Android heads to car dashboards

Google has joined forces with Audi, GM, Honda, Hyundai plus chipmaker Nvidia to form Open Automotive Alliance (OAA), which aims to bring the Android smartphone operating system and its apps to car dashboards.

By adopting Android, car companies will find it easier to bring new connected car innovations to their customers and, because it is already the world’s most popular smartphone and tablet operating system, they will be able to do so in a way that is easy to use and to understand.

The worlds of consumer and automotive technologies have never been more closely aligned, and this alliance will only pave the way for faster innovation, said Ricky Hudi, Head of Electrics/Electronics Development at AUDI AG. Working toward a common ecosystems benefits driver safety above all.

Driver safety is a huge and growing issue, especially where electronic devices are concerned. A Virginia Tech study published on January 1 highlights that the average U.S. driver is distracted by other activities 10 percent of the time that they are behind the wheel. And, that of those distractions, the cell phone is the one that causes the greatest risk to safety.

The study, which used video footage from cameras installed inside 150 cars, found that even experienced drivers were more than twice as likely to crash or have a close call when dialing a cell phone

Experienced adults were more than twice as likely to crash or nearly crash when dialing a cell phone as when they did not dial and drive, but did not have an increased risk while engaging in other tasks secondary to driving, while novice drivers were four times more likely to crash or nearly crash while texting.

If a phone’s functions are integrated into a vehicle and can be accessed via voice commands or a touch screen, many of these risks will be mitigated, especially if the way of accessing the features is intuitive and doesn’t require car owners to dig out the user manual every time they want to accept or decline a call or pull up a map.

Millions of people are already familiar with Android and use it every day, said Sundar Pichai, SVP of Android, Chrome & Apps at Google. The expansion of the Android platform into automotive will allow our industry partners to more easily integrate mobile technology into cars and offer drivers a familiar, seamless experience so they can focus on the road.

As well as core smartphone functions, by creating an automotive version of Android, app developers will also be able to build versions of their apps that are suitable for in-car use, whether for navigation, scheduling or even social networking.

Through the OAA, our customers using Android devices will soon be able to enjoy the continuous user experience in their Hyundai and Kia vehicles, said Dr. Woong-Chul Yang, Vice Chairman of R&D, Hyundai Motor Group. By introducing the latest IT technologies safely and securely throughout our full range of vehicles, we continually strive to provide the highest levels of convenience and enhance the in-vehicle experience.

The first cars with integrated Android will be hitting the streets later this year. The OAA hopes that Android’s open-source nature and its scalability, plus the wealth of developers already building apps for it will attract more car companies to sign up to the alliance.

Chevrolet to roll out 4G-connected cars this year

The new Chevrolets coming out this year will be faster on the information superhighway.

The General Motors division said Sunday it would deploy fourth generation (4G) Internet connections on several models to help motorists who want to stay connected with the growing number of apps for automobiles.

Chevy will allow the 4G connections with Long Term Evolution (LTE) in a partnership with AT&T.

Chevrolet is expected to implement the broadest deployment of 4G LTE in the automotive industry, said Alan Batey, senior vice president of Global Chevrolet, who added that the move is indicative of our broad commitment to deliver more value and convenience through smart technology applications.

The high-speed connections will allow for a Wi-Fi hotspot that allows passengers in a vehicle to use tablets or other devices, or to watch videos via the Internet in vehicles which have screens.

The 4G cars will for now only be sold in the United States and Canada, according to the Chevrolet announcement at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

This technology is not just for the rich and famous, Batey said at a news conference.

You’re going to be connected everywhere.

Initially 10 vehicle models will get the 4G connections by mid-2014 but more will be added, he said.

The auto sector’s presence is growing at CES with a large number of carmakers and related technology firms showing their wares at the huge electronics expo opening Tuesday.

The service links with GM’s OnStar service to apps and services that require a high speed cellular or data connection. Current AT&T customers will be able to add their vehicle to a shared data plan or purchase a standalone option.

Chevrolet said its AppShop includes programs for data, music, news, weather, travel information and more. Some of the current apps include iHeartRadio, Priceline.com, The Weather Channel, NPR, Slacker Radio and Cityseeker.

Chevy's redesigned 2014 Silverado brings bold improvements, could shake up the truck competition

The battle for pickup truck popularity is always in flux, with each competitor coming out with its new models to change up the game every so often.

