click above more images of the Cadillac CTS' interior and infotainment
With all of the COTY, 10 Best and All-Star awards being handed out this time of year, it's easy to tune out and miss some of the more interesting awards. The tech website CNET has announced 11 winners of its annual Car Tech Awards that rather than focusing on which particular vehicle is simply best of the year, breaks it into more narrow and, in some cases, funny categories.
CNET's overall Tech Car of the Year award goes to the 2008 Cadillac CTS, which beat out the one-trick-pony Lexus LS600h and its self-parking feature thanks to the Cadillac's ability to pause live radio and receive a live weather feed through satellite radio. We, too, are smitten with the recording capability incorporated into the Cadillac's radio and hope to see this technology proliferate quickly in car's available with an in-dash hard drive.
Ford's SYNC system nabbed the honors for Coolest new car tech, while the Most frustrating interface award went to the Acura RL and its button-happy instrument panel. The Best car to take you for a ride was the Rolls-Royce Phantom, which we happen to agree with 100% having driven around our own friends in it. There's eight more categories to peruse over at CNET, so click the Read link if you're so inclined.
[Source: CNET]
CAR reveals spy shots of McLaren P11 supercar
2010 Chevrolet Camaro priced: LS $22,995, SS $30,995
BREAKING: GM and Chrysler talking about merger
Spy Shots: Nissan 370Z again, with interior shots
2010 Mazda3 unveiled ahead of LA Auto Show
In the Autobog Garage: 2009 Chevy Cobalt SS Turbo
Knight Rider: The Liveblog -- Season 1, Episode 3
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Mazda RX-8 R3, return of the "hummer"
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Chevy Corvette Z06
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Zane @ Jan 17th 2008 3:26PM
Haha .. it's funny how the RL used to be the apple of CNET's eye right until last year. Confining it to the dumps only goes to show how Acura has been left in the dust by its main rivals.
On a side note, I really can't agree with handing out awards to the GT500 and CL550. If I were the head honcho out there, my silverware would've gone to the F430 Scuderia and Phantom Drophead, respectively.
Dustin @ Jan 17th 2008 5:20PM
Except that it makes no sense. How does something CNET loved and is familiar with become "frustrating" simply based on the fact that the competition has improved? Did the competitor's space-age interfaces cause CNET to unlearn how to use buttons?
Version4 @ Jan 17th 2008 3:31PM
awesome!
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jan 17th 2008 3:40PM
Amazing the CTS won without Bluetooth. This is rectified later in the year though.
Pouya @ Jan 17th 2008 3:41PM
John, LS600h = "0ne-trick-pony?" I know you are openly biased against Lexus and favor Ford, but at least do some research.
Other than the five CNet listed (i.e., Hybrid electric powertrain, All-wheel-drive, Live traffic reporting, 19-speaker Mark Levinson stereo, Self-parking system), the Lexus also has:
1. Multi-zone climate control using infrared body temperature sensors
2. The Driver Monitoring System uses a CCD camera placed on the steering column to track driver attentiveness by eye tracking. Using infrared LED detectors, this system will respond if a collision is imminent and the driver not paying attention (a warning alarm will sound followed by a brief automatic application of the braking system). This system is said to be the first of its kind.
3. The Lane Keeping Assist feature includes the Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Keep (LK) systems. When activated, the LDW system will issue an audiovisual warning and apply a brief corrective steering response when veering motion is detected. The LK system (activated when the adaptive cruise control is engaged) will actively provide continued steering inputs to return the LS to its proper lane.
4. The Emergency Steering Assist system acts to minimize body roll and improve vehicle responsiveness in sudden maneuvers. This system reduces the steering gear ratio and prompts the suspension to adopt stiffer settings, helping make emergency maneuvers more stable and controlled.
5. The Frontal Pre-Crash system will activate a warning buzzer and red dash lights to alert the driver if a potential hazard is detected in the vehicle's path. If the system detects a potential collision, the Emergency Steering Assist and brake assist systems will activate, increasing effectiveness in emergency maneuvers and stopping. If a collision is determined to be unavoidable, the seatbelt pretensioners will activate, and the brakes will automatically engage to slow the vehicle.
6. In the U.S., the inclusion of the rear Pre-Crash system is pending FCC regulatory approval, but it is available elsewhere. The Rear Pre-Crash system, the first active rear collision safety feature in an automobile, utilizes trunk-mounted obstacle detection and warning systems to react in anticipation of an emergency. In addition to driver alerts, if a rear collision is deemed unavoidable, sensor-equipped Pre-Crash Intelligent Headrests in the front seats will adjust position upwards (up to 25 mm) and forwards (up to 60 mm) to cradle the head during impact, reducing the risk of whiplash.
