Autoblog

Chronolyze unleashes the potential of Porsche's Sport Chrono Plus

Michael Harley — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Technology, Porsche

Chronolyze software - Click above for high-res image gallery of screen shots

Porsche's optional "Sport Chrono Package" adds a Sport button to the center console that kicks throttle, suspension and engine behavior up a few notches. It also adds a cool swivel-mounted timer to the center of the dashboard (essentially so your friends and passers-by know you have it) and launch control on PDK-equipped models. The upgraded "Sport Chrono Package Plus" adds a memory function to the system and the ability to display and review some of the lap data on the Porsche PCM (multi-function display).

The on-board PCM analysis only scratches the surface, says the team at Chronolyze. According to their engineers (no relation to Porsche AG), the Chrono Package Plus records vehicle speed, engine speed, transmission gear, steering angle, lateral g-forces, engine temperature, outside temperature, distance traveled, altitude and GPS coordinates (on NAV-equipped vehicles). That's a ton of information that is left sitting completely unused.

Since none of this data is available via the PCM, Chronolyze has developed software that extracts the text files (through Bluetooth or the iPod connection) so they may be further analyzed on a computer. The Chronolyze software organizes the data, calculates a 3D analysis of the laps (so they may be played back in real-time animations), and then graphs it all out for your viewing pleasure. In addition, the software also allows users to share telemetry, give ratings and overlay sessions from multiple files. If you've got a properly equipped Porsche in your driveway, give it a trial run. You can get your free beta account here.

Gallery: Chronolyze Screen Shots

[Source: Chronolyze]

Chronolyze unleashes the potential of Porsche's Sport Chrono Plus originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Porsche and Lincoln climb to top of J.D. Power 2010 Vehicle Dependability Study

Michael Harley — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Buick, Cadillac, Ford, Hyundai, Jaguar, Lincoln, Porsche

Click above for results of the 2010 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study

J.D. Power and Associates has just released its 2010 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS)... and Porsche, Lincoln and Buick have climbed on the podium (Buick, Jaguar and Lexus occupied the top spots in last year's 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study). The German automaker demonstrated a significant jump in quality (up ten spots) with Ford's brand hot on its heels (up six positions). While Buick dropped down, its score was indicative of improved quality - however, the bar had been raised.

This year's VDS found that several brands that perform well in the firm's dependability study are avoided due to public misperception about reliability. These brands include Cadillac, Ford, Hyundai, Lincoln and Mercury - all having the greatest lags between dependability performance and consumer perception. "Producing vehicles with world-class quality is just part of the battle for automakers; convincing consumers to believe in their quality is equally as important," says a J.D. Power and Associates spokesperson.

The Vehicle Dependability Study is designed to accurately measure problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old (2007 model year) vehicles. This year's study was based on responses from more than 52,000 vehicle owners surveys between October and December of 2009. Scores are based on the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with lower scores reflecting higher vehicle quality. The complete J.D. Power press release and charts can be found after the jump and in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2010 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study

[Source: J.D. Power.com]

Continue reading Porsche and Lincoln climb to top of J.D. Power 2010 Vehicle Dependability Study

Porsche and Lincoln climb to top of J.D. Power 2010 Vehicle Dependability Study originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Winding Road invents "Speed per Dollar" index

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 18:34:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc.

click image above to enlarge

The good boffins at Winding Road have come up with a metric called Speed per Dollar (SpD). Its aim is to put straight-line vehicle performance into an easy-to-understand financial perspective. In light of the monetary component, the best and worst SpD ratings among the sample cars tested aren't entirely surprising: Ariel Atom at the top, Bugatti Veyron at the bottom. Supercars -- and their super prices -- would of course fare poorly. However the Mazdaspeed 3, with "just" 263 hp, climbs up the charts to score second place. As Winding Road admits, the chart doesn't take handling (or luxury or Making the Jones' Jealous) into account. But Autobloggers (and Winding Roaders, we're sure) are hugely interested in price-for-performance, and this is a novel new way to compare speedsters. Let the calculations, comparisons, and commentary begin.

[Source: Winding Road]

Winding Road invents "Speed per Dollar" index originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jun 2007 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments