BMW iDrive System – The Next Evolution

BMW’s iDrive system has come a long way since its clunky inception in 2001 on the 7-Series. The infotainment system has gone through several updates and is now one of the most user friendly systems around. The fact that we’ve spent over a decade learning it has probably also helped us get to grips with it. So what’s the next step for BMW’s iDrive? BMW used the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to debut some of the new features.

iDrive Touchscreen

The iDrive system will be controllable via a touchscreen system. The standard rotary knob will still be fitted however so there’s the option to touch the screen or use the tried and trusted knob. This will make inputting destinations in the Navigation systems a bajillion times easier then rotating the dial to each individual letter like before. Whilst this may not be ground-breaking stuff BMW says it will be adding in “gesture control”. The driver or front passenger simply performs a directed gesture in the area between the gear lever, steering wheel and display.

A 3D sensor in the roof detects whether one or two fingers are being pointed, or whether the thumb and index finger are being moved towards each other. The system decodes different movements – such as tapping, finger rotations or a swiping movement to the right – and performs the desired input. A rotating movement can be used, say, to alter the volume of the radio, a finger raised to accept a phone call or a swiping movement to decline a call.

BMW likes to introduce these high-tech systems into its top end models so we would expect the touchscreen system to be available in 2016’s 7-Series. Gesture control is still very much in development so its introduction date is still quite far down the line.

Mercedes-Benz F 015 Autonomous Car (Video)

Following the release of a teaser image of their new autonomous driving concept, Mercedes-Benz has revealed the F 015 Luxury in Motion concept at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

World debut of Mercedes-Benz F 015 Luxury in Motion

It’s said that by 2030, the number of mega-cities with more than 10 million inhabitants will increase from about 30 to over 40. So according to Mercedes-Benz, their answer to this rapidly changing world is the visionary F 015 Luxury in Motion which is apparently designed to show how autonomous vehicles could be designed.

“The single most important luxury good of the 21st century are private space and time,” says Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. “Autonomous driving cars by Mercedes-Benz shall offer exactly that. With the F 015 Luxury in Motion, this revolutionary concept of mobility becomes tangible for the first time.”

The capsule looking concept features an aerodynamic exterior with an illuminated grille and a prominent star emblem. It’s said to measure 5220mm in length, 2018mm in width, and stands only 1524mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3610mm. The model additionally features suicide doors that open at a 90-degree angle, and a long windshield that adapts into a sunroof as the single pane of glass swoops over the vehicle’s roof.

Innovative interior concept

The cabin is stylishly equipped with four rotating lounge chairs that allow a face-to-face seat configuration, a central table and a huge dashboard with a full-length infotainment / instrument cluster for both the driver and front passenger.

The electrically powered seats also swing outwards by 30 degrees as soon as the doors are opened, while six high-resolution touch-screen display panels on the doors allow passengers to use touch, gestures, or eye movements to navigate, browse, or see outside the car.

“Already two years ago, with the S 500 INTELLIGENT DRIVE we showed on the historical route Bertha-Benz took in 1888 that we have the technology which makes autonomous driving reality in everyday traffic,” said Zetsche.

“We have a master plan in place to take the big leap required getting from technically feasible to commercially viable. The F 015 Luxury in Motion demonstrates where this may take us.”

Mercedes-Benz F 015 Luxury in Motion research vehicle Video

Volkswagen Golf R Touch Concept Introduced

Volkswagen has introduced a tech-infused Golf R Touch Concept at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

Golf R Touch Concept – new age of mobility

The Golf R Touch concept, which is based on the high-performance 2016 Volkswagen Golf R, is said to have been developed to provide foresight into what the interior of future models will look like.

It features an infotainment system that incorporates gesture control as the next step in the area of intuitive control. All it takes is a hand movement in the space in front of the Golf’s infotainment display to make human and machine interact as one.

The vehicle was created with nearly all controls are implemented via touchscreens and sensor switches.

It is equipped with three displays, a high-resolution 12.8-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, along with an 8-inch touch Control Centre located beneath from where the driver controls the climate, media and vehicle functions, as well as a 12.3-inch Active Information Display featuring digitised instruments.

