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Internet-Ready Car
bark76 writes: "Volkswagen is going to be selling VW Golfs with an MP3 player, a computer and a mobile phone, it will be the first mass-produced car that is internet ready. You can see the car and read the specks here here (warning, it's in German) or you can read an article over at abcnews.com." Another submitter sent in a gas-electric hybrid minivan from Toyota, so if you liked the hybrid vehicles but didn't like the subcompact form factor, there's hope yet. Your grandchildren will never know a gasoline-only car or one without internet access.
Especially if the car had a WebCam that remote joyriders could use to watch their handiwork.
Some needs are better left unfulfilled.
After years of building the information superhighway, we finally have something to drive on it.
I would assume these things would be pretty safe if used by a passenger, and perhaps useful to the passenger as well. The MP3 player ought to be more safe then a CD player as one should be able to have it run much much longer without repeats, so you won't be as likely to change the "CD" at the wrong time.
Probably also useful and mostly safe when stopped dead in traffic, at least as long as you put it in neutral and pull up the parking break. A paper back works well then too though.
Hasn't it already? Isn't that why the USA didn't get nav systems in cars until years after european models?
Or more so, the people are the ones using the toys at a unsafe time or in an unsafe manner (or who just plain got unlucky).
"With this it's possible for the first time to check e-mail, do banking, check directions or call up information about the weather, traffic and the stock market while under way," Volkswagen said.
Let us hope "under way" means while stationary, because as the above poster quite rightly says, it could be very dangerous for drivers to do banking while at 50 miles per hour. Hopefully Volkwagen have made it so that the driver cannot do this while moving. However I dont see any wrong in letting the passengers using the facility.
Redmond, WA Microsoft announced they were working with Volkswagon on a joint venture where WindowsXP would be used to power the Internet car of the future. Announced as possible features:
- MicroCarSoft would use two forms of gasoline. One of the standard format, and another developed by Microsoft. Due to licensing agreements with the auto manufacturers, though, the standard format will burn far less efficently then the Microsoft format. Microsoft officials are even toying with the idea of going strictly with the Microsoft format gas. Microsoft gas will be available from common retailers such as CompUSA and Best Buy.
- In beta test, the MicroCarSoft has been found to be fairly stable with only 1 out of 500,000 testers reporting system crashes which led the engine core dumping on the pavement right on the highway.
- Finally, the MicroCarSoft will not accept gas from retailers that do not adhere to the P3P standard, as the car accepts cookies to allow Microsoft and Volkswagon to track where your family has been on vacation.
As you can see, the future is now. Be prepared.Bryan R.
Bryan R.
The price of freedom is eternal vigilance, or $12.50 as seen on eBay.....
Heck, I don't even need a WRX or Lancer levels of power (I ride motorcycles for a real speed/acceleration rush. I just like to be able to hit the loud peddle hard enough to get out of my own way in a car. For me, that translates into about 0-60 ~ 9 seconds)
I'm not sure about the HP cap. It could be insurance, but that is usually based on repair costs, chances of theft, etc. HP is coincidental with those factors, not causal, and I think the insurance cos. know that.
I've often wondered if it's not a way for the Germans and Japanese to thumb their noses at us. OR, it could be emissions related. I'm not sure of the specific laws, but I do have a good example of their general stupidity:
When the Nissan Altima was originally released, you could see, quite clearly, the Stanza sticker on the back. You see, the proper name of the car was the Nissan Stanza Altima. This allowed them to pass EPA and CARB regs. for about 10% what it would have cost had they called it the Nissan Altima.
Bureaucrats: your dollars at work.
Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
Two problems: terminology and history.
First, look at how the M3 and the Z28 were derived. The former was a decendant (sp) of the 2002 and other touring coupes, which in turn derived from the many true sports cars (MGs, Alfa's, Porsche's) of the 50's.
The Z28 can trace its timeline through muscle-cars and pony-cars, neither or which could be said to be particular good handlers.
And while in the past, we had so many good phrases to describe cars (muscle cars, touring cars, pony cars, sports cars) they have all been lumped into the same, and somewhat generic, sports cars. Or worse, sporty cars, which is even more broad and useless a term.
Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
Mitsu re-imagined the Eclipse. They hoped to go upmarket by just selling a V-6 (at least in the US). Let's also not forget that powerwise, the V-6 trounces the turbo Eclipse engine.
I can't explain the decisions WRT AWD. Also don't know about the GT-VR4, except that they shouldn't race bikes;)
Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
Part of VW's problem is the lack of ability to special order cars, or develop your own options packages. With the bulk of their stuff coming out of Mexico, why wouldn't this be possible? Corporate management.
So what? Well, it's quite possible that without all of the junk that comes on most of the GLS that we are given, they would sell better. There is also the chicken-and-egg problem: I can't test drive one, or get one equipped like I want, so why would I buy one.
I don't care for the size or appearance of the Jetta Wagon. I also don't care for the price. I priced both the Jetta Wagon and the Golf (for 2001) to the spec I wanted (which meant identical equipment, although because of the model/equipment overlaps, it wasn't necessarily the same) and the Jetta was almost $2000 (US) more than the Golf.
GTI causes problems (I need four doors) and the Passat is just too freakin' big to get along with that engine. And let's not forget that the price is getting TRULY outrageous at that point. I could spend a couple more dollars and get the EuroVan (or whatever it is called this week) or better yet, a BMW 323iT.
I've seen the Focus, and it looks cheap. The Golf was/is much nicer, and not much more expensive.
But to the general message of your post: how difficult is it for Herr Piech to call Mexico and say "Hey, load up a couple of Golfs and send them to the mid-atlantic"? VW has already gone through EPA and CARB. It's now just a shipping cost.
Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
For most people, those engines aren't enough, and that's a big problem. See, Americans say "horsepower" when they really mean "torque". Personally, I like horsepower. I don't mind an engine that gets peak power at an RPM>4000. A five digit redline is no problem. And Honda's S2000 is no big deal.
It just requires a different driving style, and one that I can deal with.
The common saying is "no replacement for displacement". I can think of two, both of which are answered well by the imports (and not badly by my Mondeo, err, Mercury Mystique). The first is forced induction. With a water-jacketed and/or double impeller bearing, longevity is no big whoop. Mileage, economy, and weight are all improved over a larger (physically) engine making similar power.
The second replacement for displacement is weight. Lop off 100 lbs., gain 10 hp (or some such thing). That's why my bike, with a measly 100 or so HP can embarass a Corvette with, what, 400 hp?
That's also another point in favor of the Golf over the Jetta Wagon: about 300 lbs, I believe.
USians are idiots about V-8's, anyway. Someone convinced them that 305's and 302's were big killer engines. I've got some people at Mopar Performance and Cadillac Motorsports Development who could show them a thing or two.
Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
Yes, there are (at least) two different 2.0 engines. The one available for the past several years in the US is an eight valve, single overhead cam engine.
There used to be a 16 valve, twin cam engine in the US. There still is abroad. It has much better power characteristics, and is not much more expensive.
But I believe that VW dropped it to prevent taking from Audi sales (like people buying VWs are comparing to Audis).
Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
Forgot to answer your first sentence:
I'm sure it's possible to do a grey import (heck, I could probably just buy one from some embassy hack up in DC:) but it's much more difficult in the US than in the UK (and presumably elsewhere).
As a matter of fact, just read in a UK VW magazine that prices for optioned cars can run as much as 30% higher in the UK vs. a couple hundred miles down the road in Germany.
Anyway, if I were grey importing, I'd save my pennies and dimes and grey import one of those 3 series BMW diesel wagons.
Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
Nope. Actually, I can't thank you later. You just made my point (err, sorta) The 2002 Golf will specifically not be made available with the 150 HP or the 180 HP gas diesel. That is unless something has changed, but as of two weeks ago, official word was 2.0, turbodiesel, or nothing in the five door Golf.
Check the forums linked from the page you listed. That will confirm my interpretation.
Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
Yeah, actually, I would prefer two doors, but a little package arrived at the doorstep (okay, in a hospital:) that sort of mandates four doors. And I've also liked the insurance cut on four doors.
One thing I liked about the Golf vs. Jetta is that comparably equipped, the Golf was about $2000 less. I also prefer the styling.
