QNX's Watson-connected Porsche 911, hands-on (video)

Remember that QNX-loaded Porsche 911 we sat down with (in?) at CES? Well, it's back and it learned a few new tricks en route to New Amsterdam York City. The car-friendly software company got its hooks into AT&T's Watson Speech API and used it to power a new voice-command system for it's own take on the "virtual assistant." Using the new speech recognition tool and Ma Bell's LTE network QNX was able to pull up websites, find a Starbucks (though, in New York City you'd have to be blind to not find one) and place calls. All in all, the demo wasn't too different from what we saw in Vegas in January -- in fact, we wouldn't be surprised to find out that Porsche was also utilizing Watson, long before it was announced. For a familiar, but still interesting demo, check out the video after the break.

QNX's Watson-connected Porsche 911

Ford Focus Electric test drive and MyFord Mobile hands-on

 (video)

This is the production version of Ford's Focus Electric for the US market, and we got the chance to take it for a proper test drive last week. Don't fret, though -- Engadget hasn't suddenly turned into a car site. While we'll be happy to share our driving impressions, we're mostly interested in how Ford interfaces the vehicle with our favorite mobile devices and social networks -- tech that we've covered before, known asMyFord Mobile. Hit the break for the details, including our hands-on video.

We enjoyed driving the 76-mile range Focus Electric -- our three-mile loop downtown San Francisco even included some of the city's famous hills. As you'd expect, the electric motor provides plenty of (computer-modulated) torque, even with four people on board. Behind the wheel, the car feels much less appliance-like than Toyota's Prius plug-in hybrid and a bit more refined and engaging than the Chevy Volt. The cockpit layout shuns the sci-fi approach for a more traditional, driver-centric environment.

Steering and handling are the best we've experienced amongst mainstream EVs -- attributes that the Focus Electric likely inherits from its gasoline-engined twin. With some of the 23kWh battery pack's Li-ion cells under the trunk, weight distribution is supposedly close to 50/50, which is rare for a front-wheel-drive vehicle. As a result, Ford engineers have tuned the suspension to minimize oversteer during throttle lift-off. The dynamic character of the car doesn't detract from making it a comfortable ride, and the brakes get the job done without any regen weirdness.

As you'll recall, the Focus Electric features an embedded wireless data connection using AT&T's networkwhich enables remote vehicle monitoring and control. The MyFord Mobile app lets you connect to the car from your iOS, Android and BlackBerry smartphone (or from a Web portal) to check the battery status and range, to initiate charging (if the EV's already plugged in) and to adjust the climate control (to set cabin temperature ahead of time, while still on the grid). It also allows you to plan trips by taking into account the location of charging stations and by knowing your vehicle's current position.

In addition, the app also coaches you by providing feedback on your driving style (we managed to reclaim 74% of the energy we used during our test drive, despite our heavy foot). All this is complemented by a generous serving of social networking integration -- letting you share routes, driving scores and achievements with friends via Twitter, Facebook and email. The app also incorporates Microsoft-powered Value Charging which automatically refills your battery pack (in 3-4 hours at 240V) when the utility rates are the lowest each day.

Watch our hands-on video above in which Bill Frykman demos the MyFord Mobile app right after we took the car for a spin. The Ford Focus Electric is available now for $39,200 plus a $795 destination charge.

flying car Pal-V One

Is it a car? A helicopter? A plane? Actually, the Pal-V One ($TBA) combines elements of all three. This three-wheeled gyroplane drives like a sports car on the ground — with an 8-second 0-60 time and 112 mph top speed to prove it — but in just minutes, the single rotor, propeller, and rear wings extend, enabling the vehicle to take off and land in very tight spaces, while travelling up to 4,000 feet under the power of the flight-tested gasoline engine, and flying up to 300 miles away. Hitting the friendly skies near you in 2014.

Renault Duster

Expected: early-2012 Price: Rs. 7-10 lakh

The Duster is a flashy new mini-SUV from Renault that will be out on our roads sometime in early-2012 and is expected to be priced in the range of Rs. 7-10 lakh. Available in 1.6 litre petrol and a 1.5 litre diesel engine options, the Duster will be a sub-10 lakh rupee soft-roader which can take a fair bit of rough terrain but not serious off-roading.