In terms of advanced technology, Automotive research firm TRG found that the LS offered the most advanced technological features of any vehicle available in North America. The LS has won Popular Mechanics' Automotive Excellence and Popular Science's Design and Engineering Awards. Citing its world's firsts, the official publication of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) named the LS as 2007's Best Engineered Vehicle. Finally, CNET actually named the LS "Tech Car of the Year" last year.
Russell @ Jan 17th 2008 3:48PM
Ok, now go and buy your Lexus
PAT @ Jan 17th 2008 4:10PM
Thanks Pouya...You must be a Lexus owner. Why doesn't Lexus just come with a complimentary driver, and a big brother to watch after you so you don't make a mistake. What are you gonna do when your Lexus parallel parking feature malfunctions? Wouldn't want you doing it yourself.
sk @ Jan 17th 2008 4:33PM
Please, I hope all that gadgetry is not coming as standard options in future cars. I'm still driving a stick shift and like to control my own actions.
Pouya @ Jan 17th 2008 6:54PM
Russell and PAT:
Unsurprisingly, you are both wrong. No, I do not own a Lexus. No, I probably will not own a Lexus, because it is not my type of car. There are many reasons. For example, it is too sterile and isn't available with a proper manual transmission. My type of cars are Ferraris, Aston Martins, Porsches, Lotuses, Lamborghinis, and BMWs. In fact, although my primary profession is an attorney, I am also a CEO of an LLC that designs racing parts for those cars.
I am sorry; I know things would be a lot less complicated for you if I was merely a Lexus fanboy defending Lexus. But, believe it or not, I do not have to own a Lexus or be a "Lexus fanboy" to notice and appreciate its technological merits and achievements. I am merely an objective, fair, and independent thinker. I am sorry we do not share those same qualities.
Nevertheless, instead of making incorrect and unsupported ad hominem attacks on me, why don't you stay on-point and challenge the facts presented. Believe it or not, it is a much more persuasive form of argument. For a moment, detach yourselves from your high emotional attachment for whatever brand you are attached to, curb your hate towards Lexus, pause the personal attacks, look at the relevant objective facts, and deliver a non-hostile reply that doesn't fall back on emotional responses, but rather, challenges the facts posted. I even numbered them for you to make it easy. I'll even define the issue to make it easier. It isn't "what car is best." It isn't "how technology affects driver involvement." It isn’t “what car is most fun.” The issue is: "is the Lexus LS technologically a 'one-trick-pony?'" As posted above, many people disagree, and given the facts, any reasonable person would disagree as well. John Neff agrees, but that is because he has a sycophantic devotion for GM and Ford, hates Lexus and Toyota, and thus, doesn't do reasonable things such as support his statement with facts. But what do you think? Thanks.
Leaf @ Jan 17th 2008 3:56PM
Didn't the RL get "tech car of the year" two years ago? Now its getting a shame award? How'd that happen?
Spike @ Jan 17th 2008 4:00PM
btw, peruse doesn't mean to browse through.
It means to exam every detail of something ;)
Chopper Dave @ Jan 17th 2008 5:12PM
Not to get too far OT, but here are the usage notes on Peruse:
"Usage Note: Peruse has long meant "to read thoroughly" and is often used loosely when one could use the word read instead, as in The librarians checked to see which titles had been perused in the last month and which been left untouched. Seventy percent of the Usage Panel rejected this example in our 1999 survey. Sometimes people use it to mean "to glance over, skim," as in I only had a moment to peruse the manual quickly, but this usage is widely considered an error. In a 1988 survey, 66 percent of the Panel found it unacceptable, and in 1999, 58 percent still rejected it."
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/peruse
So, the word seems to be evolving in meaning, as words are wont to do. The newer meaning seems to gaining ground, too (34% acceptable in 1988, 42% in 1999). Interesting--you're both right :)
Still, the true "dictionary definition" is what Spike said.
henrykrinkle @ Jan 17th 2008 4:15PM
Haven't sat in one yet but looking at those pictures of the CTS I just realized how many buttons look like they're at or below where my knees would be. Technology is fine and all but I'd still like to be able to see and reach the window switches and temperature controls.
Jay @ Jan 17th 2008 4:20PM
wow so it has....radio TiVo. Did not know they had that.
Keith Davis @ Jan 17th 2008 8:31PM
You guys do a nice job on reviews but the gallery photos leave a lot to be desired: a piece of the dash?, a cadillac logo on the nav system? An arm rest?? rather irrelevant when there is better things to photograph.I think you need to do some better content editing.. this isn't the first time!
Mallory @ Jan 17th 2008 9:52PM
Kudo's to Ford's Sync. I just wish they made a car I could stomache to purchase. I'd love to have that in my next car.
Grain @ Jan 18th 2008 11:44AM
The new CTS seems to add a good amount of "tech stuff", but better than an LS600h? C'mon, ppl!