Demo: New Laser/Radar Technology Helps Cars Avoid Collisions

Ferrari unveils ethanol-powered sports car

DETROIT (Reuters) – Fill up your Ferrari at the farm?

The Italian luxury sports car maker unveiled a concept car on Monday that can run on ethanol which it said reflected its engineering expertise from Formula One racing and growing demand for alternative fuel vehicles in the United States.

The sleek Ferrari F430 Spider Biofuel, with green stripes on its silver bodywork, consumes an E85 — 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline — mix, a growing fuel blend in the U.S.
Ferrari chief executive Amedeo Felisa said during a news conference at the North American

International Auto Show that the concept was part of the firm’s efforts to reduce tailpipe emission levels by 40 percent by 2012. Felisa said Ferrari had gleaned experience in using biofuel in Formula I because of regulations that competitors use gasoline with a 5.75 percent biomass content.

The FIA GT and American Le Mans Series racing organizations require 10 percent ethanol. For the Spider Biofuel, Ferrari made some changes to the fuel injection system and to the engine’s computer chip. The result was an increase in power output, with equal weight and a five percent decline in carbon dioxide emissions.

Ferrari, a unit of Fiat (FIA.MI: Quote, Profile, Research), shipped 6,400 cars in 2007, up 14 percent on 2006. Sales to the Asia Pacific rose 50 percent, with 177 cars delivered to China. Sales to the Middle East rose 32 percent. The operating result was 15 percent of turnover, according to a company statement.

(Reporting by Marcel Michelson, Editing by Peter Bohan)

Via: http://www.reuters.com/

2009 Cadillac CTS-V Equipped With Alpine 40-GB HDD Pop-Up Navigation and Infotainment System

DETROIT, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ — Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading provider of mobile media solutions, today announced it will supply state-of-the-art hard-disk drive (HDD) navigation/infotainment systems to the all-new 2009 Cadillac CTS-V. The highly anticipated performance version of the Cadillac CTS was unveiled today at the 2008 North American International Auto Show.

Already a hit in the award-winning 2008 CTS, Alpine’s 40-GB infotainment system is noted for its 8-inch pop-up touch screen display that rises effortlessly from the dashboard on command. Capabilities include iPod(R) and USB 2.0 connectivity, voice command, text-to-speech and navigation with real- time traffic and live weather powered by XM satellite radio. All features are seamlessly integrated into the CTS-V for optimum ease of use.

“Our latest OEM infotainment technology has been well received in the marketplace on the award-winning 2008 CTS, and we are excited to be part of the next phase of this dynamic vehicle program,” said Jim O’Neill, executive vice president. “Alpine’s system integrates audio, video, navigation and information/communication functions into a seamless whole, enhancing the total driving experience for greater comfort and convenience.”

Vehicle Entertainment
A standard feature on the CTS-V, Alpine’s infotainment system uses a 40-GB HDD to store map data, music, audio books and more. Key features include: – 10 GB of space dedicated exclusively for music storage. Users can
download thousands of their favorite MP3 tunes from a USB or CD.
– Music can be sorted by song title, artist, album or genre and playlists
can be created for easy access.
– Music can be ripped from CD and tagged (via Gracenote(R)) to capture
artist, album and song information.
– Supports audio books purchased from Audible.com, allowing users to
download books and store them in their vehicle.
– Time-shift feature has digital recording capability, enabling listeners
to pause and play back up to one hour of AM/FM or XM satellite radio
airtime.

Navigation
Alpine’s navigation system uses advanced technology for faster route calculation, richer map views and significantly improved human-machine interface (HMI). Features include: – Real-time traffic alerts drivers to traffic flow, road closings,
accidents and other travel conditions (powered by XM).
– Live weather information with alerts on route conditions and extended
forecast (powered by XM).
– 3D interactive buildings and landmarks for major cities.
“This system combines advancements in HDD technology with Alpine’s innovative design and engineering to deliver a truly dynamic vehicle infotainment experience,” said Todd Kovach, vice president and general manager. “This state-of-the-art navigation system provides drivers with increased peace of mind and a more comfortable, safer ride.” Additional navigation features include:
– 2D & 3D bird’s eye view of roads
– Intelligent spelling
– Lane guidance for highways
– One-way street guidance
– Point-of-interest exit information
– Next cross street guidance
– Bread-crumb trail feature
– User selectable point-of-interest icons
– Add current location feature
– Multiple simultaneous route calculation options
– Voice tag to favorite points-of-interest

Fit and Finish
Alpine’s multimedia display allows for unobtrusive and efficient storage in an effort to optimize packaging in an expanding electronics environment. The 8-inch VGA screen rests hidden and flush with the dash when the system is not being used. When required, a motor raises the display and allows for touch-screen operation. The results – increased cabin room and superior interior styling.
DVD video playback is also available on the 8-inch screen while the vehicle is in park

Alpine Electronics Unveils IMPRINT Sound System

Apline is about take advantage of its impressive IMPRINT sound system. IMPRINT is an automotive technology that measures and analyzes the interior space, seating location, time and frequency to created a natural, smoother and aural listening experience.

According to Tom Wataji, vice president, sound system business development ” “Our IMPRINT sound system architecture is unique to the automotiveindustry,The philosophy is simple — accurately create music as theartist intended in any vehicle. With that in mind, Alpine combines its 30years of automotive sound experience with the latest in acoustic correctiontechnologies, advanced DSPs and a structured global development process todeliver a new reference in sound reproduction.”