The Physics of: Engine Cylinder-Bank Angles – Feature

January 14, 2011 at 11:16 am by John Pearley Huffman and Tony Quiroga

 

Why the angle between banks is critical to a smooth-running engine.

The inside of an internal-combustion engine is a just about the most violent place on Earth. Thousands of explosions happen every minute, resulting in great masses of metal being thrown up, down, and around. It’s almost miraculous that engines can produce civilized, usable thrust at all. Because what an engine would really like to do is blow itself apart.

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Related posts: The Future of the Internal-Combustion Engine – FeatureTags: internal-combustion, The Physics of |

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2012 BMW Z4 Roadster Will Be First to Bring BMW’s New Four-Cylinder Engine to U.S.

January 13, 2011 at 10:11 am by Steve Siler

While there may be no BMW model that the company’s glorious 3.0-liter inline-six cannot propel, nothing says that engine must propel every BMW. Engine downsizing has led the brand to develop a new family of four-cylinder engines, a turbocharged version of which is poised to replace the naturally aspirated 3.0-liter in some U.S.-bound models.

The first model to make the switch from six to turbocharged four is the Z4 roadster. The four-pot, according to our source, will produce at least 200 hp; a torque figure was not shared, but we expect about 220 to 230 lb-ft. The source asserted that the turbo four will be an adequate and thrifty replacement for the inline-six, the latter producing 255 hp and 220 lb-ft of torque in the 2011 Z4 sDrive30i. The engine is expected to be lighter and less thirsty, which should help raise the base Z4’s fuel economy from 18 mpg city/28 highway up to around 20/30, if not higher. Will the four have the same rev-to-the-stars zeal as the magical six-cylinder? Probably not. But it could at least be accompanied by a price drop from the $47,375 currently required to get into a Z4.

The last BMW models to make it onto our shores with just four cylinders were the unloved 318ti and the original Z3. If sneaking the new engine in under the long bonnet of the Z4 seems like heresy, bear in mind that Porsche’s next Boxster is also expected to come with a four-banger, and Mercedes-Benz’s just-revealed 2012 SLK will offer a turbocharged 1.8-liter four starting next spring.

Related posts: Ford Debuts Four-Cylinder EcoBoost Engine Family in FrankfurtCrazy Rally Buggy with BMW Diesel Six-CylinderBMW Won’t Bring M3 GTS to U.S.2009 BMW Z4 Roadster – Official Photos and InfoFuture Saabs to Use Turbocharged BMW Four-Cylinder, More Ties LikelyTags: BMW, BMW Z4, BMW Z4 roadster, engine downsizing, turbocharged |

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John Phillips: Our “Media Adviser” Retires to Oregon to Grow Mold – Column

January 14, 2011 at 11:28 am by John Phillips

“I lived one block from a druggie who killed his girlfriend, buried her on the property, then dug her up again.”

If you write for C/D, every word you submit will be scrutinized by the managing editor, or “M.E.,” who, after reading this very sentence, will ask whether the word “submit” might be replaced by “compose” and whether the word “scrutinized” might be replaced by “considered” and who will further point out that this sentence contains 89 words and might more profitably be replaced entirely by a telling anecdote or a direct quote, and, by the way, might you soon consider an occupation in which writing figures not at all?

Keep Reading: John Phillips: Our “Media Adviser” Retires to Oregon to Grow Mold – Column

Related posts: John Phillips: A Whole Bunch of What Not to Write – ColumnJohn Phillips: Nothing is Certain but Death and Taxis – ColumnJohn Phillips: What Really Goes on Behind the Maranello Gates – ColumnJohn Phillips: I Want to Be the Ginger Man – ColumnJohn Phillips: Could There be Such a Thing as “The Best Car in the World”? Probably Not – ColumnTags: C/D Staff, column, John Phillips |

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2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-class – Official Photos and Info

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Aaron Robinson: Cars Get a Low Priority in the Rebuilding of Our Cities – Column

January 18, 2011 at 6:26 pm by Aaron Robinson

 

For many years after World War II, you were as likely to get a grocery store built within walking distance as a smelter.

Coincidentally, my oldest friend is also named Aaron. As fourth-graders on the playground, we called ourselves “Aaron 1” and “Aaron 2,” but I don’t remember with certainty ?who was which.

Keep Reading: Aaron Robinson: Cars Get a Low Priority in the Rebuilding of Our Cities – Column

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The Continental’s Detroit Notepad: Transmission Trends, Why Germany Shouldn’t Want the U.S. Passat, and Who Didn’t Show

 

Each week, our German correspondent slices and dices the latest rumblings, news, and quick-hit driving impressions from the other side of the pond. His byline may say Jens Meiners, but we simply call him . . . the Continental.

Seven- and eight-speed transmissions are so 2010: The transmission gurus tell me that nine- and 10-speed boxes are around the corner. Why? To keep the engine where it’s happiest in the rev band, of course, without the inefficiency and dull driving characteristics of a CVT. (Audi’s multitronic CVT will be history in a few years.)

Not too long ago, five speeds were deemed more than sufficient. Have engines really become that inflexible? Not really, but there’s another reason, and it’s not a very good one: Marketing people believe that seven speeds are better than six, eight are better than seven, nine are better than eight, etc. Ad infinitum? Engineers are secretly worried, and so am I. I am not interested in having a choice of more than a handful of gears when negotiating a particular corner, and I’d ideally like to know which gear I am in without having to check the digital indicator (which doesn’t always tell you the truth, such as with a certain seven-speed dual-clutch box connected to an oh-so-torquey engine that pretends to take off in second gear when it actually briefly engages first).

Chrysler will be one of the first companies to use eight- and nine-speed transmissions, replacing some rather ancient slushboxes (and so it is partly forgiven). It will also be the next company to use a version of the clever MultiAir valve-lift system which was launched in Fiat and Alfa Romeo models. It will now be applied to the four-cylinder “world engine,” which sees duty in everything from the Dodge Caliber to the Chrysler 200, and I am guessing it will also make its way into the Pentastar V-6.

Accounting for Different Tastes

I found it curious that Ford’s Detroit display was largely dominated by European-developed and -styled cars such as the Focus, C-Max, and Fiesta, as well as the Vertrek concept. Another European, the Buick Verano, is a version of the hatchback-only Opel Astra, and so well-executed that I think it would sell in the old world, too.

My colleagues in Germany have noticed that the NMS (I’ll keep calling the U.S.-market Passat the NMS, as I have grown fond of the moniker over the years) is bigger, cheaper, and better-looking than the Euro Passat—that car is viewed as just a major face lift thanks to keeping an unchanged center section. Now VW must explain that we really don’t want the NMS in Germany since it is not as good as and is more cheaply engineered than the European Passat. In other words, that it deviates from the company’s engineering gospel under certain circumstances. Nice.