There will be two diesel engines on offer, one with 90 horses while the other one will be the more powerful 107 version for the enthusiasts. The Duster is based on the same platform as the Logan and the highlights of the car include impressive cabin space, good ride quality and respectable performance with solid built quality. For more beef on Renault's second SUV offering for India, check out our special feature that highlights all the salient features and well-defined proportions of this light, but very capable SUV

Mahindra Ssangyong Korando

The mid-sized SUV from the Ssangyong-Mahindra stable is expected to be in the country by mid-2012 with an expected price to be around Rs.15 lakhs

After the successful launch of the much awaited global SUV from Mahindra, the XUV 5OO, Mahindra will launch a mid-sizer with its south Korean partner, Ssangyong, the Korando. The Korando is expected to be available in the country with a two liter, four cylinder in line with a variable geometry turbo option for a diesel version. The maximum power output of the Korando is expected to be around 175 PS at 4000 rpm and 360 Nm of torque at 2000 to 3000 rpm. Both automatic and manual should also be available.

Chevrolet Sail coming your way in mid-2012

GM India has confirmed the launch of the Chevrolet Sail small car around the July to September period this year

In 2011, we spotted the next-generation Chevrolet UV/A that will be called the Sail, testing in India. The car was later unveiled at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo. General Motors India (GMI) has now confirmed its plans of launching the Chevrolet Sail during the third quarter of 2012. The launch is set to take place sometime between July and September this year. 

Expect the Sail to hit the market with the same 1.2-litre petrol engine that does duty in the Chevrolet Beat to take advantage of the excise duty cut for sub 1,200cc. This means the new Sail will take on the premium hatchback segment and go head to head with the likes of the bestselling Maruti Suzuki Swift, the Maruti Suzuki Ritz, Honda Jazz, Hyundai i20 and Fiat Grande Punto. 

Chevrolet is also likely to plant the 1.4-litre petrol engine from its Aveo sedan in the Sail for those who seek more power. But if more power is the idea, then the 1.6-litre petrol engine from the Optra Magnum would have been a more lip-smacking  alternative. If such a thing happens, then the 1.6-litre variant of the upcoming Chevrolet Sail will take on the 1.6-litre versions of the Volkswagen Polo and Skoda Fabia. 

GMI has confirmed their plans for a diesel motor for the Sail and have said that they will lay emphasis on diesel variants of the car. However, considering the near 50 percent demand for diesel passenger vehicles in India, Chevrolet will have to rummage through the massive General Motors global portfolio to source a diesel motor under 1,500cc to plonk under the hood of the upcoming Sail hatchback. 

As can be seen from the pictures here, the new Sail is not a bad looking car with its sharp styling features, and that wide front grille reflects the current Chevy design language. Although, it keeps up with the times, a few more progressive design cues like those on the Beat would be appreciated. 

Another key criterion for the Sail to succeed in India will be its interiors and trim levels. While the current Aveo UV/A may have  an extremely spacious passenger cabin, however, it is not attractive in anyway. It would do Chevrolet good to spice up the interiors with dual-tone upholstery, chrome detailing and better plastics as well as fit and finish. Also, the new car should come loaded with equipment at par, if not more, than its rivals.

If Chevrolet takes care of all the details, big and small, the upcoming Sail with its spacious cabin and attractive design language can be a serious competitor in our potent premium hatchback market.  

Chevrolet’s other plans for India includes launching the new Captiva and a Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV) in 2012. GMI is also planning to increase the current 6.5 percent market share of Chevrolet in India.

“The high interest rates and the rise in fuel prices had made the market sluggish but we expect it to improve shortly. We hope to increase our market share significantly," said Managing Director L.C. Paddock.

General Motors to launch MPV 'Enjoy' by 2012-end

With the MPV segment on a roll, GM has decided to cash in as well and announced the launch of its Enjoy MPV by year end

The MPV segment is definitely on a roll with Maruti unveiling the much awaited Ertiga and nowChevrolet announcing the launch of its Enjoy MPV by year end. While the company has just launched the BS IV Tavera, the Enjoy is sure to be a much more modern and well equipped car. 