Intuitive operation

According to Volkswagen, the central touchscreen and Active Info Display can be customised rapidly, just as on a smartphone or tablet. The infotainment unit will additionally use cameras to detect hand gestures, as well as understand and assign meaning to them. Gesture control will further make it possible to control displays and functionality without having to use a touchscreen.

A further highlight is a gesture control unit that uses a 3D camera mounted within the roof lining. When the driver touches the roof the digital controls for the sunroof appear in the main 12.8-inch display.

The company also said that “this technology adds comfort and convenience to human-vehicle interaction by reducing driver distractions while operating controls, and further underscores the synchronised relationship between the car and the computer.”

As part of Volkswagen’s efforts to provide greater personalisation possibilities in future models, there will be an extensive choice of displays and colour schemes, including on-board ambient lighting, which is claimed to provide 16.7 million colour combinations.

Since the Golf R Touch is a prototype, the company is yet to reveal when it plans to bring it to production cars or what it will cost.

Infiniti Q60 Concept Shown Ahead Of Detroit Debut

The first official picture of the Infiniti Q60 Concept has been revealed ahead of the 2015 Detroit Auto Show.

Striking Infiniti Q60 Concept details revealed

Set to rival the likes of the BMW 4 Series Coupe, the Infiniti Q60 concept is being described as a “premium sports coupe” that is “poised to entice coupe fans with its sharp contours and hand-crafted interior, while at the same time suggesting performance and power to match.”

The concept further features styling cues from the Q80 Inspiration concept, which include the low roofline and quilted leather seats in 2+2 configuration, while the aerodynamic gills located behind the front wheel arches are taken from the Q50 Eau Rouge concept.

Although the company hasn’t released any interior images, it does mention that the interior provides “the right balance of comfort and support as befits a premium sports coupe” and its spacious 2+2 arrangement is possible thanks to “genuine” sports seats.

The car is additionally said to be fitted with large 21-inch alloy wheels with a jet turbine blade design and black spokes with matte and chrome accents.

“The Q80 Inspiration was an indication of Infiniti’s future design language,” said Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti Executive Design Director. “The Q60 Concept is the next step in the journey. The sweeping lines of the Q80 Inspiration gave the Q60 Concept its coupe silhouette and looks while the Formula One-inspired touches from the Q50 Eau Rouge endowed the coupe with its sports personality.”

The Infiniti Q60 concept will make its official debut next week on January 13 at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, while the production car will enter the assembly line sometime in 2015 in UK.

 

Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Pirelli Edition Revealed

A new Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Pirelli Edition has been revealed, as part of the company’s celebration to its “long and ongoing” partnership with Pirelli.

Special edition features

The new Aventador Pirelli Edition is available in Coupe and Roadster versions, and features a two-tone exterior in two options and “exclusive equipment specifically designed by the Lamborghini Centro Stile.”

The first two-tone option is matte black paint on the roof, pillars, rearview mirrors and engine cover. It is contrasted by six glossy finishes for the rest of the body (Giallo Spica, Rosso Mars, Bianco Isis, Nero Aldebaran, Grigio Liqueo, and Grigio Ater).

The second option is glossy black for the upper parts of the car and the air intakes, in contrast with four matte finishes for the rest of the exterior (Bianco Canopus, Nero Nemesis, Grigio Adamas, and Grigio Titans).

Standard equipment for the exterior also includes the transparent engine hood, the engine compartment in carbon, glossy black Dione 20-inch/21-inch rims, P Zero tyres with red logo and red callipers (yellow only in the case of the Rosso Mars exterior).

Distinctive elements of the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Pirelli Edition

One other significant feature is a thin red stripe that runs along the roof and the engine hood, the rearview mirrors, and the outer profiles of the air intakes, while the Pirelli logo in red, is visible at the start the start of the two roof lines and on the tyres.

Inside, the Lamborghini Aventador Pirelli Edition features a number of alcantara finished components as well as red contrast stitching. There are also leather inserts which adorn the door panels and the seat sides. The changes are completed by a special ‘Pirelli special series’ plaque.

Not much has changed mechanically compared to the regular Aventador. The Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Pirelli Edition is equipped with the same 6.5-litre V12 engine delivering 515 kW, and mated to a seven-speed ISR transmission driving all four wheels. Acceleration is rated at 0-100kph in just 2.9 seconds, with top speed reaching 350kph.

