Audi to Offer HD Radio Across 2011 Lineup

By Marty Padgett October 23rd, 2008

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2008 Audi R8 Enlarge Photo

"Vorsprung durch Technik"--that's German for "Advancement Through Technology," a concept that Audi espouses in promoting new technologies such as HD Radio as standard equipment on many of its model-year 2011 lineup. The German automaker, who shares a U.S. headquarters with Volkswagen in Herndon, Virginia, announced yesterday that its luxury vehicles with HD Radio will offer "the best in digital broadcast engineering, top-of-the-line AM/FM HD Radio audio systems featuring added content and format choices and crystal-clear sound."

iBiquity Digital Corporation's Jeff Jury feels the partnership between Audi and his firm--which is responsible for developing digital HD Radio technology for AM and FM audio and data broadcasting--is an astute one. Continuing to pitch HD Radio's ultra-clear reception and ability to transmit digital/text information (making possible the transmission of song titles, traffic/weather updates, emergency alerts, news, and valet-type services), Jury feels that Audi's significant buy-in with HD Radio will promote the technology as one in vogue with the luxury auto market.

Currently, iBiquity's HD Radio offers more than 1,800 AM and FM radio stations and more than 900 new multicast channels (HD2/HD3) on the FM dial. All channels are subscription-free, unlike satellite radio, though users might find the slightly higher price of the more complex receiver reflected in the bottom line of vehicles so equipped.

According to Wikipedia, Ford was first to market with an HD Radio tuner in 2008, and offers HD Radio tuners as factory-installed options in its SYNC-equipped models. Three other German auto manufacturers also offer factory-installed HD Radio; BMW on nearly its entire lineup, BMW's MINI on the 2009 Cooper and 2009 Cooper S, and Mercedes-Benz on the 2009 R320, 2009 ML320, and 2009 GL320. Scion offers the radio technology with some of its radio options, and Volvo offers it, factory-installed, on eight models from the S40 T5 to the XC90.--Colin Mathews

Posted in : 2011, Audi, Cars We Love, Gadgets/Products, Industry News, Luxury Cars, Mobile Audio, Sport-Utility Vehicles, Technology

2011 Ford Explorer: Spy Shots

By Marty Padgett October 23rd, 2008

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2011 Ford Explorer spy shots Enlarge Photo

Earlier this year, Ford showed a concept car that predicted how its next Explorer would look--softer, a little smaller, and definitely car-based. Now the first spy shots of the 2011 Ford Explorer are floating around--and it looks more certain than ever that the Explorer is ditching its truck roots for a unibody design.

These rough test mules spotted by TheCarConnection.com's spy photographers are a mix of Ford Taurus X and Ford Flex, but there are some telling alterations, raising the prototype's ride-height, along with a higher cowl, and rigged A-pillars to accommodate what appears to be a more steeply raked windshield. There are also clear signs around the rear hatch and roof rails that the platform has been widened. While the front clip is pure Ford Flex, the lowest slat of the Flex's three-bar grille has been removed, perhaps to better approximate airflow of the next Explorer's grille.

Ford also used the Taurus X body on mules for the 2009 Ford Flex and 2010 Lincoln MKT, but those mules had additional length added to their wheelbases. This latest mule features no such additions, suggesting that this new model will be shorter than the Flex for a more fuel-friendly footprint--and suggesting that it might also replace the Edge in Ford's crossover lineup.

The new unibody 2011 Ford Explorer crossover is expected to reach the market in 2010--provided Ford's financial condition doesn't disrupt its product plan any more.

2011 Ford Explorer spy shots Enlarge Photo

Posted in : 2011, Crossover Vehicles, Ford, Spy Shots

Mazda MX-5 Redux

By Marty Padgett October 10th, 2008

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2009 Mazda MX-5 Enlarge Photo

The purveyor of zoom-zoom is taking notes from the founder of Lotus, Colin Chapman, who famously claimed that weight is the enemy of performance. Never a porky car, the MX-5 Miata has nonetheless grown in size and weight as buyers and the industry have demanded more safety, more equipment, and greater performance.

But no more, according to AutoCar, who claim that Mazda program manager Takao Kijima insisted the next-gen vehicle weight less than 2,200 pounds. Today's MX-5 weighs nearly 2,500 pounds, while the original Miata tipped the scales at around 2,100 pounds.

AutoCar reports that the MX-5 will retain a front engine/rear-drive architecture, and will also stick with steel construction to keep the vehicle affordable. Another goal of the program is reduced fuel consumption and emissions, which will be made possible by downsized engines and possibly an extremely efficient turbocharged engine of around 1.4 liters.

Mazda intends to slash curb weights from its entire lineup by at least 10 percent by model year 2011.--Colin Mathews

Posted in : 2011, Cars We Love, Convertibles, Enthusiasts, Green Machines, Mazda

2011 Chevrolet Cruze: An Inside Look

By Marty Padgett October 1st, 2008

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2011 Chevrolet Cruze Enlarge Photo

Chevrolet has released these first photos of the 2011 Cruze's interior, prior to its world debut tomorrow at the 2008 Paris auto show.

The new sedan will go on sale in worldwide markets early next year, but not until late 2010 in the U.S., when it will replace the current Cobalt lineup.

GM designer David Lyon says in a release that the new interior is warm and inviting, and features a wide use of color, fabric, and texture.

“The interior must build a relationship with drivers. It’s where they spend their time,” he says. With its winged flanks of buttons and integrated display screen, it reminds us more than a little of the Ford Fiesta, and that's a good thing.

Before we get too "Project Runway" on you, take a look at the shots offered here and stay tuned for tomorrow's full look at the Cruze, live from the Mondiale de l'Expo.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Enlarge Photo

Posted in : 2011, Chevrolet, Paris Auto Show, Sedans

GM Likely to Announce Flint Engine Plant

By Marty Padgett September 25th, 2008

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2011 Chevrolet Volt Enlarge Photo

According to the Detroit Free Press, GM should soon announce a new engine plant in Flint, Mich., that will build the small four-cylinder supplementary engine in the 2011 Chevrolet Volt.

According to plans, the engine will be roughly 1.0 liters in displacement and will be powered on only when the Volt's battery pack becomes discharged, at which time it will act as a generator for both the battery pack and the electric motors that propel the vehicle.

GM has already announced that a new plant in Flint will make the 1.4-liter engine for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, so we assume this new facility will be making both the Volt and Cruze powerplants, though it's not known if the engines will share tooling or components like engine blocks.

In yet more news of government assistance (this time local), the state of Michigan approved $132.5 million in tax incentives for both the new Flint plant as well as for upgrades to four additional GM facilities. In total, GM's proposed new projects ring in at $838 million, which includes an overhaul of the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant that once built Cadillacs but is now gearing up for Chevy Volt production.--Colin Mathews

Posted in : 2008, 2011, Chevrolet, Concept Cars, GM, Green Machines, Industry News, Sedans