The Chevrolet MPV as it was seen at the 2012 Auto Expo, the car did not have anything ground breaking about its looks even in its concept avatar. Typical MPV proportions with a nice compact design pretty much summed it up. Expect the interiors to be pretty upmarket with spacious seating for seven passengers. 

On the engine front, nothing is clear but expect a detuned version of the Tavera’s 2.2 litre diesel unit. There is also a small capacity petrol and the multifarious 1.3 litre Multijet unit from Maruti in the pipeline.

The Enjoy is slated to be manufactured at the Halol facility and is sure to attract a lot of buyers considering the demand for MPV’s here in India. Pricing however will be the key and GM will have to play it right in that department to make the Enjoy a success. Keep watching this space for more. 

New Hyundai i-Gen i20

 Launched

With an all new-fluidic styling and first-in-segment features that should do wonders in prolonging the shelf life of this well-to-do urban hatchback in India, the new Hyundai i-Gen i20 has been launched in 12 variants starting from Rs 4.73 lakh for the base Petrol variant all the way upto Rs 7.67 lakh for the automatic

Long before the arrival of the fluidic Verna and the sexy Eon models, Hyundai had become a household brand in the eyes of the Indian car buyer, and when we look at the company’s sales charts from just a few years passed, one name stands out, the i20.

It’s been the Korean car makers big ticket seller ever since it was launched in 2008, courtesy its wide choice of variants on offers, great mileage on the road, cavernous seating and great styling. That being said, it was only a matter of time before the company’s globally successful premium hatch received the very delectable ‘fluidic’ design treatment, which it now has very proudly adorned.

For those who were spellbound by the re-incarnation of i20 model in its fluidic avatar at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, the good news is that it’s finally here, and has been launched in 12 variants by Hyundai for its Indian customers. 

The new i-Gen family hatch hasn’t just gotten pretty on the outside with a more heptagonal grille and attractively flowing body lines, but like the 2008 model once again it looks to set standards in its class of vehicles with features like a Rear Parking Camera with display in the cabin mirror, an Electro Chromic Mirror offering anti-glare vision, an Auto-Headlight Control Function, Clean Air-Cluster ionizers and rain sensing wipers.

Speaking about the New i-Gen i20, Mr BS Seo, Managing Director and CEO said, ”The New i-Gen i20 is a bold new offering with stylish looks and a host of unique features. Our extensive surveys indicated that the customer is seeking hi-tech and innovative features, we have incorporated the research findings in the i-Gen i20 to offer a high value proposition.”

There were talks about a new 1.1 litre 3 cylinder U-II diesel engine with BlueDrive technology for the next gen model in European markets, and that’s exactly where it’s headed. For India, the fluidic i20 settles for a more powerful and refined 1.2 Kappa petrol engine with a Dual VTVT mechanism which delivers 84PS of power, a 4PS scoop over the previous Kappa mill.

The 1.4 U2 CRDi diesel was great to begin with and will continue providing thrust to the new age i20 mated to a 6-speed manual transmission delivering the identical 90PS of power and 220 Nm of torque. It’ s a lot more muscle for all the extra cash you can spare if you are even considering the 1.4 Gamma automatic petrol model which peaks at 100PS of power and a solid 136.3Nm of torque. 

To add to the overall premium look and feel of the next gen model features like Smart Key with Push Button Start, a One Touch Triple Turn signal, Leather wrapped steering wheel, a Driver seat arm rest, Electrically adjustable folding and Heated rear view mirrors and Tilt and telescopic steering will be offered as standard on the car. Expect all the standard USB, Bluetooth connectivity and entertainment functions on the new car as well.

Safety gets a big thumbs up on the new model as well with the inclusion of 6 Airbags, an ABS system, clutch lock system (to prevent accidental starts), a smart pedal system (in the event of panic braking, the brake pedal overrides the accelerator), speed sensing auto door locking and impact sensing auto door unlocking (in the unfortunate event of a collision) and Reverse Parking Sensors.