Mercedes-Benz displayed a pre-face-lift S-class concept car with plug-in technology right in front of a current model, to make it easier for you to spot the differences (hints: look for the old front bumper with Opel Vectra motif, LED-less headlights, jellybean side mirrors, and taillights with plastic strips). Add to that the fact that the B-class F-Cell (200 will be put on the road) comes in soon-obsolete, first-generation clothing and it underscores Daimler’s “new technology, old style” auto show theme.

Detroit’s Absentees, Real and Imagined

The Japanese didn’t shine in the Motor City. Toyota’s display was utterly charmless, and Nissan/Infiniti were simply absent. But they are coming back for next year’s Detroit auto show. Will they pull out of New York then? No. The strategy to be present at just one show per continent is history.

Tesla’s showing of a Model S body proved the company is moving forward and serious about getting it on the road. If you were surprised about the incredible performance promised at a reasonable price point, be advised that Tesla will offer several configurations; the standard Model S won’t come close to the promised 300-mile range.

Suspiciously absent was Fisker, which is in the process of getting the first Karma sedans ready for delivery. But I know for a fact that engineering work on the Nina sedan has started, and there is some likelihood of seeing the Karma folding-roof convertible on the road within two years.

Related posts: New Sketches of VW’s U.S. Passat Replacement Released; Will Debut at Detroit Auto Show2012 Volkswagen Passat Debuts @ Detroit Auto Show – VideoThe Continental’s Paris Notepad: Fully Aluminum Mercedes-Benz SL, Corrected Lambo Concept Weight, and the New VW/Audi/Porsche Mid-Engine Sports CarVolkswagen Teases 2012 Passat’s Detroit RevealFive Fun Debuts at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show – Feature

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2011 BMW 1-series M Coupe @ Detroit Auto Show – Video

January 13, 2011 at 1:43 pm by Car and Driver Tags: 2011 Detroit Auto Show, American, auto shows, BMW, BMW 1-series, BMW 1-series M, BMW M, coupe, Detroit Auto Show, German, sports car, video |

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ZF Announces Nine-Speed Automatic Transmission for Front-Drivers

January 13, 2011 at 12:34 pm by K.C. Colwell

In Detroit this week, Germany’s ZF announced a new nine-speed transaxle it has in the works, called 9HP. It’s not based on the longitudinal 8HP that is found in BMWs and Bentleys, but an all-new automatic transmission built for front-engine, front-wheel-drive cars. We know it will end up in some Chryslers, but, beyond that, ZF is tight-lipped about its customers, and, well, just about everything else regarding this transmission.

We do know the 9HP will be available to manufacturers in 2012 and that ZF says the efficiency improvements will be at least 10 percent when compared to a modern six-speed auto. Like the 8HP, the 9HP will lock its torque converter at very low revs, and ZF will offer an electric-motor coupler for customers wishing to hybridize their vehicles. The transmission’s torque limit is 295 lb-ft.

Despite the additional ratios, the 9HP is no larger than a modern six-speed auto. Since the transmission will be used in existing architectures, and because the space between a car’s front wheels isn’t growing any time soon, a wider box is not an option. This means ZF is limited to building a trans that can’t be wider than about 14.2 inches and in some cases is as narrow as 13.4 inches.

ZF is not just in the transmission business. It makes complete axles, steering units, pedal sets, even airbag housings. To see an overview of everything at the 2011 Detroit auto show with ZF components, check out this interactive site.

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Supercharged 2012 Chevrolet Camaro May Not Be Called Z28 – Future Cars

January 13, 2011 at 4:48 pm by Justin Berkowitz

In addition to the 550-hp Camaro, a 45th Anniversary Edition is on the way, as are other upgrades.

Since July, we’ve had photographic proof that Chevy’s engineers are hard at work on a supercharged version of the Camaro. The hot pony car is slated to receive a version of the blown 6.2-liter LSA V-8 from the Cadillac CTS-V, where it produces 556 hp. The usual questions of “When?” and “How much?” remain open, and we can now add a third to the list: What’s it to be called?

Keep Reading: Supercharged 2012 Chevrolet Camaro May Not Be Called Z28 – Future Cars

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2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG – First Drive Review

January 14, 2011 at 4:44 pm by Jens Meiners

 

A smaller engine with larger output make for an enticing new CLS63 AMG.

When it comes to what’s under the hood, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG launches with a name that is now more misleading than ever. AMG’s “63” moniker, after all, never was entirely correct: At 6208 cubic centimeters, the last-gen CLS63’s naturally aspirated M156 engine missed the 6.3-liter mark by less than a tenth of a liter. And now, most AMG “63” cars are having their 6.2 replaced by a twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8 dubbed M157.

Keep Reading: 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG – First Drive Review

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How to: Drive a Stick Without a Clutch – Feature

January 14, 2011 at 11:46 am by Car and Driver

Yet another reason to Save the Manuals!

Part of the reason we want to save manual transmissions is because they’re fun to operate. But there’s another plus: The things that break in a manual often do not stop a car dead in its tracks, which is good if you’re crossing the Sahara on your way ?to Dakar. Let’s say, for example, that the connection between the third pedal and the clutch fails, keeping the clutch engaged. Follow these steps and you won’t have to call a tow truck.

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2012 BMW 650i Convertible Beats Coupe Model for Summer Sales Season

January 14, 2011 at 12:16 pm by Steve Siler

 

If you’re wondering why BMW has bucked tradition and introduced the production version of the new 650i convertible before even showing the coupe, it’s a classic case of launching a convertible in the springtime. According to a BMW spokesman we spoke to at the Detroit auto show, the reverse staggered launch was chosen in order to have droptops in dealerships by summertime. After all, it’s much easier to sell muscle-bound, rear-drive ragtops when the sun is out and breezes are warm than during the dark, dreary dog days of winter. The 6-series coupe, previewed in concept form at the Paris auto show, will have its coming-out party sometime this summer, we’re told. Look for it on sale later this fall, presumably at a price lower than the $91,375 commanded by the droptop—likely around $85K.

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2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible – Official Photos and Info

January 18, 2011 at 1:48 pm by Steve Siler

 

Chrysler’s convertible becomes something people might actually want to own, not just rent.

