GearBits

Toyota Prius 'High-Score' Uploader

The Toyota Prius (yes, the hybrid car, shown) tracks your gas mileage over time. As you drive, your driving habits (lead-footing it, slow acceleration, etc.) affect your gas mileage. Wired recently had an article about how different drivers' driving styles can affect their resulting MPG significantly.

So, I was thinking...what we need is a high-score uploader! Imagine that your Prius, using its Bluetooth technology, can connect to the Internet through your mobile phone. When it does, it uploads to a secure server your fuel efficiency for the last week, month, year, and the lifetime of the car.

Then, just like console and PC games, you can go online and check out how you fare compared to all the other Prius drivers out there. Or, you could compare yourself with all the other drivers in your state or your city (I'm guessing San Francisco drivers might be at either an advantage or a disadvantage due to the hills). Perhaps even better would be the ability to pull up the "high scores" right on the Prius' in-car display. Perhaps this would be the first actual reality-based driving game.

Suddenly, it becomes a competitive activity to try and get the most fuel economy out of your car. Every time you drive, you're trying to maximize your distance while minimizing your gas usage. Prius drivers who just want to "win" at the game end up saving gas and being environmentally friendly, regardless of their eco-political perspective.

No, this doesn't exist yet, but I think it would be a pretty cool idea. I know that it might just sell some more Priuses as well and would be pretty inexpensive to do.

FuelEconomy.gov

The US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) runs a really useful, interesting, and fairly nicely laid out website at fueleconomy.gov. There, you can look up nearly any car model sold in the US in the past 20 years and compare its environmental impact side-by-side with, say, what you're driving now or something you're considering buying. Or, it could be handy if you just want to shame that SUV-driving friend of yours. There's some good info on fuel cells and hybrid technology at the site as well.

Volkswagen Not Just "The People's Car" Anymore

In case you've been living under a rock, you might not have heard that Volkswagen is trying hard to leave behind its image as the maker of the original bargain-basement Beetle and the VW Bus, a favored ride by Deadheads and hippies the world over.

Volkswagen has begun selling the Phaeton (shown), a large luxury sedan that shreds any previous stereotype that VW may think it needs to overcome.

For starters, the Phaeton offers an optional W-12 engine (yes, that's 12 cylinders) pumping out 420 HP. The car sports Volkswagen's 4Motion AWD system and a 6-speed automatic tranny with the Tiptronic pseudo-manual shifting feature. Real wood, real leather, and a 4-zone climate control system are some of the interior features.

So what does the top-of-the-line W12-equipped Phaeton run? Would you believe me if I said this Volkswagen is nearly $90,000? Of course, if you can settle for a mere 335 HP, 8-cylinder engine and no options, you can drive a Phaeton home for the bargain price of just $65,000, gas guzzler tax not included.

Some Car Tech I'd Like to See

It snowed 3 inches here last evening and the overnight temperature hovered in the single digits -- even road salt doesn't work that well at this temperature. Needless to say, the roads were pretty messy. My 968 doesn't do so well in these conditions (no surprise there) and it got me thinking about what tech I'd like on a car. Here's a short list:

• Optional AWD -- the Porsche 911 Turbo has a slick AWD set-up that allows up to nearly 100% of the power to go to the rear wheels, ideal for racing in dry conditions. But, when needed, a significant % of its power can go to the front wheels, enhancing traction in the wet. Ideally, though, it'd be great to be able to switch off AWD entirely and then (easily) remove the forward portion of the drivetrain altogether to save weight when it's not needed.

• Intelligent snow tires: I don't think these exist, but it would be pretty cool if the tires could automagically extend little snow/ice studs or blades when the car detects slippery below freezing conditions. Sure, this idea is a bit Bondian, but it'd still be neat.

• Hovercraft mode -- Why bother with snow at all? Activate hover/levitation mode and skim right over it without a care. As you might guess, I really hope to live long enough to see Luke Skywalker's Land Speeder become reality. Of course, I'd also take Corben Dallas' hovercab (from The Fifth Element).

• Better airbags: If I'm gonna get in an accident, which is inevitable given the proclivity of folks who can't drive deciding they should simultaneously attempt to converse on the phone, I want protection. Sure, modern cars have front airbags, side airbags, head airbags, rear airbags...but that's not enough. I want the setup the Mars Rover has (below). Now that's security.

Mazda Transformer

I will buy the first production car that can actually do this.

Cool anim, Mazda...thanks.

