Autoblog

Sirius and XM have buried the hatchet and merged their content, to the likely displeasure of many. XM closes 15 stations while simultaneously adding 22 new selections to the lineup, and Sirius pretty much broke even, trading 11 stations for 10 new ones. As has always been the case, the sports fans fare the best. Reception is reportedly better, too, though we're sure the lossy-codec lack of fidelity still makes it all virtually unlistenable to anyone that pays attention. If you don't care that cymbal crashes on SatRad sound like a pair of metal trash cans being hurled down a fire escape, you'll likely be pleased with the shuffling; though we hope they've left our beloved Soulsville alone.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

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One of the cool features that Ford is introducing for the 2009 model year is its updated navigation system with Sirius Travel Link. When we went out to drive the updated 2009 Ford Escape this week, Ford's chief technology spokes-model Alan Hall gave us a guided tour of the system. The next generation nav unit takes the traditional touch screen GPS unit and integrates it with the popular SYNC system that debuted last year, while adding real time downloadable information from Sirius and a 10GB jukebox. The Sirius system provides information such as live weather maps overlaid on the navigation data, current fuel prices, movie listings and more.

With the jukebox, you can insert an audio CD and automatically rip it to the internal hard drive like you can in the Cadillac CTS. The full Gracenote CDDB database is incorporated so that the meta-data can be automatically added. The screen can even display the album artwork. The system can even play DVDs with the video only being visible on the front seat screen when the car is in park. As soon as the transmission is shifted into gear, it only plays the audio track. If you pull up a restaurant listing, it can automatically dial your bluetooth phone through the SYNC system. Like SYNC, the whole system can be controlled by voice commands so you don't have to take your hands off the wheel. The new setup will be on most 2009 Fords, with bigger vehicles like the new Flex and the MKS getting an 8-inch touch screen while the smaller Escape makes do with a 6.5" inch screen. Ford will be charging $1,995 for the full system including SYNC, the nav system, Travel Link and the jukebox. Check out a pair of video run-throughs of the system after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

If there's one thing we can say about Tony Hawk with absolute certainty, it's that he loves capitalism. According to Wikipedia, he's starred in commercials for Apple Computer, Burger King, Bagel Bites, Got Milk?, GoSnacks, The Colorado Tourism Board, and Domino's Pizza. If we knew how to edit a Wikipedia entry, we'd add Jeep and Sirius Satellite Radio to that list. Here the Birdman can be seen doing a rail slide with a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, no doubt made possible by the Unlimited's extra-long wheelbase. It's pretty funny and has that oh-so-popular viral video feel, but if we see Tony Hawk on either YouTube or the boob tube one more time pimping somebody else's products, well let's just say we can't be held accountable for our actions.

There's two more DaimlerChrysler commercials after the jump for the same Sirius Satellite Radio deal if you're interested.

[Source: YouTube]

Mitsubishi Motors North America announced Monday that it will offer SIRIUS radio as a standard feature or factory option, starting with four models this fall, and expanding to the full Mitsubishi product line next year. All SIRIUS-equipped vehicles will include a pre-paid six month subscription.

The first models to come standard with SIRIUS will be the 2007 Galant RALLIART, and the Endeavor SE, as well as the Raider LS and DuroCross double-cab pickups.

Other automakers exclusively partnered with SIRIUS include Aston Martin, Audi, BMW and Chrysler, among others.

[Source: Mitsubishi]