In its efforts to revamp an entire corporate product portfolio, there are products that Chrysler would like customers to remember fondly as they contemplate their successors—think Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger—and others that it’d like everyone to forget. The mid-size Sebring sedan and convertible clearly fall into the latter category; not only do they get a thorough makeover for 2011, but they’ve been rechristened Chrysler 200 to put an extra measure of distance between them and their unloved predecessors. Last month, we drove the 2011 200 sedan and discovered that, indeed, it looks and drives much better than the dowdy Sebring sedan. Now Chrysler has released its first official images of and information on the 200 convertible as it attempts to turn its perennial rental car into something people actually want to own.

Keep Reading: 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible – Official Photos and Info

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Pandora Plans to be Everywhere, and It’s Off to a Good Start

January 14, 2011 at 4:24 pm by Michael Austin

 

If there is one thing we took away from this year’s Consumer Electronics Show—besides a deep hatred for the Las Vegas Monorail—it’s that Pandora is going to find a way into your car in the near future. The internet-radio service has more than 75 million registered users, and the Pandora application has been downloaded on smartphones over 50 million times. That’s a lot of people listening on the go, and those already using Pandora in the car wouldn’t mind full integration with the stereo.

So to start, aftermarket audio companies like Pioneer, Kenwood, and Alpine all offer Pandora integration into aftermarket radios. All of these radios use an iPhone connection for streaming audio; as of now Android, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone users are out of luck.

Pandora is rising on the automaker side as well. At last year’s keynote, Ford’s Alan Mullaly announced the launch of Sync apps. You guessed it—Pandora is one of those apps, launching now on the Fiesta and soon to be followed in the Mustang. The other Sync-like systems announced at CES, Toyota’s Entune and Hyundai’s Blue Link, also have Pandora integration as a key feature. The Buick Verano, which made its debut at the 2011 Detroit auto show, will also incorporate Pandora.

Is there more? Of course. We had the chance to try out Pandora as part of Mini’s Connected infotainment system. Available now on the entire Mini lineup, the features will migrate over to BMW models starting in March 2011. The goal was to make the Pandora integration as seamless as any other audio source. With an iPhone plugged into the system, Pandora simply comes up as an additional option on the menu. Select it and it plays the last active Pandora station. Each song shows album art on the navigation screen and you can thumbs-up, thumbs-down, or mark any song, just like on the mobile app. You can even create a new channel on the go. Frankly, it’s not very exciting in that it works exactly as we expected, so BMW can consider it a success.

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Tags: 2011 Consumer Electronics Show, Alpine, Buick Verano, CES, Hyundai Blue Link, Kenwood, Pandora, Pioneer, Toyota Entune |

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Mitsubishi Global Small Vehicle Concept to Debut in Geneva, Preview Colt Replacement

January 18, 2011 at 2:42 pm by Jake Holmes

 

Mitsubishi has supplied us with a rendering of a new global small-car concept (the official, convoluted name is Mitsubishi Concept Global Small) that will replace the Colt. The real thing will be unveiled at the Geneva auto show in March. The “global” part of the name apparently includes us.

The cute five-passenger, five-door hatchback reminds us a bit of the Ford Fiesta with which it will attempt to do battle; Mitsubishi says it’s been designed for aerodynamic—and thus fuel—?efficiency. The brand’s trademark trapezoidal lower grille opening is present in front; the sleek side mirrors and flush door handles likely won’t make production.

Under the hood, the plan calls for engines displacing between 1.0 and 1.2 liters, coupled to a new continuously variable transmission. Lightweight construction, low rolling-resistance tires, and an engine stop-start system should contribute to respectable fuel economy. Mitsubishi predicts carbon dioxide emissions of less than 90 grams per mile.

A production version of the Concept Global Small is slated to be built in Thailand from March 2012. Mitsubishi tells us the car will go on sale in the U.S. as well as Europe and Asia; an official date hasn’t been decided, but expect it here around 2013.

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Fulton Innovations Says Wireless Charging is Coming to Cars

 

General Motors is already planning to give you wireless charging inside of its cars courtesy of Powermat, but when it comes to adding juice to the Volt you’re still left plugging in some kind of charging cable.

Fulton Innovations thinks it has a better way, using its eCoupled wireless technology for inductive charging. The principle is the same as the wireless inductive charging that Powermat uses, but Fulton has its own core technology and actually competes with Powermat through licensed companies—Energizer and Duracell to name two.

At the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show, Fulton demonstrated its idea with a Tesla Roadster. A receiver coil is mounted underneath the car between the front wheels. In this application, it simply runs a wire to the standard charging plug on the Tesla. This is to demonstrate that the technology can work on any fully electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid. A built-in system integrated directly into the vehicle’s charging circuit could would improve efficiency. The display at the show was 80 percent efficient (that’s energy going into the charging circuit, which doesn’t count the charging inefficiencies of the car itself). A wired wall plug is 96 percent efficient, and a fully integrated wireless system would be close to 89 percent efficient. Fulton’s director of advanced technology, Dave Baarman, believes additional development could close the gap further.

Baarman thinks that the selling points of wireless vehicle charging make up for the efficiency gap. First, it’s easier than plugging in an electric car, which in itself is pretty easy. The current design only needs the receiver to be within a two-foot radius of the charging loop to work, and can reach a height as high as eight inches. If both systems are on, everything is a go, simple as that. For public-use charging, Baarman notes that you don’t have to worry about charging poles getting knocked over by sloppy drivers, or worn or vandalized charging cords. And there’s no way for pranksters to unplug your car.

Fulton’s system not only sends power through the air, it also sends data back and forth so that the state of charge can be monitored; the system shuts off when there’s a full charge. This also allows for remote monitoring, so you can check charge progress from your smartphone, for instance. And since each receiver (the coil in the car) has a unique ID, pay-for-charge systems already have an identifier and just await a payment system.

There aren’t any EVs coming soon with wireless charging, and all of the latest EV infrastructure announcements involve corded charging stations. But Fulton is currently talking to interested automakers and suppliers. Baarman claims the cost of the raw materials is low, under $100, which seems implausible but he sticks by the claim. At that price it’s possible that real-world solutions could be affordable. And if the price is right, who wouldn’t want to pull into the garage without having to worry about plugging in the car?

Related posts: GM Partners with Powermat to Offer Wireless Charging in Chevy Volt, Other CarsMyVolt.com Allows Chevrolet Volt Drivers to Schedule Charging, Tweet Energy-Use Stats

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John Phillips: Ten Cars That Most Surprised 10 C/D Editors – Column

January 18, 2011 at 6:30 pm by John Phillips

My test car’s V6 ate its balance shaft four blocks from the Reatta Craft Centre.

