Autoblog

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While our blogging brethren over at Engadget are just relieved that Honda's ASIMO robot didn't attempt a global coup while conducting the Detroit Symphony Orchestra last night, we're more impressed it didn't fall over and crack its head open. (Seriously Honda, you don't think you're ever going to live that down, do you?) As we reported late last month, Honda's creepy little humanoid robot opened for Yo-Yo Ma in Detroit by conducting the DSO in a rousing rendition of "Impossible Dream". We're not sure what great advances in technology are demonstrated by having a robot conduct an orchestra, however, because we're pretty sure that an actual human conductor is just a glorified metronome. Check out some video of ASIMozart conducting after the break.


[Source: Engadget]

On the surface, carbon fiber sounds like a wonder-product which can replace much of the heavy metal, especially steel, that makes up the vast majority of nearly every automobile's structure. Dig a bit deeper, however, and there are a few flies in CF's ointment that make it very difficult to use in vehicles: price, supply and the time it takes to mold a the weaved material. Japan's big three carbon fiber producers are tackling each of these issues in a number of ways. First, the price of CF is expected to become more competitive as both carbon cloth goes down and rolled sheet steel goes up. What's more, as additional CF producing plants come online in the coming years, both the price and availability should improve. Third, new molding processes are being developed which could reduce the time it takes to produce a CF part from hours to minutes.

Carbon fiber is expected to ease the transition to more fuel efficient vehicles as it weights a fifth of what steel does for a part of roughly the same strength. As Automotive News points out, the overall weight of any given vehicle could be halved by replacing major structural steel components with CF, so expect to see CF move down market from the exotics to more mainstream models in the next decade or so.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

As we reported last month, it appears BMW and Audi, following the lead of Lexus, will begin to offer eight-speed automatic transmissions in their flagship models. Sources are now saying the transmission will be supplied by ZF Friedrichshafen, a familiar German supplier to both marques. Although we don't know all of the specifics, Audi is expected to debut the new slushbox in the range-topping A8 sedan, Q7 SUV, and their future A7 premium model. BMW will likely debut the new gearbox in their premium 7-Series sedan and the X6 Sport Activity Vehicle, according to company sources.

The current Audi A8 and BMW 7-Series both use six-speed automatics. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class utilizes a seven-speed automatic of their own design, while Lexus debuted their eight-speed transmission in the LS 460. Increasing the number of forward gears offers advantages in smoothness, acceleration, and improves fuel efficiency. Lower fuel consumption equates to reduced emissions, helping the powerful models meet increasingly stringent air quality standards in Europe and the United States.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

Automakers in the U.S. are just starting to truly embrace turbocharging, but Audi is going against that grain by choosing to supercharge its new 3.0L V6. We already told you some details about the new powerplant, and now we're hearing new specs from Autocar. The British website is reporting that the 3.0L V6 due to power the next S4 will be force-fed by an Eaton Supercharger to produce a power-output of 286 horsepower at 4,800 rpm and 310 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm. We'd heard earlier that the output of the supercharged 3.0L would be closer to 350 hp in the S4 and detuned to 290 hp for the mid-range A6, so this new report from Autocar has us a bit confused. We're assuming that the British outlet is just referring to the less powerful version of the engine that will power the A6 and doesn't yet know exact power figures for the S4 version. At least we're hoping so, since a less powerful S4 is no fun for anyone.

[Source: Autocar]

Though it's usually the adventure touring crowd that excels at turning their motorcycles into rolling technology test-beds, we've recently run across a Yamaha Vino scooter that has been fully farkled. Featuring an on-board computer based around a VIA mini ITX form factor motherboard that's cleverly been hidden under the stock Vino's seat, this rolling geek-mobile packs in WiFi, Bluetooth, USB, GPS, FM radio, a TV tuner and a front-mounted camera in its diminutive frame. With the full-spec computer, pretty much anything should be possible right from the road using this scooter. While this is certainly a cool project, we have a few questions regarding its durability. How long will the acrylic plate that makes the structure for the computer hold up? Perhaps most importantly, how long will the scooter's battery be able to power all this technology? In the name of science, of course, we graciously offer our services for a road trip on the machine to find the answer to these all-important questions. Thanks for the tip, jared!

[Source: Thought Lab]

For 2009, the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner (as well as the Mazda Tribute) are getting the powertrain updates that they missed out on when their exteriors were revamped last year. While the 2008 models had all-new looks and interiors, the engines and transmissions were carried over from 2007, including the four-speed automatic transmissions. We'll have more info on their new 2.5L four-cylinder and 3.0L V6 engines after we drive them next week, but Ford released some information on their new six-speed transmissions when we visited its Van Dyke Transmission Plant in Sterling Heights, MI.