Anyway, I'm glad you see the source of my frustration. I just wish you were right:)
Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
(BTW, please flame me. I don't really give a rat's ass what the VW defenders have to say. I'm not making judgements based on business or anything other than the fact that they make something that I want, and they will not sell it in the United States. It's my right as a consumer in a capitalist country to bitch to high heaven about what I want, can afford, but still can't get.)
So, we can get a stripped golf with a built-in MP3 player (BFD) but we (in the US) will NOT be able to get the four door Golf with the 180hp turbo gas engine? (Before flaming, read that spec carefully, and then go research it. I know I did. That's exactly what I want, and according to VW, I can sit and spin).
So, Herr Piech, stick it up your ass and light it.
Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
Not to mention exchanging all sorts of other data about the cars - think about it, black boxes, etc could be incorporated to tell who did what when, and how each driver reacted, giving more evidence for the insurance companies and cops to hash over, in addition to any witnesses who (oh so rarely) happened to stop (as a witness for several accidents, I have seen people blatently lie about what happened, especially if they are the ones in the wrong. It pisses me off)...
Worldcom - Generation Duh!
Reason is the Path to God - Anon
As if cell phones and driving didn't spell enough danger now we have to worry about people driving and getting into an accident for typig fp
Want Root?
Computing and sensors will ultimately solve this problem (except, perhaps, in the US where the tort legal system will make them impossible to deploy).
I hope that the fallout from the military, always useful to the personal technology industry, will bring autonomous vehicle technology before I am too old to enjoy it!
Furthermore, once robotic cars are working (and not on those silly, very expensive automatic highways), mileage will go up, pollution down, safety up (which means I may not need my monster SUV to protect me from other drivers), etc. All around... good stuff if it ever gets done!
The only good weather is bad weather.
For example, if you buy an Audi you can get it in any Audi/VW/Porshe color.
If you pushed hard enough I bet you could get a Golf GTI in the Beetle's Reflex color.
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Free Mac Mini
Germany is either already, or going to ban smoking while driving. And until they ban eating, drinking (non-alcholic beverages), listening to the radio, and other such distractions. They should leave cell phones alone.
Some studies have even pointed out that after you hang up the phone and think about your recent conversation is more likely to cause an accident then when you were on the phone. Are we going to ban thinking while driving now too?? Oh yeah, no more talking to your passengers as well.
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Free Mac Mini
Here's some examples of what I'm talking about:/ medic/2607-0105-pat_nytimes.html . html
http://199.97.97.16/contWriter/yhdweek/2001/03/19
http://www.motorists.com/issues/cellphones/policy
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After i overclock my car, i can frag that trucker who cut me off !
No realy, spending a lot of time stationary in trafic jams (+30 mins a day ) this is nice,
sending a few mails from the trafic jam, checking where the speedtraps are, ircing already like the idee
building a beowulf in the trafic jam
sorry could not resist
42
I think they should have went with beige.
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Great, now accidents will be caused by people distracted by p0rn.
I wonder if laws will be passed prohibiting people from viewing p0rn while driving.
I already get blank stares from some of the younger folk when I try to explain leaded gas to them.
Bryguy
microsoftword.mp3 - it doesn't care that they're not words...
When will the care industry stop trying to make vehicles more like mobile homes? They spend all that time and money in crash tests, but then turn around and add distractions that can only be detrimental. Certainly people can do without these features while they're commutting from place to place.
Sooner than later, we're going to start clogging the courts with lawsuits involving people in accidents where these toys were involved. Cell phones included. When the time comes, I say they do the same thing they did with the tobacco industry. Slap them with a hugh lawsuit. It's not like anyone can't see it coming. Of course, the people using these devices are equally as guilty.
http://www.volkswagen.de/international/english/ind ex_2.htm
The new car, available only in a German pilot program, comes only in blue.
I suppose when these crash we can say it was a Blue Jetta of Death. Sorry, but I just had to say it. (:
Keep Austin Weird!
Hybrid cars are pictured at the North American International Auto Show 2001".
Flying cars are cool!
Hmmm, wonder if they'll keep the retro thing going and put an Amiga in the beatles?