A neighbor asked, “What car, good or bad, most surprised you during your career?” In truth, she might have asked, “What question, good or bad, most surprised you during your career?” because she had just asked it. After some thought, my answer was the Buick Reatta I drove in 1988. The car looked great but had been preceded by a pantload of hype, so disappointment was inevitable. It was less a sports car than a two-seat Riviera. Its dash-mounted computer screen made me hate such digital frippery forever. And my test car’s V-6 ate its balance shaft four blocks from the Reatta Craft Centre in Lansing.

Keep Reading: John Phillips: Ten Cars That Most Surprised 10 C/D Editors – Column

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Tags: 10Best Cars, 2011 10Best, Buick Reatta, column, Cross Lander 244X, Ferrari 308GTSi, John Phillips, Lexus LS400, Mazda RX-7, Porsche 911 Turbo, Toyota Toyopet Phaeton, Trabant 601, Volkswagen Rabbit |

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Zero-Emission Vehicle Regulations Get Tougher for 2012 – Feature

January 14, 2011 at 11:32 am by Keith Barry

 

California Dreaming: The CARB diet.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is trying to use a version of a “cap-and-trade” policy to stimulate automakers to build Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs). CARB has mandated that starting in 2012, major automakers will have to produce a certain number of ZEVs. If an automaker can’t build enough to satisfy the regulation, it will be able to purchase credits from those that make more ZEVs than are required, thus covering its own shortfall. While it may sound onerous, it may also sound familiar—the latest ZEV mandate grew out of more than 20 years of CARB regulations. And during that time, CARB learned that the government can’t force engineers to build new technology, just as automakers learned how to use the regulatory process for their own good.

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Kia Previews Next-Gen Rio Ahead of Geneva Auto Show

January 12, 2011 at 3:50 pm by Jake Holmes

As part of its current product overhaul, Kia will soon re-do the Rio. The company has released sketches of the next-generation Rio, which will make its global debut at the Geneva auto show in March. You’re forgiven for forgetting about the current car; the slow-selling sedan and Rio5 hatchback were introduced here for the 2006 model year and have only received minor equipment changes and a face lift since.

The sketches portend a rakish hatchback design with steeply sloped rear glass. The Rio seen here wears the same headlight and grille layout seen on new products like the Sportage and Optima, along with bulging air intakes and big, showy wheels. Subtly flared wheel arches, a roof spoiler, and scalloped doors lend the car a sporty appearance. If the production model stays true to this design, it will be a huge improvement over the current car.

The dashboard is composed of funky shapes and beveled edges. Kia will position the new Rio as a “sporty and elegant” B-segment car, with hopes it will be more popular than the current model, which has done well in markets outside our own.

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Caterham Preparing SP/300.R Turn-Key Race Car for One-Make Series

January 13, 2011 at 2:11 pm by Jake Holmes

 

Caterham Cars has partnered with race team Lola Cars to build a dedicated race car. The Caterham-Lola SP/300.R is set to debut in a bespoke race series in 2012.

The design was inspired by Lola’s Formula 3 cars, with sectioned body panels that can easily be removed in the pits, and a massive front splitter and rear diffuser to help produce downforce.

As with all other current Caterham products, the mid-mounted engine will come from Ford. Inn this case it’s a 2.0-liter Duratec engine that will be supercharged and tuned by Caterham to produce around 300 hp. It will mate to an automated transmission from Hewland. The SP/300.R is projected to weigh less than 1320 pounds, which should allow for 0-to-60-mph blasts of just 2.5 seconds. The car will reportedly be capable of 170 mph.

The Caterham’s chassis should be equally impressive, with aluminum construction, a fully adjustable race suspension, and AP Racing brakes. Cooper racing tires developed specifically for the car will be mounted on 13-inch wheels; the rears measure 9.8 inches wide, the fronts 7.1 inches. The car comes fully prepared for racing, with six-point harnesses, a fire suppression system, and a steering wheel with built-in data display.

Caterham doesn’t yet have firm plans for the proposed race series, but we do know it will take place on tracks in the U.K. The company hopes the initial SP/300.R championship will lead to expansion of the series around Europe.

The SP/300.R will cost the equivalent of $95,000 before taxes. For now it’s purely a track machine, though the company says it’s considering the possibility of a road-legal version.

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Continental AutoLinQ Uses Google’s Android Platform for Car Connectivity

January 14, 2011 at 3:38 pm by Michael Austin

 

Ford’s Sync is arguably the iPhone of the automotive world: well known, easy to understand, and popular with the kids. In the mobile world, however, Google’s Android operating system has overtaken the iPhone in terms of market share. Could it do the same to Sync? Continental hopes so, considering that its system, AutoLinQ, is Android-based. The German supplier showed off an early version of the system at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show.

The basic functions are much like those of any other car connectivity system. You can use your phone or an onboard data connection to listen to streaming music or download your Twitter feed. We were given a demo of INRIX’s Traffic Pro system, which predicts traffic and changes your suggested route accordingly, or advises you of the best departure times for a trip. AutoLinQ can take any signal from the car’s CAN-bus, like throttle position or engine speed, and use that as an input. So it’s easy to imagine a program that could automatically record track-day data and send your results to Facebook.

What makes AutoLinQ, special, according to Continental, is that programming for the car is almost exactly like programming for other Android platforms. That means that there is already a large group of programmers familiar with the Android environments. Continental claims that the details, like tailoring the look of every application to an automaker’s specification and locking out certain functions when moving (if needed) are easier because it’s simply a manner of changing the appearance and interface; the basic programming is already done if an application exists for another Android product.

Expect to see an AutoLinQ-equipped car as soon as 2013. How much the in-car Android and its available apps will resemble the Wild West that is the Android Market app store depends on how tight each automaker wants to control its specific system. It’s safe to say that it will probably be more limited, but we still see plenty of potential with AutoLinQ; at least enough to keep Ford, like Apple, on its toes.

Related posts: GM to Launch Brand-Specific OnStar Mobile Apps for Android and iPhoneTags: 2011 Consumer Electronics Show, Android, Android apps, CES, Continental AutoLinQ, INRIX, telematics |

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Mini Will Build Paceman, Plus One More Model

January 12, 2011 at 2:35 pm by Justin Berkowitz

The Mini Paceman concept shown at the 2011 Detroit auto show is headed for production, according to Mini USA V-P Jim McDowell.?The crossover coupe—either a Mini Cooper hardtop on stilts or a two-door Countryman, depending on your point of view—will bring the company’s body-style count to seven, as it joins the original hatch, the four-seat convertible, the longer Clubman, the Countryman crossover, and the upcoming two-seat coupe and roadster.

