As of 1996, the United States requires all new vehicles to come equipped with the OBD II on-board vehicle diagnostics system. The system utilizes an array of sensors to provide feedback on engine performance in order to aid mechanics with troubleshooting as well as maintain sufficient emissions levels. The large expense of readers and loggers has kept access to the system out of range for the majority of consumers, that is until more recently. These days electronics, such as small touch screen lcds, have become a reasonable option for data displays. The aftermarket industry has already taken the jump in releasing software that integrates OBDII output to visual digital displays. Nissan even includes a fine example of the technology in the GT-R. Now GM has developed its own performance display intended for use with ECOtec engines, specifically those of the turbocharged variety, and it will be a $295 dealer installed option beginning in 2009.
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Ford's display for the Woodward Dream Cruise used to be located at 15 Mile, but this year the Blue Oval picked up and moved all the way down to 9 Mile in Ferndale. And when we say 9 Mile, we mean the whole street. Ford's display is literally on the road and stretches for blocks and blocks east of Woodward. The heart of it is Mustang Alley, at the entrance of which are three Ford GTs of varying color and two racing Mustangs turned on their sides so their undercarriages can be inspected up close. Enter Mustang Alley and you'll travel back in time as you stroll down the street. First are the late model pony cars followed by the '90s, '80s and older. Here is where you can also find booths for SVT, Ford Racing, Shelby and ROUSH, as well. Ford only occupies about half a block on the other side of Woodward where a pair of 2009 Ford F-150s flank the Blue Thunder Monster truck. Oh, and behind that is a motorized bull, because nothing says "Ford" like a motorized bull.
While Ford's giving the Fusion an LCD large enough to watch feature films, Magna has joined up with Swiss firm u-blox and Germany's Paragon to develop a navigation system that puts the map display in your rearview mirror. The system is called MirrorPilot, and it does look like a slick way to add factory navigation with a minimum of effort on the automaker's part. It's also far nicer than suction-cupping some aftermarket unit to the windshield and dealing with its tangle of cables. It's not just a mirror with a display; the MirrorPilot incorporates a GPS receiver and antenna, as well as a speaker. The mirror itself self-dims electrochromically, and the display automatically zooms at intersections and also comes with a remote control. The screen may be small, but the cost is large; this unit will be priced above $1,000 when it goes on sale in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. While it's a nice idea, it's not $1,000 worth of nice, especially with such a diminutive screen. We'll buy a cheaper unit and stock up on zip ties to keep the wires in check, which should leave enough in our pocket for a very nice dinner out – we'll just punch up a fancy restaurant on the POI menu.
It's so great watching TV now on a giant flat screen that hangs from my living room wall that I can't imagine how we survived with 27-inch tube TVs just a few short years ago. Perhaps the same will be said about the 2010 Ford Fusion, the most recent spy shots of which show its interior completely uncovered and a truly giant touch screen positioned dead center in the center stack. We thought the touch screen in the Jaguar XF and new Lincoln MKS were big (both Ford products, btw), but this puts them to shame. Other interior changes are minor but important as Ford has apparently chosen to leave the overall dash design the same and focused instead on stuffing the Fusion with cool high-tech content. There are new gauges and new vents directly above the big flat screen, while the analog clock has been ditched entirely. All HVAC controls have now been moved below the screen and should be easy to adjust with one hand on the shifter. But seriously, isn't that a HUGE screen to be in a moderately priced family sedan. Considering the overwhelming success Ford has had selling the Focus by touting its high-tech superiority courtesy of SYNC, we imagine its strategy for the Fusion is to go one step further and offer customers a touchscreen they can't get anywhere else. Here's hoping it's not a $2,500 option.
We wade through an unhealthy amount of press releases each day, so even when something big hits – like the release of the Challenger SRT8 – we sometimes miss the occasional detail. Such is the case with Dodge's new pony car, which apparently comes equipped with an "SRT-exclusive Reconfigurable Display" (RCD). What does that mean? Well, you can customize the readout at the bottom of the SRT8's 180 mph speedo to display 0-60 acceleration times, 60-0 braking times, 1/4-mile times and g-forces to see if your numbers and Dodge's agree. According to the video after the jump, you can also log your best runs and see how you faired at a later (read: safer) time.
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The gang at eGMCarTech was as puzzled as anyone else regarding the oddly spartan Ferrari display at this year's New York Auto Show. As we joked during the show, it looked as if thieves had run off with everything but the car, a black F430 sitting all by its lonesome. The eGM crew contacted Ferrari with a "what gives?" query and got an email in response. Turns out, Ferrari is at as much of a loss as everyone else. You see, Maranello isn't participating in this year's New York show in any official capacity. If we had to guess, some local dealer is probably shelling out big bucks to have one of his cars act as the unofficial Ferrari display. Unfortunately, devoid of signage, tucked between Aston and Bentley and across from Lambo and Porsche, the generally delectable F430 has been reduced to wallflower status. How very un-Ferrari. Visit eGMCarTech to read Ferrari's full response.
Forget about light-emitting diode (LED) or liquid crystal display (LCD) dashboards. According to Daihatsu, the next hot ticket will be 3D holographic technology. Daihatsu teamed up with Provision Interactive Technologies to implement a 3D dashboard for their latest concept car which debuted at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show. Attendees were so impressed with the technology, that Provision raced to file a new patent for the product they call "HLXX."
The HLXX technology utilizes a traditional 2D flat screen dashboard with a second 3D holographic screen. During normal operation, the driver views instrument gauges on the 2D monitor. If warnings or alerts occur, the 3D system instantly presents the information to the operator as a three-dimensional image -- facilitating immediate driver awareness and recognition, according to Provision. Daihatsu plans to incorporate HLXX technology into their vehicles by 2012. Until then, you'll just have to imagine what it looks like... as for obvious reasons, a flat JPEG computer image cannot replicate the hologram!