In the 2013 model year, Ram trucks got a lot of attention, and with a new redesign, Chevy is hoping its 2014 Silverado pickup trucks will be the main attraction this year.

I recently drove a 2014 Silverado 1500 and I’ll let you know about my experience and what this upgrade could mean for Chevy’s standing in the pickup battle.

LOOKS

Overdue for a redesign, the Silverado gets a bit of a new look for the 2014 models (though nothing too drastic).

Lighter materials are used to reduce weight while increasing strength, but it still looks very much like a tough truck, perhaps even moreso due to the bigger, in-your-face grille. The new design was also done with aerodynamics in mind, to keep down fuel mileage. Rear doors are also larger and easier to get in and out of.

My test truck had 18-inch aluminum wheels and all-terrain tires.

The interior got a big overhaul, with extra storage spaces added, and lots of technology-friendly options (some versions have up to 5 USB ports).

In terms of cab size, you have regular cab, crew cab and double cab options.

(One minor note: The side step rails on my truck did not go all the way back; nothing huge, but it would have been nice, and you do get this on some of the competiton).

In terms of bed sizes, regular cab trucks feature either a 6.5-foot bed or an optional 8-foot bed. The double cabs can only get the 6.5-foot bed, and the crew cabs can get either a 5.75-foot bed or a 6.5-foot bed.

ENGINE

The engine is another area that is very different on the 2014 Silverado.

For starters, there is a V6 option that is quite strong and will be sufficient for a lot of folks who might not do a lot of heavy lifting with their truck. That engine option features 285 horsepower.

I had a test truck with a V8 engine, one of two offered. Mine was a 5.3-liter V8 EcoTec3 engine that featured a powerful ride offering 355 horsepower and 383 foot-pounds of torque. Towing on my vehicle had a max of more than 11,000 pounds, when properly equipped. Maximum payload is just under 2,000 pounds.

There is another V8 engine offered that boasts 420 horsepower if you want even more power.
The Silverado features a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Electric power steering also contributes to an overall smooth ride, not an easy feat with this type of vehicle.

MPG, QUIET

One area where all this weight-trimming came in handy was fuel mileage. The V8 2014 Silverado I tested is listed at 16 mpg city/22 highway, and 18 combined best in its class. You’ll do a couple miles per gallon better if you get the V6 engine. The fuel tank holds 26 gallons.

Another element of the redesign that Silverado drivers will notice is the materials used lead to a much quieter cabin, as the outside world is pretty much kept out. This isn’t something you normally associate with a truck, but it’s definitely the case here.

TECH

The Chevrolet MyLink system offered in the Silverado features connectivity to your phone, voice commands and more. Some versions feature a 4.2-inch touchscreen, while others get the upgraded 8-inch screen. The system features Bluetooth, allowing you to connect your phone and other devices to the car wirelessly. And you’ll get USB ports and a SD card slot for connecting devices and media in a wired way.

OnStar is an included feature (free initially for 6 months, then you’ll pay a monthly fee if you want to keep it). This is a system that can be helpful both in emergencies, and when seeking info on a daily basis; whether it’s worth the cost is up to each truck owner.

Other tech features offered on some versions of the 2014 Silverado include: Remote keyless entry, remote vehicle start, and dual-zone climate control.

You get 3 months of free satellite radio, then you must pay a fee to keep it (I would recommend this; beats terrestrial radio by a mile).

SAFETY

The 2014 Silverado got top rankings in government crash tests (five stars in all areas except rollover, which was four stars). It comes with six standard air bags; front safety belt pretensioners with load-limiting retractors; optional forward collision alert and lane departure warning; Stabilitrak electronic stability control with traction control; optional rearview camera system; hill descent control; tire pressure monitoring system; locking tailgate, and more.

PRICE

There is a wide range of pricing on the Silverado, with the most basic, no-frills work truck version beginning around $26,000. Depending on what you’re willing to spend, there are a lot of options to explore and you can double that amount.

My test vehicle came in just over $49K. It started at about $43,500, but included options such as the $845 Driver Alert package (park assist; lane departure warning; forward collision alert; Safety alert seat), $770 LTZ Plus package (power adjustable pedals, Bose Audio system, heated steering wheel), $795 Chevy MyLink with 8-inch touchscreen and Navigation, $700 for 6 chrome assist steps $650 for heated and cooled front seats, and a couple other touches.