The new 6F35 is a completely new six-speed automatic that will have a wider total ratio spread than the four speed it is replacing. The top gear ratio will be approximately the same as the four-speed, but the lower gears will be shorter helping off-the-line acceleration. The final drive ratio will be a little taller (numerically lower), which will help reduce the engine speed when cruising on the highway. Even with the larger first to sixth spread, the overall gap between each ratio will be smaller resulting in less engine speed drop during shifts and a quieter, smoother overall driving experience. The 6F35 uses a total of three planetary gear sets and five clutches to generate the six forward and one reverse gear.

Ford is claiming that the new transmission contributes to a 4-6% improvement in fuel efficiency depending on with which vehicle and engine it's paired. Besides the three CUVs launching shortly, the new gearboxes are also going into the revamped Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan early next year. The Van Dyke plant also builds the larger 6F50 used in the Edge, Taurus and their derivatives, as well as a smaller four-speed used in the Focus. That four-speed will also be replaced by a third smaller 6-speed in the next year or two for the Focus and Fiesta. Ford plans to double production of six-speed autoboxes by the end of 2009 to 1.4 million units and by 2012 expects 98% of all its automatics to be 6-ratio variants.

[Source: Ford]

In an episode of "Seinfeld," Kramer and a car salesman vowed to drive a Saab 900 "into the slash" just to see what would happen. Kramer said he had done it once but blacked out and woke up in a ditch with a full tank of gas. There's now a website that would have benefited from Kramer's experiment. Tank On Empty is collecting stories and experiences of how far each model of car can go past the slash before running out of fuel.

So let's say you drive a Dodge Intrepid. According to Tank On Empty, the most mileage after the low-fuel light has come on is claimed to be 99. The least is zero and the average is 36.4. Unfortunately, there are no distinctions made for any difference in engines, model years, options or geographical location. And, it turns out, 99 is the most miles users are allowed to enter and drivers are not required to push their cars until they're dry.

The site has a good idea trying to compile this kind of data. But it's fatally flawed methodology offers results that are, unfortunately, completely worthless.

Instead of a light, what we need is to go back to the system Volkswagen once used. Until 1962, VW Beetles didn't have a fuel gauge. Instead, when your car's tank ran empty and sputtered to a stop, you flipped a lever that activated a small fuel reserve that would hopefully give you time to find a place to refuel. Classic VW owners quickly learned how to calculate their remaining travel time.

[Source: tankonempty.com via gumball144.com]

The Covertech Automotive Car Cover protects your car from every element, even -- according to its maker -- "malicious intent." When you're ready to take the cover off, apparently all you need to do is stand back and watch. The cover retracts automatically into a "briefcase-sized" enclosure in a trunk or hatchback. There's even one for motorcycles that fits in a "Kleenex-sized" box.

The creator envisions carmakers eventually integrating the automatic car cover into the design of their cars. Sounds neat, but when you want to cover your car up again, you'll need good old manual labor for that. Personally, we can't see needing to cover and uncover your car often enough in one day to make such a device necessary, but perhaps there are folks with the need for easy incognito. But while it's hard to tell from the video, the answer is yes, it probably will make your bumper look big.

Thanks for the tip, Yash!

[Source: The Earth Times]

Lane departure sensors and adaptive cruise control have helped to prevent accidents and save lives, and new technology from the University of Michigan hopes to take the those ideas to the next level. U of M's Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety System warns drivers if they're about to hit another vehicle while changing lanes; if they're about to leave the road; and if they're going to rear-end another vehicle. The system improves on existing technology by integrating data from video, radio sensors and GPS to warn drivers of dangerous situations and give them the path of least possible harm.

The university secured over $32M in funding from state and local governments plus several corporations, which will pay for the testing of 16 passenger cars and 10 commercial trucks equipped with the system. IIHS predicts that tens of thousands of lives will be saved each year if lane departure and forward crash systems are improved, so here's to hoping the Wolverines have a smash hit on their hands. No pun intended.

[Source: Detroit News]

We like drivers' watches here at Autoblog, but we have to admit they're all mostly the same. Watchmakers will differentiate their products by employing different materials like titanium, ceramics and carbon fiber, or by signing licensing agreements with various automakers, but by and large they all look the same. Of course, we only realized that when we had a look at the radically different F1/Carbon GMT concept watch (pictured above) from designer John Pszeniczny (a name which is surely easier to pronounce than it looks).

The innovative timepiece has a digital display (gasp!) that will show the time at any of the 18 race tracks on the 2008 Formula One calendar. Like an actual F1 car, it's constructed from carbon fiber, metal and rubber, but rather unlike an F1 car, is studded with rubies and Swarovski crystals. Also, like grand prix cars, the unique timepiece is extremely costly, with a reported retail price well into five figures, so you'd have to be an F1 driver or team owner to actually afford one.

[Source: Le Blog Auto]