The best way to know if your product (or vehicle in this case) is achieving its purpose is to get feedback from a hands-on driving experience, something that MINI USA has turned to. Apparently this is their way of finding out the shortcomings of their electric-powered MINI E vehicles, now in daily use around New York, New Jersey and Los Angeles.

Among the drivers being eyed for feedback cover private customers, municipalities, universities, public utilities, non-profit and commercial organizations. Among the initial responses included:

• Optimization of the energy consumption through brake regeneration
• Managing the trip to the amount of range available
• Feedback on continued development regarding on-board efficiencies

Unlike in experiments, these are real experiences that could be valuable and make a difference in upholding the quality of the MINI E electric vehicles. The MINI E is the first chapter of BMW Group’s Project i, the company’s long-term commitment to research and develop a new type of vehicle specifically to meet the needs of the world’s cities, where the majority of vehicle growth is expected to come in the next 20 years.

(Source) Press

Tags: BMW, bmw group, commercial organizations, continued development, driving experience, efficiencies, electric vehicles, energy consumption, experiences, initial responses, municipalities, optimization, private customers, public utilities, regeneration, shortcomings, term commitment, universities

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Motorists can start getting the best routes and avoid traffic congestions as SageQuest unveils a new feature in their GPS devices with the Mobile Control feature. This feature is made possible in real time courtesy of commercial vehicles which become access points where key information is transmitted for the best roads to pass through.

The integration allows dispatchers to build and optimize a route in Mobile Control for drivers in the field, then immediately push the route to a driver’s Garmin device. The driver simply presses “Go” and turn-by-turn directions begin. Routes can be re-prioritized and updated in real time as conditions change.

With the clamor for fuel efficient means, wiser and traffic-free routes are the best ways to help ensure a smoother driving experience. With the continuous flow of traffic, cars can burn fuel better rather than be kept idle and leaving the motor running with no real place to go.

(Source) Press

Tags: access points, clamor, commercial vehicles, continuous flow, control feature, dispatchers, driving experience, garmin, gps devices, mobile control, motorists, new feature, real time, sagequest, traffic cars, traffic congestions

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The Chevrolet Volt has been long awaited and it looks like it will likely be the the first mass-produced electric car, was recently test-driven by a select group of leading journalists.

Since electric cars can be noticeably different, the goal was to make the driving experience the same as conventional gas powered vehicles and not feel like a science project. And after a couple loops around the track, testers said it felt just like a normal car.

The Volt is expected to come out this 2010.

You can view the video here.

(Source) Press

Tags: Chevrolet, chevrolet volt, conventional gas, drive experience, driving experience, electric car, electric cars, journalists, science project, select group

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Privately owned automotive event company, World Class Driving is located in Wilmington, Delaware and offers a unique driving experience with some the most exclusive cars in the world. WCD offers just a few special events per year in the U.S. where each participant gets to experience five of the world’s finest cars from the driver’s seat. To participate in a WCD event a driver needs to be between 25 and 70 years old (drivers over 70 may be able to participate subject to certain insurance company approvals), hold a valid US or Canadian driving license (other license holders will require prior authorization) and hold current insurance from a recognized insurance company.

For just $1,695, including all taxes, you will be able to drive five of the best super exotic cars out there. The price includes hospitality and WCD gift pack – including driver’s certificate, 3-D crystal etching of your favorite car and photographs of the day’s experience. For more info go to: worldclassdriving.com.

Tags: automotive event company, driving experience, WCD, World Class Driving

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What causes car accidents? Well for one, we are familiar with the warning not to text or use your mobile phone while driving. But stubborn as most drivers are today, until an accident would come their way, chances are they would not heed such warning. However, thanks to Drop Stop, a new car interior accessory designed to guard the gap between the seat and console, and help keep drivers eyes on the road aims to change all that.

Drop Stop provides a safer, more convenient driving experience by eliminating the automatic reaction of taking one’s eyes off the road when a personal article slips through a vehicle’s seat/console gap. Drivers also save time and money with the easy-to-install Drop Stop because they no longer have to replace credit cards, make-up, earphone accessories, and other personal articles thought to be lost, stolen, or damaged.

Drop Stop(R) retails for $19.95 plus shipping and handling (set of 2: one for the driver side and one for the passenger side) and is available online at www.BuyDropStop.com.

(Source) Press

Tags: automatic reaction, car accidents, driving experience, eyes on the road, gap, mobile phone, new car, slips, time and money

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