CONSUMERS READY FOR AUTOMATED VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES

Consumer Interest Builds for ‘Gateway’ Automated Vehicle Technologies, Says J.D. Power Study

Young Consumers Are Much More Trusting in Automotive Technology, Paving the Way for Automated Vehicles
 
 Trust in automation technology is very much age dependent, as younger consumers have a notably higher level of confidence in the technology than their older counterparts, according to the J.D. Power 2016 U.S. Tech Choice Study,SM released today. Trust in automation technology is a critical step toward the future of automated vehicles.

The study finds that customers are most interested in a number of automotive technology features that make use of the underpinnings of fully automated vehicles, such as radar, sensors, light detection and ranging (LIDAR) and cameras. Features with high consumer interest include smart headlights, night vision, lane change assist, traffic jam assist, medical emergency stop, smart intersection and predictive vehicle control.

However, when it comes to making the leap to fully automated cars, trust in the technology is directly linked to the age of the consumer. More than half of Gen Y[1] (56%) and Gen Z (55%) vehicle owners say they trust self-driving technology, compared with 41% of Gen X, 23% of Baby Boomers and 18% of Pre-Boomers. Further, only 27% of Gen X, 18% of Gen Y and 11% of Gen Z  consumers say they “definitely would not” trust the technology, while 39% of Baby Boomers and 40% of Pre-Boomers say the same.

The one view all generations share is a concern for technology security, specifically surrounding privacy and the potential for systems to be hacked, hijacked or to crash (either the vehicle or the system itself).

“The level of trust is directly linked to the level of interest in a new technology among automobile buyers,” said Kristin Kolodge, executive director of driver interaction & HMI research at J.D. Power. “Acceptance can be increased with exposure over time and experience with automated technologies. But trust is fragile and can be broken if there is an excessive number of incidents with automated vehicles.”

Gen Y and Gen Z vehicle owners are twice as likely as Gen X and five times as likely as Boomers and Pre-Boomers to show interest in certain alternative mobility types, such as mobility sharing/co-ownership, journey-based ownership and mobility on demand.[2] Furthermore, the study finds that 59% of Gen Y vehicle owners say they are “definitely” or “probably” interested in fully automated vehicles and 32% of them would pay $3,000 or more for the technology. Among the four alternative mobility types, interest levels are highest among all generations for unmanned mobility.

Following are some of the additional findings in the 2016 U.S. Tech Choice Study:

• Safety, Not Sticker Shock: When shown the fair market value for the technologies, two of the four safety-related technologies on the top 10 list—night vision ($2,000) and lane change assist ($1,500)—fall out of the top 10, while camera rear-view mirror ($300) and camera side-view mirrors ($400) remain. The most desired features after the price is shown are economy navigation system ($60); simple wireless device connection ($60); camera rear-view mirror ($300); smart parking ($100); and predictive traffic ($150). Among the top 10 most desired technologies, self-healing paint has the highest price point at $500.

• Night Vision—The Right Tech at the Wrong Price: Night vision has the third-highest pre-price interest, with 70% of vehicle owners saying they “definitely would” or “probably would” want the technology in their next vehicle, yet drops to 23rd overall after owners are shown its $2,000 price tag. However, interest in night vision jumps to 36% from 16% when the price for this technology is reduced to $1,400.

• Technologies with the Lowest Interest: Technologies with the lowest consumer interest (pre-price) are trailer connect assist (25%), trailer towing visibility (29%) and full self-driving (34%). Many of these lower interest technologies have specific uses that are relevant to a sub-segment of the buying population. For instance, trailer connect assist interest increases to more than 60% among large SUV and large premium SUV owners. Similarly, only 35% of owners overall want new driver monitoring, yet 58% of owners with children are interested in the technology.

The study, now in its second year, examines consumer awareness, interest and price elasticity of various future and emerging technologies by vehicle make and consumer demographic. The major technology categories analyzed in the study include entertainment & connectivity, comfort & convenience, driving assistance, collision protection, navigation and energy efficiency. Consumer interest in emerging concepts such as alternative mobility solutions, cybersecurity threats, and trust in automated technologies is also explored.

The 2016 U.S. Tech Choice Study was fielded in February through March 2016 and is based on an online survey of more than 7,900 consumers who purchased/leased a new vehicle in the past five years.

2017 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SPORT WITH DYNAMIC DESIGN PACK

 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SPORT ADDS DYNAMIC DESIGN PACK FOR 2017

– New Dynamic Design Package provides enhanced interior/exterior design appeal

– Land Rover InControl® Touch Pro™ with 10.2-inch infotainment screen now available2

– Four new exterior colors available: Silicon Silver, Farallon Black, Carpathian Grey and Aruba

– On sale beginning August 2016 with MSRP starting at $37,6951

Land Rover announced a number of design additions to the 2017 Discovery Sport including a new Dynamic Design Pack and the availability of the advanced Land Rover InControl® Touch Pro™ infotainment system with 10.2-inch touch-screen.

Available on HSE and HSE LUX trim levels, the Dynamic Design Pack features unique front and rear bumpers with integrated rear tailpipes, black accented exterior detailing and gloss black 20-inch wheels. Interior design enhancements include contrast stitched leather seats and gearshift knob, unique carpet mats, metal finish pedals and center dash side panel finishers.

Land Rover’s Gerry McGovern, Chief Design Officer, stated : “Our customers want their vehicles to stand out and expect a wide range of personalization options. The latest additions to the Discovery Sport deliver this in a premium way.”

The new 2017 Discovery Sport will also be available in four new exterior body colors: Silicon Silver, Farallon Black, Carpathian Grey and Aruba metallic.

The premium compact SUV is manufactured at the award-winning Jaguar Land Rover plant in Halewood, UK and will be on sale from August 2016 with prices starting from $37,6951.

The advanced Land Rover InControl Touch Pro infotainment system is at the heart of the technological additions for the 2017 model year. The system provides a larger 10.2-inch touchscreen and intuitive menus, replicating the look and feel of smartphone apps and allowing users to swipe and pinch, just as they would on a tablet2.

The screen does not require any ‘hard’ buttons and provides a super-wide 21:9 high resolution screen format. The added capability of the InControl Touch Pro™ system is supported through the use of a high-performance Intel Quad-Core computing and graphics processor paired with a fast Solid State Drive (SSD).

Complementing the enhanced design and technology features fitted to the 2017 Discovery Sport are a trio of new driver assistance systems.

Using an algorithm which continuously monitors driver inputs looking for signs of fatigue, Driver Condition Monitor is designed to alert the driver via visual and audible warnings if it detects signs of driver drowsiness. More and more manufacturers are offering similar systems for their vehicles. The system will save a lot of lives. 

Intelligent Speed Limiter has also been added and is designed to help drivers to keep to the speed limit. The system takes advantage of the Traffic Sign Recognition feature to detect changes to the prevailing speed limit. When a change occurs, the driver is prompted to accept the new maximum speed. Once accepted, the vehicle will automatically slow to the required speed.

We first saw the interior in the new 2015 Discovery. Minor improvements to the inside keep the Discovery upscale luxury. 

While prioritizing expanded passenger room in all dimensions, the Land Rover Discovery is still able to provide elevated “stadium seating” for the middle row. Second-row passengers sit two-inches (50mm) higher than front-seat occupants, providing a more open feel. The versatile second row seat, in addition to its 60/40 split seatbacks, includes a recline feature and can slide rearward by up to 6.3- inches. In that position, the seat provides 39.8-inches of legroom. The backs of the front seats are contoured to expand second row knee room. The easily accessed child seat LATCH connectors make it easy to swap child seats between vehicles.

The multi-link rear suspension reduces rear suspension intrusion beneath the luggage area, and  space-efficient electrical modules and wire routing help to unlock additional cabin room. Those elements proved key in allowing Land Rover to offer seven passenger seating with a 5+2 third row for occasional usage. When the third-row seat is folded, luggage volume equals that of the two-row model. Both the second- and third rows can be folded down using one hand to create a spacious load area. A low luggage compartment floor makes it easy to load and unload large items.

Storage and power points, two features that family buyers demand in a premium SUV, are offered in abundance in the new Discovery. Two center console designs are available, depending on the model grade. The standard console provides space for two cups along with a separate roller storage section. Upper trim levels include a sliding armrest and a roller-style cover for the storage bin, featuring removable cup holders. The space can be reconfigured quickly to securely hold a two-liter bottle.

The front and rear door panels offer ample storage space, as well. Third-row passengers have a storage area, and luggage compartment rails are available for the cargo area.

With passengers climbing onboard with a smartphone, iPod or other electronic devices, Land Rover has equipped the Discovery with up to four 12V power points. Three-row models can have as many as six USB charging sockets, allowing multiple electronic devices to be recharged simultaneously.

The standard dual-zone electronic climate control system offers a bonus for rear-seat passengers: air vents that are mounted mid-way up the B-pillar for more effective air distribution. In contrast, some vehicles place rear seat vents at the back of the center console, which reduces legroom for the middle passenger. On models with third-row seating, the climate control adds an independent fan speed control. The third-row air vents are positioned mid-way up the C-pillar.

The Discovery Sport is equipped with vented 12.8-inch (325mm) front and 11.8-inch (300mm) rear disc brakes, providing reassuring stopping power. The front brakes are of a new design, with a stiffer caliper and new-generation pads to enhance braking, improve feel and reduce brake dust.

Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) is designed to automatically increase the amount of brake pressure when the system senses an emergency situation.

braking balance between the front and rear wheels in extreme situations, and Corner Brake Control (CBC) helps to ensure stability during heavy braking in a corner.

An available Autonomous Emergency Braking system can help avoid collisions or mitigate their consequences. The system uses stereo cameras mounted next to the rear-view mirror designed to detect objects that could pose the risk of a collision, such as slowing traffic. Operational between speeds of 3-50 mph , the system helps to avoid collisions below 32 mph and reduces the severity of an impact at speeds below 50 mph. If the system deems a collision likely, it will alert the driver with a visual and audible warning. If the driver takes no action and a collision is judged unavoidable, a driver warning is triggered while the system applies full braking pressure to bring the vehicle to a stop2.

Driver-assistance systems

- Optional Park Assist identifies suitable parallel and perpendicular parking spaces, allowing the driver to operate the accelerator, brake and transmission while the vehicle autonomously steers on both entry to and – in the case of parallel parking spaces – exit from the space. Parking sensors offer additional assistance.

- Optional Lane Departure Warning is designed to gently vibrate the steering wheel to warn a driver who may be unintentionally drifting out of a lane.

- Optional Traffic Sign Recognition is designed to monitor road signs and displays a reminder of the speed limit or overtaking regulations on the navigation screen.

- Standard Trailer Stability Assist detects trailer instability and brakes individual wheels to help the driver correct a potentially hazardous situation.

- Standard Tow Assist and Tow Hitch Assist use a camera system to help the driver hitch a trailer and predict its path while reversing.

- Standard automatic headlamps and rain-sensitive wipers activate autonomously according to conditions

Land Rover InControl® Apps

Land Rover InControl® Apps, developed in conjunction with BOSCH SoftTec, offer a wide range of connectivity functions and are compatible with the latest Apple® and Android™ smartphones. By connecting a smartphone to the dedicated USB port, smartphone apps optimized for in-vehicle use will function on the vehicle’s touchscreen, retaining their original look and feel. The latest content becomes available every time the apps update.

A productivity suite enables easy access to the connected smartphone’s contacts, calendar and music library, while a Maps app includes maps and satellite views overlaid with the vehicle location. 

Land Rover and BOSCH SoftTec worked together with some of the world’s leading smartphone app developers to create apps ideally suited for in-car use, such as navigation, music streaming, Internet radio and location services. Compatible apps include iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Glympse, Sygic, Parkopedia, Hotelseeker, Cityseeker, Eventseeker, Airmotion News, Winston and MobileDay. The selection is being continually expanded.

Owners download the Land Rover InControl® Apps application to their smartphones from either the Apple App Store™ (for iPhone 5/5S/5C /6 /6S and up) or Google Play™ (Android). Once the phone is connected to the vehicle’s dedicated USB port, the owner simply taps the InControl Apps™ icon on the central touchscreen and selects the desired app from the menu.

The  Discovery Sport delivers on the promise of outstanding on-road refinement, comfort and handling in concert with all-terrain capability that’s essential to the brand’s DNA. Exhaustive tests on everything from British country roads to the Nürburgring Nordschleife ensured the on-road refinement Land Rover customers expect, while a punishing off-road test regimen prepared the Discovery Sport for off-pavement travel.

With all-wheel-drive traction and long-travel suspension for excellent articulation, the Discovery Sport provides impressive all-terrain performance. The body has been designed to cope with challenging off-road terrain, with 8.3-inches (212mm) of ground clearance and approach, departure and breakover angles of 25, 31 and 21 degrees, respectively. The Discovery Sport can scale gradients of up to 45 degrees. In extreme situations, lower trim on the front bumper can be removed to increase the approach angle.

Off-road driving, or driving in inclement weather, can often involve water along the way. That is why Land Rover positioned the vehicle’s air intake high above the wheel arch to prevent water entry into the engine. A rigorous testing procedure ensured watertight sealing for all doors.

Another particularly demanding part of the testing process examined the ability of the vehicle to drive away from a waterlogged condition. During this extreme torture test, the Discovery Sport is parked in standing water, the watertight doors are opened, and the interior is intentionally flooded. After 30 minutes in the water, Land Rover tests the ability for the vehicle to restart and drive.  They have certainly improved water tightness and ability to traverse streets in the Discovery.  Years past I was on event with Range Rovers where the doors were not watertight and when traversing the streams the interior would fill up with water.

The intelligent full-time all-wheel-drive system continuously varies the torque split front-to-rear to deliver outstanding performance and traction on all surfaces. The latest electronically controlled Haldex center coupling can respond to wheel slip and driver demands faster than a purely mechanical coupling.

Land Rover Terrain Response® maximizes the capability of the Discovery Sport in challenging conditions. Controlled through an intuitive interface on the center console, Terrain Response® is designed to precisely tailor the vehicle’s steering, throttle response, gearbox, center-coupling and braking and stability systems to the demands of the terrain. Terrain Response® features four settings: General; Grass/Gravel/Snow (for slippery conditions on- and off-road); Mud and Ruts, and Sand. 

Land Rover continues to produce the best Luxury SUV’s. So much more can be discussed and will be detailed after we drive the newest versions.

BRUCE HUBBARD

BONNIE LYNCH

JB WELKER

BRADLEY HUBBARD

AUTO ADVISOR GROUP

2016 VW e-GOLF

Volkswagen of America, Inc., is pleased to announce that the 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf, was named Best Compact today in the 2016 AAA Green Car Guide, a comprehensive report published annually by the largest member of the AAA federation – the Automobile Club of Southern California and its Automotive Research Center.

“Our team is very proud to be named to the top of AAA’s list,” said Joerg Sommer, Vice President of Product Marketing for Volkswagen of America. “This award is a testament to the many strengths of the e-Golf—cutting-edge technology, versatility, efficiency and value along with the fun to drive element that is so characteristic of the Volkswagen brand.”

The VW e-Golf SEL Premium is just like the petro models but has the advantage of the electric motor to power the popular Golf in City or highway driving.

AAA tests cars on the basis of 13 categories, including: emissions, fuel economy, crashworthiness, braking, acceleration, handling, cargo-carrying capacity, ride quality, interior noise, ease of entry and exit, maneuverability, roominess, and visibility. Scores of 0 to 10 points in each category are totaled to determine the top vehicles. The guide summarizes vehicle specifications, test scores, data and observations and lists its strengths and weaknesses. 

The 2016 e-Golf is based on the award-winning Golf architecture, which redefined the hatchback category with enough space for five adults and more cargo space than any midsize sedan. The e-Golf is powered by a synchronous permanent-magnet alternating current (AC) motor, capable of delivering a 199 lb-ft of torque along with 115 horsepower, all the while not using a single drop of fuel and producing zero tailpipe emissions. The EPA-estimated range for the e-Golf is 83 miles and the combined EPA-estimated 116 MPGe puts e-Golf at the top of the 2016 compact EV class.

Available in select states, two trim levels of e-Golf are offered for model year 2016. A value-oriented e-Golf SE lowers the price of entry to e-mobility with a starting price of $28,995 and $199/month lease offer. It comes equipped with a 3.6 kW onboard charger, but can be upgraded to the 7.2 kW onboard charger with the DC Fast Charging Package ($1,675). The e-Golf SEL Premium has a 7.2 kW onboard charger as standard equipment, enabling the EV’s battery to be recharged in less than four hours using the available 240-volt wall box. Using the SAE standard DC fast-charging infrastructure (available at select stations), the battery can be charged to up to 80 percent in approximately 30 minutes.

The 2016 e-Golf features a suite of new connectivity features that includes USB connectivity and VW Car-Net® App-Connect technology. For 2016, Volkswagen kicks technology into high gear. Connectivity features, via the new MIB II infotainment system with VW Car-Net® App-Connect, are added to nearly every model. Volkswagen Group of America is one of the first in the industry to support all three available connected car systems: Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and MirrorLink®, allowing owners to access select apps from their smartphones directly through the vehicle head unit. In addition to smartphone connectivity, the new infotainment system serves as a foundation for the next generation of Volkswagen’s Car-Net connected vehicle services. Available by subscription, the Car-Net umbrella includes security features, remote vehicle access, advanced telematics and enhanced navigation.

The e-Golf offers a high level of standard and optional equipment, including: Keyless access with push-button start; heatable front seats; a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel; V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces; a rearview camera; Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist); Park Distance Control (Park Pilot).

A brand new feature for Volkswagen in 2016 is the Parking Steering Assistant (Park Assist), which identifies parking spots and steers the vehicle into them. Park Assist utilizes Park Distance Control (Park Pilot) as well as a multifunction camera to guide drivers into parallel or perpendicular spaces. The system will be available on Golf, Golf GTI, Golf SportWagen and e-Golf models.

The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System debuted on the 2015 Golf, and builds on the premise that a collision is rarely a single, instantaneous action, but rather a series of events that follow the initial impact—the most significant of which can cause additional collisions. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking system helps address this by applying the brakes when a primary collision is detected by the airbag sensors, thus helping reduce residual kinetic energy and, in turn, the chance of additional damage.

Lane Departure Warning (Lane Assist), which helps warn drivers if they begin to stray from their lane and actively countersteers if the driver does not react, is available on CC, Golf, Golf GTI, Golf SportWagen and Golf R.

At this years Consumer Electronics Show we saw even more connectivity in VW Concept cars. The e-Golf Touch was a winner and all the advanced systems will be in production in the future.

Here is what VW has stated about just some of the concept(s) features:

 The two ground-breaking, zero-emissions vehicles: the BUDD-e concept and the e-Golf Touch. BUDD-e is a concept vehicle that will take CES attendees on a quick time-hop to the year 2019. In contrast, the e-Golf Touch, with its next-generation infotainment system, shows that technologies showcased at CES 2015 are close to production.

Additionally, Volkswagen will introduce numerous electronic innovations at CES 2016, to debut in the very near future. These developments illustrate how cars are currently undergoing immense transformations via electronics. New innovations control drive functions, allow driver assistance features to react faster, and increase connectivity by bringing the Internet into the car. Other technologies will transform instruments, displays and controls allowing for a new level of functionality. 

Interactive Human Machine Interface (HMI) functions make new communication channels between humans and cars possible—and natural. Devices such as smartphones, tablets, smart watches and cameras have become omnipresent in our everyday lives, and are being integrated into the car in new ways. This fusion is accelerated by more powerful computers and increasingly intelligent software, resulting in evolutionary leaps that are destined to transform the automobile.

Bringing gesture control to mass production cars

The Golf R Touch concept car that was shown at CES 2015 was the first production-based Volkswagen to feature a gesture control system. With the introduction of the e-Golf Touch, Volkswagen presents a more advanced generation of the Modular Infotainment Toolkit (MIB) and for the first time, an early series-production preview of this new intuitive control technology. The e-Golf Touch features the latest version of MIB with a 9.2-inch high-resolution display (1280 x 640 pixels). All functions and displays are embedded in a sophisticated, clear glass surface.

Facing the driver are four touch-sensitive buttons (Menu, Home, Car, App) and a push-rotary switch. The system’s 8.2-inch wide and 4.1-inch high home screen consists of a large main area as well as two configurable tiles on the right of the home screen. Each tile area, sized 1.7 inches high and 2.4 inches wide, can be assigned any of ten different functions. They can include Media (including cover art) or phone (including photo caller ID). It is also possible to drag the main area out to fill the entire home screen, displaying the full navigation map or smartphone integration platforms such as MirrorLink™, Android Auto™ or Apple CarPlay®, through Volkswagen’s Car-Net® App-Connect interface.

The e-Golf Touch also marks the debut of Volkswagen’s latest generation voice control technology. This system offers significantly improved controls, as voice commands are displayed on the screen to accompany the request. This new version of the voice control system will be launched in the early summer of 2016 in Europe.

Volkswagen will also be the first manufacturer to present a new “Keyword Activation” voice recognition function in the e-Golf Touch. This feature allows the driver to start voice recognition simply by saying “Hello Volkswagen”, or similar, to the system. This eliminates the need for physical activation.

Wireless Charging

In the context of electric cars, we typically think of inductive charging as related to the car’s battery. But in the case of the e-Golf Touch, this process refers to smartphones and similar devices, as Volkswagen has integrated an inductive charging system into the mobile phone tray, under the infotainment system. For the first time on a Volkswagen model, it is also possible to wirelessly charge smartphones in the back seats, via the rear armrests. The e-Golf Touch is equipped with a new USB Type C port, permitting high-speed USB data transfer while simultaneously charging the phone. This feature drastically reduces the time it takes to recharge.

Electronic Voice Amplification

The electronic voice amplification used in the e-Golf Touch improves in-car acoustics, making it easier for the driver and front-seat passenger to talk to back-seat passengers. The system uses the hands-free microphone in conjunction with the rear speakers. The volume of the electronic voice amplification is also automatically adjusted to suit the speed of the vehicle. If the music volume is very high, the volume of the electronic voice amplification is reduced.

