Automobile News

The Kenwood KDC-W312SA is an impressive car radio system that comes with receivers. The Kenwood device is connected inside a vehicle for listening to music and also AM/FM. There are a lot of functions that have been integrated and packed into the Kenwood KDC-W312SA. The features are basically facilities that can be played on the Kenwood KDC-W312SA like radio, CDs and MP3 files. The dimensions of the device are 18.2 cm in width, 15.5 cm in depth and 5.3 cm in height. The total weight of the Kenwood KDC-W312SA is around 1.3 kilograms. There is a pre installed feature in the appliance known as the DIN which is basically a dash in unit for sound output. The function that it is pre installed is for providing the necessary bass boost.

There is a System Q equalizer which is used for producing digital graphics while the music is being played. The 3 band equalizer ascertains that radio is played without any flaws and with genres ranging from rock, jazz to pop and country music. The maximum bandwidth that is produced by this device has been calculated to be 20,000 Hz with the channel quantity coming out to be 50 watts. There are a total of 24 preset stations on the Kenwood KDC-W312SA. The pricing of this car accessory has been done quite moderately so that a lot of people find it to be affordable. Once you attach this to your vehicle, you will never be bored of driving and will keeping getting into your vehicle for drives so that you can simply switch it on and relax.

If you want a gadget that gets mixed with your car in a similar fashion the way sugar mixes in hot milk, then the Zenec ZE-MC2000 certainly stands a chance in your vehicle. The designing of this one has been done in such a way that it resembles a VW unit coming right out of a factory with a price tag attached to it.

The Zenec ZE-MC2000 gets fitted easily into the colours that dashboards get designed in. The front part of the Zenec device that has all sorts of buttons and controls connected on it also resembles a factory unit. It can be noticed that the Zenec ZE-MC2000 can be fitted into all types of cars like the Volkswagen Jetta, the Passat, Touran and Scirocco. The gizmo comes with a fly lead and a ‘Media Link Box’. The media link box contains a lot of peripheral things like the USB port, a jack plug socket measuring 3.5 mm, an AV connection and an iPod connection. The DVBT tuner option can be installed in the Zenec ZE-MC2000 by those who are really fond of other media. It has the capacity to map a lot of countries and towns where you travel. The latest 3D technology is implemented in the Zenec ZE-MC2000 which makes navigating the device is thorough pleasure.

Invest in it if technology makes you happy and it is also affordably priced. It is controlled by touch screen and is highly user friendly. You won’t face a problem in understanding the various connotations involved in it.

Enhanced digital car audio is offered by the DEH-P4100SD Pioneer car stereo. It is now possible to listen to crisp, clear and high quality digital music in your car. One of the features of this device is the SD Slot which is invisible. In fact, it is placed inside the closed front panel. The whole device looks very sleek and elegant and is functional with both the SDHC ad SD cards.

Connections are versatile and come with a direct USB interface. All you have to do is to get your USB device like the Apple iPhone or iPod, and link it to the player to play your favourite tunes.

Another feature is the auxiliary input front in. This device is extremely functional, convenient and simple to use. Single rotary commander and the remote which is optional are used to manage all the functions effectively. This device resembles a joystick and can be used for effortlessly navigating through files. The Bluetooth feature included with the Pioneer DEH-P4100SD enhances the audio experiences by enabling user to stream audio from hands free mobile phones. As you receive your phone calls, you can listen to the caller’s voice through the speakers of the vehicle.

Other interesting incorporations include the ASR sound technology and the D/A converter Delta Sigma 24-bit. ASR helps by retrieving harmonics lost due to high and low frequency range by adjusting pressure of sound and response of frequency. Audio is thus provided with a fresh input of vitality to produce sound quality that is unmatched.

If you are hunting for a great audio system for your car, then the JVC KD-S100 is for you. It’s an innovative car stereo system that has a substantial beneficial impact on the acoustics quality in your car. It has got a sophisticated digital processor and features a car specific acoustic output. It supports a variety of audio playback options, including playback via its USB connection or via SD card. You can also opt for the optional MP3 Player connector and satellite radio tuner.

