Volkswagen of America has issued a voluntary recall for about 13,500 vehicles equipped with DSG transmissions. Apparently a faulty temperature sensor in the said DSG transmission is reportedly the problem. Failure of the temperature sensor could result in illuminated warning lamps in the dashboard, and in rare instances the transmission may shift into neutral.

The recall affects models like the Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GTI, and Eos built between September 2008 and August 2009. Affected owners are encouraged to call local Volkswagen retailers to schedule an appointment to have their vehicle inspected and repaired.

(Source) Press

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There is no stopping anyone from using their phone despite laws prohibiting their use. So as a businessman or an ordinary civilian, the best thing you can do is to find alternative ways to take a call and keep your eyes on the road. And for the new iPhone 3G S which was launched recently, it did not take long to have holders come out which are especially made for it.

These holders, designed and manufactured by Brodit AB in Sweden, are custom made and attach to vehicle specific ProClip dashboard mounts. Once this two part solution (Device Holder plus Vehicle Mount) is attached, to the dashboard, the solution provides better viewing and easier access. ProClip holders may also be attached to other manufacturers’ vehicle mounts or any other flat surface.

Here are some of the mounts that ProClip USA launched:

• The Padded Holder with Tilt Swivel
• The Padded Holder with Tilt Swivel and Charging/USB Cable
• The Holder with Tilt Swivel and Pass-Through Connector
• The Adjustable Holder with Tilt Swivel and Pass-Through Connector
• The ProClip Vehicle Mount

These are all available at the ProClip USA website.

(Source) Press

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A new dashboard design for the liquefied petroleum gas-electric hybrid version of the Avante has been released and will be installed upon the launch of the car for next month. The Hyundai Avante is the first hybrid car that makes use of a 1.6-litre LPG engine that manages 17.8 kilometers per liter of fuel.

One highlight of the new gauges is the image of a plant in the center of the speedometer which lights up if the car is well-maintained with the highest fuel efficiency.

The dashboard also has an Eco Guide display that tells the driver how economically the car is being driven.

(Source) Asia One

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With 15 awards tucked under its belt, the 2009 Dodge Ram becomes one of the trucks to watch out for. The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram earned a place on Ward’s distinguished list of winners, taking home the “2009 Interior of the Year” award in the popular-priced truck category.

“From the big, chunky knobs on the dashboard to the in-floor storage bins and the folding second-row seats, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram reminds us that big trucks can be rugged, functional and cool, all at the same time,” said Tom Murphy, executive editor of Ward’s AutoWorld magazine. “The editors find the Dodge Ram’s new interior extremely comfortable and well-conceived,” Murphy said. “The saddle stitching on the seats and instrument panel make a wonderful styling statement, as do the upscale instrument gauges.”

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram was the first “graduate” of the company’s new Advance Interior Design Studio. The 2009 Dodge Ram stands out with a renewed emphasis on craftsmanship expressed in premium interior appointments including six-ring instrumentation, re-designed controls, chromed accents, premium seating with improved bolsters and two-tone upholstery.

All 2009 Dodge Ram interiors are significantly upgraded with “soft-touch” materials that feature industry-first two-tone technology and premium fit and finish. Full-width contrasting stitching is offered on soft-touch instrument panels for Sport and Laramie models.

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Regular, Quad and Crew Cab models recently earned Five Star ratings for driver- and front-passenger protection in a frontal crash, the highest ratings in the U.S. government’s safety crash test program. The U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 is $22,170 (including $900 destination).

(Source) Press

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While there are certain car manufacturers that tie up with various car stereo manufacturing companies, the Aston Martin has its own share of having an exclusive audio system. BeoSound is said to be perfectly matched to the DB9, both acoustically and physically, with an ‘inherent quality and understated beauty’ to match the car’s hand-crafted interior. Smoothly contoured, aluminium loudspeaker grilles integrate seamlessly into the fluid lines and curves of the cabin.

In total, there are 13 speakers in 10 locations around the car. Turn on the BeoSound DB9 and twin acoustic lens speakers emerge silently and swiftly from either side of the dashboard, adding, says Aston Martin, ‘a touch of theatre and technological panache’.