But, McDowell tells us, there’s still one more variant to add to the lineup. The company isn’t ready to make announcements yet—understandably it wanted all eyes on the Paceman for the time being—but McDowell says the eighth Mini will be a “natural fit” for the brand. Whether that means a production version of the Mini Moke–style?Beachcomber concept, a convertible Paceman, or something else, we can’t say. But so long as it’s not an electric date-terminator, we’ll be happy.

Related posts: Mini Paceman Concept – Auto ShowsFuture Mini Model SpeculationMini Beachcomber Concept – VideoMini Beachcomber Concept – Auto Shows2009 Mini One / Mini One Clubman – Car NewsTags: 2011 Detroit Auto Show, auto shows, Mini, Mini Beachcomber Concept, Mini Paceman, Mini Paceman Concept |

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Subaru Rear-Wheel-Drive Concept Headed to Geneva, Toyota and Subie Production Cars Should Arrive in Tokyo

January 14, 2011 at 9:47 am by David Gluckman

 

It’s been nigh on three years since Subaru and Toyota announced a joint project to produce a shared rear-wheel-drive sports car. Now, the wait is almost over, as Subaru is promising its “Rear-Wheel-Drive Sports Car Technology Concept” will bow in Geneva this March.

Or it’s almost almost over. While Subaru will debut its concept in Geneva, we’re told to expect production versions of both the Subaru and Toyota to bow at the same show later this year, one that makes sense for both automakers: Tokyo. Hopefully by then we’ll know what to call these two, since Subieyota, Toyobaru, and That Car We Keep Waiting For don’t quite have the right ring to them. We have some proof that the Toyota will have “86〃 as part of its name, thanks to the logo?we recently uncovered, but the Subie half is anyone’s guess. Anyone?

Related posts: 2011 Subaru / Toyota Rear-Drive Sports Coupe – Spied2012/2013 Toyota FT-86 / Subaru 0846 Sports Coupe Spy Photos – Future CarsToyota FT-86 G Sports Concept Hints at Production RWD Coupe2012 Toyota FT86 / Subaru 0846 – Feature2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X: Upscale Interior, Huge Back Seat, and the Only Manual in a Small, All-Wheel-Drive SUVTags: Subaru, Subaru 0846, Toyota, Toyota 86, Toyota FT-86 |

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Name That Shifter, No. 8: Porsche 968

January 12, 2011 at 3:45 pm by Car and Driver

Once again, we asked you to identify the car in which a mystery shifter is situated. This week brought no shortage of correct responses, with Jason A. Cooley properly identifying this as the shifter from a Porsche 968. Jason gets a Save the Manuals button and sticker for his efforts.

This particular 968 was part of our June 1992 comparison of sports cabriolets. The Porsche was the winner, beating out the Nissan 300ZX and Chevrolet Corvette.

Related posts: Name That Shifter, No. 1: Lamborghini DiabloName That Shifter, No. 5: Peugeot 605Name That Shifter, No. 7: Honda PreludeName That Shifter, No. 2: 1992 Acura VigorName That Shifter, No. 3: 1998 Isuzu Amigo V6Tags: Name That Shifter, Once again, Porsche, Porsche 968, Save the Manuals!, we asked you to |

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Name That Exhaust Note, Episode 73: 2011 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

January 18, 2011 at 1:14 pm by Car and Driver

Last Tuesday, we posted an audio recording of a mystery car’s exhaust note. To hear it again, click play above. Apologies for the delayed response; we missed our usual Thursday-afternoon deadline, but here’s the answer: Several people correctly identified the fact that it was a hybrid, only a couple guessed the model correctly. It was a 2011 Cadillac Escalade hybrid.

Like that sound? Download the MP3 and quiz your friends, make your own ringtone, or just lull yourself to sleep with sweet, sweet vehicular ear candy.

2011 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid Exhaust MP3 (Right-click to Save As…)

Related posts: Name That Exhaust Note, Episode 11: 2007 Cadillac EscaladeName That Exhaust Note, Episode 59: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe AutomaticName That Exhaust Note, Episode 71: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid – Short Take Road Test2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid and Platinum Models – Car NewsTags: Cadillac, Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade hybrid, Name That Exhaust Note |

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Best of the 2011 Detroit Auto Show – Video

January 14, 2011 at 3:12 pm by Car and Driver Tags: 2011 Detroit Auto Show, auto shows, Best of, BMW 1-series M, Chevrolet Sonic, Chrysler 300, Detroit Auto Show, Ford Vertrek concept, Honda Civic concept, Honda Civic Si, Hyundai Veloster, Kia KV7 concept, Porsche 918 RSR Concept, video |

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Name That Exhaust Note, Episode 74

January 18, 2011 at 3:58 pm by Car and Driver Tags: Name That Exhaust Note |

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Automotive Spyware: Vehicle Tracking Systems and Data Recorders Tested – Gearbox

January 14, 2011 at 11:22 am by Michael Austin

Big Brother is Watching: Electronic nannies can tell what your car and its driver have been up to.

Whatever your reason—as a business owner, concerned parent, data-obsessed nerd, or even suspicious spouse—you might want to know how and where your car is being driven when you’re not behind the wheel. We’ve collected four devices of varying levels of sophistication (and price). Each offers real ease of use and a healthy outlet for your paranoia.

Keep Reading: Automotive Spyware: Vehicle Tracking Systems and Data Recorders Tested – Gearbox

Related posts: Automotive Accessories: Affordable Navigation Units Compared – Gear BoxFive RC / Remote-Controlled Cars Tested! – Gear BoxFour Pairs of Racing Shoes Tested! – Gear BoxCrash Helmet Comparison: Arai GP-6S, Simpson Bandit, Bell M-4, Pyrotect Pro Airflow SA – GearboxAutomotive-Inspired Gift Guide for Dads and GradsTags: Davis Instruments CarChip Pro, Escort, Escort Entourage PS, Gear Box, GPS, LandAirSea GPS Tracking Key Pro, Lemur Vehicle Monitors SafeDriver |

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The Bose Ride Truck Seating System – Tech Dept.

January 14, 2011 at 11:51 am by Dave VanderWerp

 

Bose makes “trucker butt” a thing of the past.

Although better known for its audio equipment, the Bose Corporation in 2004 unveiled a prototype of a completely new automotive suspension. With powerful, linear electric motors at each corner, Bose’s suspension, unlike that of every other car in production today, operates independently of the road surface and doesn’t simply react to road or driver inputs. This “active” system could enable breakthroughs such as lightning-quick adjustments to negate the effects of a pothole; in theory, it could deliver an ideal ride-and-handling balance.

