softexpose.com

Filed under: Transportation

We’ve seen a lot of all-electric cars come and go, but scant few from the major automotive manufacturers — aside from the EV1, of course — so Nissan’s Mixim concept caught our eye with more than just its swoopy lines . The baby hatchback weighs just 2100 pounds and clocks in at a tiny 145 inches end-to-end — but inside that diminutive shell you’ll find seats for three, a lithium-ion battery pack and two Nissan “Super Motors” that provide the Mixim with all-wheel-drive. Since it’s a concept, it’s got to have a crazy interior, and and the central driving position and video game-influenced controls don’t disappoint — welcome to Blade Runner, kids. The Mixim is just a concept, but here’s hoping the next all-electric car from a major manufacturer we hear about will be ready for the street.

[Via GizMag]

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Originally by Nilay Patel from Engadget on August 30, 2007, 7:11pm

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Transportation

It looks like those not satisfied with the current security measures on their vehicle will soon have another option at their disposal for some added peace of mind, with ATRD’s new M10 device set to offer some fingerprint scanning as a means of last resort. The system can apparently be retrofitted into just about any vehicle, with a variety of different modules available to integrate it with various alarm and immobilization systems. With the device installed, you’ll have to first put the key in your vehicle to start the electronics, and then place your finger on the scanner in order to start the ignition. For those sharing a vehicle, you’ll be able store up to ten different prints, and there’s also a “valet mode” that’ll let others drive the vehicle. No word on a price or release date, but we’re sure some of you can whip up your own solution with some off-the-shelf gear — if you haven’t already.

[Via Autoblog]

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Originally by Donald Melanson from Engadget on August 24, 2007, 2:40pm

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Driving, Online

Sony Europe has announced that Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will be out this year as both a traditional Blu-ray release and as a PlayStation Network download.

The game will feature 40 cars. Racing locations noted in the press release include Eiger Nordwand, the London City Track and Suzuka. As previously discussed, Prologue will feature 16-player online matches. Unsurprisingly, the game will run at 1080p and 60fps, though the replays will only play back at 30fps. Also mentioned in the press release is Gran Turismo TV, a channel for the PlayStation Network that gives access to “a world of great motoring TV programming online.”

No details have been announced as to whether the Blu-ray release will, like Warhawk, contain extra content. If Prologue isn’t enough for you, the full Gran Turismo 5 is due out in 2008.

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Originally by Ross Miller from Joystiq on August 29, 2007, 7:55am

Filed under: Transportation

Continuing the trend of wild Cupertino-related rumors, while simultaneously bringing to mind an old joke about Microsoft and GM, a German magazine is claiming that Apple and Volkswagen have entered into discussions over a concept vehicle to be dubbed — you guessed it — the iCar. If you believe what they say, the two companies are in the early stages of planning for an entire line of new VWs that would incorporate Apple-sourced designs and features. Given that we’ve seen the firms collaborate in the past, this isn’t too far out there — though we wouldn’t go wagering on this rumor, either. As you can see below, the Engadget gang chimed in on the news, but what do you think the iCar would be like?

Ryan: “Can hit 100Mph, can’t hit 100Kbps.”
Evan: “The scroll wheel would be hard to steer in sharp turns.”
Paul: “Give it a few weeks and you should be breaking 25Mph no sweat.”
Nilay: “It only uses one kid of gas!”
Josh: “I hear it doesn’t have 3G either.”
Chris: “Internal combustion engines were stupid until we decided to use them.”
Dante: “White.”

[Via AppleInsider, image courtesy of Chris3D]

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Originally by Joshua Topolsky from Engadget on August 29, 2007, 6:26pm

Filed under: Transportation

Volvo’s name has long since been connected with safety, and the firm has recently announced a few new features for the S80, XC70, and V70 that aim to keep the link alive. Among the new systems that should be available “at the end of 2007″ is the (tweaked) Collision Warning with Auto Brake — which automatically activates the brakes if the driver doesn’t react to the warnings — and the Driver Alert Control for monitoring the behavior of the vehicle and suggesting that the motorist take a coffee break if there’s just too much swayin’ going on. Additionally, Volvo will be adding the slightly more common adaptive cruise control and distance alert features to the aforementioned cars, but there’s no word on whether NAV-equipped rides will route themselves to the nearest java shop if the pictured message is forced to appear.

[Via CNET]
Read - New Collision Warning from Volvo helps prevent rear-end collisions
Read - Volvo introduces new systems for alerting tired drivers

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Originally by Darren Murph from Engadget on August 29, 2007, 6:39am