The two motorized tweeter units aim to offer 180° horizontal dispersion of high-frequency sounds, giving a true sense of space, staging and realism, wherever you sit in the car. There are also five mid-range speakers, three further tweeters and three woofers, including a powerful 200mm subwoofer mounted beneath the rear bench.

The system adapts automatically to changing road and noise conditions, and it has been developed to suit the different acoustic characteristics of the convertible, whether open or closed.

(Source) Classic Driver

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Parents need not worry about their teenagers driving carelessly. Thanks to this new feature by Ford, parents can now program cars to ensure their kids are obeying the law when on the road. Ford is hoping its latest invention will make sure teens listen. It’s called the My-Key system.

“It’s to help parents encourage their teen drivers to drive safer, to drive more fuel efficient and to encourage them to use their seat belt,” says Jim Tobin of Ford Motor Company.

Most cars on the road have some sort of technology to let you know when your seat belt isn’t on. But with the MyKey technology, it includes something a little bit extra. Not only will teens get an error message in the dashboard but their music will also be silenced. The music won’t come back on and the error message won’t go away until they buckle up their safety belt.

In August, MyKey will be available on all new 2010 Ford Focus models. Ford says it will eventually be standard on all of its cars and trucks.

(Source) Rochester

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Here is an off-roader which barely made it to the Geneva Motor Show this year. An obvious sight to behold considering most cars presented this year catered more towards the compact and hybrid cars, the Skoda Yeti is a more capable off-roader thanks to the option of four-wheel-drive.

The Yeti escapes looking either aggressive or utilitarian. Inside, the smart, upmarket dashboard continues the theme. In the back is a set of three removable, sliding rear seats.

The engine range includes a surprisingly muscular and efficient 1.2 turbocharged petrol unit, as per the new VW Polo, and a 1.8 petrol turbo. The diesels are three 2.0s of differing boost, the top one running to 170bhp.
(more…)

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For the Lamborghini lovers, brace yourselves for the Lamborghini Mucielago LP650-4 Roadster. This is the new limited edition offering of Lambroghini which will reportedly be limited to only 50 units.

The car’s powertrain is still under wraps, but it’s expected to get a 650hp (485kW) V12 mill like that found in the Reventon. Typically ridiculous acceleration figures (about 3.4 seconds 0-62mph) are expected from the AWD platform.

The exterior is a special flat gray with bright orange accents on the side skirts and front lip, as well as in strategic locations inside the cabin. Dark alloy wheels finish off the dramatic exterior.

Inside, the car gets an asymmetric dashboard, acres of Alcantara and leather, and a few other unique touches. More information and photography is expected as the Geneva Motor Show draws nearer, though with the Superveloce already tipped for a Swiss debut, the Roadster may get pushed back to later in the year.

(Source) Motor Authority

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This application hits two birds with one device in a manner of speaking. We all know technology was bound to come up with something like this and with the help of Hughes Telematics, here is a dashboard application that allows you to multi-task with the use of a smartphone.

Hughes plans to start rolling out the new dashboard consoles in about 2010, and gives examples like an emissions monitor, web-connected security camera, and even Twitter integration as what might soon be appearing in your car. Think about it: on a cross-country trip, your car takes panoramic photos of your surroundings every half hour, or of that little punk that keyed your front door in the Wendy’s parking lot. You could lock and unlock your car with your iPhone, or control the stereo with it.

(Source) Gizmodo

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To further entice enthusiasm on the expected unveiling of the Panamera four-door gran turismo concept this October, glimpses of the classy interiors have been revealed.

With a continuous center console that extends from the dashboard to the rear seating area, the Panamera offers a new spatial concept for the driver and passengers featuring optimal ergonomic seating with individual cockpit-like spaces for all. Its deep seating position and a sport steering wheel help give the driver and passengers direct contact with the road.

The rear-wheel drive Panamera S has a 400-horsepower, 4.8-liter V8 engine that can propel it from 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds on its way to a top test track speed of 175 mph. The manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) is $89,800.

The all-wheel drive Panamera 4S receives the same 4.8-liter powerplant. It sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, achieves a top test track speed of 175 mph, and has an MSRP of $93,800.

