Motor Authority - blog Tag: Internet

In-car access to real-time information is already available in some formats - traffic alerts are a prime example. But now real-time weather, fuel prices and stock indices will all be available to new BMW owners.

BMW's ConnectedDrive continues to push the boundary of in-car data technology in the U.S., following on its introduction of online data connectivity last September. Expanding access to a broader information set than the Google Maps database offers many more opportunities for driver and passenger alike, however.

Weather, for example, provides the latest forecast for the next three days, including advisories and warnings for the... In-car access to real-time information is already available in some formats - traffic alerts are a prime example. But now real-time weather, fuel prices and stock indices will all be available to new BMW owners. BMW's ConnectedDrive continues to push the boundary of in-car data technology in the U.S., following on its introduction of online data connectivity last September. Expanding access to a broader information set than the Google Maps database offers many more opportunities for driver and passenger alike, however. Weather, for example, provides the latest forecast for the next three days, including advisories and warnings for the area. Access to real-time fuel prices allows the driver to pick the cheapest gas and then set it as a destination in the navigation system to make it not just cheap, but as quick as possible too. To get the service, owners of eligible BMW vehicles need to also subscribe to the BMW Assist Convenience Plan. Eligible vehicles include BMW Assist and BMW Navigation system-equipped 2009 and later Z4, 1 Series, 3 Series and 7 Series as well as 2010 and later 5 Series, 6 Series, M5, and M6 models.BMW ConnectedDrive intros real-time weather and fuel prices Read More

Cadillac will join Chrysler and BMW as one of the few carmakers to offer in-car Internet access when it rolls out its service from April. The system is designed and built by a company called Autonet Mobile, and will deliver access speeds of up to 800Kbps with the lowest service plan available from $29.

Passengers will be able to hook up to the ‘net by using any Wi-Fi enabled device such as a notebook, PDA or smartphone. The $29 access fee will get you 1GB of bandwidth per month but if you opt for the $59 plan you’ll get 5GB.

Cadillac will showcase the Autonet Wi-Fi router at next month’s New York Auto Show inside a CTS... Cadillac will join Chrysler and BMW as one of the few carmakers to offer in-car Internet access when it rolls out its service from April. The system is designed and built by a company called Autonet Mobile, and will deliver access speeds of up to 800Kbps with the lowest service plan available from $29. Passengers will be able to hook up to the ‘net by using any Wi-Fi enabled device such as a notebook, PDA or smartphone. The $29 access fee will get you 1GB of bandwidth per month but if you opt for the $59 plan you’ll get 5GB. Cadillac will showcase the Autonet Wi-Fi router at next month’s New York Auto Show inside a CTS sedan, but we expect them to roll out the system to more models in the near future. While both the Cadillac and Chrysler systems are built by Autonet and priced at $499 plus dealer installation charges, the one inside the Caddy is portable and you will be able to move it between cars. Both 2.5G and 3G networks are supported by Cadillac Wi-Fi but you’ll take a significant speed hit when using the former. Still, the system could come in handy for travelling salespeople or sales teams that need constant contact with the office. Although Autonet touts the ability to use the system for more consumer applications such as keeping the kids entertained on a long trip, the relatively low bandwidth option of 5GB means you’ll have to be careful when using streaming media. Still, the $59 price point is comparable to similar plans offered by AT&T and Verizon. Read More

In addition to all the outrageous show car concepts, aftermarket body kits and power-adding upgrades, the SEMA show is also about in-car electronics and equipment, which is where Nextar steps in. Its new Q4-MD GPS navigation unit features MSN Direct support for traffic info, fuel prices and weather data in addition to its 3D-capable mapping system.

