SENSEable City Lab and VW on intelligent navigation AIDA 2.0

Posted: 04 May 2011 09:40 AM PDT

The AIDA project (Affective, Intelligent Driving Agent), a collaboration between Volkswagen of America and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (SENSEable City Lab), is a platform comprising of an intelligent navigation system that aims to bring an innovative driving experience.

We envision a navigation system that becomes familiar with both the driver and the city. Instead of focusing solely on determining routes to a specified waypoint, our system utilizes analysis of driver behavior in order to identify the set of goals the driver would like to achieve. Furthermore, AIDA involves an understanding of the city beyond what can be seen through the windshield, incorporating information such as business and shopping districts, tourist and residential areas, as well as real-time event information.

- SENSEable City Lab

Audi Connect offers Wi-Fi, souped-up navigation

Panamera Diesel excels at long distance fuel economy

Posted: 04 May 2011 07:52 AM PDT

Panamera Diesel

Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart’s sporty Gran Turismos are receiving reinforcements in the guise of a long range cruiser with an impressive turn of speed. With a range in excess of 1,200 kilometers on an 80 litre tank, the new Panamera Diesel is a good bet as a distinctly economical GT saloon. Thanks to its fuel consumption of only 6.3 litres per 100 kilometers based on the NEDC with the optional low friction tires – which equates to 167 g/km CO2 – in purely arithmetical terms, the first Porsche Gran Turismo with a six-cylinder diesel engine can drive from Berlin to Bologna without refueling. With the standard tires the fuel consumption of 6.5 l/100 km (172 g/km CO2) is also very low.

Panamera Diesel

The Panamera Diesel copes effortlessly with short bursts of speed and alpine transits. This is delivered by the smooth-running three-litre V6 engine with a rated output of 250 hp (184 kW) achieved between 3,800 rpm and 4,400 rpm. The maximum torque of 550 Nm available all the way from 1,750 rpm to 2,750 rpm delivers high pulling power. Married to the highly efficient eight-speed Tiptronic S, the six-cylinder turbo diesel powers the new Gran Turismo from a standing start to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds, with a top speed of 242 km/h (150 mph). The Panamera Diesel is exclusively available with rear-wheel drive.

Panamera Diesel

The Porsche Panamera Diesel’s three-litre V6 engine is the state of the art in diesel technology: Common rail direct injection through piezo valves at a pressure of 2000 bar, turbocharging employing electrically controlled variable geometry turbochargers (VGTs) and emission control achieved by controlled exhaust gas recirculation, oxidation catalyst and particle filter. This is how high performance, generous torque and low consumption find themselves accompanied by smooth running, reliability and low emissions. An additional contributing factor is the auto start/stop function fitted as standard.

In terms of its driving dynamics and comfort, the Panamera Diesel is a genuine Porsche Gran Turismo through and through. Adaptive air suspension is available as an alternative to the standard steel spring suspension if so desired. This makes for a very wide spread of suspension characteristics with further enhancements to ride comfort on the one hand and very sporty driving dynamics on the other.

Panamera Diesel

Developed from the outset as a four-seater vehicle, in terms also of interior design and the individual comfort of each and every occupant the Gran Turismo ploughs its own furrow. Notwithstanding its distinctive flat and stretched silhouette, 4.97 meters in length and a mere 142 centimeters high, the Panamera Diesel affords generous accommodation for all four seats. The new model can be recognized by the lettering “diesel” on the front doors.

The Panamera Diesel costs 80,183 euro in Germany including VAT and country-specific equipment and will be available for delivery from August 2011.

Panamera Diesel