 

Huge Fuel Price Cut in South Africa for January 2015

The Department of Energy has announced that the prices of petrol, diesel, illuminating paraffin and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) will decrease
with effect from the 7th January 2015. The main contributing factor for the decrease is a continued drop in the price of crude oil which has led to a decrease  in the prices of petroleum products in international markets. The depreciation of the Rand against the US Dollar increased contributions to the the Basic Fuel Price (BFP) but was offset by the reduced crude oil price during the period under review.

Fuel Price Reduction in South Africa

Fuel prices will be adjusted as follows:

– Petrol will decrease by 127 cents / litre. 

– Diesel will decrease by 105 cents /litre. 

– Illuminating paraffin (SMNRP) will decrease by 144 cents/litre.

– Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) will decrease by 210 cents / kilogram.

 

Petrol (93) at the coast will cost R10.78 / litre while 95 octane petrol will cost R10.83 / litre. On the reef, motorists will pay R11.02 / litre for 93 octane while 95 octane will cost R11.24 / litre. An official pricing schedule for pricing zones will be made available on Tuesday 6 January 2015. If you wish to save fuel even further, read our tips on fuel efficient driving techniques.

 

Festive Death Toll Rises

Transport Minister Dipuo Peters has revealed current death toll statistics for the period 1-28 December 2014 at a media briefing in Durban.

During the above mentioned period, a total of 924 fatal crashes were reported across South Africa with 1 143 fatalities. During the same period in 2013, 974 fatal crashes with 1 168 fatalities were recorded, which represents a reduction of 50 fatal crashes and 25 fatalities.

A total of 31% of the fatal crashes occurred between 22h00 and 06h00 in the morning with 80% of these crashes occurring in residential or built up areas.

A total of 904 drinking and driving arrests have been made during the period and a total of 99 060 summonses issued for exceeding the speed limit.

Provincial Death Toll Statistics

Province Fatal Crashes Fatalities
Eastern Cape 129 161
Gauteng 156 174
North West 61 82
Mpumalanga 90 116
Limpopo 106 138
Western Cape 78 91
Free State 63 95
KwaZulu Natal 211 249
Northern Cape 30 37
TOTAL 924 1 143

Traffic volumes are to increase during the week as holiday goers return home and motorists are encouraged to drive responsibly during this period to help reduce the increasing death toll. Motorists are urged to:

– Ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy

– Obey the speed limit

– Take regular breaks

– Don’t Drink and Drive

– Don’t Drink and Walk

– Only cross a road when it’s safe to do so

– Avoid Distracted Driving

If you have had too much too drink and need a lift home, be sure to make use of Designated Driver Services in South Africa.

Google Self-Driving Car Revealed

Google has been working on creating a self-driving car for a while now and it seems all the chips are falling into place nicely. Gone are the days of dreaming about a car that’s fully autonomous, technology is now making that dream a reality. The proof is in the pudding and Google has stepped up to the plate with the recent reveal of its self-driving prototype in production form.

Google self-driving car

Google has done extensive testing on various components relating to autonomous driving and have now combined all the features into this self-driving prototype. Necessities such as functional headlights and indicators, side mirrors and a restyled terrain sensor on the roof are all part of the package.

Conventional steering and braking are also included and according to Google, “safety drivers will continue to oversee the vehicle for a while longer, using temporary manual controls as needed while we continue to test and learn.”

The Google self-driving prototype will undergo testing in the new year in Northern California.

 

My Motoring Year – 2014

2014 is winding down to a close and what a fantastic year its been. This year has seen a tremendous amount of vehicles launched, both locally and internationally, and there’s been some outstanding models to grace the Cars.co.za motoring news pages.

This year I will have driven 105 new models. Of those, I will have written 56 reviews and photographed 90 of them. Here are some of the highlights and disappointments. Sure, I would happily put the Ferrari 458 and Lamborghini Huracan in this list, but these are high-end supercars and not consumer products, which is what the majority can afford.

I hope you’ve had a great year. Hit me up on Twitter @DaveTheCarGuy if you’d like to chat cars. I wish you a safe and prosperous 2015.

