Auto News 5

The increasing use of electronic gadgets and technologies has become a major road safety issue. On February 16th, 2012, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published the first-ever federally proposed guidelines to encourage automakers to limit the distraction risk for in-vehicle electronic devices.

These voluntary guidelines apply to communications, entertainment, information gathering and navigation devices or functions that are not required to safely operate a vehicle. Several manufacturers already restrict access to certain devices, such as the navigation system, when drivers exceed 20 km/h. While annoying, this helps reduce driving distractions and keep eyes on the road.

BMW Apps
Available on a number of models, the BMW Apps package includes BMW Connected along with a smartphone integration module hidden inside the centre armrest. Owners can bring Facebook, Twitter, their calendar, RSS feeds, Wiki Local, or even their favourite web radio station into their car on the iDrive screen.



It all sounds interesting on paper, but how is it in the real world? I recently set out to find out in a 2012 BMW 335i.

First of all, connecting my iPhone proved to be easy, either with the integration dock or the Apple cable plugged in the USB port. After that, I just had to open the BMW Connected app, and let iDrive recognize and synchronize my phone. By the way, make sure to connect to your Facebook/Twitter accounts and enter the address for your RSS feeds before you install your smartphone, otherwise you won't be able to configure them.

Then the ConnectedDrive menu came alive on the iDrive screen. The architecture is clean and friendly, allowing access to my Facebook status or my RSS feeds with 2-3 clicks. I was even able to post a few pre-written updates on Facebook and Twitter.

Is it safe?
There's one big problem: you can do everything while driving. My good pal Matt St-Pierre helped me for the tests, and let me tell you that we were shocked. While the system isn't exactly dangerous with a passenger to look after it, troubles ensue when the driver steps in.

The BMW owner's manual recommends users to err on the side of caution and avoid playing with the system while driving. The company also added a text-to-speech function that reads Tweets, Facebook updates and RSS feeds. That's nice, but you can still toss that aside and do whatever you please.

You thought writing text messages or talking on the phone while driving was irresponsible? Well, now I understand why the NHTSA and other governments are trying to regulate these practices through strict policies - and why BMW changed its slogan from ''The Ultimate Driving Machine'' to ''The Ultimate Driving Experience.'' Technology is quickly taking over the automobile, all in the name of a ''better experience'' behind the wheel. What a shame.

Adapted from GMM

Bernie Ecclestone's latest proposal is that Formula 1's most important races become a tennis-like 'Grand Slam'.

Insisting that the calendar will probably not expand much beyond 20 races, the F1 chief executive also admitted that "circumstances change".

If that's the case, the most important races could be like international tennis' Slams.

"Absolutely," Ecclestone told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. "I'm working on it. And if it gets that far, then there would be more points for the Grand Slam races."

On another topic, Ecclestone has confirmed he is still at loggerheads with Mercedes over the new Concorde Agreement.

The German car maker's team is the big missing name, after F1 chief executive Ecclestone announced recently he has agreed terms with "the majority" of the teams including Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull.

Ecclestone indicated that the disagreement he is having is with Brackley based Mercedes GP, the Ross Brawn led works outfit and not the car maker.

The team believes it should have been offered a better deal, based on Mercedes' long history in the sport. But Ecclestone disagrees.

"If you trace the roots of that team, they started as Tyrrell," he said. "Since then, there have been four different owners and four different names.

"I can see little history with this (Mercedes) team," Ecclestone insisted.

The Briton confirmed that teams will receive bonuses under the new Concorde for "history and success", adding that Mercedes has won "one race" so far.

The F1 boss also revealed he does not support moves to install a budget cap in F1.

"It wouldn't work. You can't stop people from spending the money they have. They will always find a way to get around whatever you try to do to control it. Instead, the technical rules should be written so that it is not possible to just use money to make a faster car," Ecclestone insisted.

Another solution, said the 81-year-old Briton, is to allow smaller teams to buy year-old customer cars.

He said a clause will "probably" be written into the next Concorde Agreement.

Ecclestone acknowledged the dilemma that allowing customer cars could result in all the small teams buying the best car off-the-shelf, resulting in there being only a handful of constructors left on the grid.

"The way I'm imagining it, this would not be possible," he insisted. "I'll tell you about it soon."

From GMM

A travelling F1 journalist believes this weekend's controversial Bahrain grand prix could go ahead without problems.

Ahead of the island Kingdom's highly-contentious return to the F1 calendar this weekend after a two-year absence due to civil unrest, some of the sport's correspondents have this week been reporting from the scene of often violent protests.

