Peugeot debuts first-ever hybrid gasoline-air vehicle

At the 2013 Geneva auto show, Peugeot unveiled the first-of-its-kind HybridAir system in its 2008 model, with a drive system that combines compressed air and gasoline power.

Peugeot's HybridAir system uses compressed air tanks in the car to power a hydraulic motor under the hood.

GENEVA--We've seen air-powered prototype cars on a small scale before, but now Peugeot unveils the first-ever air-powered full-size production model at the 2013 Geneva auto show. The new 2008 HybridAir uses an innovative hybrid system storing kinetic energy as compressed air.
The Peugeot 2008 is a new compact crossover slated for sale in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, with a variety of diesel and gasoline engines. But Peugeot calls its most interesting drivetrain option the HybridAir.
This hybrid system uses a 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine and a hydraulic motor to drive the front wheels. Similar to gasoline-electric hybrids, braking energy is captured and, in this case, stored as compressed air in a tank. The 2008 HybridAir can be driven solely on compressed air power, gasoline, or both.

When the system has enough compressed air stored in its tank, it will automatically use it for acceleration or to drive the car, shutting down the gasoline engine in the latter case. The system uses the energy from the compressed air to power a hydraulic motor in the engine compartment. A transmission, similar to that found in many gasoline-electric hybrids, combines the power of the hydraulic motor and the gasoline engine to drive the front wheels.

Peugeot says the compressed air can reach its maximum capacity in a mere 10 seconds from braking regeneration.
The air power only cuts in at speeds below 45 mph. Peugeot released no figures as to overall power or acceleration.
The company does say that the 2008 HybridAir will get 81 mpg, and that compressed air power can be used to drive the car during 80 percent of urban driving.

The new Peugeot 2008 model will include the HybridAir system as an option.

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Wait, Subarus start themselves without your permission?

It seems there's a mass recall of Subarus because they have a mind of their own. Apparently, the remote starter can go haywire if you drop the key fob.

One of the affected vehicles

The adoration of Subarus has passed me by.
To me, they seem like very efficient mailboxes, driven exclusively by people who want to prevent the world from coming to a swifter end.
However, my mind is being altered by the notion that these cars are actually possessed of their own consciousness.
As evidence, may I reveal that 47,419 of them are being recalled, in order to be lobotomized and returned to their former passive state.
As USA Today recalls it, dropping the key fob on many Subarus released from 2010 to 2013 causes them to come to life.
Spontaneously. Willfully. Perhaps even in the middle of the night.

The key fob, you see, has a built-in remote starter. When it bangs its little head on the ground, it might begin to behave erratically.
There is more than one type of remote engine starter and the one affected is the Audiovox, which is attached to 2010-2013 Outbacks and Legacys, 2012 and 2013 Imprezas, and 2013 XV Crosstreks.
Clearly, it can be very annoying if your car starts up and stays on until the battery dies.
But, if we are to expect cars to be self-driving, there's something quite fascinating about them having characters of their own.
Imagine your car going into a sulk, if it feels you've been treating it a little boisterously of late.
Or, even better, what if your car refused to start because you hadn't washed it?
Just as we are turning into machines, there is something glorious about our machines becoming ever more human.

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Parrot's Asteroid app platform lands in Volvo dashboards

Parrot and Volvo partner to adapt the Android-powered Asteroid infotainment platform and its accompanying app market for use in Volvo cars.

 

The Volvo XC60 and its ilk will soon feature Android-powered infotainment thanks to Parrot.

Parrot's bringing the lessons learned when developing its Asteroid series of car stereos to the next generation of Volvo cars with the Android-based Sensus Connected Touch platform.

Like the Parrot Asteroid Smart that I recently reviewed, the Sensus Connected Touch is a touchscreen interface that is based on a heavily modified version of Android (likely version 2.3) and will connect to the internet via a Bluetooth paired smartphone, Wi-Fi tethered access point, or USB-connected 3G/4G dongle. Also like the Asteroid Smart, Sensus will give its users access to a variety of vehicle specific apps available in Parrot's Asteroid Market, including music on-demand services such as Spotify and Deezer, Internet radio via TuneIn, turn-by-turn navigation by iGO Primo, and speed trap and road hazard warnings through the Coyote Series and Wikango HD apps. As the Asteroid Market's selection of apps grows (which Parrot assures us will happen), so will the Sensus system's available functions.

The recently reviewed Parrot Asteroid Smart is our best indicator

 of what to expect from Sensus Connected Touch.

Local audio sources, such as USB, iPod, SD card, and Bluetooth, will also be supported.
Sensus Connected Touch also has a few new tricks up its sleeve that are not present on the aftermarket Asteroid Smart unit. For example, Parrot SmartLink app allows Sensus to mirror the mobile phone's display to access apps running there. Volvo-specific features include a Volvo Service Locator that helps the driver to locate the nearest dealership when needed.
When the vehicle is parked, Sensus will allow the driver to view photos and video stored on local sources, surf the Internet with its full Android web browser, check email, and manage contacts and calendar events.
Being based on Android should give Sensus the same multi-tasking advantage that an Android smartphone offers. So, you should be able to click an address in the calendar app and send the location to iGO for navigation without interrupting the audio stream from Spotify.
The Sensus Connected Touch system will be available as an option for new Volvo models in May of this year. More interestingly, we're told that the system is also compatible with and can be retrofitted to older Volvo cars (model year 2011+) that use the previous-generation, 7-inch Sensus infotainment system. I'm looking forward to putting it through its paces later this year.

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Nissan Z-car eats up the road, beats up the driver

The good: The 2013 Nissan 370Z is a fantastic performer with great power and handling. The Sport Package further sharpens that edge, enhancing the Z's handling.

The bad: The Z's ride can be brutally rough over road imperfections. Cabin tech options that should be standard are bundled into expensive packages and trim-level upgrades.

The bottom line: The 2013 Nissan 370Z makes many comfort compromises in the name of performance. If that's what you're after, skip the pricey Touring trim level and grab a base model with the Sport package.

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