Highlights

Citroen C4 Picasso

This French MPV for me has to be one of the best cars. Not only does it combine futuristic technology like automatic parking, but there’s also a super economical diesel engine in there. The best part has to be the price. Now, if only Citroen could sort its reputation and brand image in SA…

Audi S3 Sedan

I fell in love with little super sedan. With the same 2.0-litre turbo motor and S Tronic gearbox, performance is just ballistic. Thanks to some clever driving modes, the S3 sedan can be become frugal and docile too, making it a superb daily driver.

Megane 1.2 GT-Line

With 97 kW and 205 Nm from a 1.2 turbocharged engine, the facelifted Renault Megane is a decent performer. It’s light on fuel and comes with a brilliant TomTom HD infotainment system. The coupe version happens to look quite pretty too.

Subaru WRX

It’s good to see Subaru keep pace with its performance rivals. The new WRX is a good performer and features excellent handling and space. It’s priced well and was nominated as a Car of the Year finalist. It’s unfortunate that its marginally faster and more extreme STI brother is just simply not good enough to compete against its German rivals.

Renault Sandero

If there was an award for the best improvement, the Sandero would get it. The first generation Sandero was average at best, but this new model is excellent. Loaded to the hilt with technology and safety features, the Sandero makes a great case for itself as a consumer champion in the budget segment.

Disappointments

Datsun Go

I find it shameful that a car company can release a car in 2014 that has absolutely no safety features whatsoever. I can appreciate said company’s efforts of trying to tackle the challenge of cheap and affordable motoring, but at the sacrifice of safety? That’s not on. It’s a pity though, as the Datsun Go isn’t the worst offering in its segment.

Suzuki Splash

I will admit that I’m a fan of the Suzuki range, but I’m a little disappointed in the Splash. Why would you buy this over a 1.2 Swift which is a brilliant little car? It just doesn’t make sense.

Toyota Etios Cross

What an odd-looking thing! It’s meant to be a crossover, but it doesn’t have any ability to go offroad. That plastic cladding and bodykit also looks dreadful. I can’t fault the build quality though…

2014 Motoring Year in Review

Well more like six months in my case since I joined the Cars.co.za team in June 2014. I may have missed some metal in the beginning of the year but I more than made up for it in the second half, clocking up somewhere around 60 cars tested. Here are just a few of my highs and lows.

Lowlights

Alfa Romeo 4C. Not because it’s a bad car, exactly the opposite in fact. This is probably going to be a sore point for a while because I never got to drive it and so wanted to. I’ve owned Alfas, broken down in Alfas and more often than not enjoyed them so to miss out on something this special was a bummer and I have verbally abused Stuart Johnston for getting the chance to do the review in JHB.

My actual underperformer for the year is the Subaru WRX STI, the latest incarnation is almost identical to the previous and is now being blown away by most hot hatches. It’s certainly not the performance bargain it claims to be. The plain WRX on the other hand is a much better prospect now and is actually the model to own in the range.

The Datsun Go sits at the bottom of the lowlight list however, initially it sounded like a great idea as we were going to get a cheap city car that wasn’t Chinese or meant to fall apart after the first test drive. Unfortunately terrible safety ratings followed the launch and then there was the bit when driving it the chassis felt like it was stuck together with Pritt glue instead of welding.

Highlights

I think it’s probably time to move on to the highlights then. Audi’s S3 Sedan ranks right up there in terms of over delivery. Audis have been slated for all looking too similar, but the S3 Sedan’s proportions work so well. It’s a beautiful-looking car and when combined with the shove the S-derivative supplies it feels the part. It also helps that it’s one of the more agile all-wheel drive Audis around.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has to be one of the most complete cars I’ve ever driven, inside its interior is smart, stylish and heavy on tech. I especially like the way Merc designed its car to be comfortable over sporty, the opposite to what its German counterparts are doing. It oozes class and has an impressive array of new engines.

My SUV award goes to the Nissan Qashqai, it’s the go to word in compact SUVs and more often I seem to be directing people its way. The new Qashqai improves on the previous model’s practicality, ease of use and perceived ground clearance. The new range of engines are also pretty good, especially the petrol 1.2 turbo.