Join Motor Tunes makes audio alive on your wheels
Motor Tunes has the noble intention to rocks your scooter, motorcycle, quad and you with its new audio system which is compatible with just about any iPod, MP3 player, or audio device – as long as they come with a headphone jack.
Scooterists and bikers have been crying out for a portable stereo system. Most motor scooters are too small for a built-in audio system. And many bikers don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars for one either. And even the do-it- yourself market is expensive, time-consuming and usually requires you to take apart your vehicle. Now you can musically enhance your motoring experience whether it’s your daily commute, your cruise in the country or your jaunt around town. And the best part is that you can instantly detach it and take your tunes with you once you’ve arrived at your destination.
Motor Tunes will be offering its audio system for just $69.99 as an introductory price, so don’t expect to pay the same amount once the promotional period is over! This system is tiny enough to fit just about anywhere on your vehicle, be it on the handle, steering console, dash, handlebar or body.
Product Page via Press Release
Valeo to unveil new smart key
Valeo will take the opportunity to roll out its new smart key at the Paris Motor Show.
The smart key provides a genuine interface between driver and car, allowing people to send information to their vehicle over a considerable distance (several hundred meters). The key’s mini screen displays information such as whether the doors are locked and the alarm is activated, tire pressure and fuel tank level. The key can be used to preprogram the seat position or radio station, to pre-ventilate the cabin, and to exchange navigation destinations downloaded from a computer. Information can also be exchanged between keys.
Sounds pretty interesting, and no longer will you have to walk away from your car only to think to yourself, “Have I locked my car?”
Car Chip Pro Engine Performance Monitor
Take a look at your car’s dashboard and chances are you won’t be able to garner anything more than the basics, including speed, fuel, odometer, and engine temperature. For those who thrive on numbers, figures and schematics, that’s just not enough, which is where the Car Chip Pro Engine Performance Monitor comes in handy.
Just plug Car Chip Pro into the OBDII port (easily found under the dashboard or steering wheel) and it reads and stores data from your car’s on-board computers, continuously logging driving and engine performance. On-board diagnostics (OBD) data was once available only to professional mechanics. With Car Chip Pro, this same data is now in your hands. The data logger will start collecting data as soon as you start driving. Connect the Car Chip to your computer via USB and download the data.
Too bad the Car Chip Pro Engine Performance Monitor works with Windows platforms only, so that rules out Mac and Linux petrol heads. You can pick up this geeky device for $119.99.
Mitsubishi NR-HZ001 series of car navigation systems
Mitsubishi has just rolled out its new NR-HZ001 series of car navigation systems that will be fitted into the remainder of its 2008 lineup, featuring an integrated hard drive to store all your navigational data. One of the models will boast the ability to watch “full segment” terrestrial digital broadcasts, although that is not recommended if you’re driver – leave the watching to your passengers while you concentrate on the road. I tend to find that distractions such as in-dash DVD players and what-nots add to a less safe driving experience, as my roving eyes tend to concentrate more on what’s happening on the screen instead of the vehicles behinds’ that I am fast approaching.
Continue reading » Mitsubishi NR-HZ001 series of car navigation systems
GreenEcoMobility electric vehicle from Chrysler
Everyone wants to do their part in going green these days, and part of the deal is to quit driving around in gas guzzlers – something Americans are guilty of with their muscle cars which pump out way more horsepower than required, just because of bragging rights and wanting to go one up on a neighbor whom they don’t like. Those who are more level headed would think of getting a smaller capacity engine in their vehicle purchase, or even go fully electric if viable. Chrysler could make that happen with their new GreenEcoMobility Peapod electric car, shortened to GEM Peapod.
Continue reading » GreenEcoMobility electric vehicle from Chrysler
Esteban IV solar car paraded
L’école Polytechnique de Montréal has presented their solar car known as Esteban IV. The fourth revision of this solar-powered vehicle is covered with eight square meters of monocrystalline solar cells, tipping the scales at 300 kg with a 5,000-watt lithium-ion polymer battery at its heart. The external segment of the Esteban IV is constructed from a combination of bulletproof Kevlar, carbon and glass fibers whilst its tubular structure is made out of aluminum. The Esteban IV can travel up to 110 kmh, although the idea cruise speed is slightly more than half of that. During days where the sun is left unobstructed, it is able to roll on indefinitely, but on cloudy days, it will rely on a combination of both solar and battery power with a 4-hour lifespan. Currently, the Esteban IV team is hoping to offer improvements by replacing certain parts in order to make it lighter for greater efficiency. Guess standard solar-powered sedans are still a long way off.
Source: Geeks Are Sexy
LCD shift knob from AC Schnitzer
AC Schnitzer is a famous name when it comes to modified vehicles as well as accessories, and this time round the famous badge has made its way into the world of shift sticks – in particular, their knobs. Each of these knobs will feature a LCD display that lets you know the current gear/transmission you are engaged in at a glance in red, instead of looking at the base’s print as with traditional automatic vehicles have. You will be able to find this unique LCD shift knob in future BMWs and Minis. No idea on how much more the final vehicle price will be jacked up because of this.
Source: Likecool
iBikeConsole lets you enjoy music while cycling
Any cyclist who wants to change tunes on their iPod will definitely find it to be something of a hassle, and in a careless moment, they pose as a safety hazard to themselves and other motorists as well. What better way to change your tunes and control your iPod in a safe manner than with the iBikeConsole?
The iBikeConsole ( http://www.ibikeconsole.com ) is a Made for iPod accessory that mounts securely to a bike’s stem or handlebars. The iBikeConsole acts like a docking station for an iPod Nano while also providing a safe and weatherproof housing for the player. In addition, it smartly combines a remote control system with a cycling computer. Cyclists can conveniently monitor their trip – distance and speed, while listening to their favorite tunes. The main functions of the iPod Nano and cycle computer are controlled wirelessly through a pair of patented key pads which can be easily mounted on the bike’s grips and operated with the thumbs. These silicon-covered key pads have large control buttons that can be activated even with gloves on.
Your iPod nano will end up with less battery life than expected since it is the source of power for the main iBike unit, but then again I’m assuming you aren’t training for the Tour de France, are you? Compatible with all three generations of the iPod nano, the iBikeConsole will retail for $86.