Keep Reading: The Bose Ride Truck Seating System – Tech Dept.

Related posts: The Physics Of: Wheelstands – Tech Dept.ZF’s 8-Speed Automatic Transmission – Tech Dept.Breakdown of a Racing Helmet – Tech Dept.California Dabbles in Four Miles of Experimental Asphalt – Tech Dept.Effects of Upsized Wheels and Tires Tested – Tech Dept.Tags: Bose, SEAT, semi truck, Tech Dept. |

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2012 Hyundai Veloster @ Detroit Auto Show – Video

January 13, 2011 at 1:08 pm by Car and Driver Tags: 2011 Detroit Auto Show, 2012 Hyundai Veloster, auto shows, Detroit Auto Show, hatchback, Hyundai, Hyundai Veloster, Korean, sport compact, video |

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New U.S. Passat: Wagon Unlikely, All-Wheel Drive Possible, Diesel-Efficiency Supremacy Assured

January 14, 2011 at 4:02 pm by David Gluckman

 

At the Detroit auto show earlier this week, we got a few more questions answered about the 2012 Volkswagen Passat. The summary: Probably not, it’s definitely possible, and a bunch of numbers. Read on for specifics.

Will U.S. customers get a Passat wagon? “It’s not in the current plan.” Nor did we expect it to be, since this car is designed specifically for the American market, where a wagon has the mass-market appeal of a convertible SUV. Oh, wait. That exists.

Should we expect an all-wheel-drive version at some point? “It’s not in the current plan.” But, as evidenced by the rear-seat transmission tunnel, it was at least at one time in someone’s plan as a definite maybe. It’s doable.

What about fuel economy for all of the engine/transmission combos? With a five-speed manual, the 2.5-liter inline-five is estimated at 21 mpg city/32 highway; that engine with the six-speed auto is pegged at 22/31. The 3.6-liter VR6 is only available with the six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic and is projected to return 20/28 mpg. Equipped with either a manual or the DSG, the TDI model is expected to get a rating of 31/43.?Those with a mind for numbers might have noticed that VW’s claimed diesel Passat mileage numbers are each one better than those for the Golf TDI and Jetta TDI with the same 140-hp turbo-diesel engine. That’s apparently explained by better aero on the Passat and changes made to the transmission internals. Those are big numbers. Huge, even, as they would put the Passat TDI at the top of the diesel-economy heap in the U.S.

And how does the car look in person? Big. Huge, even.

Related posts: 2010 Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion Diesel – Auto ShowsVolkswagen Confirms Diesel Powertain for Passat-Replacing NMSMazda’s Efficiency Strategy to Include Stop/Start, Energy Regeneration, Diesel, and More – Car NewsVolkswagen Teases 2012 Passat’s Detroit Reveal2012 Volkswagen Passat Official Photos and Info – Auto ShowsTags: 2011 Detroit Auto Show, auto shows, diesel, fuel economy, TDI, Volkswagen, Volkswagen Passat |

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2012 Mazda 5 Grand Touring – Short Take Road Test

January 14, 2011 at 2:04 pm by Michael Austin

Mazda’s true mini van is honestly fun to drive.

Don’t be alarmed if you’re not too familiar with the Mazda 5. After all, Mazda only sold about 16,000 in 2010. Chrysler sold as many Town & Country minivans every two months last year, but Mazda’s is still an impressive feat considering that the 5 has almost zero marketing support.

Keep Reading: 2012 Mazda 5 Grand Touring – Short Take Road Test

Related posts: 2008 Mazda 5 Grand Touring – Short Take Road Test2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring – Short Take Road Test2009 Mazda 6 s Grand Touring – Short Take Road Test2010 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring – Road Test2010 Mazda 3 s 5-Door Grand Touring – Long-Term Road Test UpdateTags: Japanese, Mazda, Mazda 5, minivan, performance testing |

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Aaron Robinson: Confessions of a Slave to Craigslist – Column

January 14, 2011 at 3:22 pm by Aaron Robinson Tags: Aaron Robinson, column |

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Ford Fiesta RS WRC 2011 Livery Debuts in England

January 13, 2011 at 3:29 pm by Steve Siler

Ford’s Fiesta is relatively fun to drive in base trim, but doll it up in RS World Rally Championship form and it becomes a party on wheels like none we’ve attended. Of course, this is Ford’s official WRC entry, based on the 2010 Monte Carlo Rally–winning Fiesta S2000 rally car, which means that unless you’re a professional rally driver whose name is Mikko Hirvonen, Jari-Matti Latvala, or Khalid Al Qassimi, or happen to be another key member of the Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team, you’ll probably never get a chance to drive it. (If you’re really itching to rally a Fiesta, you can take part in Ford Racing’s recently launched Fiesta Rally Experience program in New Hampshire.)

The Fiesta RS WRC’s livery proudly presents the name of its title partner Abu Dhabi, as well as team sponsor Castrol, while deliberately outlining the Fiesta’s key “kinetic” design features. Under the be-scooped hood is a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder based on the 1.6-liter EcoBoost that will soon be found in Ford road cars on our shores. Being a rally car, however, it also features four-wheel drive, a full roll cage, a couple of racing seats, and likely little else.

The car was unveiled at the Autosport International Racing Car Show in Birmingham, England, and will first compete in the opening round of 2011 WRC racing in Sweden next month.

Related posts: WRC-Ready Mini Countryman Debuts in Paris2011 Ford Fiesta – Video2011 Ford Fiesta – Video2011 Ford Fiesta – Auto Shows2011 Ford Fiesta Pricing ReleasedTags: Ford, Ford Fiesta, Ford Fiesta RS WRC, rally, rally car, World Rally Championship, WRC |

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2012 Ford Focus Electric @ Detroit Auto Show – Video

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2012 Tesla Model S Electric Sedan – Auto Shows

January 11, 2011 at 5:38 pm by Don Sherman

As Tesla shows a deconstructed Model S at Detroit, we get a report on the pure electric super-sedan’s progress.

Tesla Motors let the visuals do the bragging for a change. At its stand at the Detroit auto show, a prominent sign reported 8,825,532 miles logged by the 1500 Tesla Roadsters delivered to customers in 30 countries. Video screens portrayed a svelte Model S hatchback sedan accumulating test miles on public roads. But the centerpiece on display is a completed Model S body-in-white, battery pack, and powertrain standing tall for all the world’s skeptics to study.