Next-generation connectivity

The range of functionality for the Exit Screen will increase considerably with this new infotainment system. For the first time, the exit screen will offer personalized, simplified access (one touch) to functions relevant to the real world, in real time. This makes it possible, for example, to program the auxiliary heating system within a matter of seconds, as the infotainment system displays the predefined settings for a predetermined length of time. Volkswagen will offer the Exit screen functionality in all future generations of vehicles. An individually configurable entry screen is also currently under development.

Personalization 2.0: The number of convenience and assistance systems and the associated range of configurability increases with every new vehicle generation. Many of these systems are individually adjusted, and used by different drivers of the same car. Invariably, this means that settings have to be constantly reset. Volkswagen conceived Personalization 2.0 to solve this challenge. This allows individual settings for one driver to be saved in a user account, then saved to the cloud via Volkswagen Car-Net ID.

If that driver then gets into another compatible Volkswagen, they can simply load his or her Car-Net ID settings in the infotainment system, activating them in the new vehicle. This effectively means that drivers will always have their own individual settings with them, which is especially handy for use in rentals, company cars, or even within families. Using the Volkswagen Car-Net ID app also makes it possible to change your settings in your user account and save the updates to the cloud. The app can be used to familiarize users with a new Volkswagen in advance. All user data is protected against unauthorized access by utilizing advanced third-party encryption and can be deleted quickly by accessing the app.

Media Control, Generation 3.0: Volkswagen Media Control is the rear-seat entertainment system of the future. The app allows control of almost all infotainment functions through a tablet device. Simply connect a tablet via the vehicle’s WiFi hotspot, and passengers are able to control various features such as the radio, all media sources (USB, CD, DVD, hard drive, online song search) and factory-installed navigation. This third generation of Media Control will launch this summer in Europe, and adds several additional features, including:

• Video streaming between tablets.
• Remote control of the media that is playing on tablets via the infotainment system. This makes it possible to play a film simultaneously on two separate tablets in the back, which a great feature for traveling with children.
• Audio streaming a playlist via tablet or smartphone to the infotainment system (synchronized audio playback via the vehicle’s speakers). The current playlist can be customized by all in-car users of the app, via compatible devices.

Car-Net® App Connect and WiFi: Volkswagen Car-Net® App Connect is the brand’s advanced smartphone integration platform that allows for seamless integration from your device to the vehicle. When linked to the infotainment system, the Telephone app can be used—via the system’s touchscreen—with a graphic interface that mirrors that of the smartphone being used. Similarly, the voice control which is available on several smartphone operating systems, map or music apps can also be used in the same manner. Through Car-Net® App Connect and the MirrorLink^™, Android Auto^™ and Apple CarPlay® integrated platforms, the system is compatible with most available smartphones currently available. Previously it was necessary to connect the smartphone to the infotainment system via a cable. With Volkswagen’s introduction of the second-generation of Car-Net® App-Connect & WiFi, users can take advantage of wireless smartphone integration.  Once the function has been configured, the smartphone can be left in the user’s handbag or jacket pocket. On longer journeys it is, of course, advisable to put the smartphone in the Volkswagen’s wireless inductive charging cradle to supply it with constant power.

Volkswagen Car-Net® Updates: The various online services offered by Volkswagen Car-Net® include the Guide & Inform, Security & Service, App Connect and e-Remote packages. At CES 2016, Volkswagen is showing a number of new programs and add-on features for Volkswagen Car-Net.

• Car-Net App Features. The e-Remote feature, developed for Volkswagen’s plug-in hybrid and electric cars, will be reconfigured, and will soon be available for other VW models. As part of this process, the app’s functions are being expanded to be integrated into existing Car-Net® app functions. One of the app’s new functions is named Calendar Import. When information about a destination is imported from your smartphone, the data can be transferred to the navigation system’s Frequent Routes menu, if so desired. From there, the data can be integrated directly into the route guidance. Another new extension is Intelligent Route Planning, where the app calculates an optimal route to several selected POIs. The driver can enter several different stores as POIs in a certain order—for example a dry cleaner, jeweler and a supermarket. The Volkswagen Car-Net App will then automatically suggest the best and most efficient route and sends it directly to the infotainment system.

• New app for MirrorLink^™. An extremely useful new program for MirrorLink^™ users is called My Rules. My Rules helps to complete important tasks, through a simple, logical “if this, then that” approach. Examples of this functionality include programing the app with requests like “Take me to the nearest gas station, as soon as my reserve indicator lights up”, “Play the song ‘Summer in the City’ when it is a clear, warm day”, or “message me to remember shopping I need to do this weekend.”

The focus of feature add-ons for Volkswagen includes the service aspect. The new Service assistant can recommend switching to winter tires after experiencing persistently low temperatures. The Charging assistant for electric cars shows charging stations within range and indicates how long it will take to charge. The Accident Note app helps to record all necessary information in case the worst should happen. Parking Position displays where the car is parked on its owner’s smartphone and can display walking directions through Google Street View. The Route Info app suggests charging stations that are along a planned route, and provides information on the applicable road traffic rules when you cross a national border. The Calendar assistant can be used to manage the availability of a shared company car online with your colleagues.

AUDI AND VW ARE BRINGING TO THEIR CUSTOMERS AMAZING INFOTAINMENT AND SAFETY FEATURES.

BRUCE HUBBARD

BONNIE LYNCH

JB   WELKER

BRADLEY HUBBARD

AUTO ADVISOR GROUP

2016 BMW 7 SERIES INDIVIDUAL AND BMW'S VISION NEXT 100 YEARS

So much urbanization, megacities, globalization and metropolitan regions prove that mobile versatility is a reality.  Whether New York or Philadelphia, San Francisco in North America. We all know UBER and LYFT as two of the icons in the industry.