Built to cater to the stringent European emission standards the i-Gen i20 is cleaner and more efficient than before and as per ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) tests the i-Gen i20 petrol (1.2 Kappa Dual VTVT) delivers a mileage of 18.5 kmpl, the diesel variant (1.4 CRDi) delivers a mileage of 21.9 kmpl and the automatic transmission variant (1.4 ltr petrol) delivers 15 kmpl.

All 12 variants of the all New i-Gen i20 will go up for sale immediately with the petrol variants ranging from Rs 4.73 lakh to Rs 6.65 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), while the diesel variants have been priced starting from Rs 5.96 to Rs 7.44 (ex-showroom Delhi). At the top of the trim level pyramid is the i20 automatic variant priced at Rs 7.67 lakh.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Launched

Priced between Rs 5.89 lakh to Rs 8.45 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) the new Maruti Suzuki Ertiga has essentially opened doors to a parched premium people carrier segment in the country, and from the looks of it, it's hit the nail right on the head

It’s probably the most searched passenger vehicle on Google in the country at the moment, and not without reason. The Ertiga, besides being a Maruti Suzuki product, a brand that continues to outsell the growing competition, has been quite a few years in the making and for those who got a touch and feel of the production-ready vehicle at this year’s Auto Expo, price and not the product itself lies as the final consideration.

Well that wait is finally over, and MSIL have finally announced the availability of the MPV for the Indian masses in six variants starting from a price of Rs 5.89 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the base Lxi Petrol version all the way up to Rs 8.45 lakh for the fully equipped Diesel model.

Yes, the new Ertiga will offer you a choice of both petrol and diesel models. A brand-new 1.4-litre VVT petrol engine which turned out to be quite a revelation on a recent test drive (Read : First Drive) in Goa, is capable of making 95PS @ 6000rpm and a rather decent 130Nm of torque @ 4000rpm. The diesel on the other hand, is the tried-and-tested, state-of-the-art 1.3 DDiS diesel unit fitted with a turbocharger and churns out 90PS @ 4000 rpm and a solid 200Nm of torque @ 1750 rpm. Both models are mated to a five-speed gearbox, and from what we experienced makes for a great drive both in the city and along the highways.

The high-end variants of this 5+2 seater from Maruti Suzuki get best in class comfort features like electronic power steering, power windows, steering-mounted audio controls, a high-end stereo system with AUX/USB in, electronically adjustable ORVMs, air conditioning and heating with blowers for the second row of seats as well and safety features such as ABS, EBD and two front airbags being offered as standard on this vehicle.

One of the stand out features in this MPV has to be its adjustable second and third row of seats which can easily be retracted or turned upright as and when required. The third row, which can comfortably seat two full sized adults is essentially your boot and when made flat provides sufficient room for basic luggage and storage equipment.

The new Ertiga (Read : Special Coverage) as we see it has tremendous potential owing to its unique seat adjustment configurations, comfort features, compact design and affordable pricing as compared to the current competition, which very naturally would be larger vehicles the likes of the Toyota Innova and the Mahindra Xylo. Complete variant wise pricing of the new Ertiga is listed below.

PetrolLXi - 5.89 lakh

VXi - 6.60 lakh

ZXi - 7.30 lakh

Diesel

LDi - 7.30 lakh

VDi - 7.90 lakh

ZDi- 8.45 lakh

* All prices are ex-showroom Delhi

Audi R8 Etron To Get Spaceship Like Sound Effects (Video)

Audi are developing an electric version of their R8 supercar which will be called the R8 Etronic, there is just one problem with electronic cars, they are almost silent, so Audi has decided to develop some sound effects for the R8 Etronic to make it sound more like a supercar.

Instead of adding normal engine sounds to the R8 Etronic, Audi have decided to give their electric supercar a more futuristic sound, have a look at the video of it in action below.

Audi has added the sound effects to the vehicle to help pedestrians hear the car, and Audi has called its new electronic engine sound system Audi e-sound.

Maruti Ertiga will be launched on April 12.

The car looks similar to the Ritz and Swift – more of an extended wheelbase variant of both. The interiors feature three rows of seating with dual tone upholstery with the steering wheel having audio controls on it.
Ertiga will be launched on April 12. The Ertiga, which is based on the Swift platform, will be up against the Toyota Innova and Mahindra Xylo.