The built-in digital signal processor of the JVC KD-S100 is designed by the Bongiovi Acoustics. The processor uses a chip called Digital Power Station to scan and enhance the frequency response. As far as the design of the JVC KD-S100 is concerned this unit has got a sharp look, just like its sibling the JVC KD-PDR51, and is available in black lacquer and matte silver faceplate. A fluorescent blue back lighting system is also installed within the unit to make it look more impressive and usable in dark areas. The front panel has a big volume control knob and ten small buttons that can be used for browsing and selecting the tracks and for customising the sound settings. However the system’s monochrome LCD display is very simple and does not gives a stylistic look. Overall, the sound processing is good and this system is worth buying.

Inchcape, the world’s largest car retailers is facing a heavy down fall in its profits due to the worldwide recession. An unprecedented and sudden slowdown in the market has badly affected the sales of the company. Inchcape is into the distribution and retail of cars from premium brands, such as Audi and Mercedes-Benz. The stock market crash and drying up of customer’s credit has lead to heavy losses and above this the company will be now facing new import duties in Russia starting from next year.

The financial condition still continues to decline as the GMAC, the company in Australia which provides vehicle finance through Inchcape’s showrooms will stop doing the business with the Inchcape from January onwards. Andre Lacroix, Chief Executive said, “Demand is very weak in the UK, which provides half of our revenues. But carmakers are reducing production to keep supply in line with demand, which is very welcome.” According to him the company had anticipated a fall in the UK sales but didn’t expect such a heavy economic slowdown in the Australia and Hong Kong markets.

However Lacroix also commented that, “Markets will recover in due course and we believe that Inchcape is best positioned to benefit from its strong market positions and its long standing relationships with the leading manufacturers.”

The Audi R8 V10 was introduced last week on 8th December, 2008. It has an eight-month waiting list in the car’s home market of Germany.

The version of Audi includes 5.2 litre V10 engine that produces 528 hp of power and has a 390 lb-ft torque much below that of Lamborghini Gallardo. The R8 V10 can rocket from 0-62 in 3.9 seconds and has a top speed of 196 mph. Officials mentioned that even though the R8 V10 sports extra two cylinders ,it will largely resemble the “base” model.

The ten cylinder engine will receive more air through the larger scoops in the body design which goes well with its increased power. Bang and Olufsen system is installed inside which cost a fortune. The leather finish inside this giant is made of Nappa Leather.

The demand for this vehicle in its home market of Germany is so high that there is an eight month waiting period. In the US market, where 50 units are likely to be sold, the supply is scarce for the interested buyers. With the diesel version soon to be launched the demand will skyrocket upwards. Audi is undeterred by the demand claims that it can’t produce more than 27 R8’s a day and no more. This is likely to keep the car dearer to the owners and those who are likely to purchase it.

The car will first hit the market in Germany with a price of about £120,000.

So let’s go ZOOOOMMMM!!

Tags for this article: audio, high end

The latest in-car audio gadget to have come out from Bluetrek ranks is the Surface Sound Duo in-car speaker and it has been the cause of a growing debate about whether the gadget may end up revolutionising the motoring world, or if it is just a bubble that will eventually burst. The Surface Sound Duo at least seems to have done one thing right, i.e. it has managed to get the maximum attention from the discerning public, which for the record is the prerequisite for the marketing of any product. The gadget, measures a reasonable 9.5 x 18cm, consists of a flat panel speaker and a range of buttons that offers the traditional control options.

You will be surprised to know that the device features no Bluetooth itself; rather it provides you with an extra knob whereon you can connect your existing headset. Ironically, any headset won’t work as the device recognizes only Bluetrek headset and that also which is compatible with the device! The advantage of this peculiar arrangement is that it does away with the need to pair yet another device, but on the down side also limits your choices to those offered by Bluetrek. The kit is also available in a smaller form as the Bluetrek Surface Sound Compact Bluetooth car kit. Another peculiar aspect of the deck is that, the control side of it is relatively heavier than the speaker side, partly because it hosts the battery, which makes the device wobble around disconcertingly as you drive.

The controls, on the other hand, allows you to receive calls, change the volume, mute the call, redial, turn the LEDS on and off, apart from giving you three preset options. Besides, Voice-dialling feature is another notable aspect of the device.