THIS IS WHY FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS I HAVE PRAISED BMW, MERCEDES, GM, MINI, NISSAN AND OTHER MANUFACTURERS FOR GETTING MORE INVOLVED IN CAR SHARING. AUDI AND OTHERS IN OFFERING THEIR FLEET OF VEHICLES AT HOTELS AND HIGH END RESIDENCES IN MIAMI, LA, SAN FRANCISCO AND CHICAGO.

A key characteristic of the transformation that lies ahead is burgeoning urbanization. Experts estimate that by 2050, more than 75 percent of people in Europe and almost 90 per cent of people in the US will live in cities. At the same time, the requirement for greater individuality will increase.

Already today, owning a vehicle is sometimes not enough to ensure our changing personal needs and mobility requirements are met. Overcrowded roads, a lack of parking spaces and vehicle bans for environmental reasons are just some of the barriers which need to be overcome in urban areas today. In July of last year, the BMW Group’s Centre of Excellence for Urban Mobility set out to resolve some of these issues, and its team of experts is now working with cities and all the relevant interest groups to develop sustainable concepts for future urban mobility.

People everywhere want to be able to have access to the right mobility solution for any given situation. Car-sharing programs, such as DriveNow, have entered our cities as new concepts and are already working well. However, it’s only when all the various modes of transport work in concert that people’s needs will genuinely be met.

Changing between different transport options can be time-consuming and highly inconvenient. The multi-modal routing system that debuted in the BMW i3 includes public transport in its recommendations wherever this makes travelling more convenient. Automatic booking and standardized payment systems already offer partial solutions today but have yet to become more closely integrated.

At the same time, people are seeking a higher-quality transport experience. As time becomes increasingly scarce, the period spent getting from A to B will become more and more important; people will want to use their journey time efficiently and safely, for work or to relax, to enjoy new experiences or the company of their companions. That’s why BMW Group Mobility thinks well beyond the product, extending its reach to include technologies and services for enhanced individual mobility. The BMW Group’s future vision is for mobility to become effortless, available on demand and individually customizable. In the years and decades ahead, the BMW Group would like to keep people moving by the best means possible.

Over the next decade, the automotive industry is going to change more than over the last 30 years. Digitalization will play a key role in its transformation and, as a driver of innovation, the BMW Group intends to remain at the vanguard of these developments in the automotive industry.

Right now, the company is on the verge of realizing automated driving. With it will come a series of technical challenges, but also a major opportunity for revolutionizing mobility. In the future, Sheer Driving Pleasure will also be defined as liberating drivers through automation.

BMW Group customers already benefit from a range of partially automated functions today, all of them designed to take the strain out of driving. The new BMW 7 Series, for example, features the Steering Assistant and Lane Departure Warning. In the next technological step, automated driving will enhance road safety and make traveling even more comfortable and efficient. Automated driving of the kind demonstrated by the BMW i Vision Future Interaction (unveiled at the CES 2016) will play a key role in shaping the future of personal and sustainable mobility.

Another area in which the BMW Group is building on the advantages of digitalization is production. Here, connectivity between the real and digital worlds offers significant potential in many areas. The aim is to achieve an intelligent, connected production set-up where complex processes can be made even more efficient through the application of IT-supported technologies.

   

Low-impact energy use is a fundamental value of the BMW Group. For more than 15 years, the company has been the Sustainability Leader of the automotive industry in the RobecoSAM sustainability ranking.

The BMW Group is well aware of its responsibility – and has been since 1973. Back then, BMW was the first automotive producer in the world to instate an Environment Officer. Moreover, since 1990, the company has cut the emissions of its vehicle fleet by 40 percent – due to the application of Efficient Dynamics technologies, launched in 2007.

By transitioning from combustion to all-electric power and running vehicles such as the BMW i3 and the BMW Motorrad C evolution Scooter, the BMW Group is creating completely new and groundbreaking ways of experiencing driving pleasure, sustainability and interconnectivity in urban settings.

Gaining a true picture of the ecological footprint of any vehicle means taking into account its entire lifecycle, not just its active lifespan. Consequently, efficient concepts all along the value chain are essential.

One such concept is intelligent energy data management, which is already used at the plants in Spartanburg, Leipzig and Regensburg. It is based on a series of intelligent electricity meters that monitor the amount of energy consumed by production systems and robots, and compare findings with figures in a central company network. As well as reducing the amount of energy used, intelligent energy data management increases production security and enhances product quality. The system was developed as part of the BMW Group’s digitalization concept and received support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Another key factor in reducing the environmental impact of vehicle production is the use of energy from renewable sources, such as wind and water. Already, around 58 percent of electricity purchased by the BMW Group comes from renewable sources. The plant at Moses Lake, for example, uses hydro-power; Leipzig uses wind power, and Rosslyn uses biomass.

Trying to image how we will live and get around in the future is as challenging as it is fascinating. How will social, economic and living conditions change? And what will be the impact on our mobility? What exciting new possibilities will new technologies bring? And what effect will digitalization and connectivity have on our automotive requirements?

To mark its centenary year in 2016, the BMW Group is looking further ahead than usual with a series of Vision Vehicles designed to anticipate and respond to people’s future mobility needs. Over the coming years, mobility will become increasingly diverse. In the not-too-distant future, most vehicles will probably be completely self-driving – people will get around in robots on wheels. So, given these developments, how will we justify the existence of vehicles by BMW, a brand for whom the individual and Sheer Driving Pleasure are the focus of everything? And how will BMW’s brand values translate into the future?

In developing the BMW VISION NEXT 100, the main objective was to create not an anonymous vehicle but one that is highly personalized and fully geared to meet the driver’s every need – because the very emotional connection between a BMW and its driver is something we want to retain. For the BMW VISION NEXT 100, the design team specifically took into account all the trends and technological developments that will be most relevant to BMW in the decades ahead. But they also took many of their cues from innovations and designs of the past. The key factor throughout, however, was something that has always been typical of the BMW brand: the desire to be uncompromising in its future focus on technologies and customer value.

Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design: “If, as a designer, you are able to imagine something, there’s a good chance it could one day become reality. So our objective with the BMW VISION NEXT 100 was to develop a future scenario that people would engage with. Technology is going to make significant advances, opening up fantastic new possibilities that will allow us to offer the driver even more assistance for an even more intense driving experience.

“My personal view is that technology should be as intuitive as possible to operate and experience so that future interactions between human, machine and surroundings become seamless. The BMW VISION NEXT 100 shows how we intend to shape this future.”

In recent months and years, the greatest current trend in the automotive industry has become so widespread that it’s no longer a question of ‘if’ but ‘when’: autonomous driving. The BMW Group also believes that BMW drivers will be able to let their cars do the work – but only when the driver wants. The BMW VISION NEXT 100 remains a genuine BMW, offering an intense experience of Sheer Driving Pleasure.

  

Moving into the future, vehicles will be fully connected, and digital technology will become so normal that it will permeate almost every area of our lives. Increasing digitalization will lead to the physical and digital worlds merging more and more. Artificial intelligence will learn from us, anticipating many of our wishes and working away in the background to perform the jobs we delegate to it. The way humans and technologies interact will be transformed: screens and touch screens will be replaced by more intuitive forms of human-machine communication and interaction. Better yet: technology will become more human.

In the future, how will cars be manufactured? At some point, presses that punch out hundreds of thousands of steel parts may well become obsolete – the use of carbon may already be a first indication of the sea-change that is imminent in the world of automotive materials and production. Technologies such as rapid manufacturing and 4D printing will produce not components or objects but intelligent, networked materials and could soon replace conventional tools to open up unimagined possibilities in design and engineering.

Vehicles by BMW have never been purely utilitarian or merely a means of getting from one place to the next. Far more, a BMW is about looking to the next bend in the road, feeling the power of the engine and enjoying the sense of speed; it’s about the sensory experience, the adrenaline rush or that intimate moment at which a journey begins, be it for a lone driver or one travelling with a close friend or loved one. Moving into the future, that’s not set to change – because the emotional experience of mobility is firmly fixed in our collective corporate memory. By keeping the driver firmly in the foreground, the BMW VISION NEXT 100 will heighten this emotional experience in an unprecedented way.

In the future, BMW drivers will still want to spend most of the time they are in their car at the wheel. In the BMW VISION NEXT 100, the driver will remain firmly in the focus, with constant connectivity, digital intelligence and state-of-the-art technologies available for support. But that’s not all: the BMW VISION NEXT 100 will turn the driver into the Ultimate Driver. So even though the world may well be changing, Sheer Driving Pleasure is here to stay – and will be more intense than ever before.

In designing the BMW VISION NEXT 100, the starting point was the interior. In the years ahead, the driver’s wellbeing will become increasingly important, and rather than merely feeling they are in a machine that drives itself, they should sense that they are sitting in one that was specifically designed for them. This idea gave rise to an architecture in which the cab seems particularly spacious compared with the overall size of the vehicle while retaining the typical exterior lines of a BMW. Despite its domed interior, the BMW VISION NEXT 100 retains the instantly recognizable athletic silhouette of a BMW saloon.

The design of the interior permits various modes of operation: Boost mode, in which the driver is at the controls, and Ease mode, in which the driver can sit back and let the vehicle take over. In Ease, the vehicle becomes a place of retreat with plenty of space, agreeable lighting and a comfortable atmosphere. In Boost, the driver takes over and benefits from the subtle and intuitive support offered by the vehicle. All the time, the vehicle is learning more and more about the person at the wheel, thanks to its sensory and digital intelligence, which the BMW Group calls the Companion. The Companion progressively learns to offer the right kind of support to transform the driver into the Ultimate Driver.

A very important element of the Vision Vehicle is another innovation known as Alive Geometry, the likes of which have never before been seen in a car. It consists of a kind of three-dimensional sculpture that works both inside and outside the vehicle. 

Alive Geometry consists of almost 800 moving triangles which are set into the instrument panel and into certain areas of the side panels. They work in three dimensions, communicating very directly with the driver through their movements, which are more like gestures than two-dimensional depictions on a display. Even the slightest peripheral movement is perceptible to the driver. In combination with the Head-Up display, Alive Geometry uniquely fuses the analogue with the digital.

The triangles work in much the same way as a flock of birds in controlled flight, their coordinated movements acting as signals that are easily comprehensible to those inside the car. Combined with the Head-Up display, they involve the driver in a form of preconscious communication, where an intuitive signal predicts an imminent real-time event.

Various approaches can already be seen today that appear to confirm the feasibility of this solution. Rapid prototyping and rapid manufacturing, for example, are gaining importance all the time and are likely to be commonplace 30 years from now. Although at present it remains difficult to imagine how hundreds of tiny triangles could be coordinated to make Alive Geometry work, in the years ahead, it will be possible, as today’s standard vehicle manufacturing methods are replaced. In the future it will become feasible to produce far more complex and flexible forms. This is why, in the context of the BMW VISION NEXT 100, the BMW Group refers to 4D printing, a process which adds a fourth level to components: the functional one. In the years ahead, printed parts manufactured in this way will directly integrate functions which today have to be designed and produced separately before being incorporated into the whole.

At the moment, the digital world is strongly linked to displays; the next step will be organic LEDs – in other words, displays that can freely change shape. However the Vision Vehicle suggests there will at some point be no more displays at all. Instead the entire windscreen will serve as a giant display, directly in front of the driver. In the future the digital and physical worlds will merge considerably, as is also expressed through Alive Geometry, for example, in the way the analogue dashboard interacts with the digital Head-Up Display in the front windscreen.

