An Apple In Your CarWhile the automotive world was obsessed with Detroit's auto show in January, the attention of the computer world turned to the annual MacWorld convention in San Francisco devoted to the Apple Macintosh computer system. And, to the surprise of a great many attendees, what debuted at MacWorld may wind up in your car.
More and more car companies are equipping their cars with sound systems compatible with Apple's insanely popular iPod music player, but that's no surprise. It's the new Mac Mini that could change on-board automotive computing.
The Mac Mini is a fully capable, $499 Macintosh computer that is just 2.5 inches tall and only 6.5 inches square. That's small enough to fit into many standard dashboard radio mounts (a single DIN) and there are already companies thinking along those lines. Melvin Benzaquen, president of Classic Restorations (www.classicresto.com) in Sloatsburg, N.Y., is already prepping such an installation, according to a press release.
"We had been completing the design and prototypes of our modified iBook and PowerBook car installs when rumors of the Mac Mini began to circulate earlier this month," said Benzaquen. "We immediately began working on a new design and plan for car conversions on the new Mac Mini platform. We're pleased to be the first to offer the exciting Mac Mini conversion at a price far more accessible than any mobile PC alternative."
The Mac Mini can be a music player thanks to its compatibility with the iPod and can display through various monitors. With other developments like satellite Internet, radio and television connections, the ability to customize interiors into work and entertainment environments is enormous.And since the Mac OSX operating system is Unix based, it can also theoretically communicate with many engine and drivetrain control computers with some clever programming.
Integrated on-board computing is inevitable. The Mac Mini just brings it that much closer.
Air?We Don't Need No Stinkin' AirSince the word pneumatic itself was new, the tire industry has dreamed of building tires that don't need air. They've tried filling tires with various gooey substances; they've tried sidewalls stiffer than Ron Jeremy on a Viagra binge; they've even tried tires that were nothing but solid rubber. Now Michelin thinks it has finally eliminated the need for any air pressure at all with its new "Tweel" system.
Tweel is basically a hub-and-spoke system where the flexible spokes and flexible wheel deforms to absorb shock and rebound. But even with that deformability, says Michelin, the Tweel retains weight-carrying capacity, still rides comfortably, and can "envelope" road hazards. Of course, it looks kind of weird, so it's no surprise the first practical application of this technology will be on the Segway personal transporter.
But the Segway is not the end. Michelin has been demonstrating Tweel on an Audi A4 and forecasts the system will be a practical substitute for conventional tires. Someday.
"The Tweel automotive application, as demonstrated on the Audi, is definitely a concept, a stretch application with strong future potential," says Terry Gettys, president of Michelin Americas Research and Development Center in Greenville, S.C. "Our concentration is to enter the market with lower-speed, lower-weight Tweel applications. What we learn from our early successes will be applied to Tweel fitments for passenger cars and beyond."
If you already have a Segway, however, it's time to upgrade!
We Drive EVO IX EarlyGo to sportcompactcarweb.com on March 29 for a first behind-the-scenes impression of Mitsubishi's new Lancer EVO IX.
This just in from the shameless self-promotion department. Primedia is partnering with Events Solutions Incorporated to bring enthusiasts a driving event for every kind of car guy. Hard Drive is touted as the ultimate automotive experience and will bring drifting, in the form of the World Drift Championship, autocross or time attack, drag racing, a car show, a dyno challengeand other lifestyle events to 10 venues across the United States in 2005.
Point your browser to www.harddrive.com for more information.
2005 Hard Drive Event ScheduleMarch 11-12 Los Angeles, California SpeedwayApril 15-16 Phoenix, Cricket PavilionMay 13-14San Francisco, Alameda PointMay 27-28 Dallas, Texas Motor SpeedwayJune 10-11Atlanta, Atlanta Motor SpeedwayJuly 8-9 Boston, Gillette StadiumJuly 22-23 New Jersey, Englishtown RacewayAugust 5-6 Chicago, TBAAugust 19-20 Miami, Homestead Miami SpeedwayOctober 7-8 Los Angeles, California Speedway
Rumors &Liesf,,* GSC Motorsports Power Division (www.gscmotorsports.com) is offering a $1,000 cash prize to any Mitsubishi EVO VIII driver in the United States who runs a 9.99-second e.t. (or quicker) at a sanctioned drag event while displaying the GSC Motorsports Power Division Logo. Drivers need to show proof of purchase for GSC's new cams, a photo of the car with the GSC Power Division sticker affixed, and the requisite papers from the sanctioning body. The offer runs the entire 2005 racing season-that's March to November.
f,,* According to reports in the "San Jose Mercury News" and "San Bernardino Sun," a 19-year-old fleeing the scene of a purported street race in Ontario, Calif., was shot and killed by police in early January. Jose Castanon, of Fontana, allegedly was running from the police in his Mitsubishi with the lights off during the night-time chase and crashed into three patrol cars before hitting a Honda and coming to a stop. Though his Mitsu was stuck behind the Honda, he allegedly continued accelerating toward an officer who approached on foot and ultimately shot him. The 17-year-old girl riding with Castanon was released to the custody of her parents unharmed.
f,,* Malcolm Bricklin, who successfully imported Subarus to America (and failed with his own namesake car and Yugos), is back, trying import cars from China's Chery Automobile Co. The first cars should show up here in 2007. Warranty claims should ensue soon afterwards.
f,,* Toyota is promising to kill the unloved Echo after the 2005 model. It only sold 4,000 of the awkward Echoes last year and no one admits to having bought even one.
f,,* Rumors are that Nissan is doing a rapid redesign of the next-generation Sentra after the proposed styling totally bombed in consumer clinics. The design was supposedly based on the French Renault Mff,gane, which no right-thinking American would touch with a 10-foot baguette.