The middle and third row of passengers have air vents embedded in the roof liner above the front row.
With a turning radius of 5.2m and being lesser in length and width than its competitors, the Ertiga has nimble dynamics.
Maruti is offering two engine options in the Ertiga. A new 1.4-litre K-series petrol engine which produces 95PS and a 1.3-litre DDiS engine which makes 90PS. Both the engines are mated to a 5-speed manual box.
Maruti claims a fuel efficiency of 16.02kmpl for the petrol and an incredible 20.77kmpl for the diesel powered Ertiga. We expect Maruti to price the Ertiga between Rs 7-9 lakh.

Hyundai unveils all-new Veloster Turbo

Models pose with Hyundai Motor’s turbo version of Veloster at a ceremony in Seoul on Tuesday. (Park Hae-mook/The Korea Herald)

Audi Korea unveils New Audi R8 GT Spyder on Tuesday, a limited edition of six vehicles for Korea. (Chung hee-cho/The Korea Herald)

Hyundai Motor Co. on Tuesday unveiled a turbo version of its three-door hatchback Veloster, packed with more power and bulkier exterior. 

Scheduled to go on sale Wednesday, the facelift equips the mid-sized sedan with a turbo 1.6 liter GDI engine capable of pulling 204 horsepower and peak torque of 27 kilogram-meters, up from 140 horsepower and 17 kilogram-meters.

“The Veloster Turbo is an upgrade to match customer demand for a higher performance model. The new 1.6-liter T-GDI four-cylinder engine features a high-compression, twin-scroll turbocharger that brings much more fun to curvy roads,” a Hyundai Motor official said.

On the outside, the Turbo model features a hexagonal front grille, 18-inch alloy wheels, and LED headlights and taillights. The new Veloster with manual transmission sells for 21.95 million won ($19,558). The automatic transmission comes at 23.45 million won. 

Separately, Audi Korea made its official launch of the New Audi R8 GT Spyder, a two-seater sports car with a top speed of 317 kilometers per hour. The engine has been upgraded to a 5.2 liter V10, which produces up to 560 horsepower. It is priced at 342.9 million won inclusive of value-added-tax.

A 2012 Mustang powered By Windows Phone, and Xbox Kinect

How cool is this, eh? Microsoft had previously announced plans to create a concept car, so as to inspire developers to build apps and general tech for their platforms, and with the help of popular car customization company ‘West Coast Customs‘ (of ‘Pimp My Ride‘ fame), they managed to do just that, with a 2012 Ford Mustang. Check out the video below:

The company managed to use items available to anyone from their local electronics retailer, and a little bit of code. There’s Kinect sensors hooked up to the front of the Mustang, to help look out of pedestrians or objects near the car. You can also use the sensors to log in from a Windows Phone and check out what’s going on in the front of your Mustang. And that’s not all.

Inside, there’s two Windows 8 tablets on the dashboard, with one tablet used in place of your usual gauges, which can be swiped across for a new look, and a tablet mounted on the passenger side, for surfing the web or sending messages, or even creating messages that can be displayed on the rear window of the car, for other drivers to see. Uhoh.

As if that wasnt enough, the car has a projection screen in the rear, which is hooked up to an Xbox 360 for gaming, and you can locate, unlock or start your car from a Viper SmartStart App on your Nokia Lumia 800 Windows Phone. There’s also a Windows Phone app to let you talk through your car’s PA audio system, or customize the accent lightnings inside, or horn sound.

Nissan NV200 Taxi of Tomorrow hands-on

It is, admittedly, difficult to get too excited about a ride in a taxi. Taxis tend to smell, their drivers tend to be rather abrupt in their piloting style and there's a good chance you won't be able to find one when you really need it. Nissan's "Taxi of Tomorrow," then, is hardly the most alluring concept car on display at the New York International Auto Show, but it is, however, the one you're most likely to actually get to take a ride in. It's also a huge advance compared to the the rather tired 'ol Crown Vic. Join us after the break for an exploration of why.

