i-auto

Microsoft's Sync tech to come to Hyundai and Kia, Ford asks “but what about us?”

nicr — Thu, 08 May 2008 04:00:18 +0000

Once thought to be the exclusive domain of Ford, Sync-like technology looks to be coming to Hyundai and Kia cars by 2010. While Microsoft and Hyundai aren't calling the technology Sync officially, the new “music and information system” will be a voice-controlled interface that links mobile devices to car……

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Audi aims to produce electric car within ten years

nicr — Thu, 08 May 2008 04:00:18 +0000

Although Audi isn't aiming to beat Chevrolet to the punch with an electric whip, it does plan on joining the party a bit further down the road — according to company bigwig Rupert Stadler, that is. Based on an interview with Germany's Welt am Sonntag, Mr. Stadler noted that he expected diesel and bat……

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Microsoft to bring Sync to other carmakers as Microsoft Auto in November

nicr — Thu, 08 May 2008 04:00:17 +0000

Our experiences with Microsoft's Sync in Ford cars has been mostly a comedy of voice-recognition errors (we'll never forget our rental at CES blasting NWA in response to “Play artist: David Bowie”), but it looks like other automakers will be able to join in the confusing fun in November, when Microso……

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Environmentally friendly

nicr — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:52:24 +0000

Have you ever seen this strange vehicle which is a mix between a mini bus and a van in the street?
If not, you are not going to wait long. This is the new zero emission van manufactured by Modec.

Modec is a UK-based company, specialized in the conception and creation of zero emission electric delivery vans.

It has made a van which can be used in inner city centres areas where the sensitivity of noise and emission effects are high.

Many organisations in UK such as Speedy or Tesco are using as an experiment this environment friend. Modec sales and marketing director, Geoff Reyner, expect to quadruple the sales and is already getting enquiries from the rest of Europe and even North America.

British CV Show Report — April 2006 from What Van Online? website

Modec was exhibiting a very stylish-looking, battery-driven vehicle with a potential range of over 100 miles between recharges, a top speed of 50mph, and a maximum payload capacity of two tonnes.

Available as a van, a flatbed, a tipper, or a chassis cab – not to mention as a five-seater crew cab and a 16-seater bus – it grosses at up to 5.5 tonnes. All important information — speed, amount of charge left in the batteries and so on — is displayed on a dashboard-mounted screen.

Volume production is set to begin in November at a site in Coventry not far from Peugeot’s doomed Ryton plant. A chassis cab will set you back £23,000 with a rented battery pack.

Remember that electric vans don’t attract Vehicle Excise Duty and users don’t have to pay the congestion tax when they venture into central London. If they’re operating at above 3.5 tonnes they don’t require a heavy truck Operator’s Licence either.

What’s more, the Modec van will meet the criteria for the Low Emission Zone to be set up in London in 2008.

At the 2008 CV Show, visitors were able to try a Modec Electric Van- Article from Green-Car-Guide.com

Drive a Modec Electric Van at the 2008 CV Show - 14 March 2008

Modec, the UK-based manufacturer of zero emission light commercial vehicles, will be bringing its products to life with an exclusive ride and drive facility at this year’s CV Show. In addition to a stand which will see Modec displaying three of its vehicles in drop side and box configurations, Modec will be supplying four vehicles for visitors to experience for themselves in a unique ride and drive event.

Capable of a 100 mile range at highway speeds, and with a payload of up to two tonnes, the vehicles are being adopted into the fleets of some of the UK’s most prestigious organisations. This year’s CV Show also marks Modec’s 1st anniversary of production based out of its Coventry factory.

Visitors to the Show will be able to drive a mixture of short and long wheelbase drop side and box configured vehicles on a specially designed route around the NEC, which will reflect the urban environment that the vehicles have been designed for. Bookings can be made at the Modec stand, while the vehicles for test drive will be based outside Hall 16.

“We’re really excited at the prospect of this year’s Show,” commented Jamie Borwick, Modec Chairman. “Being able to provide the facility to allow people to drive our vehicles is ideal, as once people have experience them, they can fully appreciate what makes the Modec so perfect for today’s urban environment. We will also be using the show as an opportunity to celebrate a great first year of production and are looking forward to meeting existing and prospective customers.”

Modec’s participation at the CV Show, which runs from the 15th-17th April, will include:

A long wheel base drop side vehicle with a tail lift built specifically for Speedy Hire
Two box vans demonstrating the flexibility and load carrying capability of the vehicles
Also on stand will be representatives from Modec’s senior team as well as its customer service team, financial partner, GE, dealers and partner Multipart
In addition Modec’s customers and partners including Lloyds TSB, Bristor Racking and Solomon’s Coach Builders will be displaying Modec vehicles on their stand

Researchers show off laser-guided wheelchair that docks with vehicles

nicr — Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:27 +0000

We first heard about this laser-guided wheelchair way back in 2006 but didn't really have much more than promises from the team behind it about exactly what they had in store. As New Scientist reports, however, it seems that the folks from Lehigh University and Freedom Sciences are still hard at work at ……

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Suzuki offers up Garmin GPS on all 2009 SX4 vehicles

nicr — Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:27 +0000

Back in the day, integrated GPS units were the stuff of luxury cars, gargantuan SUV cruisers, and lost old ladies. Suzuki is looking to change all of that by including the Garmin T.R.I.P. on all 2009 SX4 Sport and SX4 Crossover vehicles — at no extra charge. As Suzuki gleefully points out, this marks the fi……

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Dutch cyclists lobbying for external airbags on cars

nicr — Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:27 +0000

Sure, there's always the airbag-equipped motorcycle, but for those who prefer to power their own two wheel transporters, you're pretty much on your own. The Dutch Cycling Federation has just cranked out a study showing that some 60 lives could be saved each year (though we're not sure if that'……

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Formula One to introduce hybrid Kinetic Energy Recovery System in 2009

nicr — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:46:07 +0000

While it’s not exactly enough to turn Formula One green, the racing league at least looks to be taking some steps in that direction, with it now announcing that it plans to phase in a new hybrid transmission system starting in 2009. Unlike hybrid systems found in regular cars, however, the so-called Kinet……

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Honda nav system helps you steer clear of crime, just like your momma taught you

nicr — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:46:07 +0000

Honda has a new GPS navigation system for Japan that taps into the police database and points out seedy areas on the map. The device can point out specific locations that cars have been stolen or broken into in the past, as well as generally sketchy districts, which basically means that if you weren’t pa……

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Virtual Wall concept protects pedestrians, livens up crosswalks

nicr — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:46:07 +0000

Let’s face it — pedestrians are already running amok in major city crosswalks; it’s not like we really need to help them hold up the line of traffic any longer while their light is red, is it? All pent up aggression aside, Hanyoung Lee’s brilliant Virtual Wall concept could certainly assist the ……

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