BOTTOM LINE

Based on my time in the truck, I can say with confidence that the redesigned Chevy Silverado has made big improvements on the previous edition in terms of ride quality, looks and performance.

Truck owners are pretty loyal, but the numbers and overall driving experience put up here by Chevy are good enough to get some of the drivers of the competition’s trucks second-guessing what their next purchase should be. There should be some gains for Chevy, but time will tell just how much the battle is about to tighten up, and it will depend largely on what the folks who use their trucks to make a living decide to do.

Feature-laden Ford Escape bucks wind in 2-hour drive

A turbocharged 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine and comfortably bolstered leather seats made the 2014 Ford Escape a good choice for highway travel a week ago.

It was a cold and windy journey to St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 8 miles south of Fleming, for the wedding of Alyssa Muller and Michael Williams, who met as students at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling. Dave and Norma Wagner joined Jan and me and rode from their home in Sterling to the church, then back to the Sterling Elks Lodge for a holiday-themed reception.

Redesigned a year ago, the Escape ranks near the top in the competitive compact SUV/crossover field.

The high-end Titanium four-wheel-drive model we drove is equipped with a 240-horsepower, 2.0-liter engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. Also offered are a 1.6-liter turbo 4 and a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter 4.

The stronger EcoBoost is of quick low-end response and impressive acceleration from 270 lb.-ft. of torque, and can be driven in Sport mode and shifted manually with a switch on the side of the shifter.

The Escape averaged 23.8 miles per gallon, hampered some by the wind. A year ago, a similarly equipped Escape averaged only 22.3 in lots of snow and even colder temperatures. EPA estimate for the 2.0-liter is 21/28.

As I prepared to leave for last week’s drive, both hands filled with such items as luggage, camera and wedding invitation, I walked to the back of the Escape, swung my leg forward like an old-fashioned placekicker, aiming the toe of my shoe right up under the center of the bumper, and the kick was perfect – the tailgate opened automatically. Cargo capacity of the Escape is slightly more than 34 cubic feet, same as for the Subaru Forester.

The Escape, in another feature, can parallel park itself (well, kind of). With the driver’s hands removed from the steering wheel, the Ford guides itself into the parking space. This is an impressive feature. I’d not use it often, though; since the driver still is responsible for gear selection, accelerating and braking, I’d go ahead and steer it, too.

Wagner, who drives a Subaru Outback, thought the ride of the Escape was somewhat rough. I mentioned the stiff suspension in the review a year ago, in which the smaller Ford didn’t measure up to stablemates Explorer, Edge and Flex. Its handling, though, is excellent. Tires are Continental 235/50R18.

The EcoBoost engine and parking assist technology, along with optional navigation, blind-spot detection and automatic headlamps pushed sticker price of the Escape to $35,030 from a base of $30,850.

Ford's new hybrid to have solar panels on roof

The U.S. carmaker will debut its C-MAX Solar Energi Concept hybrid car which harnesses the sun’s rays to charge its batteries at the 2014 International CES.

The concept car, which Ford claims is the first of its kind, is a plug-in hybrid with a difference. Rather than connecting to the mains to charge up the battery-powered half of its drivetrain, it harnesses the sun’s rays instead via roof-mounted solar panels.

However, even in a region where the sun shines brightly and directly overhead most of the day and most of the year, solar panels limited to the roof are not enough to capture sufficient energy to power a car.

That’s why the C-MAX Solar Energi Concept uses a concentrator that, like a magnifying glass, amplifies the intensity of the sunlight being absorbed by the solar cells.

The result is that a day’s exposure to sunlight is enough to deliver the same performance as the company’s current C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid car an EPA-estimated 108 MPGe for the city and 92 MPGe of highway driving, or a combined 100 MPGe.

The C-MAX Solar Energi Concept is a collaboration between Ford, SunPower Corp. and the Atlanta-based Georgia Institute of Technology and will be shown for the first time at the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show, which gets underway in Las Vegas Tuesday.

2014 Mini Cooper Countryman S All4: It's cute, but it's tough

A freak heat wave melted most of the snow and ice. But Mine Hill Road here, at midnight on the first official day of winter, was still tricky.