Keep Reading: 2012 Tesla Model S Electric Sedan – Auto Shows

Related posts: 2012 Tesla Model S Sedan – Official Photos and Info2012 Tesla Model S – Feature2011 Tesla Model S – Car NewsFord to Bring Four Electric Vehicles to Market by 2012 – Auto Shows2012 Ford Focus Electric – Official Photos and Info – Auto ShowsTags: 2011 Detroit Auto Show, auto shows, Detroit Auto Show, electric, luxury, sedan, Tesla, Tesla Model S |

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Best of the 2011 Detroit Auto Show – Feature

January 11, 2011 at 5:36 pm by Justin Berkowitz

The best from this year’s Motown extravaganza include a Porsche supercar, a full-size van concept, and a subcompact from Chevy. Yeah, the show was that weird.

Members of the United Sheet Lifters and Brotherhood of Fog Machine Operators unions departed Cobo Center in Detroit after the last of two press days, having finished their work unveiling all the new metal at the 2011 Detroit auto show. More than 20 vehicles took a bow, but among those—as always—there were a few standouts. Here are our favorite debuts from this edition of the Motown extravaganza, and it includes a $47,000 German compact, a tiny Chevrolet, a Porsche super-dupercar, and a full-size van concept from Kia. You know, now that we think about it, this year’s show was weird.

Keep Reading: Best of the 2011 Detroit Auto Show – Feature

Related posts: Best of the 2011 Detroit Auto Show – VideoDetroit’s Finest: 2010 Detroit Auto Show Videos – Feature2011 BMW 1-series M Coupe @ Detroit Auto Show – Video2011 Chrysler 300 / 300C Debuts @ Detroit Auto Show – VideoFive Fun Debuts at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show – FeatureTags: 2011 Detroit Auto Show, auto shows, Best of, BMW 1-series M, Chevrolet Sonic, Chrysler 300, Detroit Auto Show, Ford Vertrek concept, Honda Civic concept, Porsche 918 RSR Concept |

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Mercedes Expresses Itself Through Sculpture Again, Hinting at Future Interior Design

January 14, 2011 at 2:54 pm by Steve Siler and Jens Meiners

 

For fans of automotive design, an auto show can be just as much art show as car show. But Mercedes’ display at the 2011 Detroit auto show contained something arguably more sculptural than automotive: an organic, skeletal, flower-like thing saddled with the decidedly unsexy name of “Aesthetics No. 2.”

As the title of this composition would suggest, this isn’t the first time Mercedes has done this. You may remember last year’s Detroit show, at which Mercedes unveiled a sculpture that previewed the new CLS’s body shape as if it were rising from under a silken drape. This year’s convoluted sculpture, in the words of chief designer Gorden Wagener, follows nature’s inspiration: “Soft, gentle, and infinitely beautiful is her manner of dealing with her resources, creating impressive aesthetics ever anew.” Mmmkay.

This being Mercedes, it is no coincidence that the sculpture hints at something automotive. In this case, however, the future of the brand’s interior design is not confined by the dimensions of a specific automobile, which allows it to be scaled up by about 50 percent. “The seating environment recalls the image of the gigantic wings of a majestic ray fish,” says the press release, while the area in front of the (very large) driver evokes the look of a dashboard, complete with aggressive round air vents—they’ll be found on future models, such as Benz’s next-gen front-drivers. The sculpture’s symmetrical layout reveals that driver orientation may not be high on the list of priorities.

Thanks for that, Mercedes. And now we return to our regularly scheduled car show . . .

Related posts: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS Previewed With Sculpture – Auto Shows2010 Mercedes-Benz E-class Interior – SpiedMercedes-Benz’s Future: Bigger Cars and Fuel Cells2010 L.A. Design Challenge Focuses on Featherweight Four-SeatersThe Future at Mercedes: DownsizingTags: 2011 Detroit Auto Show, auto shows, design, Mercedes-Benz |

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From the Archives: Detroit Show Photography – Feature

January 15, 2011 at 4:55 pm by Justin Berkowitz

 

As an appetizer to our coverage of the 2011 Detroit auto show, check out highlights from Motown shows gone by.

The 2011 Detroit auto show is just around the corner, but before you gorge yourself on today’s latest, greatest debuts, we invite you to digest this appetizer, a quick look back at Detroit auto shows past. Although an automotive exhibition has been held in Detroit since 1899, it wasn’t until 1907 that the Detroit auto dealers (all 16 of them) held their own show. In 1989 it was rechristened the North American International Auto Show and became a blockbuster global affair. Arrayed below are a sampling of vintage Detroit pics we’ve unearthed—many from our very own pages—and you’ll find dozens more in the gallery.

Keep Reading: From the Archives: Detroit Show Photography – Feature

Related posts: Detroit’s Finest: 2010 Detroit Auto Show Videos – FeatureBest of the 2011 Detroit Auto Show – FeatureFive Fun Debuts at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show – FeatureInspiration and Desperation at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show – Featurehttp://blog.caranddriver.com/audi-e-tron-detroit-concept-2010-detroit-auto-show-video/Tags: auto shows, C/D Archives, Detroit Auto Show |

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Mopar Launches Ram Runner Kits for Ram 1500

January 12, 2011 at 3:14 pm by Jake Holmes

The Ram Runner kits Mopar promised last April will go into production in March, allowing owners of Ram 1500 4×4s to clear dunes like the truck seen above.?Mopar’s?Ram Runner concept first hit the desert at last year’s Easter Jeep Safari and took a normal Ram 1500 and gave it high-speed sand-beating capabilities, not unlike?Ford’s SVT Raptor. It’s not a a factory-production option like the Ford, with Mopar instead selling the components needed to convert any current-generation Ram 1500 into a Ram Runner clone.

There are two flavors of suspension upgrade available: the $3129 Stage 1 Pre-Runner kit that includes bolt-on high-performance suspension components, and the $13,270 Stage 2 Ram Runner kit. The latter is what enables the kind of off-land hijinks seen here; it includes new A-arms and tougher shocks to provide 14 inches of suspension travel.

To complete the Ram Runner conversion, owners will also want to buy Mopar’s bumper and fiberglass fenders ($1250 for the front bumper, $1020 for the front fenders, $1350 for the rear fenders). They permit maximum wheel articulation without tire hitting body. Other components seen on the Ram Runner include a tire carrier ($1010 from Mopar), a sport hood with vents ($978), and high-performance exhaust and intakes ($466 and $1135, respectively).

