Google’s new infotainment system will debut on several 2015 models later this year as Silicon Valley battles to own your car’s touch-screen display. Six months after announcing plans to counter Apple CarPlay with its Open Automotive Alliance, Google is releasing Android Auto with its next software update that lets Android devices override the car’s infotainment system with Google’s own interface and voice controls. Like CarPlay and Microsoft’s upcoming Windows Phone system, Android Auto mirrors Google-specific navigation, music, text messaging, voice commands, and certain smartphone apps (chosen by the manufacturer) directly on the touch screen. If you’ve worked an Android smartphone, the interface—including alerts, reminders, and other bits found on the home screen—is nearly identical. Because the software lives entirely on the phone, Android Auto works only when the device is both plugged into a USB port and paired via Bluetooth. And inasmuch as this is Google, Android Auto will track your driving habits and offer route suggestions for your commute before you even set out. Likely, that’s not the last of its many tricks. While Google counts 28 car brands pledging to embrace Android Auto, just three have made concrete plans. Hyundai will offer Android Auto on several 2015 models (likely the Sonata, which carries Hyundai’s latest infotainment system) and Volvo is bringing it for the portrait-oriented display in the new XC90. Audi won’t carry Android until 2015. Many of the automakers have also committed to Apple CarPlay, but some big players are missing. Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari—among the first to green light CarPlay—aren’t standing with Google, and neither is BMW, which was one of the first automakers to integrate iPods. Tesla (which runs Google Maps on its own proprietary software) and Cadillac (which really wants CUE to take off) haven’t signed up with either tech giant.
The 1994 E 500 model is more easily identified because of the cosmetic changes that affected all E-Class cars that year (updated headlights, grille, and trunk-lid; the bumpers were painted the same color as the car). The engine, however, remained unchanged from the 1993 500 E. 1994 models carried an upgraded sound system made by Becker or Alpine, replacing the two-piece Becker 1432 unit used in model year 1992 and 1993 cars. Significantly, 1994 models had larger front and rear brakes than 1992 and 1993 models, courtesy of the R129 SL600 roadster. Numerous running changes were made to the car's mechanical systems during its production life. The 500E and E500 were known by Porsche as Type 2758 in that company's official nomenclature. As of June 2011, an example of a 1995 E500 Limited is on display in the new Porsche Museum in Zuffenhausen, Germany. For the 1993 and 1994 model years, twelve E 500 Limited's were outfitted with a 6.0L M119 V8 engine by tuner AMG. These models were called the "E 60 AMG". The car's engine produced 376 bhp at 5,500 rpm and 428 lb/ft at 3,750 rpm allowing the car to accelerate 0-62 mph in 5.2 seconds. — compared to the 500 E's claimed 5.9 seconds.
“The Brazilian Grand Prix is a special race for me because it’s where I won the world championship last year. This will be the first time I’ve been back since then, so I’m really looking forward to it. “Interlagos is an incredible racetrack - a place where you can race hard, where all your mistakes are punished and where you’re really rewarded for attacking. I think our package will be well suited to this circuit. “Given the points situation, I know that I face an uphill struggle to hold on to the world title, but I’ll be giving it everything I’ve got this weekend to stay in contention. “I always seem to have a unique experience at Brazil. In my first year in Formula 1, I battled past a load of cars but could only finish seventh, losing out on the world championship. The following year, I had another tricky race, but managed to take fifth position on the final lap to win the world title.
Last year, we got qualifying wrong, I started 17th and used KERS to boost my way up to third in one of the best races of my career. I guess what I’m saying is that I’d like a nice, straightforward race this year! “We go to Brazil knowing that we may not have the fastest car, but we’ll have a decent package that should work well. “We’re now reaching the critical climax of this year’s world championship. With the two final races spread just one week apart, and five drivers still in the hunt for overall honours, it’s a fascinating and thrilling prospect for our sport. With that in mind, we go to Brazil, and then on to Abu Dhabi, still determined to wrest both world championships. Lewis is well-placed in the drivers’ championship. While Jenson lies 42 points adrift, he has vowed to fight on. As the reigning world champion, and a great driver, he knows better than most that you can’t lift the title without being a resolute fighter. That’s exactly why we hired him, and we’ll be supporting him fully this weekend. “As for the constructors’ championship, we’re only 27 points off the top spot - a very slender margin, and one that both Jenson and Lewis are convinced we can bridge by the time the chequered flag falls in Abu Dhabi. “We’re ready for battle and working harder than ever to win both world championships.
The name "SL" - initially intended as nothing more than an abbreviation for "super" and "light" - has been a symbol of the Mercedes-Benz legend for five generations. The latest SL is more than a follow-up to a successful predecessor. Rather, the car sets its own agenda, pointing towards the sports car of the future. Like its grandfathers, it is also a groundbreaker in that high performance doesn't involve the usual tradeoffs in comfort and everyday drivability. The sixth generation of the iconic Mercedes-Benz SL roadster is being launched in 2012 with an all-new aluminum unit body, even more useful technology and a redesigned version of its well-known retractable hardtop. While the SL550 for the 2013 model year is about two inches longer and wider than the model it replaces, its aluminum body is more than 200 pounds lighter than the previous model. The fully-retracting electric hardtop of the current SL enhances the open-air passion of a high-performance luxury roadster, yet combines it with the practicality of a quiet, weather-tight coupe, including a standard panorama roof.
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