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Drew Dowdell

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Everything posted by Drew Dowdell

  1. Drew Dowdell
    Nissan is releasing the next version of ProPilot in Japan in the fall of 2019 on the new Nissan Skyline (Infiniti G50 to us Yanks), but here in the U.S., we'll need to wait a bit longer while the system undergoes further testing and mapping of the US highway system. ProPilot 2.0 makes a big jump in autonomous driving capability, the biggest of which is true hands-off highway driving. The system can switch lanes and pass cars, but those moves require a hands on approach from the driver. ProPilot 2.0 also takes orders from the Navigation system, while using seven cameras, five radar sensors, and 12 sonar sensors to pilot the car. The system will only work on highways where the roads have been mapped in 3D High-Definition. Japan's more compact nature means that most of the roads there have already been scanned. The US, with its wide open space will take longer to map. Currently ProPilot Assist (1.0) is offered only on the Leaf, Rogue, Rogue Sport, and Altima. In the US, 60 percent of Leaf buyers and 40 percent of Rogue buyers opt for the 1.0 version of the system. Eventually Nissan wants to expand ProPilot to 20 models. View full article
  2. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Nissan ProPilot 2.0 Rolling Out in Japan, US Has To Wait"
    Nissan is releasing the next version of ProPilot in Japan in the fall of 2019 on the new Nissan Skyline (Infiniti G50 to us Yanks), but here in the U.S., we'll need to wait a bit longer while the system undergoes further testing and mapping of the US highway system. ProPilot 2.0 makes a big jump in autonomous driving capability, the biggest of which is true hands-off highway driving. The system can switch lanes and pass cars, but those moves require a hands on approach from the driver. ProPilot 2.0 also takes orders from the Navigation system, while using seven cameras, five radar sensors, and 12 sonar sensors to pilot the car. The system will only work on highways where the roads have been mapped in 3D High-Definition. Japan's more compact nature means that most of the roads there have already been scanned. The US, with its wide open space will take longer to map. Currently ProPilot Assist (1.0) is offered only on the Leaf, Rogue, Rogue Sport, and Altima. In the US, 60 percent of Leaf buyers and 40 percent of Rogue buyers opt for the 1.0 version of the system. Eventually Nissan wants to expand ProPilot to 20 models.
  3. Drew Dowdell
    Getting old, semi-handicapped people into the second row of a true coupe is going to be too difficult. I'd probably aim for a '16 or '17, preferably a CLS550 with Distronic+ But none of that matters until I get a nice phone call from my real estate broker.
  4. Drew Dowdell
    I'd really prefer a coupe, but it's not practical, besides, I have my Toronado for a true coupe.
  5. Drew Dowdell

