Interior/Cabin

Greater connectivity coming to heavy trucks Two advanced heavy-truck concepts revealed at this year’s Mid-America Trucking Show—the Freightliner Revolution Innovation Truck and Peterbilt’s Model 587 Technology Truck—attempted to capture what the truck interior of the future will look and feel like. Personal connectivity is a big part of that future. Read full story

Low-cost smartphone navi app for Chevy Sonic, Spark with MyLink Called GoGoLink and featured at the 2012 New York International Auto Show, it is priced at $50 and links smartphones to the cars' 7.0-in MyLink dashboard display screen. Maps are held in smartphone memory, so data connection can be turned off. Read full story

Cadillac’s 2013 safety seat buzzes drivers with crash warning The industry's first production driver's seat to use directional tactile sensation to warn of potential crashes will debut on 2013 XTS, ATS, and SRX models. Read full story

Mazda CX-5 gets Skyactiv treatment The CX-5, replacing the CX-7 in the U.S., has window sticker EPA numbers as high as 26/35 mpg. Although 5.6 in (143 mm) shorter, it has a larger interior package than the CX-7. The AWD unit is redesigned to save 86 lb (39 kg), and the vehicle is at least 220 lb (100 kg) lighter, up to 575 (261 kg) lighter for heaviest models. Read full story

2013 Mustang features virtual test track on instrument cluster The car's driver information center displays a “Christmas tree” and provides readouts of acceleration and braking times and distances. All data are derived from existing vehicle sensors and sophisticated algorithms developed by Ford engineers. Read full story

App challenges: driver distraction and software viruses As smart phones become a mainstay in the strategies throughout the infotainment industry, suppliers are racing to create techniques that let drivers use apps safely. This effort works on two levels: minimizing distraction and ensuring that apps don’t carry viruses that impact the vehicle. Read full story

Developing an app for distribution The intertwining of the automotive and consumer industries is fostering new ways to get the latest technologies into vehicles. Application software developers and automotive companies are currently employing a range of distribution models to bring the benefits of apps to the auto industry. Read full story

Smartphones transform vehicle navigation market Personal navigation device makers are being forced to alter their strategies as the PND market plummets. The growing use of consumer products in cars is also changing automakers’ strategies for in-vehicle navigation and rechargers for portables. Read full story

New York City 'Taxi of Tomorrow' to debut at NY International Auto Show Based on Nissan NV200 compact van, the new taxi could boost fuel economy 37% over the Ford Crown Victoria, the widely-used choice today. The 10-year contract with NYC includes provision for an all-electric version to be introduced by 2017. Read full story