VW/Audi 1.8T (4 Cylinder): Little Engine that Could

I have always stayed away from any Turbo-charged engines in the past for a variety of reasons (Turbo lag for one). Instead, I have always opted to get a regular V6 or V8 in order to get the necessary HP I needed. So, why am I writing about this turbo engine? To my surprise, for the first time in my life, I am driving a car that has a turbo-charged engine. The 1.8T has 5 Valves per cylinder (total of 20 Valves) and can typically produce 170 or 180HP @ 5900 rpm stock and if you add a new chip from custom auto shops, you can get this up to 200 to 210HP easily for about $500 installed. However, it is not the prodigious HP that I felt in love with. It's the broad and flat torque curve. For instance, my engine (170 HP) produces the maximum torque of 166 lb.ft @ 1950-5000 rpm. Talk about the range! The engine has a minimum turbo lag, and sings beautifully at 4000 to 5000 rpm. The best yet is the gas mileage I can get with this engine--21/22 city and 30/31 highway. The engine is also environmental friendly (ULEV) as well. So, I'm sold. This is a highly refined engine that goes against the "macho" logic that you need to apply the brute force in designing engines (the bigger and more, the better).

Rant: Most of us STILL Drive Cars

I drove up to the ATM at a local bank and...stared at a brick wall. Huh? Then I looked up...waay up. There was the ATM...about 3 feet above my car's window and well out of reach.

Apparently, somebody at this bank figured that everyone must be driving 7-foot high SUV's now. Well, guess again, buddy boy -- cars still outnumber SUV's by a healthy margin, and will for the foreseeable future.

Interesting to note that someone else also recently had this same (crappy) experience. Wake up, bank -- lower your freaking ATM back down before all us car drivers start finding other places to do our banking.

New from Q: The Aquada

From the James Bond department, the Aquada is a convertible that transforms into a speedboat.

The high-speed amphibian (HSA) vehicle reaches speeds of up to 100 mph (160 kph) on land and 30 mph (48 kph) over water, taking seconds to make the change from sportscar to jet-powered speedboat.

The Aquada is powered by a 175-hp, V6 engine with a 4-speed auto tranny linked to a sealed jet propulsion system for marine operation. The car needs a slope or boat ramp to drive into the water, so unfortunately mid-air takeoffs and splashdowns are out.

However, the vehicle does meet all European road and marine safety standards and is fully-legal for both water and land use. Owners do need insurance for both uses.

Price tag? About £150,000... only about a week's wage if your agent code has a double-O prefix. Gibbs Technologies, makers of the Aquada, are not commenting on a rumored submarine version.

Bombardier Embrio: Unicycle on Steroids

The Segway is to the Bombardier Embrio (pictured) as a Cessna 172 is to an F-14 Tomcat. They'll both get you there, but you will get way more cool points if you arrive on the Embrio.

According to this article in Forbes, the Embrio is a one-wheel, fuel cell-powered concept vehicle. It uses gyroscopes (a la the Segway) to balance the rider on a single wheel. When slowed under 12 mph, a secondary wheel drops down from the front to help the rider balance when he/she comes to a stop.

Basically, I want one. I know it's just a concept, but I want one anyway. I've been looking at alternate means to handle my 5 mile daily commute on city streets, and this might just be the ticket. Now if I can just wait, oh, 10 years until fuel cells become viable...

Confused over the X3?

Yesterday, Gizmodo outlined some of the specifications of Dell's forthcoming low-end offering, the X3. However, some have gotten this confused with BMW's forthcoming low-end offering, also called the X3.

To address this confusion, we've created a handy table identifying the differences:

Both models are smaller and lighter than the companies' larger X5 models (respectively). We hope that clears up any confusion.

Auto-X a Total Blast

This year, I started doing something I've wanted to do for a long time: race my car. I'm no Paul Newman, and I don't own a track car, so the most reasonable type of racing I can expect to do is something called autocross (or auto-X) or Solo II, depending on who you talk to.

Autocross is basically individual timed racing around a course laid out with pylons (small traffic cones). There's usually only one (or two) cars on the track at a time, so there's no chance of careening into another driver. The courses are usually laid out in a big parking lot, an unused dragstrip, or any other large body of asphalt.

In June, I started racing with the Ohio Valley Region (OVR) of the Porsche Club of America (PCA). These guys are a real hoot, and some of them are pretty impressive drivers as well. Here's a pic of me in my first ever auto-X event -- notice the complete lack of any suggestion of speed in the photo (I've gotten a fair bit faster since then). :-)

Basically, anyone with a car in good mechanical condition (mandatory), no major health risks, and a desire to learn more about how to handle your vehicle in vigorous maneuvers can participate -- most car clubs don't require participants to be members. So, if you want to read up more on autocrossing, there is some good information at the PCA Autocross site and at the Tire Rack website. Now get out there!