(Source) Press

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Feast your eyes on the future of motoring. Taking its name after the popular media gadget, the iPod, the iMo is a concept car that has been conceptualized by Anthony Jannarelly. This bubble car is a vision of the French designer which could hit the streets by 2024.

The fully electric vehicle, which can be charged wirelessly via electric induction or with a more conventional plug, seats three in a 2+1 configuration. But there’s no dashboard or driving controls – the iMo is fully autonomous. Its creator refers to it not as a car but as a robot, because of its ability to think for itself.

In short, feast your eyes of an iPod on wheels!

(Source) Auto Express

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These days, not all people have the cash to buy a new car for their private transportation needs. Rather than buy a brand new vehicle, one can always turn to the classified ads and check out cars being offered for sale at manageable prices.

Here are some tips when checking out a potential second hand car for purchase:

1. Check the chassis. Have it lifted and check for oil leaks or chassis cracks. If possible have it the chassis washed so you can see possible areas for repair, if any.
2. Have a mechanic check the engine. Evaluate the running condition of the engine. Get a reliable mechanic to assess the engine so you can be aware if overhauls or some mechanical parts replacements may be needed.
3. Tap on the car body. If you hear a sound that seems to be padded, chances are this car has been repainted due to accidents. See how many areas are like that to see how many times the car may have been retouched.
4. Check the interiors. See if anything inside like the car seats, door sidings or the dashboard may need repairs.
5. Test Drive the car. This is the best part in making a decision. Drive the car without any noise on bumpy terrains. Observe for weird sounds like clunking and how the car overall stability. From here you can see if the car has good suspensions which may be expensive if you need to have them repaired.

There is nothing wrong with buying a second hand car. Just be aware of defects and do an extensive check on it to see if it is indeed worth the money you will be shelling out.

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Do you remember the Nissan Altima? Well if you haven’t, I wouldn’t be surprised. The previous version was somewhat a flop, not really making it among the known best buy cars before but apparently it has been improved for the coming 2009. Nissan is set to unveil the new model, looking a lot better than the first release and sportier.

Finally getting rid of a practically canned look, it looks more like the standard Nissan sedans as well as improved interiors that include better designed dashboard and instrumentation panels. Unlike before when the first Altima looked so much like a car that was created mainly from excess parts, this new model promises to be a humdinger of a model.

Altimas are offered in five levels. My SE test car sat above the base model and the S model in the lineup and below the luxury-oriented, leatherequipped SL. While the entrylevel car and the S share the fourcylinder, the SE and SL get the six. The fifth model, the Hybrid, uses a different, 158-horsepower four-cylinder with a 40-horsepower electric motor.

Source

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I am not sure how entertained I need to be by various devices while I have my eyes on the road and the hands on the wheel. However modern cars will bring us modern technology. Dashboard Devices will arrive at CES 2009 with its ENV or Entertainment and Navigation for Vehicles system.

The ENV-XC has a processor, a graphics unit, WiFi, WWAN a 160GB hard drive, DVD player, satellite radio support, a 7 inch touchscreen and Windows XP. Like what you hear? The car computer can be bundled with a pair of headphones too. The double-DIN ENV-100 will offer true dual zone control, which means you can have different content and in the front. The alternative is the ENV-50 which is a single-DIN.

The double-DIN version will cost $2,700. That’s a lot for a computer comparable with a netbook which will distract you while you drive!

via Yahoo!

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Do you have tons of tiny tiny things you cannot survive without? Do they fill up your pockets all the time? That’s not a reason to give them up, right? Especially since I am talking about your most precious gadgets. Don’t you just hate it when you’re in the car and you want to switch your iPod song, change your GPS config settings but your phone is ringing, and all of this is happening at the same time? That’s the kind of situation when another hand would come in… handy, isn’t it?

Well here is a solution at least to one of your problems. The Proclip In-Vehicle Device. It does exactly what it says: clip your devices to your dashboard, making your life easier while driving. It’s not exactly a hand but everything is at reach: iPod, GPS and phone. The prices for these small clips start from $19.99, and you have various options to choose from.

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