Lane Departure Warning – this technology uses a set of cameras to monitor the white and yellow lines on the road. When the vehicle crosses a line without the turn signal being activated the system informs the driver by sounding an audible alert. This helps keep sleepy or inattentive drivers from veering off from their lane. Other advanced lane departure warning systems can actually attempt to steer the vehicle back into the lane or apply the brakes slightly.

In-car Internet – using cellular technology, vehicles can now become a secure Wi-Fi hotspot providing passengers with web access for laptops, video game devices and other gadgets. An example of In-car Internet service is Chrysler’s uconnect Web which is compatible with 2009 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles.

Blind Spot Monitoring – To help prevent accidents due to the driver’s blind spots, a system of cameras and sonar technologies scans the driver’s no-see zone. If another vehicle goes into the driver’s peripheral vision and the steering wheel turns, a warning light or audible alarm alerts the driver to the possible danger.

Round-View Cameras – To make parking in tight spaces easier, this new technology uses cameras strategically located around the vehicle to project rear, front and side views of on a navigations screen.

Night Vision – New automotive night vision systems use thermal imaging cameras to create a moving video image of people, vehicles and objects beyond the reach of the vehicle’s headlights. Other advanced car night vision systems generate information about the depth of the scene in real time, codifying the distance of every object. For instance, warm colors are for closer objects and cold colors for distant objects. Advanced night vision systems in some cars also process real-time movements, indicating the direction in which the object moves in the scene and how everything changes due to the movement of the car. If the system determines a person ahead of the vehicle is at risk, the driver will receive an audible or visual warning.

Via MSN Autos

Exciting innovations in automotive technology are introduced every year: from new safety features to the latest in in-car entertainment amenities. The model year 2009 presents an exciting array of new car technologies that aim to enhance how our automotive experience. Even with a crisis facing the automotive industry, the demand for new technologies that will enhance safety, entertainment, comfort and connectivity will has nowhere to go but up. Here’s a rundown of the top new car technologies for the 2009 model year.

Adaptive Cruise Control – also known as active or intelligent cruise control, ACC uses radar and/or laser sensors usually located behind the grille to determine the speed and distance of the vehicle in front. It maintains the vehicle’s pre-set speed and adjusts it accordingly to maintain the proper distance between vehicles in the same lane. For instance, if the vehicle in front slows down, the system sends a signal to the engine or braking system to decelerate. The system accelerates to the last speeds setting when it detects that the distance is safe again.

Traffic and Weather Alert Navigation – Future drivers will be more informed about weather and traffic conditions with real-time information superimposed on GPS-based navigation systems. The weather/traffic information is scaled and customized for the driver’s location and route. The service provides alerts about severe traffic and weather conditions that can help drivers avoid a massive traffic jam or a storm brewing on the road ahead.

Adaptive Headlamps – A vehicle’s headlamps can now follow wherever the driver turns the steering wheel to illuminate where the driver is looking instead of the car’s front end only. The adaptive headlamps system involves processing of information about the location of the steering wheel and the speed of the vehicle which then signals electric motors behind the headlamps to turn left or right accordingly.
Portable Nav Device Integration – As portable navigation devices become even more popular, automakers are now equipping their vehicles with interfaces and storage compartments for these gadgets.

Portable Nav Device Integration – As portable navigation devices become even more popular, automakers are now equipping their vehicles with interfaces and storage compartments for these gadgets.

Collision Avoidance – This system monitors the distance and closing rate between the vehicle equipped with the system and the vehicle or an object ahead on the road. If the system thinks that the driver is not braking enough, it alerts the driver with tools such as flashing lights, vibrating seats, tugging seatbelts and more. In some collision avoidance systems, the brake is applied automatically at the last moment if these alerts don’t work.

Source: MSN Autos

The Subaru Forester has had an excellent safety record. It recently received the highest possible ratings in frontal and side impact crash tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Aside from five-star frontal and side impact crash-test rating, the 2009 Forester also received a four-star rollover resistance rating. The 2009 model certainly lives up to it with cutting –edge safety technology such as ring reinforcement safety system; front, seat mounted side and three row side-curtain airbags; and ABS.