    Ford Tows Off Tesla

    Drew Dowdell posted an article in Ford

    More information about "Ford Tows Off Tesla"
    Elon Musk has been pretty vocal about the coming Tesla Pickup, making claims that it will be better than an F-150 and be able to tow 300,000 lbs. So far, however, Tesla's pickup truck is vaporware that can't even be seen yet. Ford meanwhile, has been working hard on an EV version of their F-150, and unlike the Tesla truck, it can be seen. Rather than talk smack, Ford made its actions louder than words. They linked up 10 double-decker rail cars filled with 42 2019 F-150s weighing in at more than one million pounds, that's more than 1000 ft of train and trucks, and then tied that to the back of the F-150 EV prototype. And the all electric F-150 did the pull twice. Naturally, there is a disclaimer at the bottom saying that the truck is towing way more than any production truck's capacity. But if you're ever wondering if the "Built Ford Tough" slogan is true, here's your video proof of it. Ford Plans on introducing seven electric vehicles by 2022, including an all-new EV "performance utility" with styling inspired by the Mustang for 2020 with a rumored 370 mile range. Ford has also invested $500 million into startup truck and SUV maker Rivian to gain access to Rivian's skateboard platform.
  6. Drew Dowdell
    Elon Musk has been pretty vocal about the coming Tesla Pickup, making claims that it will be better than an F-150 and be able to tow 300,000 lbs. So far, however, Tesla's pickup truck is vaporware that can't even be seen yet. Ford meanwhile, has been working hard on an EV version of their F-150, and unlike the Tesla truck, it can be seen. Rather than talk smack, Ford made its actions louder than words. They linked up 10 double-decker rail cars filled with 42 2019 F-150s weighing in at more than one million pounds, that's more than 1000 ft of train and trucks, and then tied that to the back of the F-150 EV prototype. And the all electric F-150 did the pull twice. Naturally, there is a disclaimer at the bottom saying that the truck is towing way more than any production truck's capacity. But if you're ever wondering if the "Built Ford Tough" slogan is true, here's your video proof of it. Ford Plans on introducing seven electric vehicles by 2022, including an all-new EV "performance utility" with styling inspired by the Mustang for 2020 with a rumored 370 mile range. Ford has also invested $500 million into startup truck and SUV maker Rivian to gain access to Rivian's skateboard platform. View full article
  7. Drew Dowdell
    Yeah, but I like the CLS better. The E-Class just looks like airport black-car service to me (since I usually buy in black).
  8. Drew Dowdell
    Na, not yet. Not till my rental property sells. I could go with a CLS though, I'm pretty sure that has a shorter wheelbase
  9. Drew Dowdell
    I don't buy new anymore, so there would be at least one interim vehicle before an Aviator. At the moment, I'm browsing used S-Classes, but like the CT6, I don't know if I can get one in my driveway.
  10. Drew Dowdell
    I like that Lincoln is going back to air suspension at least on this vehicle if not others also. One of the things I liked most about my '85 Continental was the air ride.
  11. Drew Dowdell
    They already did.... with a lazy entry into the segment of the XT6
  12. Drew Dowdell
    Found some better pics, including one of the solar roof.
  13. Drew Dowdell
    A Legacy Limited XT might be a good compromise car for Albert and I. He'd never go for the Outback... no wagons.
  14. Drew Dowdell
    I think you're right, but I think the MB used LIDAR while this uses Camera. Functionally, no different.
  15. Drew Dowdell
    Airglide is meant to be soft and get softer when the road is rough. Magnaride is fairly stiff and gets stiffer when you want it to handle sharp. Two different beasts
  16. Drew Dowdell
    It makes it arguably the best looking hybrid family sedan on the market once it hits dealerships.
  17. Drew Dowdell
    You are welcome to it!
  18. Drew Dowdell
    If it could just stop raining.... for the love of god!
  19. Drew Dowdell
    The new Lincoln Aviator will be introducing an Adaptive Suspension with Road Preview that uses the forward camera to sense potholes in the road and adjusts the suspension to minimize the impact felt in the cabin. The system uses 12 sensors to monitor vehicle conditions like vehicle motion, body movement, steering input, acceleration, and braking. The sensors read at 500 times per second and can make adjustments 100 times per second, this totals out to 23,000 inputs per second of data. The system can operate each wheel independently. Lincoln developed the entire system in-house. Additionally, in a nod to the air sprung Lincolns of the past, there will be an available Air Glide Suspension which replaces the coil springs with guided air springs, enabling the Aviator to ride at several ride heights. Over 70 mph, the Aviator lowers to Aero height for the best in efficiency and performance. The Lincoln Aviator arrives in dealerships summer of 2019. View full article
  20. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Lincoln Aviator Adaptive Suspension Can Read the Road Ahead"
    The new Lincoln Aviator will be introducing an Adaptive Suspension with Road Preview that uses the forward camera to sense potholes in the road and adjusts the suspension to minimize the impact felt in the cabin. The system uses 12 sensors to monitor vehicle conditions like vehicle motion, body movement, steering input, acceleration, and braking. The sensors read at 500 times per second and can make adjustments 100 times per second, this totals out to 23,000 inputs per second of data. The system can operate each wheel independently. Lincoln developed the entire system in-house. Additionally, in a nod to the air sprung Lincolns of the past, there will be an available Air Glide Suspension which replaces the coil springs with guided air springs, enabling the Aviator to ride at several ride heights. Over 70 mph, the Aviator lowers to Aero height for the best in efficiency and performance. The Lincoln Aviator arrives in dealerships summer of 2019.
  21. Drew Dowdell
    That is, unfortunately, the best and only picture Hyundai provided.
  22. Drew Dowdell
    Hyundai has released released details of the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. While visually it remains close to the non-hybrid version, it does get a different grille, rear spoilers, and special alloy wheels to fine tune aerodynamics. Hyundai has two technologies debuting on the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. First is a solar roof system that recharges the battery to increase travel distance and unnecessary battery discharge. When the system gets an average of 6 hours a day of charging, it is expect to increase travel distance by about 800 miles annually. The second is a new 6-speed hybrid automatic transmission with Active Control Shift (ACS). The transmission is monitored by the hybrid control unit 500 times per second and uses the hybrid motor to precisely adjust the transmission rotational speed to allow for faster shift times and better fuel efficiency. This technology also increases durability of the transmission by reducing friction during shifting. The engine of Sonata Hybrid is a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder producing 152 horsepower, the electric motor max power output is 38 horsepower, for a total system power output of 195 horsepower. The 2020 Hyundai Sonata goes on sale late summer 2019, no word on when the hybrid will be available. Related: View full article
  23. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Revealed with Solar Roof"
    Hyundai has released released details of the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. While visually it remains close to the non-hybrid version, it does get a different grille, rear spoilers, and special alloy wheels to fine tune aerodynamics. Hyundai has two technologies debuting on the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. First is a solar roof system that recharges the battery to increase travel distance and unnecessary battery discharge. When the system gets an average of 6 hours a day of charging, it is expect to increase travel distance by about 800 miles annually. The second is a new 6-speed hybrid automatic transmission with Active Control Shift (ACS). The transmission is monitored by the hybrid control unit 500 times per second and uses the hybrid motor to precisely adjust the transmission rotational speed to allow for faster shift times and better fuel efficiency. This technology also increases durability of the transmission by reducing friction during shifting. The engine of Sonata Hybrid is a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder producing 152 horsepower, the electric motor max power output is 38 horsepower, for a total system power output of 195 horsepower. The 2020 Hyundai Sonata goes on sale late summer 2019, no word on when the hybrid will be available. Related:
  24. Drew Dowdell
    2020CorvetteSingrayReveal005.jpeg

    From the album: 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

  25. Drew Dowdell

    2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

    Images added to a gallery album owned by Drew Dowdell in Media Gallery

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