Nissan NV200 Taxi of Tomorrow hands-on

The NV200 is Nissan's panel van, a tall, slab-sided machine that's designed for hauling around moderate amounts of cargo, particularly ideal for small companies. The Taxi of Tomorrow is simply an NV200 that's optimized for fleshy cargo. A bench seat slots in the rear, separated from the two front seats by a thick, healthy slab of protective plexiglass. Those rear seats are covered by an anti-microbial fabric, so hopefully they'll stay fresh and clean despite not being made of the hose-friendly vinyl found in the back of a Crown Victoria cab.

Entry is through a pair of sliding doors with retractable running boards, making this easier to get out of in tight spaces while also eliminating the chance of catching a pedestrian by surprise. There's even the option for a rear-mounted wheelchair lift, making this far more accessible than your average sedan. It's easier to spot, too, with big red and green lights indicating whether a cab is occupied or vacant.

The back seat is a comfortable place to be. The seats are wide and the (see-through) roof tall. Passengers have separate climate controls, so no longer will you be at the complete whim of the driver, and a pair of USB ports means you can juice up your celly on the way to the show. Payment can be processed through the (clearly labeled) RFID area -- though there's still a pass-through if you haven't given up on cash just yet.

Interestingly this Taxi of Tomorrow hasn't given up on gasoline. It's powered by a two-liter, four-cylinder engine that powers the front wheels. Nissan does have a concept all-electric version of the NV200, but it isn't suited for this kind of duty just yet.

The NV200 Taxi of Tomorrow will become the Taxi of Today late next year, when the $29,700 vehicles will go on sale and start showing up across the boroughs.

terrafugia Transition aircraft first hands-on (video) FLYING CAR

People used to say that cars in the '50s and '60s had fins, giant wing-like protuberances that designers grafted on to capitalize on the fledgling concepts of aerodynamics. Your fist impression of the Terrafugia Transition is much the same as standing next to a 1959 Coupe de Ville -- it's huge, and the giant vertical stabilizers on the back have a distinctly Cadillac feel. This, however, is different. Sure, it too is made in the US, but it's crafted of carbon fiber, titanium and aluminum, costs $279,000 and seats only two. Oh, and did we mention it can fly? It's making its major auto show debut this week and we got a chance to check it out. Follow us after the break for some grounded impressions.

Terrafugia Transition first eyes-on

First, let's set something straight: the Transition has many times been referred to as a "flying car" and we too have been guilty of this in the past. To be fair, it is a car that can fly, but the representatives from Terrafugia are quick to point out that this is more a plane you can drive. And, looking at the thing, that's pretty apparent. For natural reasons fewer concessions have been made in the interest of getting through the air than cruising down the highway.

The core concept is of an aircraft that you can fly into a small airport, fold up the wings, and then drive the short distance to your destination. (We're told most people are within 30 minutes of a civilian airport.) This has a number of benefits, not the least of which being the cost of a hangar rental, which can run upwards of $1,000 a month for a light aircraft. This thing you can drive home and park in the garage.

Also imagine a frequent traveling businessman flying into a small airport for a nearby meeting. Small airports don't have rental car terminals and so it'd be difficult to get from that airport to the meeting. With the Transition you can just drive there -- and make quite an impression when you arrive.

The thing is largely made of carbon fiber for lightness and strength, but also relies on aluminum and titanium components. These too are lightweight but, more importantly, they're corrosion-resistant. This is a consideration most aircraft don't need to worry about but the Transition, driven on salty roads, most certainly will.

It isn't a rocketship, though. Cruising speed is 100mph in the air, where it'll net about 20MPG burning inexpensive 91 octane fuel. On the ground, when the flat-four engine powers the rear wheels (not the propeller), drivers can expect about 35MPG. Respectable, but keep in mind it only seats two and has storage space for a few overnight bags. (Yes, your golf clubs will fit behind the passenger seat.)

This small size is in part required by the FAA's Light Sport classification, which means pilots can be certified to fly the thing in about half the time of a typical license. And, while the $279,000 price tag may scare off daydreamers, those looking to buy a small aircraft will know that's actually quite fair, and the extra practicality here could make this downright affordable -- relatively, anyway.

The Transition is up for order now if you're convinced, the first units set to be delivered next year. However, Terrafugia only plans to deliver 10 of these next year and orders already number in the hundreds. In other words, if you're in a hurry to get in the air, this may not be the choice for you.