The God of Cars Comes to the USA

Fifteen years ago, Porsche produced 230 examples of what many enthusiasts feel is the ultimate automobile. The 959 was and is superlative in every way. I will not repeat its specifications as most car people know them by heart already. Due to their outrageous cost and ultra scarcity, it's very unusual to see one in even the best car shows. Finally, until now it has been impossible to bring one into this country and drive it due to federalization problems. Bill Gates (yes that one) has been trying since 1990 to do so and seems to have finally succeeded with lots of help. Read this story from Autoweek for the full scoop. Did I mention that these new versions now have 585 horsepower versus the original 450? I need a drink. And $450,000.

Getaway In Stockholm 4 On Its Way

The supreme nutters behind the "Getaway In Stockholm" videos are set to release number four in their infamous series this October 15th. The teaser trailer is available now via their website. If your jaw is still a bit slack reading this, let me fill you in. Several years ago, some soon-to-be Darwin award winners in Stockholm thought it would be cool to secure a really fast car, goad the local police into a chase and then film the whole thing. They did. It was very cool and it spawned sequels and copycats galore. At times the calls are so close and the speeds are so great that these videos are almost painful to watch, but impossible to turn away from. Don't try this at home.

Photos of Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Supercar

GermanCarFans.com has a new gallery of photos of the amazing...no, that's not superlative enough...awe-inspiring...no, too cliché...mind-numbingly impressive Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.

The SLR is a 2-seat supercar that looks like something you'd find in a country club parking lot (in the valet section, of course). While most supercars look like a cross between a jet fighter and an F1 car, the SLR looks, well, like a Mercedes-Benz street car. Well, a very nasty-looking street car.

This thing does 0-60 in less than 4 seconds and shoots to a top speed in excess of 200 MPH thanks to its supercharged 600 HP 5.5L V-8. The car is awash in high-tech materials too, including ceramic brake discs and vast quantities of carbon fiber (even the seats). The SLR is the result of a 5-year collaboration between McLaren and Mercedes-Benz. Thanks to Dan for the lead.

Koenigsegg CC

The automotive world has been full of superlatives lately as the big automakers are tripping over each other to offer the latest, greatest, fastest, most technological, safest, quickest, best braking machine to the salivating, well-heeled buyer. Still, nothing has come out to surpass the amazing McLaren F1. Until now...

TopGear has recently tested the Koenigsegg CC and have crowned it as the fastest car they have ever tested. Words or pictures cannot really do this thing justice so I ask you to download this video [8 min - 22MB] and see for yourself. If you are a car enthusiast like me, you will go completely ape.

Last Classic VW Beetle Produced Today

The very last rear-engined Beetle to be produced rolled off the assembly line at a Volkswagen plant in Puebla, Mexico. Its production spans eight decades, and over 21 million units were produced. It's truly the end of an era.

See coverage by the BBC and the VOA.

Successfully Merging Government and Technology

Ohio is infamous for being a bit overzealous with its enforcement of speed-related traffic laws. Speeding tickets are handed out by the thousands every day from the Ohio state patrol, county sheriffs, city police, village police, township police, constables, detectives, park rangers (yes, really) and who knows who else. It's no wonder the Escort, Passport and the Valentine 1 were all invented here in the Buckeye state.

Ohio has a deadly efficient money harvesting system built around automobile law enforcement and thankfully, this efficiency has translated into something useful instead of harassing for Joe Citizen. Enter oplates.com....

In the bad old days when you wanted a customized plate for your vehicle, you went to the local Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) office (Argh!) and waited in line to ask for an application. You then filled out this application with your top three choices for a plate and mailed it off to Columbus. Weeks and weeks later you would either get your plates or a letter telling you your choices were not available or not approved. Try again.

A slightly better system emerged a few years back. You still had to go the BMV office (Argh!), but perched on their countertop was a rickety, old CRT that allowed you to enter your choices for a plate and get instant feedback. If you found a combination that clicked for you and the state, you stood in line for an application, filled it out and then waited weeks and weeks for your plates.

Oplates.com has done away with all that silliness. With this clean, efficient website you can instantly check availability of your custom plates on a multitude of snazzy plate backgrounds and then see a representation of the finished product. A few clicks later you enter your credit card, get a confirmation and in one week(!) your plates show up in the mail.

Now that's what I'm talking about!

The Dashpc...I want one now!

If you knew me, you would understand why this has effected me so. Not only am I a hopeless car junky, but I was a VERY early adopter of Linux. I used to spend hours (even days) trying to integrate some arcane piece of hardware into my home system. But I won't bore you with that. I will hopefully stimulate you with the Dashpc.

