Push to Start, Push to Park, Push to Drive?

It’s again the week that brings us the latest in tech fromthe CES convention in Vegas and the latest from the automobile industry at theNAIAS in Detroit. But this year the lines between the two seemed to blur asautomobiles took a prominent spot at CES and technology was booming at theDetroit Auto Show. We’re not just talking about your standard car stereo or car navigation system; almost every automaker introduced better-than-ever entertainmentsystems that connect the driver like never before.

Chevrolet, Toyota, Audi, Hyundai and Ford are among the manyautomobile companies that have recognized the growing importance of technologywhile driving. Chevrolet’s “MyLink” offers wireless phone compatibility whichcan link your calls and address book directly to the vehicle. The car alsooffers wireless streaming of music from your phone including the use of Pandoraand other music apps. Toyota’s “Entune” offers the same features, but also hasbuilt in apps including Pandora, iHeartRadio, Bing search and more. AudiConnect will feature a pop-up 7-inch touchscreen display, connected wirelesslyand automatically to your phone to access a multitude of features. The knob bythe driver’s side can scroll through screens and text, making it easier tooperate than a traditional display screen. With this system you can store andtrack flights, view and play your phones entire music library, get news,weather and gas prices, and even create a Wi-Fi hotspot in the vehicle! Almostevery new model offers a remote-link app for your cell phone which allows youto unlock, lock, sound the alarm, and sometimes start your vehicle fromanywhere in the world. The days of car keys are slowly becoming a thing of thepast.

Almost nothing excites me more than the progression oftechnology, especially when it comes to entertainment. For years thecapabilities of our phones and other gadgets have exceeded that of our vehiclesand it’s about time these features were incorporated into our cars.  I wonder how long it will be until our carsare the ones doing all the driving; they can already park themselves.

The Detroit Auto Show is in Full Swing

On Monday one of the most important auto shows in the US gotunderway. This is not just a time to show off in-dash navigation screen systems andcar radio units that are smarter than the average college grad. No these showsare about all things new and automotive. Each year the Detroit Auto Show is thespot where the car industry strut’s their stuff for the US audience. Not onlydo they show what they can do but they also show what “you” as a consumer canbuy.

Honda came in with new models under the Honda name as wellas some updated Acura models.  Over thelast few years the Honda models have become kind of stagnant, boring style andout dated looks. The reveals of two of their major designs may have changedthat, the Accord Coupe and TL Sedan both got a major 2012 update, which looksgreat. Chrysler showed off a number of new updates for current models, the 200got the super S pack which seems to be the closest thing to a tuner package Chryslerhas ever offered.

Chevy stepped into the arena with a few concept cars thatare supposed to be aimed at the younger crowd. While they are unique, I thinkmany car companies forget that a car has to look good before it can be “cool”.The example of this sis the 130R and the 140S which both are supposed to be hip…butare not good looking. This is an issue that many car companies run into, in conceptvehicles or production.  Toyota and Subaruare a great example together they created the FT-86 concept. A great looking 2door coupe but once it hit production it had been so toned down and softened itjust blend into the car world like a failed Taurus model.  Mini stopped by to show off the Mini coupeconvertible which looks great while Cadillac showed off their new 3 series competitor.

The show continues till the end of the say today and givesthe people of Detroit the chance to get an up close and personal look at theideas coming up for grabs. Not only could people see the concepts but they alsoget to give input and change how the future of the automobile will change.

Detroit Auto Show: Concept and Production Vehicles

Below are concept/production vehicles soon to be released:

Audi Sportback Concept

Bentley Continental GTC Speed

BMW Z4 2009 model
Brilliance
Buick LaCrosse 2010 model
Cadillac Converj concept
Cadillac SRX 2010 model
Chevrolet Equinox 2010 model
Chevrolet Orlando 2011 model
Chevrolet Spark 2011 model
Chrysler 200C EV concept
Jaguar XKR 2010 model
Lexus HS 250h 2010 model
Lincoln MKT 2010 model

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