It also comes with standard Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) system, which incorporates stability and traction control systems with a rollover sensor. The Subaru Forester is available with either a 170-hp 2.5-liter boxer engine or a 224-hp turbocharged engine. The 2009 Forester is built on an all-new platform featuring a 3.g-inch longer wheelbase (103.0 inches total) that helps improve ride quality and interior space, particularly rear seat legroom.

Hyundai Motor Co. aims at a higher level of quality and value with the recent release of the Genesis Coupe, touted as the automaker’s ‘halo vehicle’. At the launch in Jeju Island, a popular tourist destination in South Korea, Hyundai took the covers off of the Genesis Coupe for members of the Korean and international media. The new Genesis Coupe comes at the heels of the highly acclaimed Genesis sports sedan introduced earlier this year. With its simple, modern and crisp lines, the Genesis Coupe is the exemplification of Hyundai’s design evolution.

The Genesis Coupe also comes high performance capabilities and front engine rear wheel drive architecture. “The Genesis Coupe is our very first thoroughbred, a true halo car with all the hallmarks of a high performance car,” said Dr. Hyun–Soon Lee, president of the Corporate Research and Development Division. “The Coupe will do exactly what it was designed to do: Provide a thrilling driving experience and attract new customers to Hyundai showrooms and continue the transformation of our brand.”

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe will be powered by ange-topping, all aluminum 310 horsepower (premium fuel), 306 horsepower (regular fuel), DOHC 3.8-liter V6 Lambda RS. The base engine will be the 223 horsepower (premium fuel), 210 horsepower (regular fuel) 2.0-liter turbocharged Theta. Pricing for the 3.8L 310hp Lambda V6 version is expected to start below $30,000, while the 210hp 2.0L turbo four cylinder is expected to be priced even lower. Hyundai hopes to sell 40,000 Genesis Coupes a year: 5,000 in Korea and 35,000 in overseas markets.

Via The Auto Channel

There have been a slew of devices introduced into the market that are touted to have a positive effect in the effort to save gas. The Tornado Fuel Saver is one of these. It is basically a stainless steel, non-mechanical, turbine shaped device that is inserted into the either the air intake hose (if the vehicle is fuel injected) or the air filter housing (if the vehicle is carbureted). Its function is to change the flow of the air coming into the combustion chamber.

Apparently, altering the airflow into a swirling motion allows the fuel to better atomize the air. This supposedly exposes more fuel and oxygen mixture to the spark plug firing plane resulting to more complete and more efficient fuel consumption. The Tornado Fuel Saver promises increased gas mileage of anywhere between 7-24%, increased acceleration, and increased power of up to 15 horsepower on average.

The Tornado Fuel Saver is also easy to install, taking up about 5 minutes to set it up. It also doesn’t require any maintenance. With improvement in gas mileage of up to 24%, purchasing and installing a Tornado Fuel Saver is an investment that eventually pays for itself.

Ford Motor Co. helps keep teen drivers safe with the introduction of an innovative technology called MyKey that is designed to help parents encourage their teenagers to drive safer.Ford MyKey allows parents to program a special ignition key with a pre-programmed list of vehicle options designed for better safety.

For instance, parents can program the MyKey to limit the vehicle’s top speed to 80 mph as well as restrict the car stereo’s audio volume to 44% of the maximum volume. It also encourages the use of safety belts with Ford’s Beltminder system that provides a six-second reminder chime every five to six minutes if seatbelts are not worn.

Alerts are also sounded whenever the vehicle reaches 45, 55 and 65mph. The MyKey also prevents the traction control system, which limits tire spin, from being deactivated. The new Ford MyKey will come standard with the 2010 Ford Focus and will be available as an option in models for 2010 onwards.

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Mazda will unveil the 2010 Mazda 3 at the Los Angeles Auto Show next month. The new Mazda 3 will feature a fresh new design inspired by the Kabura concept that Mazda revealed in 2006. This is evident in the new Mazda 3’s new face which is now dramatically swept back. This makes the Mazda 3 more akin to the new Mazda 6 in terms of aesthetics with its grinning front grille sitting between and below the sharp, angular headlamps.

The redesigned grill is flanked by two air intakes and a set of fog lamps. The redesign continues to the modern rising waistline and a sloping rear roof that emphasizes a restyled rear end with twin sporty tailpipes.

There were no specs revealed yet but the new Mazda 3 will reportedly come with either a 2.0 or 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. It is also supposed to weight significantly less than the current model incarnation of the Mazda 3. The new 2010 Mazda 3 will be available in showrooms by early next year.

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In what could be a glimpse of the automotive industry’s future, electric cars grabbed the limelight at the ongoing ‘Mondial de l’ Automobile’ (Paris Motor Show) 2008 with several automakers unveiling a slew of new hybrid electric models. Most of the models, such as Renault SA’s Z.E. Concept, are still prototypes and could be several years away from production. Others, like Daimler AG’s all-electric Smart ED have entered the test phase.

Several automakers debuted new ready-for-production hybrid electric models. General Motors Corp. plans to get ahead of the pack with its rechargeable electric Chevrolet Volt, which is slated to go on sale by late 2010. “General Motors is betting an awful lot on the Volt, and I think it’s more than just an image issue, so we are all very interested in that,” said Finbarr O’Neill, head of international operations for J.D. Power & Associates.

Honda Motor Co. also formally unveiled its new five-door gasoline-electric hatchback called the Insight. Honda promises cheaper prices for the Insight to make low-emissions technology more affordable to consumers and to make the Insight more competitive against the highly successful Toyota Prius. Honda aims to sell 200,000 of the new Insight by next year in Japan, Europe and North America.

Last week, Chrysler unveiled three electric-powered vehicles: a sports car, a four-door Jeep and a minivan, which are scheduled for release in the US in 2010. Other electric cars in the spotlight at the 20087 Paris Motor Show include Venturi Volage, Peugeot RC Hymotion4, Electric Smart Car, Pninifarina B0, Nissan Nuvu Concept, DuraCar QUICC! DiVa, Tang Hua XY08 Chika, and the Joule MPV.

When the device detects a possible collision, it warns the driver through an authoritative beep and a red warning light that is projected on the windshield above the instrument panel. Collision Warning with Brake Support is just one of three new radar-based active safety and driver-aid technologies that Ford is introducing in a range of vehicles from 2008 to 2009.

The other new technologies are Adaptive Cruise Control and BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic Alert. These three technologies use radar to detect the relative position of other vehicles and warn the driver with a combination of visual and sound alerts. The new technologies further strengthen Ford’s top safety ratings which includes the most 5-star government ratings of any automaker and most number of Top Safety Picks by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

US Auto sales took a sharp downward turn in September in the face of an ongoing credit crisis and the continued increase in fuel prices. Industry-wide sales plunged below the 1 million mark for the first time in more than 15 years. Overall industry sales were at 964,873 vehicles, the lowest level seen since February 1993. The 27% drop was sharper than expected and is a clear sign that tighter credit and falling consumer confidence is hurting consumer spending.

“This is the worst point we have seen in 15 years,” said Jesse Toprak, head of industry analysis for the automotive Web site Edmunds.com. “And it is likely to be even worse in the month of October.” Mr. Tropak also said that a sale for the entire year is projected to be about 14 million vehicles, the lowest figure in more than a decade.

The slide was led by Ford whose sales were down by 34%. Asian automakers weren’t spared with an overall 31% drop. Sales were down 24% for Honda Motor Corp., 32% for Toyota Motor Corp. and 37% for Nissan Motor Co. Chrysler registered a drop of 33%. Beating forecasts, General Motors had only a 15.6% drop in sales buoyed by employee pricing deals offered to consumers and an increase in sales to rental-car fleets.

Source: The Auto Channel