The Audi Parking Indicator

I say indicator, but I’m actually not totally sure of its purpose. It’s Audi though, so it must have one. Their thoroughness is why I like them so much.

Found in the glovebox of an R8.

 

 

Questions to Think about Autonomous Cars

When it comes to auntomous cars, I’d like to see these topics discussed more often, especially the algorithm one below.

Questions to ponder:

  • will parking spots become extinct?
  • what about securing something that is more computer than car? Protect the privacy of the vehicle’s whereabouts… or the car’s software from attack, because think that nightmare through.
  • will map-range anxiety replace spontaneous exploration and adventure?

Read it online at Autonet.

Favourite line:

Go get lost this coming weekend, while you still can.

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I had a paragraph in there, about the ethics of programming the crash-avoidance algorithm, but it got cut.

What I said:

In an imminent crash involving two vehicles, what are the ethics behind the crash-avoidance algorithm? Aim for the larger object? Now all SUV drivers feel targeted, because they are, so will their insurance increase then? What if it’s programmed to hit the car best known for safety? Volvo owners won’t be happy about that.

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Above Photo

That’s an Audi TTS.

Google gets a lot of press about their autonomous car, but back in 2010 Audi sent the roadster up a 14,000 foot mountain, “Pikes Peak”.

It was even able to register negative obstacles, as in, stuff that wasn’t there, like a cliff without a guard-rail.

Back to ‘Keri on Driving’ – Index

 

 

First Track Time of 2014

Started the season with Canadian Tire and Continental Tires last week.

(the test car was an Audi A4 TFST quattro. 2.0 L outputting 220 hp and 258 lbs/ft.)

Despite being all black and round, all tires are not created equal.

Continentals compete with the high-end tire lines.  This model is exclusive to Canadian Tire, and are reasonably priced at $129 /each. For a barometer, cheap no-name tires are about $80 /each. But remember what I always harp…

… don’t cheap out, on the only part of your car, that touches the road.

It wasn’t all track time, the tires were tested in a braking exercise (stop accelerating Keri), and this is how potholes are simulated.

Run through the course once on the competition, then again on Continentals. The latter was a smoother, less jittery ride and sounded less hollow. In tire ratings, that’s “comfort”.

Best part of the tire is this:

1 – compare the wear pattern of those boxes each side of the tire, to know if things are balanced
2 – Dry / Wet / Snow – when that letter wears off, the tire is no longer good in those road conditions

Continental claims these will last 145,000 km, which is on the high side of things.

This is nicely framed.

The girls of Canadian Tire; welcome to my blog guys!

Middle is Melissa Arbour, CT’s Senior Business Manager for Tires, Wheels and Accessories, and right is PR megamind Nicole Grant.

Spot my Jag.

This was all last Thursday afternoon, kicking off the best night of the week.

 

 

There’s No Avoiding Paying the Destination Fee

Different than the “delivery fee”, the destination charge is the cost of shipping the car from factory to dealership.

It’s never included in the price, and you can’t negotiate out of paying it, it’ll just never happen.

Read it online at Autonet.

Favourite line:

When you’re shopping, I’d recommend adding at least $1,200 CDN to the price, and then do your math based on that total.

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Back to ‘Keri on Driving’ – Index

 

 

Armoured Cars are Coming into Vogue

There’s a very expensive luxury sedan segment you don’t see advertised, the Security segment.

BMW Security, Mercedes S-Guard, Audi A8 Security,

Take their largest sedan, add plating, ballistic and new windows, cameras with night vision, instantly seal the cabin for gas attacks, and keep it looking like the regular model – security through obscurity.

Read in on Autonet.ca

Favourite line:

Masking the armour beneath factory finishings, so the car looks identical to the non-armoured model.

The Attack:

I’d go for the vehicle’s traffic… follow behind, laptop and antennae on the passenger seat, see what you can capture…maybe steal some passwords, or take some data and hold it for ransom, copy photos for blackmail, you get it.

Related: Wenet armoured car shopping 

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