Related posts: Ram Truck Launches Outdoorsman Model for 1500, 2500 HD, and 3500 HD Pickups2009 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Crew Cab 4×4 – Long-Term Road Test2009 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT 4×4 Crew Cab – Long-Term Road Test IntroName That Exhaust Note, Episode 37: 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 with Exhaust CutoutDodge Launches Special-Edition Mopar ’10 ChallengerTags: Dodge, Dodge Ram, Mopar, Mopar Ram Runner, off-road |

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Next-Generation Kia Rio Teased

Next-Generation Kia Rio Teased - KickingTires Next-Generation Kia Rio Teased

While it may seem recent, 2005 is the dark ages in terms of automotive design. That was when the Kia Rio was last redesigned, and it is the oldest model offered by Kia in the U.S.

Kia finally addressed this fossil of a model. Earlier this month, the automaker released sketches that show off the exterior and interior designs of a hatchback Rio.

This Rio successor will be longer, lower and wider than the existing Rio, according to Kia. It was designed by the same German designer who recently put his imprint on the 2011 Kia Optima and 2011 Kia Sportage. Overall, the design looks to be more curvaceous than those two models, though the new corporate mesh grille is clearly present.

We’ll have a clearer picture of the new Rio when the vehicle is officially unveiled March 1 at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show.

By Colin Bird | January 17, 2011 | Comments (0) Tags: 2011 Geneva Motor Show, Kia, Kia Rio?PreviousNext?Comments? Post a Comment? Please remember a few rules before posting comments:If you don't want people to see your email address, simply type in the URL of your favorite website or leave the field empty.Do not mention specific car dealers by name. Feel free to mention your city, state and brand.Try to be civil to your fellow blog readers. This blog is not a fan or enthusiast forum, it is meant to help people during the car-buying process and during the time between purchases, so shoppers can keep a pulse on the market.Stay on topic. We want to hear your opinions and thoughts, but please only comment about the specified topic in the blog post.view posting rulesIf you have a TypeKey or TypePad account, pleaseSign In

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Keyless-Entry Cars Vulnerable to Silent Theft

Keyless-Entry Cars Vulnerable to Silent Theft - KickingTires Keyless-Entry Cars Vulnerable to Silent Theft

 

Remote keyless entry has been around for a while – since the late 1980s, in fact – and today it’s almost standard on all new cars. But the pervasiveness of this feature is not without consequence. As researchers in Switzerland point out, the technology can make vehicle theft a breeze for a savvy thief.

Remote keyless-entry systems use radio waves that typically are specific to a manufacturer, and the signals are usually encrypted. When your vehicle’s key fob is within 20 feet of the car, you’re allowed to transmit a signal to unlock the doors, pop the trunk, remote start your car (when equipped) or activate the car alarm.

Researchers at ETH Zurich discovered that these encrypted signals are easy to intercept and trick.

The theft works by setting up two antennas, one near the targeted vehicle and one near the holder of the key fob — be it in a purse, bag or pocket. This equipment can usually be purchased for $100 to $1,000. The person with the antenna aimed at the owner of the key fob needs to get within 26 feet of the target. In a store, this could be a few aisles away, so as to not arouse suspicion.

Once the antenna is near the intended victim’s key fob, the key transmits a low-power signal to the antenna, which is then relayed to the antenna near the vehicle. Once that occurs, the thief can unlock the doors and drive away (if the vehicle has push-button start).

The Swiss researchers hacked into eight car manufacturers’ passive-entry systems using this method. No cryptology or protocol could stop it.

While this system may seem fairly complicated, it could catch on with car thieves because of the cost of the equipment and anonymity. However, the hack cannot start the cars with traditional keys. Today’s ignition systems are increasingly complicated and secure. That’s one reason why car thefts are largely on the decline in the U.S.

David Wagner, a computer science professor at the University of California at Berkeley, said there are probably easier way to steal cars, but the “nasty aspect of high-tech car theft” is that it doesn’t leave any sign of forced entry. That could lead to problems with police and insurance companies in tracking down the criminals or with filing claims.

Right now, the only way to protect yourself is by either shielding your key fob’s radio with a guard or leaving your key fob at home. Srdjan Capkun, an assistant professor at ETH Zurich, says the institute is working on a way to prevent this sort of theft.

Car Theft by Antenna?(Technology Review, via CNet)

By Colin Bird | January 17, 2011 | Comments (10) Tags: In The News, Safety?PreviousNext?Comments? Derrick G Jan 17, 2011 6:21:26 PM

Go back and read this article again. They're not talking about just keyless entry. They're talking about "smart keys" with pushbutton start. The article says that not only could they open the car by pushing on the button built into the handle on such systems, they could start it too, because the fob IS the key.

Al Jan 17, 2011 8:44:05 PM

False.
This method could conceivably be used to unlock a car, but a car with a smart key uses active RFID and a proximity sensor that requires the smart key to be INSIDE the car for the car to start.

In addition, the required encrypted RF signal to start the car is not the same signal used to unlock the car.

The proximity sensor is so sensitive it can detect if the smart key is less than an inch outside the car, or even if the key is in the trunk. If the smart key is locked into the trunk of our new Maxima, it automatically pops the trunk (just ask my wife!) I am sure my wife will eventually find a way to lock the keys in the Maxima though... She has outsmarted every other car.

dan Jan 17, 2011 10:05:42 PM

This is just lazy car manufacturers, the same public key encryption used in computer networking could be used for key fobs. Otp would also help.

Nick Jan 18, 2011 7:24:41 AM

this is really dumb on the part of the Swiss researchers, because once the car engine is stopped, it cannot be turned on again, so why would a smart thief do that?

Derrick G Jan 18, 2011 8:14:05 AM

Nick,

Many cars are stolen for parts, so you only need to get it to a chop-shop and you're good to go.

Tony Jan 18, 2011 10:01:31 AM

"...or leaving your key fob at home".

And what if your key fob is integrated with your key?

Besides, these cars have engine immobilizers. They can open my car but without my key in it they will not start the engine.

Also, this is why I have insurance. And insurance charges me less exactly because I have this kind of key.

Honestly... If I want to steel a car for chop shop, I would just load it into the trailer and bring it over like that.

Bob Jan 18, 2011 10:07:21 AM

This implies the key is constantly broadcasting but could be shielded....why not have an "off" switch that totally disables the key or blocks it. You could probably capture the signal by parking in the lot and when someone arrives and locks their door, be close enough to capture the signal.

qdp Jan 18, 2011 11:13:47 AM

Just make the fob's radio wave more directionally focused, something like laser, so than neighboring receiving can't easily pick up the signal

qdp Jan 18, 2011 11:15:54 AM

Just make the fob's radio signal more directionally focused, something like laser, so that neighboring receiving devices can't easily pick up the signal

Chad Jan 18, 2011 11:25:22 AM

If the Government had any interest in wiping out car thefts they would make it a mandatory two year prison term. How many politicians do you think have their cars stolen?

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