In Boost and Ease mode alike, the elements and technologies of the vehicle make for the most intense or relaxed driving experience, depending on what is required. Transitioning between modes is impressive and perfectly orchestrated, and Alive Geometry remains relevant throughout. In Boost, when the driver is concentrating fully on the road, Alive Geometry highlights the ideal driving line or possible turning point and warns of oncoming vehicles. Rather than making the driver drive faster, this kind of support sets out to make them drive noticeably better. In addition, intuitive feedback has a more physical and immediate impact than a robotic voice or instructions on a screen. In Ease mode, on the other hand, Alive Geometry is more discreet in its movements, informing occupants about the road ahead and any acceleration and braking manoeuvres that are about to happen.

In Boost mode, the entire vehicle focuses on the driver, offering intelligent support to maximise the driving experience. The seat and steering wheel change position, and the centre console moves to become more strongly oriented toward the driver. As the journey proceeds, the driver can interact with the vehicle via gesture control.

The contact analogue BMW Head-Up Display of the future uses the entire windscreen to communicate with the driver. In Boost mode, it focuses exclusively on what really matters to the driver: information such as the ideal line, turning point and speed. In addition, full connectivity, intelligent sensors and permanent data exchange allow the Head-Up Display to generate a digital image of the vehicle’s surroundings. In foggy conditions, for example, this means the driver can benefit from information such as vehicles crossing ahead, before they actually come into sight. In addition, by learning more and more about the driver, the system continuously improves, concentrating on creating at all times the most intense and personal driving experience possible.

The transition to Ease mode brings about a complete change of interior ambience. The steering wheel and centre console retract and the headrests move to one side to create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The seats and door panels merge to form a single unit, allowing the driver and passengers to sit at a slight angle. This makes it easier for them to face each other and sit in a more relaxed position for easier communications. Meanwhile, the Head-Up Display offers occupants personalised content along with the information and entertainment they desire.

Depending on the driving mode, the focus of the vehicle changes, concentrating on essentials for the driver in Boost mode, and the surroundings and atmosphere in Ease mode, highlighting the impressive landscapes or buildings of interest that the car is passing by, for instance.

Whether the vehicle is in Boost or Ease mode is also clearly apparent to other road users as the trademark kidney grille, double headlights and L-shaped rear lights act as communication tool. Their different colours of light indicate which mode the vehicle is currently in.

The Companion is symbolized by a small sculptural element which represents the driver-vehicle connection. Shaped like a large, cut gemstone, it is positioned in the centre of the dashboard, just beneath the windscreen, where it symbolises the intelligence, connectivity and availability of the BMW VISION NEXT 100. It also represents the constant exchange of data: the more it learns about the owner and their mobility habits, the smarter it becomes. At some stage it knows the driver well enough to automatically perform routine tasks for them and offer suitable advice when needed. Irrespective of the vehicle itself, constant learning makes the Companion increasingly valuable to its owner. 

The Companion also plays an important role in driver-vehicle communications when the car transitions from Boost to Ease mode. While the driver concentrates on the road in Boost mode, the Companion remains flat in the dashboard. But when the BMW VISION NEXT 100 takes control in Ease, it rises up to create an interface with the windscreen. A signal light tells the driver that the car is ready for fully autonomous driving. For other road users, the Companion has a similar function, signalling through its own light as well as that of the vehicle that the car is operating in automated mode. In certain traffic situations, the Companion is in visual contact with other road users, helping pedestrians to cross the road by means of the green light gradient on the front of the vehicle.

The design of the BMW Vision Vehicle is characterized by a blend of coupé-type sportiness and the dynamic elegance of a sedan. At 4.90 meters long and 1.37 meters high, it has compact exterior dimensions. Inside, however, it has the dimensions of a luxury BMW sedan.

The large wheels are positioned at the outer edges of the body, giving the vehicle the dynamic stance that is a trademark of BMW. When it comes to aerodynamics, exterior Alive Geometry contributes to an outstanding effect: when the wheels swivel as the vehicle is steered, the bodywork keeps them covered as if it were a flexible skin, accommodating their various positions. The innovative design of the BMW VISION NEXT 100 gives it an extremely low drag coefficient of 0.18.

The exterior of the vehicle is copper in colour, designed to underscore the idea that BMW vehicles of the future should appear technical yet still have a warmth about them – as symbolized by the close links between the vehicle and its driver.

This relationship begins as soon as the driver approaches the vehicle: intelligent sensor technologies automatically open its wing doors. To give the driver more space to enter and exit, the steering wheel is flush with the dashboard. Once seated, the full range of systems is activated by tapping on the BMW logo in the middle of the dashboard. The door closes, the steering wheel comes forward, and the driving experience begins.

 

The designers of the BMW VISION NEXT 100 primarily used fabrics made from recycled or renewable materials. The visible and non-visible carbon components, such as the side panels, are made from residues from normal carbon fiber production. In the future, the choice of materials will become even more important throughout the design and production process.

With time, other new materials will also be added into the mix, allowing different vehicle shapes to emerge. To save resources and support more sustainable manufacturing, less use will be made of wood and leather while innovative materials and the consequent new possibilities in design and production gradually come to the fore. This approach is already being exemplified by the use of high-quality textiles and easily recyclable mono-materials and the elimination of leather in the interior of the BMW VISION NEXT 100. 

BMW'S NEW INDIVIDUAL MONT BLANC IS LIMITED EDITION AND SHOWS SOME OF THE FUTURE BMW ENVISIONS.

REPORTED BY

BRUCE HUBBARD
BONNIE LYNCH
JB HUBBARD
JB WELKER
AUTO ADVISOR GROUP