Moreover, the device has easy charging facilities which can be done at the press of a button. The device is incorporated with a 12V charger, which is the USB adapter type, meaning that you can have the convenience and flexibility to charge it from your car or even a PC.

The JVC KD-G441 is a hi-fi CD receiver which can be used as the main unit of your car’s audio system. It features lots of options and delivers every sound frequency at its best. This device has been optimised for hi-fi audio installations in cars. It has a nice rust free face plate with a shiny coating applied on it which gives it the royal look and rich style. The controls too are nicely crafted so as to grab anyone’s attention at the very first glance. You will find small LED illuminated blue coloured buttons at the bottom of the JVC KD-G441 accompanied by a relatively big volume knob that has also the same LED illumination on its perimeter. This makes the JVC KD-G441 pretty cool and easy to operate in the dark.

The JVC KD-G441 is powered by a built-in amplifier that is powerful enough to process and deliver robust sound effects. You can use different audio sources with this model including CD, CD-R, CD-RW and discs containing MP3 and WMA files. You can also plug in your pocket HDD or USB drive full of songs directly to the JVC KD-G441 and enjoy seamless acoustics. Apart from this the front auxiliary interface lets the users to connect their portable music players to the JVC KD-G441. The integrated flexible frequency EQ is also very handy to customise the sound as per the listener’s taste.

Tags for this article: audio, car, cd, entertainment, jvc, mp3, mutant mt2200bt review, radio

It’s the second time when the Audi has received an award for its exceptional performance. Recently it has got the Automobile Magazine’s 2009 Design of the Year Award from one of North America’s leading automotive publications for the Audi A5. This is the second consecutive event for the company. Before this it has already received the magazine’s Design of the Year and Car of the Year awards 2008 for its Audi R8 sports car. According to Automobile Magazine Design Editor Robert Cumberford, “The first point of appreciation comes upon approaching the car. The second comes when the door is opened to one of the best interiors offered today, in any car at any price. The A5’s elegance, stability, and sheer visual presence make it a clear winner.”

The Audi A5 offers all of its elements with seamless proportions. Its details are exceptionally fine and that’s the niche which has earned the car this award. Consumers too are delighted with this car as it offers them a powerful and highly efficient 3.2-liter FSI engine, 265 hp and awesome acceleration of 0-60 mph time in 6.1 seconds, in addition of course to state of the art peripherals, such as car radio navigation systems. Johan de Nysschen, executive vice president, Audi commented, “The graceful, yet precisely drawn, lines of the A5 epitomize the way a progressive coupe should look. All of its elements - powerful surfaces, a front end that speaks to pure performance, lighting that blends style with function among many other features - unite Audi style and dynamic performance.”

The Alpine IVA-W203/P1 is not the average navigation system that you are accustomed to. Rather, in taking the concept of convenience and innovation to the next level, it comes as a unique combination of navigation, audio, and video. The unit, which requires a 2-DIN slot on your dash, is especially conspicuous for its space saving features. Ironically enough, the unit appears conspicuous also for its sharp price tag as well!

What will really catch your imagination is the fact that it uses an innovative GPS navigation system called NVE-P1 that is removable. It means that you are endowed with a great deal of flexibility and convenience as you can use it on another vehicle if the situation demands. Then, there is a Bluetooth option that can be comprehensively paired with your mobile phone. The Alpine IVA system also provides whole hearted support to features like iPod, satellite radio, in addition to a whole range of multimedia files. The prominent iPod features include Percentage Search, Information Display options (artist, songs, albums), and also makes for easy navigation.

Coming back to the navigation capabilities of the system, it has been preloaded with NAVTEQ map data of the United States and Canada, including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. You will also feel excited that it also has on board the text-to-speech (TTS) technology that quite adorably announces actual street names in English, Spanish or French. All these features can be viewed and availed via the 6.5″ touch screen adorning the system.

The system in its role as a disc player is compatible with disc formats like DVD, DVD, Audio, DVD Video, DVD-R, DVD-RW, and many more. Music playback, on the other had, includes MP3 and WMA Playback.

Tags for this article: alpine, audio, car, dvd, entertainment, mp3, navigation