taken the trouble to make a good portion of the city, Marin County, East Bay Iceland and Treasure of our agonizing pleasure, although away to Joystiq, this is not the most interesting part of the gameplay.

Early in the campaign spending, our hero, Tanner lands in a coma and the rest of the story haunting San Francisco and has random rider on the trail of the infamous Jericho. Apparently, players can grab any vehicle they see press simply by lining up a crosshair and a key. It sounds a little wobbly on us, but that does not mean that we do not flop a few hours the light of our life on fire on the couch with Driver: San Fracisco if it lands in August this year. Hit the jump for a video.

Video: Short film depicts the definition of 'triumph'

If you are not interested in motorcycles, mechanics or old machines, it is probably best skip this post. You see, the short film after the jump is perhaps the best illustration of the ups and downs with the three riders find that we've ever seen on screen. The video shows footage of a much longer single-edged Triumph motorcycle on the open landscape. It is exactly what every motorcyclist when the words "perfect" ride "and worm their way into the conversation believed. There is no traffic and no bad weather - just miles of meandering asphalt and nowhere to be.

But our hero driver runs into a bit of a mechanical hiccups when he stops for a while. Fuel flooding of the cylinder, and despite his efforts, he is a raging ball of frustration after desperately trying to start to know the motorcycle reduced. Provide details of when the crew on Visordown, the scene of the visual design of the famous line of Robert M Pirsig's "If the machine produces tranquility it's right If it bothers you it is wrong until either the machine or changed your mind.."

We will not spoil the end for you, but if you ever find yourself in a similar situation, you know, the thrill of victory only too well. Hit the jump to check out Blazer for themselves.

Blazer from Daniel Crouch on Vimeo.

Rally Cross to be held outside on streets of LA for X Games 17

Rally Cross and the X-Games were made ​​for each other, and X-Games 17 is one of the coolest tracks each feature. The games of 28 July to 31 July is running, a very first rally street circuit in downtown Los Angeles.

Three rally gold medal winner and Top Gear U.S. Host Tanner Foust sounds pretty excited about the development, and we can not blame him. "When in the car, ripping through the streets, cranking the hand brake through intersections during door to door and jumping alongside buildings are truly epic, I can not wait!"

We advise ESPN can not wait, because the shots will come out of the competition impressive. And the sports news network has covered the event very well, with 25 hours of high-definition coverage and an additional 18 hours of 3D coverage.

And, of course, the X-Games would not be possible without the X-Games dirt bikes, so you can expect much Enduro X cover. It is also eight new Moto X competitions, which will take place inside the STAPLES Center. Sounds like a good time. Hit the jump to read on the ESPN press release and see our high-res image galleries below for some of the rally action from last year.