Temperatures had fallen from unseasonably warm to definitely cold, if not freezing. Dense fog patches compromised visibility. There were wet spots aplenty some of them actually slippery black ice.

We proceeded gingerly. But there was no compelling reason to be coy in this environment in the 2014 Mini Cooper Countryman S All4. The little wagon is equipped with permanent all-wheel drive, a system that instantly and democratically distributes engine power and torque between front and rear wheels (that is, between front and rear axles) for maximum grip on a variety of road surfaces.

The Cooper Countryman S All4 isn’t the first vehicle many of us would think of as a snow runner, mud crawler or general-purpose off-roader. But, based on our 720-mile drive in weather fair and foul over all kinds of roads, we must give credit where it is due. The compact wagon performed quite admirably in mush-strewn environments.

In fact, it did so well it almost changed my wife’s mind about what to buy to replace our current 2002 Mini Cooper hatchback. Almost. Mary Anne remains upset about the Mini’s routine repair costs, such as tire replacement. Also, that irritating rattle in the power sliding-glass roof, which no one seems able to fix at any price, tempers our joint enthusiasm for the brand.

But the Countryman S All4 hits all the notes that made us fall in love with Mini in the first place. It is the cutest compact wagon available. It is distinctive, and it exudes personality. The Countryman S All4 is city-friendly, reasonably fuel-efficient and fun to drive. The thing can run!

We discovered as much driving here on Interstate 87. Many motorists on that road seem to have no respect for small cars. They apparently assume that small equals slow, whatever lane you’re driving in.

Their assumptions give birth to bullying, mostly in the form of tailgating. But the Countryman S All4 handled that rudeness quite nicely. It scooted out of the way with moderate pressure on the accelerator summoning its 1.6-liter, direct-injection four-cylinder gasoline engine to get to work. That small but mighty power plant delivers a maximum 208 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. The delivery is smooth, consistent no coughing or hesitation, no begging for timeout.

It occurred to us that maybe the bullies were just messing around trying to get us to speed up into the waiting arms of the law, thereby relieving evildoers of a potential traffic citation. If so, they not only underestimated the highway prowess of the Countryman S All4, they also underestimated the car’s Innocence Appeal.

Innocence Appeal? It is this: Put two senior citizens in a car as cute as the Countryman S All4. Load it up with well-wrapped Christmas packages. Give the driver me, in this case an overabundance of gray hair. Dress the co-pilot, Mary Anne, in her best school-lady outfit, including spectacles. You’re a traffic cop? Who are you going to arrest: us, or the joker in the revved-up Dodge Charger trying to push us out of the way?

Aside: Dear tailgating bully, you deserved that ticket. Merry Christmas. Perhaps you will change your behavior in the new year.

There is so much to like about Mini cars that’s MINI to those of you who are product-nomenclature purists. They fit easily into your daily driving life, if not exactly into your wallet. The Countryman S All4, for example, starts at $27,400. By the time you add desirable options, you are looking at $35,900. That’s a corporate gift to Mini rivals, many of which, such as the Nissan Juke, offer more carrying space and just as many desirable options for a lot less money.

There also is the matter of fuel economy. Lightly loaded with only driver and front-seat passenger the Countryman S All4 gets a fairly decent 25 miles per gallon in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. That drops about three mpg in each case with the addition of 220 pounds of Christmas gifts and fix-up tools.

Mini’s engineers contend that the Countryman S All4 can run well on 89-octane gasoline. But real-world experience tells me that is a marketing ploy. The owner’s manual instructs us to use more expensive premium gasoline for best performance. Our experience: Follow the owner’s manual and be happy.

Nissan to present sports sedan concept in Detroit

At the North American International Auto Show, opening its doors Saturday, Jan. 18, the Japanese manufacturer plans to debut a new concept car in the form of a sports sedan. The model is designed to exhibit Nissan’s shift towards a new visual identity.

A few weeks ahead of the show, Nissan is teasing this mysterious model with a single snapshot, revealing a curvaceous hood and slender headlights.

In addition to this newly announced sedan concept, Nissan will present the IDx Freeflow (road) and IDx Nismo (race track), two notchback coupe concepts, in their North American premiere at the show.

The North American International Auto Show takes place from January 18 to 26, 2014 in Detroit. Website: naias.com