The MSN Direct service is subscription-based, but the unit comes with 12 months free. In addition to full traffic, weather and fuel price information for the entire U.S. and Canada, the MSN Direct service also provides access to news headlines, stock quotes and local events listings, such as... In addition to all the outrageous show car concepts, aftermarket body kits and power-adding upgrades, the SEMA show is also about in-car electronics and equipment, which is where Nextar steps in. Its new Q4-MD GPS navigation unit features MSN Direct support for traffic info, fuel prices and weather data in addition to its 3D-capable mapping system. The MSN Direct service is subscription-based, but the unit comes with 12 months free. In addition to full traffic, weather and fuel price information for the entire U.S. and Canada, the MSN Direct service also provides access to news headlines, stock quotes and local events listings, such as movie times, sports events and music concerts. "Together MSN Direct and Nextar are adding value to portable navigation devices that translates into real benefits for consumers — helping them reduce commute time, save on fuel and increase productivity," said Patrick Kennedy, Director of Business Development, MSN Direct. The Nextar unit features a 4.3" TFT color touch-screen display with built-in speaker, voice-guided navigation and full maps for the U.S and Canada as well as storage capability for up to 300 addresses, 2D and 3D map viewing modes, an SD card slot for expansion, plus MP3 player and JPEG picture display functions. The unit will retail for $329.99 in the U.S. starting in the first quarter of 2009. Read More

The UK price of the Ferrari California has been released to a handful of media at a first-drive event for the car in Sicily today. Starting at £143,000 ($249,000) in the UK, the Ferrari is also revealed further in some new photos that flaunt the car's good looks from even more angles.

While UK pricing is not directly analogous to U.S. pricing, which will not be revealed until the Los Angeles Auto Show next month, it does give us a relative measurement of the car's price compared to its Ferrari siblings, such as the F430 and the 599 GTB Fiorano. In the UK, those cars start at roughly £140,000 and £197,000, respectively, meaning the... The UK price of the Ferrari California has been released to a handful of media at a first-drive event for the car in Sicily today. Starting at £143,000 ($249,000) in the UK, the Ferrari is also revealed further in some new photos that flaunt the car's good looks from even more angles. While UK pricing is not directly analogous to U.S. pricing, which will not be revealed until the Los Angeles Auto Show next month, it does give us a relative measurement of the car's price compared to its Ferrari siblings, such as the F430 and the 599 GTB Fiorano. In the UK, those cars start at roughly £140,000 and £197,000, respectively, meaning the California will likely be priced very close to the base F430. The F430 goes as high as £175,000, however, for the Scuderia and Spider variants. Extrapolating that to U.S. prices, where the F430 starts around $186,000, the California can be expected to bear a similar sticker price, likely not more than $200,000. It's worth noting, however, that any talk of sticker price is largely academic, since markup for the incredibly in-demand hardtop convertible will inevitably drive the final cost well beyond the base price. In true Ferrari tradition the brand new California has already generated a lengthy waiting list, with the Italian carmaker confirming today that its striking convertible is sold out until 2011. Ignoring fears of an economic downturn, thousands of wealthy buyers have placed deposits for the car, which will first go on sale in January next year. Ferrari has planned a production of about 2,500 to 2,800 Californias for 2009 and roughly 3,000 cars for 2010. Speaking with Automotive News, Ferrari chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo said there are no plans to change this output. He also revealed that 60% of buyers who have ordered a California have never bought a Ferrari before. One positive side-effect of the global financial crisis, Montezemolo explained, was that less orders had been received from buyers who simply purchase the cars to sell them at a profit almost immediately after taking delivery. "We had unacceptably long waiting lists caused by too many people who were not buying the car they ordered, but were reselling their order at a profit," he said. Ferrari is notorious for its long waiting lists, which for some buyers can often be more than 18 months. Previously, buyers who wanted their cars straight away either had to be long-time customers or be willing to pay significant premiums to resellers. Powered by an all-new direct-injected 460hp (343kW) 4.3L V8, the California is expected to be available for sale in North America early next year. Pricing is expected to start around $190,000, making it easily the most affordable of Ferrari's lineup and giving it the sales-boosting potential the company is seeking for it. The new California is also one of the cleanest Ferraris ever built, with a 30% reduction in fuel consumption compared to the F430, brought about by a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with four separate settings and advanced aerodynamics. Equipping the car with the latest generation of F1-TRAC traction control and magnetic ride control system makes it a practical vehicle and yet a capable performer as well. With 0-62mph (0-100km/h) acceleration under 4.0 seconds, it's sure to be a joy in a straight line, too.Ferrari California live photosFerrari California launch in USA Read More