Autoblog

There's already been a silent technology explosion in automobiles over the last ten years. Command and control has become largely a computerized affair. With high and low speed data buses throughout the automobile, your car is basically a network. It used to be that you'd press the power window switch and current would flow to a motor, or it would trigger a relay. It was simple to execute in the design and manufacturing stages, and troubleshooting was a matter of time spent with a test light and a meter. Modern cars use protocols like CAN, or Controller Area Network, to facilitate the liberal smattering of increased functionality we all desire in our vehicles. Press that same window switch now, and a message is sent to the central processor that you desire a change in the window status. The central processor then alerts the window motor to energize in the proper direction, and then it's off to the races for the glass. Sounds overly complex at first blush, doesn't it?

The old way had some drawbacks that the new systems hopefully alleviate. Firstly, there were lots of potential failure points with analog control systems. Also, components had to be wired to each other for functionality, and that required lots of wire. Wire is expensive (checked the price of copper lately?), and it adds weight and takes up space. Networking protocols allow automakers to integrate functions as never before – check out the way the MazdaSpeed 3 dials down its power output depending on steering angle – while using less wire and having a system that's more reliable. These changes have gone on virtually unknown to most motorists, but the cool stuff is just around the bend.

[Source: Automotive Design Line]

The DCX crew didn't anticipate the strong reception that the Jeep Unlimited would be granted when it was released earlier this year. The four-door Wrangler's popularity has put Chrysler in the enviable position of not being able to keep supply up to meet the demand, especially when said off-roader is equipped with the FreedomTop and MyGIG entertainment system.

According to a statement from the Product Communications rep, D.W. Bodene, "We're building new Wranglers as fast as we can, but it's a vehicle whose popularity exceeded our expectations." He goes on to point out that Wrangler sales were up in February by 63 percent and by 124 percent in January.

We're not quite sure what the rest of you are seeing on Jeep lots, but the few Wrangler Unlimiteds we've spied haven't been hanging around for long and the dealers are tacking on a markup accordingly.

[Source: Straightline]

If you're a working professional in your mid-30s with an annual income around $60,000, take notice: Dodge will be working hard to entice you to buy a new Avenger. Don't think you'll be safe by turning off the TV, either. The Avenger will be on the internet and in your video games, as well. Dodge is marketing its new Avenger to the 30-something demographic with a series of ads that tout technology and performance. Cup-holders that heat and cool your liquid and a MyGIG sound system with 20 gigabytes of hard drive space will be front and center in the ads. Another spot will highlight Avenger's "Natural Performer" attributes. You'll even see the Avenger in Tom Clancy's "Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter" video game from Ubisoft. We assume the Detroit Free Press means the Avenger will be in G.R.A.W. II actually, since G.R.A.W. has been out on store shelves for some time now.

Every automaker aspires to get younger folks buying its vehicles so they can generate brand loyalty for the future. The Scion brand has worked brilliantly with eight out of 10 owners staying in the Toyota family. Dodge would love to have that kind of success with the Avenger, but the midsize market's main customer is in their 50s according to the Freep. We think Dodge should strap on some hiking boots for that up-hill climb.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

The most exciting news to come out of Chrysler's unveiling of the 2007 Sebring sedan, besides the heating and cooling cupholders, was word that a 20GB hard drive would be available that could store both music and pictures.

TechnoRide got to look at the technology more closely in New York City and has a detailed explanation of what Chrysler's in-car entertainment center can do. Its features include an AM/FM radio, CD/DVD player, embedded Sirius satellite radio with real-time traffic info, the aforementioned MyGiG 20GB HD, a USB jack, line-in jack, two audio outputs, Bluetooth hands-free calling and a 6.5-inch touchscreen with voice control. While Chrysler hasn't revealed what it will cost, the fact it's being offered in a $25,000 sedan rather than an $80,000 luxury car is remarkable enough.

The 20GB HD itself hold all of the navigation software, which precludes the need for a dedicated DVD drive like most nav systems use. It also stores about a 1GB of system software (think operating system) and what's called a Gracenote lookup engine. Since you'll be able to rip CDs into the car's hard drive right on the spot, the Gracenote software is what will generate the artist, title and track information from a database of over 4 million CDs. Aside from ripping CDs directly, there's also a USB on the lower left side of the head unit that allows music and pictures to be transferred from a USB flash drive. There's room for around 1,600 songs to be uploaded depending on their file size.

TechnoRide notes that the MyGiG 20GB HD will also initially be offered in the Dodge Nitro and Jeep Wrangler, before being spread across the model lineup of each brand.

Is this the future of in-car entertainment from the factory? It's a major step forward and we're delighted we don't have to wait years for the technology to trickle down from six-figure luxury sedans before the rest of can use it.

[Source: TechnoRide]