Detroit and Washington D.C. - Today OnStar announced that its partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC) will be expanded to provide geographically targeted AMBER Alert messages to OnStar subscribers.
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You read that right. Microsoft. Fuzzy dice. This is, indeed, the type of cutting edge technology that will carry the world’s largest software company to new heights of profit.
To be fair, the virtual dice are a part of a Microsoft patent filing for a HUD that integrates your car’s electronics, your PDA, your mobile phone, your MP3 player (or Zune for you other three), and, of course, your fuzz-covered mirror decorations. According to the patent application, the dice would even interact with the car’s movement, swaying left when you turn right, getting all twisted when the A/C blows them in circles, possibly even changing colors in reaction to a really bright, hot summer. Then again, we could possibly be reading way too much into this.
Could this be a future generation of Ford’s Sync? It’s not too great a stretch to see a head up display integrated with the Ford system. Seeing an emoticon displayed on the windshield in a text message sure makes a lot more sense to us than having a disembodied voice read “smileyface” to us.
[Source: The Inquirer via Engadget]
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Filed under: Trucks/Pickups
[Source: Winding Road]
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Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Etc., Green, Chevrolet
Being green is all the rage these days, but for some, it’s also economical. That’s the thought behind the Connellsville, PA Police Department’s newest cruiser, a 2000 Chevrolet Impala converted into an all-electric vehicle. The car was just delivered to the precinct today from United First Responders, LLC, the company who built the prototype EV cop car and will be monitoring its use over the next two years. The electric fuzz buster will operate for a full eight hour shift on one charge, and using a 240-volt outlet will recharge fully in just two hours. On pure electrons, that 8-hour shift will cost the city only 35 cents, compared to between $3 and $4 for a gas-powered cruiser. The battery back will last about five years, but the car is limited by its aversion to heavy rain, which could damage the electrical circuits. That’s a significant limitation they should look into fixing quickly, as criminals all over Connellsville will have a field day during Spring when April showers begin to fall.
Thanks to Dominick for the tip.
[Source: Tribune-Review]
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Filed under: Hatchbacks, Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo is offering its UK customers two limited edition versions of its 147 three- and five-door models. The 147 Sport gets 17″ wheels, chrome exhaust, a revised interior, a roof spoiler and a few more interior enhancements. The car is available with either a 120bhp, 1.6-liter gasoline or a 120bhp ,1.9-liter diesel engine. The Sport is limited to 450 copies and prices start at £13,450.
For those wanting more sport in their 147 Sport, there is the Q2 option with the 150bhp, 1.9-liter 16-valve diesel engine. Stepping up to the Q2 adds a limited slip, lowered suspension, unique 17″ wheels, leather seats and dual climate control. Only 350 Alfa 147 Q2 models will be built and prices start at >£16,950 for the 3-door hatch.
Read Alfa’s full press release after the jump.
>[Source: Alfa Romeo]
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Continue reading UK gets new Alfa 147 sport models
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Filed under: Etc., Euro, Government/Legal
LoJack’s international recovery network makes it increasingly difficult to escape its satellite eyes. Here’s the best example yet. Two Albanian thieves broke into the Italian vacation of home of a Frenchman and knocked him out with sleeping gas. They then stole his French-registered Gallardo. When the man came to he called LoJack France and reported the car stolen. They called LoJack Italy, who turned on the recovery system, and located the car on its way to Naples. The Italian police were called, and bada-boom, bada-bing, you’ve got two rustlers behind bars and a wayward bull returned to its owner. LoJack also has a Mexico/US agreement to help ward off thieves closer to home. We wonder if the guys who lifted the Lambo got pulled over by this.
[Source: Telematics Journal and Inside Line]
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Filed under: SUVs, Plants/Manufacturing, Videos, Audi
Here’s a Google Video of Audi’s Touareg Cayenne Q7 being built at VAG’s Slovakian plant. The big ute starts as a couple of metal crossmembers, gets the full-on robotic workover with human assistance, and comes out a complete vehicle on the other side. Along the way it picks up a powertrain, chassis, wheels and tires, an interior, electronics and all of the bits and pieces to make it whole. Although the real process takes a little longer than the five-and-a-half-minute clip, it’s an interesting peak inside the assembly line of a luxury sport ute. Perhaps not revolutionary, but kind of fun for a Thursday afternoon. Follow the jump to see the clip.
[Source: GermanCarScene]
Continue reading VIDEO: Genesis of a German SUV
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It appears the sins of her peers have been visited upon super duper pop sensation Hilary Duff. Well, that and good business sense from her manager. Duff, who has done a pretty good job at not becoming infamous, wants to buy a Porsche Cayenne Turbo. It’s her dream car. Her business manager’s reaction to the 19-year-old Duff getting behind the wheel of a 500-hp SUV: “Nein.” Just to make sure everyone was clear on the position, Duff said “he said I’m a terrible driver and don’t need that kind of car.” If she actually takes his advice — and doesn’t purchase a 911 Turbo as a consolation prize, say — then score one for Hilary.
[Source: Digital Spy]
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Filed under: Etc.
If you’ve read Autoblog consistently for the past three years, you’re no doubt aware of Automoblox, a collection of heirloom quality toy car of which we’re particularly fond. Among other presents, every year at Christmas we give away an entire collection signed by the designer, Patrick Calello.
Patrick always contacts us first when there are new Automoblox being readied, and he’s just revealed to us a new line of cars for the 2007 holiday season. Called Automoblox Mini’s, they are a fraction the size of a normal Automoblox car and can fit in the palm of your hand. Despite that, they sacrifice nothing in terms of detail and quality. As always, kids (or kid-like adults) can interchange parts between the cars to create new vehicle designs, as well.
Whereas a standard Automoblox costs $35.00, an Automoblox Mini car costs only $7.99. Unfortunately, the Automoblox Mini line has proven to be more popular than the company expected despite having just arrived, so if you want some as stocking stuffers for Christmas, visit the Automoblox Store directly to preorder yours before the next batch sells out.
[Source: Automoblox]
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Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings, Toyota
Akio Toyoda is the grandson of Toyota founder Kiichiro Toyoda. He is also the current executive vice president in charge of domestic market Toyota sales. He also piloted a rally class Celica up the hill at Goodwood and a Team Gazoo Toyota Altezza (Lexus IS300) in the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Although he couldn’t quite match Aston Martin’s Dr. Bez for top executive racer at the ‘Ring, he takes his racing just as seriously. And why should we care about some Toyota exec who likes to race on weekends? Because Akio is one of the guys behind the new “interesting cars” department inside Toyota. In fact, he’s the head of that unit, which bodes well for enthusiasts who have lamented the lack of passion in the Japanese automaker’s products. He is also rumored to be next in line to take over presidency of the whole company. Good news for all.
[Source: Winding Road]
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