Cars, Security and a Peek into my Life
Bet you connected multiple times, too – it’s the site behind iTunes.
See – unless I approve the connection, iTunes doesn’t function.
Interesting eh, a site so many of us use heavily, yet we don’t know its name.
It’s a good idea to monitor connections, learn more here.
I don’t like most new auto technology – I think it encourages lazy, distracted driving – but HUD, oh I am SO into HUD.
HUD – Heads-Up Display – a holographic technology used to communicate information directly into the driver’s field of vision.
There’s 2 types of HUD. Both are visible in direct sunlight… somehow. It’s kind’ve amazing.
The image is projected through a lens in the windshield, making it appear like it’s floating above the hood directly in the driver’s vision.
Use the hard buttons to customize that image. As seen above – display the current radio station, which direction the vehicle is travelling, the posted speed limit, what the cruise control is set at, and navigation instructions appear here too.
2/6 of my last press cars had HUD.
This 2016 Cadillac Escalade.
While HUD was once reserved for luxury vehicles, some automakers are bringing it down to entry-level cars, like the 2016 Mazda3.
The image is projected onto a screen located just below the driver’s field of vision. While still effective, usually this type isn’t as customizable as the projection HUD.
The added bonus though, is when the car is turned on the screen rises dramatically from the dash, like a fighter jet video game.
Mazda calls it which Active Driving Display.
Found on the 2016 Mazda3 GT (top trim.)
Learn more in my column – HUDs are Good
At a recent Jaguar Land Rover event I spotted it above. There it was, in real life – one of my favourite cars is now available in manual.
Available on the 2016 model year F-TYPE and F-TYPE S, the 3.0 L V6 Supercharged engine can be paired to a 6-speed manual transmission.
Been waiting for this moment since its debut at last year’s LA Auto Show.
I was so excited I declared it one of my Top 5 Favourite Things about the show.
Of course the car’s computer can shift better than me, that’s not the point.
Happiness is the point #SaveTheManual
Hello new friend.
The car was display-only, so I just sat quietly doing this for 10 minutes and well, imagining.
Shifting gears makes you a better driver.
See my column, How to Shift Gears.
Keep your fingers crossed the snow holds off, because I’m on the schedule to get this car in 2 weeks.
Listen for superfluous revving, that’ll be me.
Last Sunday, I tucked into my 2016 Cadillac Escalade and watched Die Hard: The Internet Security One.
Below – on the left is the second row 9″ screen that’s both Blue-Ray and CD R/W capable, and on the right is the 8″ touch screen in the dash. Crisp eh.
While there’s 4 screens in total, a movie will simutanously play on only the 2 above.
The other 2 screens are embedded into the front headrests, and each play from its own DVD slot.
Ignition off, then insert the DVD into the slot beneath the dash screen.
Bust out a blanket, nestle into one of the second row’s configurable bucket seats – which are heated – adjust the dedicated rear climate control, and hit play.
There’s 2 ways to listen to the audio:
1 – use the included set of headphones
2 – pump it through the cabin’s 16 Speaker Bose Surround Sound System
I’d remove the headphones from the car and instead use them as my everyday / working ones, because when do you ever see Cadillac headphones walking around?
Exactly.
Regardless of your vehicle’s make and model, watching a movie in your car is fun! And know what this setup would be great for? A 3rd date.
In this Escalde, you can enhance the evening by serving drinks to your crush… from the centre console cooler.
The COOLER.
A 365 mL 6-pack pf Pepsi fits, plus candy.
In everyday life I am not so animated and yell-y… opposite actually, unaffected, stoic almost. Was once called “the Grumpy Cat of auto journalism.” Doesn’t help that I have “resting b*tch face.”
A handful of fellow auto journalists have commented, “It’s different, Keri you’re so… is it the track time?”
I love it so much. Stopped trying to suppress it. Can’t.
Good seeing these fellas the other day, as always!
This was during a 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport auto-cross event.
A 2.0L turbo outputting 240 hp and 250 lb.fts to a 9-speed transmission and standard all-wheel drive, starting at $41,790.
Same thing I always say about Land Rover – YES the launch and cornering on these elegant machines.
Did you guys proud – returned it reeking of brakes.