This thing hits my cool scale at about 9.9 as it has all the features I want in my car: wireless internet, near real-time weather and traffic, DVD, MP3 playback, ODBII interface, broadcast TV, and webcam. The only reason I don't do this immediately is my experience with similar things gives me some insight into the hideous cost and time required to get it right. But I still want one!

A Day in My Life

Technophiles are generally pretty interesting folks, I've come to realize. We all have particular idiosyncracies and preferences that make it extremely unlikely for two of us to have exactly similar usage patterns, technology choices, etc. Just to illustrate my own pattern of choices, here's a brief recap of the tech I employ in a typical day.

Wake up -- I use a $10 GE clock-radio that I got at a discount department store about 10 years ago. I was so impressed at the radio sensitivity (it can tune stations even my $400 Yamaha receiver can't), I bought a second as back-up. For $10, it's a steal.

Check email -- my first real "tech" interaction of the day is usually with a Pocket PC, a Compaq iPaq 3670 with PC Card sled and D-Link Wi-Fi adapter. I check my various email accounts with this thing (Pocket Inbox is a phenomenal email app), check the weather, etc. before I get out of bed. The charging cradle is a permanent fixture on my nightstand, since I no longer sync this with a PC. This is about the closest thing to a technology "appliance" I've found to be actually useful.

Shower, get dressed, wolf down breakfast (optional) -- no real tech involved here :-( [Note to self: Work on this.]

Pack for work -- stick necessary tech into briefcase for the day at the office. This usually consists of my Kyocera 7135 and my HandEra 330, although the 330 is seeming less and less necessary given the really nice capabilities of the 7135 (and the EOL issued for all HandEra devices).

Drive to work -- I invested in a sweet piece of car stereo equipment, the Alpine CDA-7894 in-dash receiver. This unit plays the full complement of digital discs (except DVD) and decodes MP3. Given that I have over 45 GB of MP3s (all legal, ripped from CDs we own), this is a really nice way to access my music while in my car. Not only does the receiver sound great, it really does a fairly stellar job at handling MP3 data. I still think there's a big opportunity for high-res after-market head units (to display the track name, artist, etc. all simultaneously), but those still seem to be fairly rare. Given that it's an Alpine, the tuner is just excellent, especially good for pulling in WOXY (alternative) and WNKU (alternative/folk + NPR).

At work -- While at my office, I interact with a lot of standard-issue university technology. Fairly banal Dell desktop with CRT monitor, etc. -- a pretty typical arrangement. My pride and joy in my personal office is my HP G85 4-in-1 printer/scanner/fax/copier. It does a really stellar job at all four functions (well, never tried the fax function, but I assume it's stellar). I use the snot out of the sheet-feeder for scanning multi-page documents -- works great...highly recommended. The bane of my existence at work is our office copier...some lame, fickle Xerox piece of crap. This hunk of junk, more than anything else, has inspired me to go as paperless as is reasonably possible. Knowing I'm helping conserve trees also makes me feel good about using bits instead of paper.

Back at home -- home for the evening and I rely on all the tech here in my home. I have a mixed wired/wireless LAN that ties together 2 PCs, 1 laptop, and 2 handhelds (1 Pocket PC and 1 Palm OS device). Internet access is via RoadRunner cable broadband, which is being distributed to all the connected devices. My main computer at home is a custom/self-built desktop, and the other desktop is my MP3 server (I'll talk more about this later). I have our family room TV and stereo system tied into the MP3 server, so I can browse or whatever while listening to our music collection -- a pretty nice setup. My main complaint is the resolution on our television is really poor. It's a 27" Sony Trinitron, so it puts out like 550 lines of resolution. Needless to say, I really want one of the new true 1920x1080 HDTV LCD TVs that should be hitting store shelves later this year (yum!). To control the MP3 server, which is in the basement, while I'm sitting in front of the family room TV, I rely on a Gyration wireless mouse/keyboard setup -- this is some really trick hardware if you want to have a nearly invisible common room computing setup.

In bed -- prior to hitting the hay, I will often do some minor computing in bed. This is done via the laptop (which I'm typing on now) or using one of the handhelds. Generally, I'm just doing a blog entry, checking email/weather, or IM'ing with some friends (or some combo of those). While I generally like the apps better on my PalmOS devices, their lack of multi-tasking in the OS really bites in this case -- I can't keep an IRC/IM connection open while I do something else (check email, calendar, etc.). I really hope OS6 fixes this.

Well, that's about it. I'll talk more about the MP3 server another time, for I'm pretty happy with that particular piece of my home setup. Have comparable usage patterns or something that differs dramatically? Leave me a note!