Auto Trends

Apple’s wildly popular iPod player is getting snapped up consumers at a record pace. With that in mind, the world’s automakers are responding by offering iPod connectivity on additional models, so much so, that a technology research company says that more than fifty percent of all cars delivered in 2009 will have that feature.

“The automotive industry is at the point where in-vehicle technologies—or the lack of them—are influencing sales,” said Phil Magney, vice president of automotive research for iSuppli. “The charge toward greater technological integration has been led by car OEMs like Hyundai and Honda, which are making USB/iPod combination interfaces standard on many of their vehicles. It’s also been spurred by OEMs like Audi and Mercedes, which offer integrated Media Device Gateways that allow any device imaginable to integrate with a vehicle.”

Over the past several years, US consumers have been seeking and demanding greater connectivity, choosing cars that have USB interfaces and also opting for Bluetooth, which allows for wireless connectivity. By next year, 82% of all new cars will offer Bluetooth either as standard equipment or as an option.

Originally offered exclusively for luxury and premium brands, Bluetooth is not available across the entire spectrum of the automotive market. Many new implementations of Bluetooth also offer advanced voice recognition and support of streaming audio transfer.

“These days, nearly every mobile device offers some Bluetooth connectivity, whether it is simple Hands-Free Profile (HFP) or more advanced profiles like Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) or Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP),” said Mark Boyadjis, North American automotive analyst for iSuppli. “The influx of Bluetooth technology has blanketed the consumer electronics industry, and this is spilling over into cars.”

What example of comprehensive mobile technology is Ford’s Sync which was developed for the automaker by Microsoft Corporation.

Sync offers Bluetooth hands-free phone and also supports A2DP and AVRCP for streaming recorded or live audio content. Other OEMs like Honda and Mazda are also offering optional Bluetooth solutions with the A2DP profile in their newest models, like the 2009 Acura TSX and the 2009 Mazda 6. By the end of this year, Sync will further its functionality by adding 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Report (VHR).

So, when you shop for a car next year, your chances of finding mobile connectivity for iPod, Bluetooth, and USB interfaces is quite good. Moreover, what was once an expensive option is now standard on many models or offered for a reasonable price as part of an upgrade package.

(Source: iSuppli Corporation)

52 MPG For The 2009 Diesel Accord Is Expected.

The Next Generation Honda Accord

The Honda Accord was overhauled for the 2008 model year, bringing to consumers the newest generation of an acclaimed mid-size model. Larger and wider than any Accord to date, the newest version has been received with mixed results: some people do not like its styling while others appreciate the brand’s reliability.

The Accord Hybrid Fails The Grade

For 2008, Honda dropped the hybrid model, realizing that the technology that they developed works best in smaller cars such as the Civic. That V6 hybrid Accord managed to get four miles more to the gallon than the gas-powered I4, not a bad achievement but not that remarkable either. Most Accord buyers opt for the I4 anyway, making a hybrid V6 an unappealing choice.

The 2009 Honda Accord Diesel

For 2009, Honda is planning to take the wraps off a diesel model and, if it lives up to expectations, should bring unparalleled fuel economy with it that will easily trump the premium motorists are now paying for diesel fuel. A 2.2L four cylinder diesel, now available across Europe, will make its way stateside for the 2009 model year. According to Autoblog Green, the Honda diesel is expected to attain 52 mpg on the highway, putting the Accord in a special class all of its own making.

The Cleanest Diesels, Thanks To Honda

For motorists who recall previous generation diesel technology with its corresponding belching smoke and engine racket, today’s diesels must meet precise EPA requirements to gain certification for the US marketplace. Moreover, contemporary diesel technology must deliver an engine that is a lot quieter than previous generation bangers, particularly with US consumers who remember the noisy diesels of old. Who can forget the awful diesels sold by General Motors circa 1980 — talk about noise pollution!

Honda’s diesel quest puts the company in an excellent position ahead of two German rivals. Volkswagen and Mercedes jointly developed what they call their BLUETEC diesel technology which meets rigorous environmental requirements, however an additive called urea must be added about every 15,000 miles in order to bring emissions output down to legal levels, a step that Honda diesel owners will not have to take.

The Cleanest Diesel Engines In The World

Honda says that their new diesels will be just as clean as the gas engines they currently sell, no small feat from one of the most technologically advanced automakers in the world.