The Telegraph correspondent Tom Cary said he was approached at a protest on Tuesday by a man wearing a Ferrari shirt.

"I love F1," the man said, "but not over our blood."

Some other F1 regulars have skipped Bahrain altogether, as only 260 journalists are registered to attend -- about 25 per cent down on the usual number.

Writing in the German-language Speed Week, however, Mathias Brunner endeavoured simply to make his way from the airport to his hotel, and on to the Sakhir circuit, where he will spend the week reporting about the grand prix.

"I am a formula one journalist. I travel to countries where grands prix are held," he began.

"After China, I wanted to get my own idea about what is true: the picture of the (Bahrain) government, where everything is fine, or the picture of the activists, where the entire place is in a state of civil war."

Brunner said FIA president Jean Todt had "no time" to answer questions about Bahrain when he visited the Chinese grand prix last weekend.

"My job is not to seek out unrest and talk with the opposition, but it's also not to parrot the slogans of the government. I just want to get an impression about where the grand prix is taking place.

"My first impression is that it's stiflingly hot. After a quarter of an hour's drive it is clear that there are more police about than on our last visit two years ago -- I have counted more than 50 vehicles, at least.

"Then I saw a burned-out police car on the right of the main road."

Brunner said he was questioned at a police check-point before reaching the Sakhir circuit, and questioned again when he parked too close to a police car in the media parking lot.

He also said he saw some police inside the circuit, before stopping for a "one stop strategy" at a fast food outlet on the return to his hotel.

"I drove a different route on purpose, and there were a lot of police on the roads there as well," said Brunner.

"But what is clear is that the view about Bahrain in the Shanghai paddock (last weekend) in no way reflects the true situation in the country," he concluded.

Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport is reporting that the race could theoretically still be cancelled as late as Thursday.

The owners of the German chemical plant where an explosion led to the shortage of a key automotive resin material said it will be at least three months before it can return to normal production.

The owners of the German chemical plant where an explosion led to the shortage of a key automotive resin material said it will be at least three months before it can return to normal production.

TRW Automotive Holdings says it received orders for its electric park brake technology from three major North American automakers.

Audi has lifted the veil on a production-based concept from its quattro performance division that previews a range-topping variant of the Q3 for European markets.

The 2013 Dodge Dart compact is priced to compete, but much of the car's success depends on its reliability, automotive analysts say.

Private equity firm Carlyle Group is looking to sell auto parts supplier Metaldyne and hopes to fetch as much as $1 billion as it cashes in on a strong recovery in vehicle production volumes, people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Ford RS200. Ferrari 250 GTO. Opel Manta 400. Chevrolet Camaro Z28. Dodge Charger Daytona.

Also in this episode: Sticker prices are set for the 2013 Dodge Dart, Volkswagen is ready to buy

Honda said it will start the world's first mass-production process to extract rare earth metals from used car parts and recycle the expensive materials mainly controlled by China.

Just by means of a preamble, I clearly don't expect when ringing either the French President's office in Paris or the British Business Secretary's equivalent in London, to be immediately rushed the minutes of their various meetings by high-speed courier.

Ladies and gentlemen, you have three more days to register for the Autoweek VIP Race Weekend Experience.

On April 17, 1964, at the World's Fair in New York, Henry Ford II brought the world its first pony car, the Ford Mustang.

Lada has said it was ending production one of its classic 1982 models after sales shrank for a vehicle that was dated from the moment it was introduced.

MG Motor has revealed sketches of its latest concept car, the Icon.

Deep Dive: 2014 Ferrari Enzo Successor

Ferrari's flagship mates an 800-hp V-12 to a 120-hp electric motor.

How time flies. It's already been a decade since the Ferrari Enzo rewrote the sports car rulebook. Although its major elements -- a carbon-fiber structure, a 650-hp V-12, and active aerodynamics -- have hardly become commonplace, new supercars have challenged Ferrari's king-of-the-road status. Never fear. Ferrari will restore order come 2013 with a stunning high-tech flagship.

Photo Gallery: Deep Dive: 2014 Ferrari Enzo Successor - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: Deep Dive: 2014 Ferrari Enzo Successor - Automobile Magazine

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General Motors' Australian unit Holden will develop at least two new car models for China after sealing a deal with GM's Chinese partner.

Hardline Fiat union, FIOM, is to appeal against a swathe of rulings imposed by the Labour Court of Turin as it looks to secure union recognition at the automaker's Italian plants.